UCL Final: BIPC Holds Watch Party With Zeva Beer For Arsenal Fans In Benue

From Attah Ede, Makurdi 

The Benue Investment and Property Company(BIPC), developer of the Food Basket Brewery that produces Zeva Premium Lager Beer, at the weekend organised a watch party during the UEFA Champions League final,for thousands of Arsenal FC fans and other football enthusiasts in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.

The event was held at Sese Event Center, Makurdi, where the football fans converged to watch the UEFA Champions League final between Arsenal FC of England and Paris Saint Germain(PSG) of France.

It was an unforgettable football moments filled with excitement and  entertainment,as the Zeva premium lager was formally unveiled and introduced to fans for patronage.

Both Arsenal and other football fans bought cans of Zeva beer to enable them have access to the viewing arena, thereby creating a strategic market introduction for the locally produced beverage.

Speaking to journalists at the event, the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of BIPC, Dr. Raymond Asemakaha, intimated that the initiative was aimed at creating awareness about Zeva and encouraging Benue residents to embrace products manufactured within the state.

Dr. Asemakaha maintained that the company is not merely introducing a new product, but positioning a brand that is expected to compete at both national and international levels.

According to him, the company is coming fully prepared to take its rightful place in Benue State and beyond, stressing that the product has been introduced to the market and ensuring that people understand what they are doing. 

He explained that the brewery project has assembled a team of experienced professionals, including technical consultants and installation experts, to ensure that Zeva meets international quality standards.

"I encourage residents to support the brand. This is because patronage of locally produced goods will help retain wealth within the state’s economy.

"The significant sums of money are spent annually on alcoholic beverages consumed in Benue. It is my sincere appeal to consumers to redirect a substantial portion of that spending to products manufactured in the state.

“If you are thinking of taking a beer, think of Zeva first. Every naira spent on Zeva remains within our economy, creates jobs and contributes directly to the development of our state", Asemakaha.

He insisted that BIPC’s long-term goal is to secure a substantial share of the state’s beverage market, expressing confidence that the quality of the product would enable it to compete favourably with established brands.

"Beyond Zeva Premium Lager Beer and Oyi Bitter, the company has also introduced a malt drink and plans to roll out additional non-alcoholic beverages to cater to different consumer preferences.

Commenting on the brewery’s technical capacity, the chief installer of the plant, Engineer Leo Luo, said the facility was equipped with modern brewing technology capable of producing beer that meets global standards.

According to him, Zeva is brewed from quality ingredients and produced under strict quality control measures designed to ensure consistency, taste and consumer satisfaction.

Luo expressed confidence that the brewery would contribute significantly to industrial development and economic growth in Benue State through job creation and local value addition.

He described the establishment of the brewery as a major industrial investment capable of strengthening the state’s economy and attracting further investments.

Also speaking, Plant Manager of Zeva Premium Lager Beer, Emmanuel Adoje, described the brand as a premium-quality lager designed to provide consumers with an affordable but high-standard beverage option.

Adoje said the brewery represents a landmark industrial project in the North-Central region, noting that the area had long lacked a major brewery despite its strategic location and market potential.

He maintained that the quality of Zeva compares favourably with leading brands in the industry and expressed optimism that the product would gain wide acceptance across the region.

“The quality of Zeva Premium Lager Beer is top-notch, and it is affordable. We believe consumers will appreciate the value it offers,” he said.

The event combined football entertainment with product promotion, as Arsenal supporters and other football fans sampled the new beverage while following the highly anticipated Champions League final.

Many fans expressed excitement over the emergence of a locally produced beer brand, describing it as a welcome development that could create employment opportunities and boost economic activities within the state.

The watch party once again demonstrated ZEVA Beer’s commitment to bringing people together through great experiences, making the Champions League final celebration a truly memorable event.

Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain(PSG) defeated Arsenal 4-3 on penalties after playing out a 1-1 draw in regulation time to retain their UEFA Champions League title.

The game played at the Puskas Arena in Budapest started on an exciting note as Kai Havertz put the Gunners ahead after a daring solo run in the 5th minute.

A solid defensive display saw Mikel Arteta’s side stave off series of attacks from the relentless PSG.

However, Dembele drew level from the penalty spot in the 64th minute. The goal restored parity and shifted momentum in favour of Luis Enrique’s side.

Both teams created opportunities during the remainder of normal time and extra time, but neither could find a decisive winner despite intense attacking pressure.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta introduced fresh legs from the bench, while PSG boss Luis Enrique made key tactical adjustments as the match remained deadlocked at 1-1 after 120 minutes.

The contest was ultimately decided by a tense penalty shootout.

PSG converted four of their spot-kicks through Gonçalo Ramos, Désiré Doué, Achraf Hakimi and Lucas Beraldo.

Arsenal responded with successful efforts from Viktor Gyökeres, Declan Rice and Gabriel Martinelli, but misses from Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Magalhães proved costly.

Beraldo calmly dispatched the winning kick before Gabriel’s decisive miss handed PSG a 4-3 shootout victory.

The triumph sees PSG become only the second club in the modern Champions League era to successfully defend the trophy after Real Madrid’s famous three-time win between 2016 and 2018.

It also further cements Luis Enrique’s status as one of Europe’s elite coaches after guiding the Paris club to back-to-back continental crown.