Chinazor Megbolu
The Director General / CEO of Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) Mr. Aboloma Osita has urged Nigerians to patronise products produced in the country, saying that some made in Nigerian products are world-class.
Aboloma stated this at the second annual conference of the Consumer Rights Awareness Advancement and Advocacy Initiative (CRAAAI) in Lagos on Tuesday.
The SON DG, who was represented by Victoria Yoriyo, stressed that for instance, Nigerian cable products are the best globally.
He therefore urged Nigerians to patronise Nigerian products that have MANCAP certification, even as he urged consumers to obtain original receipt when making purchases as it would enable them to make legal complaints if the products they bought turned out to be counterfeited or of low quality.
Speaking in the same, Director General of Consumer Protection Council (CPC), Babatunde Irukera called on consumer advocacy groups, manufacturers and others to act as effective whistle-blowers in the war against counterfeit food and beverage products.
Irukera, who was represented by Mr. Tam Tamono, noted that such a role for consumer advocacy groups and other stakeholders would enable the government agencies to be more effective and efficient in their drive to ensure enforcement of the rules and regulations of the federal government bothering on sub-standard goods and services.
According to him product counterfeiters are criminals, and only effective collaboration among agencies, consumers and NGOS can ameliorate or eradicate their evil activities across the country.
He said the counterfeiting of products are evil in several ways, adding that experiences show that counterfeiters use child labour, cheap materials, support terrorism, criminal economy, hurt legitimate businesses among others.
Earlier in his welcome address, Chairman of CRAAAI, Moses Igbrude commended SON, CPC and NAFDAC for their unrelenting efforts in the battle against sub-standard goods and services.
According to him, it is constant and continuous cooperation and collaboration of all stakeholders that can checkmate the counterfeiters.
Meanwhile, awards were given to Guinness’s Malta Guinness Herbs Lite, Cadbury Hot chocolate 3 in 1, Trophy lager beer, Goldberg lager Beer, Ciprotab, Lupail Forte, and Honeywell Whole Wheat for innovation, creative and quality sustainability.
