…COMMENDS GTCO FOR SUPPORTING SMEs
By Okosun Dennis
“Ugu” leaves, a popular vegetable has dominated the market space, has continued to be a regular feature in the cooking of “Egusi” soup, stew and other cuisines in Nigeria.
Its dominance cannot be wished away. However, a new found way of consuming ‘Ugu’ outside the traditional method has evolved as Mrs. Amarachi Ahaneku-Ayeni has fashioned it into crunchy, snacky chips.
In a conversation with with our correspondent during the just concluded GTCO Food and Drink 2025, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of “Come Again Foods,” Amarachi Ahaneku-Ayeni, explained that despite converting “Ugu” into eatable chips, it has not lost its nutritional values during processing.
She disclosed that having the state-of-the-art technology in its processing, with a hygienic ambience, the company has met a high standard production requirements. Therefore, she recommended the “Ugu” chips, and other of her products like Almond chin chin and tapiokies for vegetarians and every person of all ages.
According to her, “We are into production of snacks – Almond chin chin, Ugu Chips and Tapiokies biscuits. Our company loves Nigeria and we want to minimize and beautify our raw materials we are known for and that is why we were able to turn them into snacks we can eat always.
“Ugu snack is rich in iron and help to boost blood level if you know how potent Ugu leaves are to blood level. Tapiokies are made from tapioca flours; an extract from cassava, and the Almond chin chin.”
She revealed that “Ugu as a common vegetable has never been turned into snacks except by “Come Again Foods.” The first thing people do is when they are hungry, they grab a snack. And we felt turning “Ugu” into a snack one can always eat at all times, would assist Nigerians to have a balanced diet without necessarily eating solid food. Therefore, Ugu is very rich and we have been able to do that. Now, we can eat the snacks on the go. It is sugar-free. It’s crunchy and you will enjoy it.”
On how she source for the leaves, she explained that they have several customers and vendors that supply them raw materials as they cannot afford to gamble with supply chain.
“We have different suppliers and vendors. As a company, we can’t count on one person hence we have array of vendors.
Amarachi further explained that in their processing chain, her “products are hygienically processed. We have a full running factory where we process all our goods for the benefit of every Nigerian that comes across it,” she reiterated.
With its factory located at Ajah in Etiosa Local Government Area of Lagos State, “Come Again Foods” is ready to explore other possibilities to grow its business tentacles by making the products a household snacks for all and sundry.
“Our chin chin is baked and we infuse it with Almond. However, baking is more healthier than frying to reduce the use of oil.
“We created our snacks as a company to counter for every age. Tapiokies biscuits is to take care of all ages – young and adults. It is for them to enjoy snacks like the normal chin chin that we have. The elderly, especially will engage our Ugu chips and Almond chin chin.
On whether during processing, they do not lose its nutritional value, she responded by saying that: “Our foods are met to be cooked and we cook our foods in the house. When we do, do they lose all the nutrients in it? No. We have processing methods that we would still get the best of all the nutrients inherent in them.”
The CEO disclosed that the business: “Come Again Foods” came on board in 2024 and have made remarkable progress in the snacky space. As such, in terms of marketability and customer base, It has been going well and have been able to reach different people supplying them our products with vast customer base.
On the major challenges, Amarachi Ahaneku-Ayeni noted that every business comes with its challenges but depending on the resilience and dexterity of the managers.
“Every business owner will always have challenges – both within and outside. There are government challenges as well. However, that is why we are built to surmount them. The owner is always learning and very resourceful. By God’s help, resourcefulness and knowing what we are doing, we have dealt with some of those challenges that have come our way so far.
Acknowledging that the 8th edition of GTCO Food and Drink is her first appearance, noted that it has been a rewarding experience.
However, while commending GTCO for providing the platform for SMEs to grow, she called on them to improve on some facilities within the centre.
As a priority, “GTCO should pay attention to the conveniences within and have a standard toilet, where people are stationed to guide users rather than these mobile toilets, it will be far more better,” she retorted.
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