The Consumer Protection Council (CPC), Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON), Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN), Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), amongst other relevant agencies, are set to address the continual violation of Nigerian consumers’ right for the first time. This will happen at a colloquium cum inauguration of a new executive organised by the Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria (BJAN.)

Other relevant government agencies scheduled for the industry discourse include National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) and Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) through its Consumer Protection Unit (CPU). The director generals of these reputable agencies have confirmed their participation at the event.

Organised by BJAN, the high profile event comes up the March 15 at Eko Hotel, Lagos, with the theme “Consumer Rights in Nigeria, the Most Violated? The Role of the Regulators.” It is organised to coincide with the World Consumer Rights Day.

A statement by BJAN made available to News Express disclosed that the DG of CPC, Mr. Emmanuel Amlai, will lead the discussion as the keynote speaker while the Chairman of APCON, Lolu Akinwunmi; DG of NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii, DG of SON, Dr. Joseph Odumodu; DG of NCC, Mr. Eugene Juwah; and President, ADVAN, Mr. Kola Oyeyemi, are listed as discussants.

According to the newly elected Chairman of BJAN, Mr. Goddie Ofose, BJAN is initiating the move to build a powerful Nigerian consumer movement and awaken stakeholders to help protect and empower Nigerian consumers whose rights have been violated from time immemorial.

He said: “Whether it is faulty products causing injury, utility service providers ignoring complaints, or irresponsible lending by banks, better consumer protection is always part of the solution. While many Nigerian consumers don’t get reparation for any damage done to them by companies or oftentimes taken for granted by service providers and goods producers because the regulators or consumerism is weak in this part of the world, BJAN, is sending a wakeup call to address the need to protect the right of Nigeria’s consumers whose rights seem to be the most violated across the globe.”

News Express learnt that Mr. Deji Elumoye, Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Lagos Chapter Chairman, will at the event inaugurate the new BJAN executive.

•Photo: BJAN President Goddie Ofose.