Pharmaceuticals and cosmetics packaging Training held at Golden Tulip Hotel, Festac Town on the 24th of March, lasted three days with a globally recognised students certification. The training is supported by the World Packaging Organization (WPO), and highly recognised across 52 countries on the planet. The training modules are endorsed by WPO.
Alhaji Ahmed Alex Omah, Executive Director and publisher of Nigeria Packaging Journal, the Director of Graphics Packaging Communication, also the Executive Director of the Institute of Packaging Nigeria, A board Member of the World Packaging Organization and the first Vice- President of African Packaging Organization in his brief interview with us stated the importance and essence of having this training in Nigeria.
‘’We have come to understand from research that at the moment packaging is a priority for most products in Nigeria for them to be able to showcase on the international market and most of the shopping malls. In line with the World Packaging Organization mandate for global education, we have invited my colleagues from South Africa, Mr. Kishan Singh Vice-President of World Packaging Organization, Prof. Pierre Pienaar the Vice-President of WPO, Education Committee, he is responsible for all the global education in packaging. This training is in two parts, first part was on pharmaceutical & cosmetics, while the second part which ended today is on Food & beverages.”
A day to the commencement of the training on the 23rd of March, student’s arrival was recognised at the hotel followed by an informal dinner. The training proper started with the opening ceremony with dignitaries at 11am on the 24th of March. The host Mr. Ahmed Omah gave a welcome note, Mr. Kishan Singh gave the introduction to training, while Prof. Pierre Pienaar heads the training. Present also at the training was Mr. John O. Onuegbulem from Heidelberg, Dr. (Mrs.) Sola Falaiye from AFKAR amongst others.
The training started with quality concept and quality management in packaging, the section lasted seven hours having lunch break and dinner in-between after the classes; it was a classy training with comfort and standards as some of the trainees attested. The training on packaging of cosmetics and pharmaceutical lasted three days, while the other part of the training on Food, Beverages Packaging and its Application also lasted three days from 1st – 3rd of April.
On the 3rd of March, the last day of the Food & Beverages packaging and its application, Mr. Kunle Oye-igbemo, solution Architect, industry Engagement, Standards and Training Manager for Gs1 Nigeria granted a brief interview after his presentation to the trainees. “GS1 Nigeria is a neutral and a not-for-profit organization that facilitates collaboration among trading partners and technology providers in Nigeria with products mainly in barcodes, eCom, GDSN and EPC global. As the Nigerian office for GS1 International we promote system of standards that enhance visibility and products identification on data capture and information sharing across the continent, all over the world to all the consumers. With the present landscape of trading, it’s advisable for all products to go through GS1 for visibility and to avoid counterfeit. We all know counterfeits are not good for brands, once a brand carries GS1 barcode it reduces the chances of counterfeit, we eject fake products out of the system with the standards of our operation it difficult and not viable for counterfeit because it is authenticated by GS1. Our service caters for the everyday consumer goods and CD productions, we are also working with AMA to help them protect their content against copyright, pirate, and barcodes help them monitor their products well which enables them get the best returns on their investments.