News
CPC to Check Consumer Abuses in ICT Sector
Consumer Protection Council (CPC) said that it has commenced a pro-consumer initiative aimed at driving unprecedented and positive changes within the ICT sector in the country.
Mr. Abiodun Olumuyiwa, head, Public Relations, in a statement said that this is in recognition of the increasing use and reliance on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) by almost every segment of the Nigerian populace and the attendant widespread and uncontrollable consumer abuses in the sector.
It stated, "The Council, against the backdrop of increasing consumer abuses in the sector, came up with the initiative to bring succor to consumers on issues such as Automated Teller Machine (ATM) anomalies, poor telecom service delivery, no refund policy for defective ICT devices, abusive sales promotion and loyal programs, as well as a wide range of abuses from ICT enabled services/products."
The initiative, comprising holistic strategies for the protection of all ICT users and consumers, would commence with the development of a blueprint, the ICT Consumer Protection Enforcement Strategy – for addressing a wide range of consumer issues and enforcing consumer rights under the CPC Laws.
It explained that, "The Strategy would reinforce existing CPC regulations as well as promulgate new ones, all aimed at transforming the respect for consumer issues and compliance with their statutorily guaranteed rights, the true central focus of ICT business and related transactions in Nigeria.
"Part of the new enforcement strategy would include the development of service and product standards, covering technology-related goods and services, whether within the ICT sector itself or in other sectors where ICT operates as service enablers."
To ensure full implementation of this Initiative, the Council has engaged the services of a foremost ICT Law firm, Technology Advisors, to assist in its renewed efforts to protect, represent and promote consumer rights across the country on any issue affecting the procurement, use and value of all ICT goods and services in Nigeria.
The initiative, according to the CPC, would usher in a new regime of more proactive regulation that would largely curb consumer abuses and restore consumer confidence in the sector.
"The Council’s renewed commitment to safeguarding consumers in the sector is informed by the reality that unless consumers’ interests are properly safeguarded in this fast developing sector in Nigeria, consumers’ confidence may continue to be eroded, and along with it the potential for using ICT as a tool for economic growth and development in Nigeria may remain a pipe dream.
"Also, the seeming inefficiencies currently being suffered in the sector as services constantly fail to deliver value comparable to prices, could be regained to support more efficient resource allocation and competition in the economy," it further stated. Implementation of the initiative, it added, would be done with the support of the ICT sector regulators in broadcasting, telecommunications and information technology (NBC, NCC and Nitda), would be thrown into full throttle from the first quarter of next year.
News
Legit.ng, Shade of Life Foundation Partner to Advance Autism Awareness in Nigeria
Legit.ng recently joined forces with the Shade of Life Foundation to become a voice of autism, and drive advocacy for improved media support during Autism Awareness Month.
Conversations around media support exploration was led by Joseph Omotayo, head of Department for Human Interest Stories at Legit.ng, and Dr. Eziafakaku Nwokolo, founder and CEO of the Shade of Life Foundation,
This partnership is a response to the concerns raised by organizations like the Shade of Life Foundation about the level of support received from the media in discussing autism as a disability.
While other disabilities may receive attention, autism, with its critical developmental implications often lacks adequate representation in mainstream media.
Recognizing the importance of addressing these concerns, Legit.ng took proactive steps by integrating itself into the essence of autism awareness.
It facilitated a one-hour workshop with Dr. Nwokolo, the founder of the foundation, to deepen our understanding of autism, its various spectrums, and the language boundaries associated with it.
Other steps we took in advocating autism awareness in the media, can be seen in our attached press release.
Legit.ng believes that by amplifying the voices of autism and advocating for better media representation, we can contribute to creating a more inclusive and accepting society for all.
News
As Nigeria Struggle, Tanzania Turns off Power Plants Due to Excess Supply
While 85 per cent of Nigeria is in darkness, Tanzania, an African country has shut down five hydroelectric stations in a bid to reduce excess electricity in the national grid.
Kassim Majaliwa, prime minister, Tanzania, has said the main plant, Mwalimu Nyerere Hydroelectric Station, alone generated enough electricity to power major cities, including Dar es Salaam, the country’s commercial hub.
It is the first time Tanzania, which suffers chronic power shortages, has closed hydroelectric stations due to excess production.
“We have turned off all these stations because the demand is low and the electricity production is too much, we have no allocation now,” an official from state-run power company, Tanesco, said.
The 2,115MW Julius Nyerere Hydropower Dam is said to be almost filled with water following heavy rains that started early this year.
Meanwhile, while the country has an installed capacity of 1,938MW and the grid installed capacity of 1,899MW, Nigeria which has an installed capacity of 13,000MW is struggling to electrify 85 per cent of its electricity consumers.
News
President Tinubu Appoints Jim Ovia as Student Loan Fund Chairman
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Jim Ovia, renowned banker and businessman, as the Chairman, Board of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.
Ovia’s appointment is contained in a State House statement titled, ‘President Tinubu appoints Jim Ovia as Chairman of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund,’ and issued on Friday by Ajuri Ngelale, special adviser to the President, Media & Publicity.
The statement noted that “Ovia is the founder of one of Nigeria’s leading banks and a respected business leader, with a surfeit of efforts and benefaction towards nurturing and empowering young Nigerians.
“He is an alumnus of Harvard Business School and holds a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Louisiana.”
The National Student Loan Programme is a pivotal intervention that seeks to guarantee sustainable higher education and functional skill development for all Nigerian students and youths.
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund, the implementing institution of this innovation, demands excellence and Nigerians of the finest professional ilk to guide and manage.
“The President believes Mr. Ovia will bring his immense wealth of experience and professional stature to this role to advance the all-important vision of ensuring that no Nigerian student suffers a capricious end to their pursuit of higher education over a lack of funds,” the statement partly read.
Ovia’s appointment will also ensure “that Nigerian youths, irrespective of who they are, have access to higher education and skills that will make them productive members of society and core contributors to the knowledge-based global economy of this century.”
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