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CPC Orders DStv to Compensate Subscribers, Provide Toll-free Lines

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Consumer Protection Council (CPC) has ordered MultiChoice Nigeria Limited, provider of Digital Satellite Broadcast Television (DStv) service to compensate and provide toll-free lines to its subscribers.

The followed confirmation of CPC’s investigations on allegations of violations of consumer rights.

Consequently, the Council in Abuja directed DStv to release free-to-air channels, even when subscription expires; compensate consumers across board for lost viewing time and reasonable equitable spread of popular sports channels, among others.

Mrs. Dupe Atoki, director general of CPC, expressed optimism that compliance with these reforms would bring about a new dawn for Nigerian consumers, who would henceforth enjoy value for money in their engagement with the company.

Atoki reiterated the Council’s commitment towards sanitising the nation’s market-place for the benefit of consumers, assuring that no stone would be left un-turned to ensure it is no longer business as usual and shoddy service delivery becomes a thing of the past in the country.

According to her, “During the course of our investigations, the Council observed that the company’s billing system, whereby “billing is not contemporaneous with the provision of service” was not in the best interest of consumers and therefore ordered MultiChoice to install a billing system that ensures billing starts with the provision of service”

She said that the pay-television company was also ordered to within 90 days provide across board compensation to its subscribers, considering the fact that many of them have over time lost legitimate and paid viewing time by its conduct of not restoring service contemporaneously after payment as well as other instances of disruptions.

MultiChoice was ordered to keep local and free-to-air channels open so that subscribers would have the opportunity of watching these channels, even when their subscriptions have expired.

DSTv was also instructed to present written assurances in line with Section 10 of the Council’s enabling law that it will not engage in any conduct which is detrimental to the interest of consumers.

In the same vein, the company shall for 18 months from the date of the orders, subject its processes to the Council’s inspection to ensure compliance with the directives contained in the orders.

Similarly, the company was also directed by CPC to within 180 days adopt a “technology that supports suspension of service when subscribers are otherwise unable to enjoy their service on account of being away for a limited period of time”, provided such a request for suspension of service is done for a period of between 7 to 14 days and not more than twice in a year with a 72-hour notice to MultiChoice.

On non-availability of popular channels in certain bouquets, the Council ordered the firm to within 90 days ensure “a reasonably equitable spread of popular sports and other channels hitherto concentrated in its premium bouquet over all available bouquets”.

In order to aid easy and fast access to the company by subscribers who wish to make complaints or enquiries, CPC directed MultiChoice not only to maintain local toll-free telephone access lines for its call centres, but should also ensure the call centres operate for longer hours during public holidays and weekends.

MultiChoice was also directed to formulate within 90 days a written compensation policy which should “outline amongst other things, the procedure for compensating subscribers for injury they suffer on account of MultiChoice conduct and take into consideration not just viewing time lost, but inconveniences suffered by subscribers”.

The Council further directed MultiChoice to “develop a Customer Care Manual which shall contain mechanisms to address customer complaints in an accurate, friendly, timely, efficient, courteous and honest manner”.

It was also directed to ensure that the list of all its accredited dealers and installers and their details be freely given to its customers at the point of subscription and also made available on its website and other information channels.

In addition, the pay-media company is not only to ensure these accredited dealers and installers carry certified means of identification issued by it, subscribers must also be periodically educated on the means of identification, while it should also reasonably and adequately compensate subscribers where they experience loss of signal on account of faulty, poor or unprofessional installation by agents of MultiChoice.

On the pay-television firm’s agreements with its subscribers, the Council disclosed that several provisions of the Service Level Agreement and the Terms and Conditions of Subscription signed on by subscribers were found to be grossly unfair, unjust and one-sided, directing that such provisions should be expunged, re-drafted and submitted to the Council.


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Meet ADU Candidates 2024: ITREALMS collaborates with Awba-Ofemili Chatroom

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The international multiple award-winning, ITREALMS Media group, is collaborating with Awba-Ofemili ChatRoom to organise a week-long ‘Meet ADU Candidates 2024’ on social media for the forthcoming Awba-Ofemili Development Union (ADU) general elections aspirants.

At press time, Awba-Ofemili ChatRoom boosts of hundreds of indigenous membership from the rice producing community in Awka-North of Anambra State, both locally and in diaspora, whereas ITREALMS is a media entity with clouts in the usage of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to entrench digitalSENSE in the society.

Speaking on this collaboration, the Editor-in-chief of ITREALMS Media and publishers of ITREALMS Online, Sir Remmy Nweke, said the initiative is to afford all indigenes of Awba-Ofemili the opportunity to meet with some key aspirants, who aspire to any elective positions during the 2024 general elections, especially from the secretariat to presidency.

The weeklong ‘Meet ADU Candidates 2024,’ Nweke pointed out, would afford aspirants to reach ndi Awba-Ofemili in one room both home and abroad, share their manifesto to over 200 members of the group.

Additionally, he said aspirants would be able to take constructive feedback to enable them gauge the expectations of ndi Awba-Ofemili.

Also, he said that the session would be hosted in collaboration with the leadership of Awba-Ofemili ChatRoom on WhatsApp from Monday 25th through Thursday, March 28, 2024.

Nweke, who would be moderating the session, said it offers aspirants the possibilities of leveraging social media to engage and market themselves to teeming youths and every eligible adult in the town and diaspora for the forthcoming ADU general elections slated for Monday, April 1, 2024 at Awba-Ofemili Civic Center.

ITREALMS Media group www.itrealms.com.ng pioneered this in 2021 as part of our contribution in endearing peace and democratic education, among other tenets to help the good people of Awba-Ofemili make informed decision and have a sense of direction in building Awba-Ofemili we want,

Equally speaking, the chief administrator of Awba-Ofemili ChatRoom, Mr. Fred Nweke said that the ‘Meet ADU Candidates 2024’ sessions are expected to enable participants set agenda and interact with aspirants in various offices not limited to Secretary-General, Vice President-General and President General for this year.

He urged every indigene of Awba-Ofemili to use the medium to interface with aspirants and provide relevant feedback they could use after their elections.

Recall that in year 2021, ITREALMS Media group, pioneered ‘Meet ADU Candidates’ as part of its contribution in deepening peace and democratic education, among other tenets to help the good people of Awba-Ofemili make informed decision and have a sense of direction in building Awba-Ofemili they want.


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Ghanaian Musician, Stonebwoy, Stars on Glo-sponsored African Voices Playmakers

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This week’s edition of the Glo-sponsored African Voices Playmakers, a magazine program of Cable News Network (CNN) is featuring the unique talent of Ghanaian Afropop and reggae star, Stonebwoy.

In an honest interview with CNN’s Larry Madowo, the 36-year-old, whose real  name is Livingstone Etse Satekla, claims to be the “King of Afro-dancehall.” He serves as the CEO of the Accra, Ghana-based musical ensemble Burniton. His commitment to bringing the Black diaspora together via his musical genre serves to further his fame.

Stonebwoy is no stranger to awards. In 2015, he won the Best International Act: Africa title at the BET Awards and the Artist of the Year title at the Ghana Music Awards, among other honors and recognitions. In addition, he received two Billboard plaques and Boomplay’s Golden Club plaque for garnering a staggering 100 million streams on the site.

He was included by YCEO and Avance media in their list of the 2019 50 (fifty) young CEOs. The list was established in 2018 to recognize outstanding young people who are dedicated to offering answers to some of Ghana’s issues. “Happy Death Day” and “My Name Is Ramadan” are two high-profile films in which Stonebwoy has acted.

African Voices Playmakers will be shown on DSTV Channel 401 on Saturday at 7.30 a.m. with repeat broadcast the same day at 11 a.m. Further rebroadcasts will be on Sunday 3.30 a.m., 6.00 p.m. and on Monday at 3.00 a.m. The edition will be repeated next week Saturday at 7.30 a.m., 11 a.m., on Sunday at 4.30 a.m., 7.00 p.m. and on Monday at 4.00 a.m.

 


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Safeguarding the Source: World Water Day and the Crucial Role of Home Water Filters

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As we commemorate World Water Day, the global focus on the significance of fresh water highlights the urgent water challenges confronting our planet. With escalating scarcity and pollution endangering our water sources, it’s time for individuals to step up, taking center stage in addressing this issue.

The spotlight now illuminates the transformative potential of home water filters, which not only helps reduce the usage of single use plastic water bottles but also leads to a more sustainable lifestyle Access to clean, safe water is not just a privilege; it’s a fundamental human right.

In the face of mounting global water crises, home water filters emerge as a beacon of hope, offering a tangible solution to ensure the purity of our most precious resource.

The World Health Organization warns of the grave health risks posed by contaminated water sources, underscoring the urgency of securing a safe water supply. Investing in home water filters isn’t just about personal health; it’s a collective commitment to safeguarding public health and well-being on a global scale.

QNET, a global lifestyle and wellness focused direct selling company, and staunch advocate of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG). With a firm dedication to sustainability, QNET has pioneered a range of products that not only meet ethical manufacturing standards but also leave a positive impact on the planet.

In the quest for clean water, home water filters emerge as unsung heroes, diligently working to strip away impurities and contaminants, delivering a steady flow of clean, safe drinking water directly to your home.

Trevor Kuna, Chief Transformation & Reputation Officer at QNET, emphasizes the company’s unwavering commitment to sustainability and the UNSDG, stating, “Home water filters offer a sustainable and eco-friendly solution, reducing our reliance on single-use plastics and promoting responsible water consumption.”

Introducing QNET’s HomePure range, featuring the revolutionary HomePure Viva and HomePure Nova. These state-of-the-art home water filters boast a cutting-edge 9-stage water purification system, effectively eliminating an astounding 99.99% of bacteria and viruses, ensuring water that’s not just safe, but pristine.

Kuna also stated that “Investing in home water filters isn’t merely a personal choice; it’s a powerful statement in support of global water conservation efforts.

By embracing sustainable water practices at the grassroots level, we can ease the burden on our planet’s water resources.

World Water Day serves as a poignant reminder that every decision we make, including the choice to install a water filter, ripples outward, shaping the health of our planet”.

As we mark World Water Day, let’s take a moment to contemplate the indispensable role water plays in our lives and the weighty responsibility we shoulder in preserving this invaluable resource.

By adopting home water filters, we take proactive steps to safeguard the health of our families and pave the way for a future where clean water flows freely for all generations.

Together, as conscientious custodians of our planet, we can rewrite the narrative of the global water crisis, forging a path toward a sustainable, healthier world for all.


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