PROMOTING CONSUMER EDUCATION

BY
ALFRED AJAYI

Many Nigerians have suffered in the hands of unfeeling sellers and those who render different services, with the ultimate aim of making profit at the detriment of the consumers. Many times, they buy products or receive services that fail to perform according to the claims of the sellers about their efficacy. Some languish in silence not knowing what to do as they helplessly watch their money going down the drain. This is because a good number of Nigerians are not aware of the laws meant to safeguard their rights as consumers which give them Privilege of seeking redress when these rights are infringed upon. Realizing the fact that uninformed consumer cannot be properly protected, a body was created by the Federal Government to sensitize consumers on their rights and responsibilities as well as how to insist on these rights.
It is also to promote and protect the consumers as well as check the scourge of consumer abuse in Nigerian markets. So the law establishing the body gives certain rights to the consumers including the rights to be satisfied with goods and services sold or rendered to them as well as are protected from hazardous ones. They are also entitled to adequate information about products and services they want as this will assist them in making correct choices. Consumers are equally empowered by this law, to seek redress when any goods and services fail to perform their acclaimed functions. However, these rights are not without some responsibilities as the consumers are expected to think independently and speak out or complain when their rights are violated. It is also their responsibility to be ethical, beware and aware of all necessary information that will aid them in making rights choices. It is however sad to note that these rights are infringed upon with impunity everyday across the country because those who are supposed to enjoy them do not even know about them, let alone demand for such rights. The economic implications of this are enormous on the country as millions of naira is lost on goods and services that do not have the efficacy to give value for money.
It is on this note that the recent decision of the Consumer Protection Agency to include consumer education in the primary and secondary school curricular is lauded. The initiative will help in educating the young growing generation and inculcating in them the right attitude towards buying and selling. It will also reduce the huge losses occasioned by ineffective products and services and this will have a multiplier effect on national economy. Nevertheless, awareness must be intensified across the country to sensitize the citizens especially those in the rural areas on their rights and how to protect them. Materials for sensitization campaign must be produced in other local languages apart from Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba. The last quarter of the year is a season of boom for importation of goods into the country and efforts must be made by relevant authorities to ascertain the quality of products being imported. It is therefore imperative that they tighten up the nation’s borders to ensure that inferior goods that are hazardous to human health are not allowed in.


On their part, Nigerians are challenged to report violation of their rights to the government and seek redress to discourage those who smile on daily basis to the bank with the proceeds from the sale of fake and adulterated goods and services. This is because if this evil is swept under the carpet, it will encourage the evil doers to continue in their dastardly practice and the nation’s economy will be worse for it.

Source: Recorded from FRCN daily Commentaries.

The Complete Biography Of Sam Loco Efe

Sam Loco Efe

Sam Loco Efe is one of the most talented actors in the Nigerian Movie Industry. He has for many years distinguished himself as a rare talent for both television and stage drama.

Sam Loco Efe; I am Sam Loco from Benin in Edo State. Many people misplace my surname for a Delta man. Efe is a Benin name although the Urhobo people popularised it. Efe means Wealth in Benin as it also means in Urhobo but it means Cloth in Ibo. My surname is fully pronounced Efeeimwonkiyeke, meaning wealth has no time limit.One can be wealthy at 90 when people must have lost hope. What actually happened was that my grandmother was having only female children and after so many years, she gave birth to my father at an old age and when he arrived, the name given to him is “you see now my wealth has finally arrived.” I later inherited this from my father as I was the last of my parents children and the only male child.



The beginning

I was born here in Enugu, but I spent my childhood in Abakaliki and a modest attempt at becoming an actor was what triggered my passion for the stage. There was a time, Government College, Umuahia came to Abakaliki with a production. We all got so excited and I said to myself that if these men can stay on stage before a large audience and render their lines without looking into any book or script, there must be something magical about it.

A few bold ones among us asked them some questions after the production and they said it was a matter of training and perseverance. So, when they left, I attempted a play that was larger than our collegiate level. I decided to produce William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. I acted Caesar and also directed it without any formal training.

Education

Going to school in the East then was tough. It was not like the Western Region where students got everything free. It was tough for us, so my nephew and I alternated street trading on a yearly basis to enable the other acquire education. But because of the staccato arrangement, I must confess that I had to attend so many primary schools.

I was a very good footballer and so I went to almost ten secondary schools playing football and getting scholarships here and there and I was stubborn as well. As I was being admitted into one, I was being expelled from another.

Challenges in Nollywood

I can say that the movie industry began with genuine theatre and movie people. As soon as things started getting better, charlatans found their ways into it. In their legion now there are a mixture of purpose, some are in Nollywood not because of the urge to be a Thespian nor the willingness to learn but I believe that as time goes on, we shall flush such people out. This is a house I helped to build and it would be madness for me to allow people with no history to rubbish the much that has been achieved.

Story lines of Nigerian movies

I would not say that I am satisfied but I would rather say that I am happy with the progress made so far. Critics in Nigeria like to jump the gun. How old is Nollywood? We cannot deny that the story lines are getting better, even as we cannot deny that the performers are also helping to make things get better. However, there is a need for continued training by the stakeholders in the industry. But we shouldn’t deny that progress is been made.



Best paid job

I think Langbodo was my first truly well paid job. Being a national production we were well paid. I was being treated like an egg because I played the lead role. On screen, I think it’s my best paid job.

Veteran Nollywood actor, Sam Loco Efe, is dead. The 66 year-old actor died on the 6th of August, 2011 location, in his hotel room in Owerri, Imo State.



May his soul rest in peace. Amen