SON Destroys Substandard Goods Worth N7m In Bauchi

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) on Monday said it had destroyed expired and substandard goods worth N7 million in Bauchi State. The SON Zonal Director, Northeast Zone, Mr Adamu Abba, said during the exercise in Bauchi that destroying the expired and substandard goods was to ensure that only quality goods were sold to citizens. He said the exercise was in collaboration with the Bauchi State Environmental Protection Agency to ensure that all the food and non-food items seized were destroyed in a most environmentally friendly way. “This is to protect the lives and property of citizens as well as to save the environment. “The products destroyed include: beverages, cosmetics, mayonnaise, peak milk, agrochemicals, among others,” he said. The Zonal Director reiterated that the fight against substandard products was a collective responsibility of all. He appealed to members of the public to report any suspicious substandard product in the market to the office of SON. Abba commended traders and artisans’ associations for their cooperation as they voluntarily reported most of the expired products to the organisation for proper action. Also speaking, the State Coordinator of the organisation, Mr Murtala Sa’ad, noted that the feat was achieved as a result of commitment and expertise exhibited by his personnel through their weekly market survey. “This resulted in the seizure of the expired, substandard and unbranded products from various shops in Bauchi,” he said. He warned traders to desist from sharp practices, saying the organisation would not relent in hunting defaulters and ensuring that they faced full wrath of the law. Sa’ad advised members of the public to always check for expiry dates of products before using them with a view to safeguarding their health.

Sanwo-Olu, 53 brands honoured at BrandXchange Consumers Value Awards

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State and 53 other brands, products, and services, was  on Friday honoured at the second edition of the BrandXchange Consumers Value Awards (CVA) held in Lagos. The event aimed to celebrate and recognize achievements in consumer protection and brand excellence. The Consumer Value Awards, conducted through online voting by consumers, highlighted the rights of consumers and promoted brand excellence in Nigeria. It brought together brand owners from various sectors of the economy after three months of online voting involving over 300 brands. Represented by Mrs. Oluremi Ososanya, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Governor Sanwo-Olu commended the organizers for their initiative in protecting consumer interests and raising awareness of consumer rights. He emphasized the government’s responsibility to ensure citizens’ welfare and security, including safeguarding them from exploitation and ensuring they receive value for their expenditures. The event’s organizer, Mr. Akonte Ekine, noted the overwhelming response from consumers across the country, who nominated and voted for their favourite brands. This showed the active and discerning nature of consumers, with over 300 brands nominated and more than 50 brands recognized as providing the best value for consumers’ money. The awards were seen as a symbol of the brands’ commitment to consumer-centricity, reflecting their dedication to exceeding consumer expectations. Several regulatory bodies, including the Nigeria Communication Commission, Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Agency, Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency, and Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, also conveyed goodwill messages at the event.