By Tayo Joseph Lagos, Nigeria.
Wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari has charged Nigerians to understand their rights as consumers in order to stand up to market abuses which undermine those rights. She said the rights of the consumer must be protected and those on the wrong side of the law be made to understand that their rights come to an end where the rights of the consumer begins.
Mrs. Buhari, who was represented by the wife of the Governor of Nasarawa state, Mairo Tanko Almakura, made the charge during her investiture as Consumer Ambassador of Nigeria by Consumer Protection Council. The event was organized to mark the World Consumer Rights Day 2017. On Wednesday, March 15, 2017, at Abuja.
She thanked the Management of Consumer Protection Council for investing her, saying that the campaign for consumer rights is a noble cause and assured the Commission of her support and commitment towards driving the campaign.
Earlier, the Director General of the Consumer Protection Council, Barrister Dupe Atoki, said digital technology, though beneficial, has exposed consumers to digital and online threats such as cybercrime, data theft and invasion of privacy. She stated that this year’s theme: Building a Digital World Consumers can Trust, intends to call attention to these consumer issues.
Barrister Atoki showered encomiums on Her Excellency, urging her to “bring your passion to bear on the rights of the consumers” stating that through her, it was certain the message of consumer rights will reach all Nigerian women, who, as the custodians of the family budget, make the purchase decisions.
Others who spoke at the occasion include the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment and the Minister of Science and Technology, who in their goodwill messages highlighted the important role of Consumer Protection Council in protecting the rights of the consumer.
The investiture was witnessed by associates of Mrs. Buhari and other local and international well-wishers
Pix 1: From left: Mrs. Khadija Kassim (CBN), Mrs. Zahira Baba Ari, (Nigeria Commodities Exchange), Ambassador Babatunde Nurudeen (Nigeria’s Permanent Rep. to ECOWAS), Mrs. Dupe Atoki (DG, CPC), Mrs. Mairo Almakura (Wife of Governor of Nasarawa state and Rep. Mrs. Buhari), Aminu Aliyu Bisalla (Perm. Sec, Fed. Min. of Industries), Prof. Lucy Ogbadu (Rep. Min of science and Tech), Hon. Sylvanus Ugboaga (Chairman, House Committee on Commerce), and Ambassador Michel Arrion, Head of EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS.
Pix 2: Barrister Atoki, D.G. Consumer Protection Council, Mrs. Almakura and Alhaji Aminu Bisalla, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Industries, Trade and Investment.
