The NAFDAC Head of Investigation and Enforcement, Federal Taskforce, Embugushiki-Musa Godiya, also said the agency would work to ensure that fake cosmetics and other counterfeit products were completely wiped out of the country.
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Dangote lauds Lagos Govt on consumer rights advocacy
…Says manufacturers must focus on consumers’ rights
The Group Executive Director, Commercial Operations of Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), Hajia Fatima Aliko Dangote, on Friday lauded and congratulated the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) on the successful hosting of the 2024 World Consumer Rights Day, noting that consumers have the right to accurate, transparent, and easily understandable information about products and services.
Speaking at the event, Fatima Aliko Dangote, said, “In these days of artificial intelligence, where consumers are buffeted with information on many products and services which may turn out to be false or less than what is promised, they have the rights to know all the key information on the product and services.”
She said, “We need businesses to adopt ethical business practices that prioritise the well-being of consumers and the planet. We need educational initiatives that empower consumers with the knowledge and skills to navigate the complexities of the modern marketplace.”
She called for robust regulatory frameworks that safeguard consumer rights across borders as well as collective action from stakeholders to address the emerging challenges in the sector.
For Dangote Industries Limited, (DIL), however, she maintained that the company prioritises the rights of its consumers in all its processes by adhering to the prescribed standards in ensuring that its products are safe for use and consumption.
She then called on manufacturers to adhere to the fundamental principles of consumer rights, which are the right to safety, and information, the right to choose, the right to redress, and the right to a healthy environment.
While warning that consumers who are adversely affected by harmful products will spend huge amounts of money and time on treatment, which affects productivity, she noted that Dangote product packages are labeled with accurate information that makes it easy for customers to make decisions.
“For us at Dangote Group, the consumer remains king, and issues on their rights remain at the forefront of our processes. We adhere to the prescribed standards to ensure that our products are safe for use and consumption. We believe that consumers will always demand goods and services that have safety standards.
“From cement to sugar, seasoning, salt, fertiliser, and refined petroleum products, we adopted high safety standards to ensure that consumers get the best from us. Harmful products will not affect only the consumer but in the long run, affect the industry and economy,” she said.
Fatima Aliko Dangote noted that the event was an opportunity to reflect on the core values of fairness, transparency, and empowerment in the marketplace and on the rights of every individual who participates in the global economy as a consumer.
While noting that consumers play a vital role in the value chain as the final end-users of products and services, she stressed that they wield immense power, granting them the right to demand quality, safety, sustainability, and ethical practices from businesses and governments alike.
She recalled that the importance of the consumer led to the establishment of the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) which later became the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) with the mandate to educate consumers about their rights, responsibilities, and market dynamics as well as providing them with the knowledge and tools to make informed decisions and avoid anticompetitive and consumer protection violations.
She, however, noted that manufacturers and providers of services should understand that despite all precautions and efforts, consumers might find flaws and faults with products, hence, the need to have access to effective grievance mechanisms for upholding consumer rights.
“It is in recognition of this right that we established the Dangote Group Customer Care Centre. The centre is devoted to the needs, demands, and complaints of customers and consumers of our products. The Customer Care Centre caters to all categories of customers including those who are willing to become distributors of our products.
“We ensure that the rights of consumers are protected through prompt and effective resolution of issues and challenges that are brought to our attention. The centre serves as a feedback mechanism for consumers to tell us their impressions and feelings about our products,” she added.
Fatima Dangote who congratulated the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) on the successful hosting of the event, said that consumers have the right to accurate, transparent, and easily understandable information about products and services. She said this is important, especially in these days of artificial intelligence, where consumers are buffeted with information on many products and services which may turn out to be false or less than what is promised.
“We need businesses to adopt ethical business practices that prioritize the well-being of consumers and the planet. We need educational initiatives that empower consumers with the knowledge and skills to navigate the complexities of the modern marketplace,” she said.
She called for robust regulatory frameworks that safeguard consumer rights across borders as well as collective action from stakeholders to address the emerging challenges in the sector.
News
Invoke executive order for state, LG police, Afenifere tells Tinubu
The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and political organisation, Afenifere, on Saturday, urged President Bola Tinubu to invoke an Executive Order for the establishment of state and local government Police.
Afenifere, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi,in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, also called for the erection of close-circuit television sets and deployment of modern technology for security purposes in strategic locations to end insecurity.
Ajayi said, “There are indications that Tinubu is desirous of putting an end to this deleterious menace. Towards the end of January this year, he approved the procurement of digital tracking tools to enhance the apprehension of bandits, terrorists and armed robbers.
“On Monday, April 22, this year, he used the occasion of addressing participants at the African Counter-Terrorism Summit which opened on that day in Abuja to assure everyone of his government’s readiness to ensure greater security. Unfortunately, recent happenings have not shown that the President’s desire in this respect is being worked upon.
“President Tinubu should get state and local government police off the ground immediately through the invocation of an Executive Order while the process of amending the Constitution continues.
“Close circuit television sets, deployment of modern technology for security purposes including drones must be effected immediately.”
He explained that the statement was motivated by the recent reports of banditry and kidnapping in Ogun, Edo, Ekiti, Oyo, Kogi, Zamfara and Niger States, respectively which made a research organization declare Nigeria as one of the top nations where kidnap ranks highest globally.
Ajayi noted that Fulani herders and farmers’ clashes kept occurring in Osun, Ondo and Oyo State; Otu, Igbeti and Alaga in the Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State were the latest victims.
The Afenifere spokesperson also said, “In order to end insecurity, enhance people’s welfare and ensure the sustenance of Nigeria as one of the top investment destinations in Africa as desired by the government, there is the urgent need by the Federal Government and security agencies to be more innovative and decisive.”
He lamented that banditry, including armed robbery, kidnapping was still occurring on South-West roads such as Lagos-Ibadan, Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode; Akure-Ilesa-Ibadan; Ore-Ijebu Ode-Lagos, Ikirun-Osogbo-Ilesa; Lokoja-Abuja, Owo-Benin and Ibadan-Iseyin-Saki.
“Latest reports have it that on Monday, May 13 instant, eight cocoa farmers were kidnapped at Marindoti Cocoa Farmers’ settlement in Ovia South-West Local Government Area of Edo State. Three students of Millicent Secondary School in the same area on their way to write their Senior Secondary School Examination, were also kidnapped at the same time.
“A sum of N31 million was reportedly paid to ransom three people who were kidnapped at Longe village on Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode Road last week Sunday. On Thursday, May 16, one Seliat Adeniji (nee Raji) was kidnapped in her Ebedi home in Iseyin, Oyo State. Her guard was killed in the process.
“Hon Bello Hassan representing Zurmi/Shinkafi Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives last Tuesday claimed that terrorists have sacked about 50 communities and abducted over 500 people in his area of Zamfara State as bandits overran Zurmi, the second most populous town in the state killing palace officers as well as policemen.”
To put a serious check on all these, the Afenifere spokesman said that there was an urgent need to dig deep into the roots of the menace and to be decisive in applying the necessary measures.
News
NAFDAC shuts cosmetic shops in Lagos, seizes counterfeit products
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has shut three shops and raided others during a clampdown on the sale of unregistered “Dr. Teal’s” brand of cosmetics in Lagos State.
The agency disclosed this in a post on its X handle on Saturday, stating that the action came after a complaint from the trademark holder.
The statement read, “NAFDAC has shut down three cosmetics shops and raided others, targeting the sale of unregistered ‘Dr. Teal’s’ brand cosmetics. This action follows a complaint from the trademark holder regarding potential counterfeit products.
“Two suspected shops along Excellent Line at the Trade Fair Complex were targeted, resulting in sealed shops and invitation letters issued to attendants.”
It added that another development unfolded at Okas Global Link Limited where NAFDAC confiscated over 200 cartons of various Dr. Teal’s products and other unregistered cosmetics, suspecting them to be the source of distribution.
A shop identified as Cubana Stores at Phil Hallmark Plaza was also reported to have been sealed for stocking and selling the moisturising body and bath products of the alleged unregistered Dr. Teal’s brand.
NAFDAC added that according to its regulations, shop owners found guilty of selling unregistered products face penalties of up to ₦5m fine.
It said shop owners were also being questioned as part of ongoing investigations.
In the statement, the agency emphasised the health risks associated with fake cosmetics, stating the potential dangers of using products containing harmful substances.
News
Traders, soldiers clash at Banex Plaza in Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has deployed intelligence officers to Banex – an electronics and telecommunications gadgets market, in Abuja following a conflict that ensued between soldiers and some traders on Saturday.
A viral video seen by our correspondent on X on Saturday showed a multitude of civilians overpowering some soldiers during a free-for-all fight at Banex.
The Defence Headquarters, and the spokesperson for the Nigerian Army, Onyema Nwachukwu could not be reached for comments as of press time.
Meanwhile, a trader who simply identified himself as Abdul, told our correspondent on Saturday that the conflict ensued over the sale of a mobile phone.
“There’s a problem at Banex now. Some soldiers came to complain about a phone, and during an argument with the traders, a fight ensued,” Abdul simply revealed.
When contacted over the development, the spokesperson for the FCT Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh said the Commissioner of Police, Benett Igweh has deployed officers of the FCT Intelligence Response Team to the scene of the incident.
“The CP has deployed the Intelligence Response Team to the scene,” Adeh confirmed.
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