The Nation Newspaper

Category: Consumer Watch

  • CPC counsels businesses to respond to complaints

    The Director General of the Consumer Protection Council (CPC), Babatunde Irukera, has insisted that businesses in the country must be responsive to consumer grievances and must institutionalise and prioritise complaint resolution policies and mechanisms, stressing that this is the hallmark of company and brand reputation.

    Irukera noted that the current regime was unsustainable as it is tantamount to government subsidising business, stating that the CPC should not substitute company customer care as a multi-company customer service desk.

    Specifically, he opined that businesses have factored the cost of complaint resolution into their profitability and as such should not outsource it to the government, while underscoring the important role of the CPC in ensuring resolution that is fair and equitable.

    The director general made the assertion at a more collaborative relationship with the Civil Society, Consumer Protection Associations (CPAs), Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) at a round-table session organised by the Council in Abuja.

    He argued that “companies have both commercial and social contracts with consumers.

    On the motive behind the round table forum, Irukera asserted that the council seeks an effective partnership with the civil society for robust protection of consumers across our vast country.

    According to him, “any credible and people-oriented leadership will embrace civil society and as such for me, an engagement with those in civil society is paramount.”

    As part of the new engagement, the director general disclosed that the council was implementing a more stringent registration process for CSOs, NGOs, CBOs and CPAs, explaining that the additional scrutiny is to ensure the integrity and credibility of both the council and its partners.

    Irukera, while fielding questions from reporters after addressing the session, said “the most important thing to achieve from here is to first of all, let the civil society generally know that we believe that the shared burden of consumer protection is something that we must continue to emphasise and highlight and to also create a network where we are exchanging and ideas and direction.”

  • Nigerians embrace lottery as Toti Prima unveils

    It was all glitz and excitement last weekend at the Lagos Civic Centre as elated Mr. Alabi Idowu, the first person to win N1,000,000.00 in the Toti Prima lottery, emerged to clinch the prize.

    Looking totally dazed and still staring at the lucky number in his hand, he was prodded to the podium by those sitting beside him as the product Brand Ambassador, Mr.Uti Nwachukwu. repeatedly announced the winning number ‘59’. urging whoever had the number to come to the stage for his prize.

    Idowu had come to the Toti Prima Lottery launch like every other person. He had picked the number randomly at the reception table just like every other guest. He had come not anticipating any windfall, but to witness a new lottery company led by experienced lottery operators unveil a dynamic lotto brand in Nigeria at a colourful and impressive ceremony that took place at the Lagos Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    The event witnessed the presence of the media, celebrities and Nigerians from all walks of life, including the representatives of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) and the Lagos State Lotteries Board who endorsed the transparency and openness of all activities of TOTI Prima Lotto.

    At the occasion, the Chairman, TOTI Prima, Mario Camilleri, revealed that the company had engaged in painstaking market research and strategic mapping, which took about two years of planning, to come to the conclusion that TOTI Prima should play lotto in the Nigerian market.

    At a time when some companies are faint to invest in the Nigerian economy, Camilleri showed confidence in Nigeria and the Nigerian people. According to him, TOTI Prima believes in Nigeria, her economy and her people. The company sees a country where it can contribute its own quota to make the economy more robust. He added that the company feels the energy of the people and the vast opportunity in the land for companies that are ready to bring something refreshing to the people and the economy. TOTI Prima is ready to give the people the game to fly their dream, he said.

    The Chairman further revealed that, apart from the approval from both the Lagos State Lotteries Board and the NLRC, they also discovered that the Nigerian market is a mature economy, with truly strong regulators, world class banks, professional lawyers, creative marketers and other support companies who, they believe, could help them get to their final destination. “Today, we believe that we are able to change people’s lives, as well as perception of lottery in Nigeria.”

    Camilleri also revealed his dream of TOTI Prima Lotto becoming a household name in Lagos and in Nigeria as a whole. He said that the company’s strategy is to create a very strong TOTI Prima brand equity based on integrity, sincerity, tenacity of purpose and delivery starting from Lagos, and subsequently across all the states of Nigeria. This, he said, explains why the brand, apart from serving as supplementary income and improving people’s well-being, is positioning itself as a choice instrument that bring dreams to reality besides changing people’s stories.

    In his presentation, to explain the unique strategies to be explored by TOTI Prima to control the Nigerian lotto market, Marketing/ Business Development Manager of TOTI Prima Lotto, Mr Yoby Nwanede, explained that “while most other operators have stuck with the traditional lotto style game, our new strategy is to create a game offering better odds, prizes and simpler game play. We are poised to provide a reliable platform that is based on integrity and transparency, as our live draws will be devoid of human interference. We will broadcast across social media channels every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. We passionately want to encourage people, not only to dream but be certain that their dreams will become reality.”

    At the event, the brand unveiled one of Nigeria’s most cerebral celebrities Uti Nwachukwu, as its brand ambassador. Uti brought class, panache and excitement to the event as he raved the audience with a touch of that style that gave him success at the popular Big Brother Africa Reality show. He ignited the audience’s passion during the raffle draw which he anchored to the admiration of the guests.

    TOTI Prima demonstrated the company’s readiness to penetrate the market and take it on with the unveiling of her marketing/marketing communication collaterals which include but not limited to – radio jingles (English and pidgin), television commercials, outdoor visibility materials such as fascia boards, store danglers, table top stickers, signage, store front branding, cash point branding and others.

    Nigerians are beginning to embrace lottery unlike in the past when most people viewed it negatively. Some people have attributed this change of perception to the harsh economy while some analysts attribute it to awareness.

    The Nigerian government, via the National Lottery Act of 2000, established the National Lottery Regulatory Commission [NLRC]. Since its establishment, the Commission has issued licences and permits to lottery operators and promoters to grow the market and bring it closer to the people. Lottery is gaining wide acceptance and the huge followership is almost as football in the country, and this has further widened its scope. This, in turn, has opened up series of market opportunities in the country for investors, individuals and government.

    Lottery and other gaming outfits have opened up business and employment opportunities especially for youths. Some open up shops as agents, while some are employed to work in these shops. Many unemployed youths who roam the streets see lottery and gaming shops as offices. Many of them survive on their little winnings with losers having hope of being winners in subsequent entries.

    The global lottery industry is estimated to worth $70 billion. According to the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC), projected profit from the promo lottery alone is N45 billion.  The SMS lottery can generate about N150 billion revenue, while gaming industry is projected to bring over N300 billion to federal government coffers annually. However, the prospect has not been fully exploited. The industry was only able to yield N7 billion as of 2016.

    Today, Nigerians are being advised by the National Lottery regulatory Commission to invest and engage in regulated lottery, as it gives them a platform to contribute to national development while they stand a chance of having a life changing experience via a jackpot.

    In the recent past, several betting and lottery companies have acquired licences to operate in the country. The increasing acceptance of gaming among Nigerians is an indication that the industry will be one of the major contributors to Nigeria’s economy in the nearest future.

  • LG introduces instaview refrigerator

    Expanding on the success as global leader in the refrigerator industry, LG Electronics (LG) introduces its groundbreaking P-Veyron 6 refrigerator for customers who seek utmost convenience and quality in a household appliance.

    The LG P-Veyron 6 refrigerator impressed media and industry insiders who witnessed the launch recently at the LG’s Brand office at Ogba, Lagos, with its revolutionary technology ‘Hygiene Fresh,’ that guarantees freshness, eliminates food spoiling agents such as fungi spores, acidic and alkaline odors, and bacteria.  It effectively deodorises all bad smells of food such as stinks of rotten vegetable or fish.

    The Moist Balance Crisper, another unique feature of the refrigerator, maintains peak moisture levels, the innovative Fresh Balancer optimises humidity by sealing the vegetable box to keep fruits and vegetables in their optimal state of freshness with the simple flick of a switch.  The Fresh Balancer helps maintain flavours and texture nutrients.

    “Understanding consumer needs is at the forefront of our minds when we create new products”, said General Manager, Home Appliance division, LG Electronics West Africa operations, Mr. Jiung Park. The P-Veyron 6 refrigerator is a perfect combination of sleek design and innovative gadgets that maximises space efficiency while adding a sophisticated look to any kitchen.

    LG’s innovative P- Veyron 6 technology already makes it easier for users to reach frequently sought after food and snacks with its snacks corner compartments, thanks to the advanced slim frame of the refrigerator. It doubles convenience and allows for greater food organisation, thereby saving up to 47% cold air.  The P- Veyron 6 compartment is accessible from the outside with the simple push of a button allowing it to be used as a ‘family space’. This ingenious feature makes frequently-used items like snacks, drinks and lunches easily accessible for the whole family. The other compartment can be opened by a handle at the bottom of the door and serves as a designated ‘cooking space’, ideal for storing essential cooking ingredients such as previously prepared vegetables, condiments and sauces.

    The LG P-Veyron 6 can be easily installed anywhere in the home because of its high grade non-plumbing water and metallic ice dispensing system. The streamlined large capacity water tank is located in the refrigerator’s main compartment, making it easy for users to place water directly in the tank. The refrigerator also employs the door-mounted Spaceplus Ice System to produce ready-to-use ice. Still, those that prefer red wine will get plenty of use out of the refrigerator’s utility box, which keeps small food items such as cheese, deli, and other products fresh. The water lid has an intelligent design so water can be poured easily.

  • Two factors hinder PSP operators—ASWAN Chairman

    Two factors hinder PSP operators—ASWAN Chairman

    In a swift reaction to the story published on this page on November 5th, entitled, ‘ PSP charge consumers for services not rendered’ the Private Sector Participants[PSP] debunked the claims that PSP charge for services not rendered, rather they claimed that their job was being hindered because of unpaid consumer bills and inaccessibility of refuse dump sites.

    “Due to the difficulties our drivers face in dumping refuse at the dump sites they spend hours and sometimes days before they can be attended to and the government public announcement of its intentions to engage another operator in the state waste management created uncertainty which discouraged many consumers from paying their LAWMA bills” explained Mr. Bode Coker, the Chairman, National Association of Waste Management [ASWAN] Lagos, Chapter.

    However, the management of the refuse dump sites promptly denied the charge, insisting that the problems and delays PSP operators encounter at the dump site were of their own making, which is as the result of poor condition of the trucks, insufficient diesel and the drivers playing AWOL.

    They also said that in as much as they do not want to be drawn into the issue, “I think the PSP stopped picking consumers garbage because consumers were no longer forth coming with their bills because of the state government’s announcement of contracting another organisation to manage the waste. Our dump site should not be blamed if they are not discharging their duties,” countered General Manager, West Africa Energy, the private operator in charge of Oko-Filling dump site at Igando, Alimosho LGA, Afolasade Ola.

    In an interview last week with Mr. Bode Coker in his Mushin, Lagos office, he said that consumers cannot claim they pay for services not rendered as the waste operators work for two months before charging anybody. “We issue our bills after two months of rendering services,” he claimed.

    Continuing, he said, “Many consumers are owing us and we need money to run our business. The government is owing commercial waste operators five months wages and domestic consumers are owing us too. The two sources of income are virtually shut, so how do you expect us to continue discharging our duties effectively?” he questioned.

    Speaking in his Lagos office, the ASWAN Chairman said that although the prices of everything have gone up. For example diesel, we are still charging the same rate with which we started four years ago.

    “Consumers were paying before this year and PSP operators were regularly picking waste bins but since the state government’s announcement in January that it was engaging the services of another company to manage the waste, people stopped paying, especially those that were not  paying regularly before,” lamented Coker.

    Appealing to the state government, he said they need to make another public statement, encouraging the public to still pay their LAWMA bills as their proposed arrangement has not taken off and the PSP is still in charge of evacuating waste in the state.

    On refuse dump sites, Coker said that there was need for government’s intervention as the sites were lacking, as well as equipment to tackle the heap of refuse, resulting in the truck drivers spending hours and in some cases days before they are able to tip the waste from their vehicles.

    Clarifying, the Chairman of ASWAN said that previously before January this year, drivers spent about 30 minutes at dump sites but because of poor road network at the dump sites and lack of excavators and bull dozers to clear and compact the waste, the refuse block available route to waste platforms making it very difficult for the drivers to get to the point of where they can discharge the refuse.

    “Just two weeks ago, members of the association marched to Government House concerning this issue. We have repeatedly appealed to the government to intervene in the management of the dump site as we cannot pick refuse if there is no place to dump it.”

    Still speaking, the embattled Chairman said, “previously, when government had not handed the site to private operators, we were not paying to dump the waste but now they charge N2,000 for each dump and for quick services one is made to pay N4,000 for each dump of refuse.”

    Providing credence to the chairman’s statement, a consultant to the association, Mr Olalekan Owojori, added: “We have appealed and even written to the government but they said they are not ready to put more money into the dump sites as the state is creating a sanitary land fill which will be ready in two years time. So, between now and then, where should we dump refuse?” queried Owojori.

    There are over four refuse dump sites in the state but the two major ones are the Igando site and the Olusosu Ojota site managed by Revive Enterprises.

    A visit to the sites reveals heaps and heaps of refuse. The strong smell of stench even miles from the site reveals that one is approaching a dump site. At the Oko-Filling site at Igando, over 20 vehicles were on queue waiting for their turns to discharge refuse.

    Interviews with the drivers reveals they have been in the queue for upward of six hours. The dump site which hitherto had two roads, exit and entrance has only one functional steep road leading to the platform where waste is discharged and which is far into the dump site.

    As at the time this reporter visited last week, only one caterpillar was seen working while about three that needed repairs or are supposed to be discarded were parked.

    The drivers interviewed complained of terrible difficulties and frustrations they encounter at the dump sites. They said before this year, there were two roads leading to the inner platform making vehicle movements easier. They also claimed that most of the time,  only one caterpillar is available, which often breaks down after every two hours work in the dump site, resulting in drivers spending hours and days in the dump sites.

    Ola said that the dump site was already filled up and will be closed down by the government very soon.

    On the issue of just one road into the dump site, which obviously was delaying the drivers, she exonerated the managing company, stressing that the company met only one road in the dump site when they took over the management in April this year.

    “We tried to maintain that road but the rain has been a big challenge,” explained Afolasade Ola.

    On how many caterpillars are supposed to work in a big dump site like the Igando one, she explained that “it depends on the number of platforms in a site and how far into the site the platforms are located; at least a minimum of one bull dozer and maximum of two.”

    Speaking further, she noted that though the Igando dump site has one platform, it still has three bull dozers. However, the reporter countered that, stressing that she saw only one working. Still, she maintained that a bull dozer and an excavator were working.

    On what consumers should henceforth expect from PSP operators, Coker enthusiastically said they were ready to render their services to consumers that are up to date with paying their bills while appealing to the government to intervene in the dump sites.

  • Tranter IT unleashes its new range

    As the official distributors of Manage Engine  in NIGERIA,  Tranter IT Infrastructure Services Limited  was proud to collaborate with Manage Engine to organise one of the biggest seminar so far in Nigeria for Manage Engine.

    At the Radisson Blue Hotel in Victoria Island, with Tranter IT, the Manage Engine team that arrived from Dubai and India, offered a closer look at the features, benefits and value of their wide range of IT enterprise solutions for even the most difficult IT management problems.

    As partners in progress, Manage Engine and Tranter IT offer world class IT solutions.  Manage Engine has a whole suite of solutions for IT problems. Manage Engine offers unified IT and is constantly updated to maintain an innovative and competitive technical edge for any company. The suite of solutions is supported by a whole calendar of seminars, webinars and workshops each year around the world.

    The Chief Executive Officer [CEO] of Tranter IT, Mr. Lanre Ayoola, a visionary, pioneer and leader in the IT industry, opened the seminar with an insight into the three years partnership between Tranter IT and Manage Engine, focusing on the growing demand for the product range whose success is attributed to its high relevance in enhancing business optimisation.

    Leading industry stakeholders were all part of the successful and highly interactive event.  The seminar demonstrated how Manage Engine allows corporate organisations to achieve maximum productivity while effortlessly managing overall workload, a key factor in surviving the somewhat challenging economy.

    The Manage Engine suite of solutions is a game changer in the industry, improving standards of service, response and raising the bar in monitoring and measuring output.  The software delivers awesome customer service with great control in identifying and addressing IT related issues before they can affect operations. This has led to the tagline “No down time” the essence of the Tranter IT offering.

  • Goldberg felicitates with Akure indigenes at Oyemekun festival

    In fulfilment of its commitment to making the 2017 Oyemekun Festival a grand ceremony, Goldberg, the leading culture centric beer brand from the stables of Nigerian Breweries Plc, felicitated with the people of Akure during the annual festival.

    Over the ages, Oyemekun Festival has provided an opportunity for all the indigenes of Akure, both at home and in the Diaspora, to come together and celebrate their rich cultural heritage.

    According to Emmanuel Agu, Portfolio Manager, Mainstream Lager and Stout Brands, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Goldberg rides on its huge support for culture and tradition to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the Akure people. “Celebrating culture is a key attribute of Goldberg, and we are demonstrating this by identifying with Oyemekun Festival, which portrays the rich custom of the indigenes of Akure,” he said.

    Earlier in the year, the Deji of Akure Kingdom, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, Odundun II, had declared Goldberg the official beer of his palace, while commending the Nigerian Breweries team that visited him on the occasion of his second anniversary on the throne.

    In the build-up to this year’s Oyemekun Festival, the monarch commended Goldberg for its support to traditional institutions of the Yoruba people and the culture and tradition of Akure.

    ”On my coronation, it was Goldberg that supported me. During my first and second anniversaries on the throne, it was also Goldberg that came to felicitate with me and the people of Akure. Goldberg keeps supporting the people of Akure in all cultural activities,” he said.

    The festival activities included prayer service at Akure City Hall, Public Lecture, Cultural Day, Jumat service at Akure Central Mosque, a football match and the Akure Carnival Day.

    It was rounded off with a thanksgiving service at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Redemption Court in Akure, where royal fathers such as the Osemawe of Ondo, the Ewi of Ado, Attah of Ayede Ekiti, Olukare of Ikare, Abodi of Ikale, and the Oloyin of Oyin-Akoko were in attendance.

    Goldberg is a leading sponsor of cultural festivals in the Southwest, which is one of the brand’s way of demonstrating respect for the people. These age-old festivals are among the elements that bind the Yoruba people together, and they represent the norms and values which are highly cherished by the people.

    Across the different cities of the Southwest where these festivals take place, Goldberg’s sponsorship positively impacts on economic activities, apart from the colour, grandeur and enjoyment it adds to the celebrations.

     

     

  • Consumers await passage of competition bill

    Consumers await passage of competition bill

    Consumers wait with renewed hope as the private sector coalition on Competition Bill appeals to the president of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Yakubu Dogara, to expedite action on the harmonisation process and eventual passage of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Bill [FCCPB].

    The aim of the bill is to allow for the development and promotion of fair, efficient and competitive markets in the Nigerian economy, facilitate access by all citizens to safe products, secure the protection of rights for all consumers in Nigeria and for other related matters.

    It is hoped that when adopted, the bill will repeal the Consumer Protection Act, Cap C25, LFN, 2004 and in its place will have the FCCPB as well as the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal.

    Describing the FCCBP as a critical economic reform bill, the Director, Nigerian Employers Consultative Association [NECA], Timothy Olawale, said that the coalition has gone at length to show why this bill is critical to the economic development of our nation.

    Addressing a press conference on Wednesday at the NECA House, Alausa, Ikeja, the NECA director lamented that though this bill after many hurdles, was eventually passed in the House of Representatives on March 9th this year, while the upper chamber passed a slightly modified version on June 8th and eventually both chambers in August harmonised the differences in the bill for onward adoption and transmission for presidential assent, however, nothing has been done concerning it since then.

    Calling on the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representative to accelerate action on the bill, Olawale emphasised that the FCCPB is a necessary economic reform bill that when adopted will, amongst others, improve the existing legal and institutional framework for consumer protection in Nigeria as well as, for the first time, introduce economy wide rules on market competition.

    Highlighting the substantive provision of the bill, the director said it includes the provision of agreement in restraint of trade which is in Part V11 [ss.60-70] of the bill.

    Throwing more light on it, he explained, “covered under this Part V11, are agreements by business directly or indirectly fixing a purchase or selling price of goods or services, dividing markets by allocating customers, suppliers, territories or specific types of goods or services.”

    Also covered under this part is “limiting or controlling production or distribution of any goods or services, markets, technical development or investment, engaging in collusive tendering, or making the conclusion of an agreement subject to acceptance by other parties of supplementary obligations which, by their nature or according to commercial usage, have no connection with the subject of such agreement. Also covered under this Part V11 is withholding of products from a dealer by a supplier and imposition of minimum resale prices,” he noted.

    Explaining further, Olawale said that Part X.ss.71-76 of the bill dwells on the abusive of dominant position of market power which occurs where a business enjoys a position of economic strength, enabling it to prevent effective competition being maintained in the relevant market and having the power to behave to an appreciable extent independently of its competitors, customers and, ultimately, of the consumers.

    “This would include, charge an excessive price to the detriment of consumers, refuse to give a competitor access to an essential facility when it is economically feasible to do so, engage in any of the following exclusionary acts, unless the firm concerned can show technological, efficiency or other pro competitiveness gains which outweigh the anti competitive effect of its act,” amongst others.

    A consultant to the private sector coalition, Barrister Leonard Ugbajah, said that part of the bill made provisions as how to deal with monopoly situations and regulation of mergers and acquisitions in such a way as to ensure that competition is not eliminated or inhibited by reason of a merger.

    He said that the consumer protection aspect of the bill clearly spells out the rights and obligations of the consumers as well as clearly defines the obligation of business owners and liability for failure to meet up with these obligations, adding that it leaves little or no room for administrative overreach in enforcing consumer rights.

    The bill has also, according to Ugbajah, defined a framework for collaboration between the proposed commission and the existing sector regulators whose mandate include consumer protection and competition regulations in their respective sectors.

    The implication is that the often witnessed jurisdictional conflict between the CPC and the regulators when it comes to consumer production would be eliminated. The most common is between CPC and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority [NCAA].

    It’s hoped that the bill will get the kind of speedy attention it deserves from the federal government as it will have far reaching positive impact on the economy and the lives of consumers in general.

  • Philip Morris wins top employer award

    Philip Morris wins top employer award

    Philip Morris Limited has been officially certified as one of the top employers in Nigeria in recognition of the company’s excellent working conditions and commitment to providing best-in-class career experiences to its employees. The annual international research undertaken by the globally-recognised Top Employers Institute, certifies leading employers around the world that provide highest standards in employee conditions within their entire organisations.

    Philip Morris Limited is one of only eight companies in Nigeria to be awarded in 2018 for demonstrating excellence in its human resources practices and employment offerings, which ensure that its employees can develop personally and professionally through second-to-none programmes that are well designed and truly aligned with the culture of the company.

    Top Employers award is a result of a robust assessment process and meeting the required standards in order to achieve the certification. Areas of assessment in the certification process include talent strategy, performance management, learning and development, succession management and organisational culture. This assessment is validated by the globally-renowned auditing firm, Grand Thornton, which demonstrates that this research has verified Philip Morris Limited’s outstanding employee conditions and earned them a coveted spot among a select group of certified companies.

    Philip Morris’ affiliates in Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Senegal, and South Africa were also certified top employers in their respective countries. At the award ceremony which took place in Johannesburg, South Africa, Philip Morris International was awarded Top Employer in Africa for the second consecutive year. Earlier this year, the company was also recognised as a Global Top Employer.

    “Philip Morris Limited is extremely proud that within two years of its establishment in Nigeria, it is recognised with such a laudable corporate achievement.  Our company is one out of eight companies in the whole country to be certified as a top employer, and also one of only two companies in Nigeria with the global Top Employer Certification. This recognition reaffirms our commitment to become an integral part of Nigeria, contributing to the growth of its economy through tax revenues, as well as contributing to the social network through continuous creation of employment opportunities and investments. Our diverse team is reflective of a work culture that appreciates differences. Our business is conducted in an ethical and sustainable manner consistent with international business standards. The Top Employer certification validates that Philip Morris Limited is a great place to work for people who do great things,” said Managing Director, Philip Morris Limited, Coskun Kagan Dicle.

  • Natures Gentles Touch advocates against domestic violence

    In line with its commitment to advancing the cause of women, Natures Gentle Touch has thrown its weight behind Campire Films on its latest project, “Omoye”, a movie that addresses the social vice of domestic violence.

    At a press conference to announce the movie, the General Manager, Natures Gentle Touch, Chijioke Anaele, remarked that “Omoye” speaks to one of the most disregarded and pressing issues in Nigeria, for which all hands must be on deck to get rid of, for a saner, healthier society.

    His words: “Our partnership with Campfire Films is one of the ways Natures Gentle Touch seeks to promote the confidence and self-esteem of Nigerian women, who majorly are our target market and, unfortunately, often at the receiving end of domestic violence. We are convinced that everybody will benefit from a sane and stable society. ‘Omoye’ is one movie that will contribute in arousing public consciousness about the vice, thereby helping to shape orientation for a better Nigerian society devoid of violence.”

    The company is taking this corporate initiative as part of ways to continually impact the lives of its customers by connecting with them through their passion points.

    According to the Brand Manager, Natures Gentle Touch, Anita Anosike, in addition to powering the movie, Natures Gentle Touch has also concluded plans on a walk against domestic violence to further project the importance of curbing the menace. “Although like every other evil, domestic violence might be tough to eradicate, we must continually raise awareness on its negative effects, not just us as individuals but also on the society at large. This is the core of this movie and that is why we are passionately supporting it as well as organizing a walk to raise consciousness against domestic violence,” she quipped.

    On the theme of the movie, the Director and Co-producer, Uche Chukwu, stated that “Omoye” is a movie that connects with victims of domestic violence, especially in the ghettos. “Though in recent times we have seen victims come out to speak about their experiences, but ‘what about the woman in Ajegunle, Makoko, Egbeda, etc. who considers it a prerogative of the rich to speak out against domestic violence?’ ‘Omoye’, will give voice to these voiceless majority, which is why we deliberately chose the location and the kind of story to tell,” he said. “Omoye” is set to hit cinemas across the country, October 27, 2017 and will also be screened in designated underprivileged communities across the country.

  • Gulder sponsors TV show

    Guy Code, a new TV show that targets male viewers, is airing on MTV Base (DStv Channel 322). The series focuses on popularising rules that should guide the conduct of young male adults.

    The show is aired by MTV Base (DStv channel 322) Sundays at 10pm and repeated on the same channel on Thursdays at 10pm. It is also repeated on STV on Thursday at 10:30pm and on AIT Fridays, at 10pm.

    Guy Code is sponsored by Gulder, a premium brand from Nigerian Breweries Plc.

    Already, the weekly series has triggered healthy online conversations on guys’ tendencies towards friends and the female folk. Viewers can also hook up to TheUltimateGuyKnows to share their thoughts on different subjects raised by the show.

    The series explores different guy-related issues with a view to prescribing the socially-acceptable codes and etiquettes.

    Guy Code premiered on MTV Base on October 1. Its first episode was a meeting point of wit, intelligence and youthfulness as celebrities such as Ehiz, Praiz, Ik, Emma Nyra and Chigurl engaged viewers on touchy questions in first move, lying, ‘crazy’ girlfriends and sugar mummy.

    The second and third editions followed with a focus on snooping, sliding into the DM, catfishing, wedding etiquettes, what men want, marriage proposal and other similar topics.

    In a humorous but educating approach, the hosts discussed the code in each of the themes, specifying the ‘no-go’ areas while presenting how the ultimate guy plays the games.