By Chinenye Anuforo
QNET, a renowned lifestyle and wellness direct-selling company has reaffirmed commitment to protecting the rights of its customers and promoting a culture of transparency, integrity, and trust.
The company told stakeholders at a conference and exhibition to commemorate World Consumer Rights Day, held at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos that through initiatives such as educational campaigns and awareness programs, it strive to empower consumers with the information they need to navigate the marketplace confidently.
The conference, with the theme: “Fair and Responsible AI for Consumers”, was organised by Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA).
World Consumer Rights Day is celebrated annually on March 15. The annual event is used to draw attention to the plight of consumers world over, with a view to ensuring the rights of consumers are not only protected but also promoted.
In his goodwill speech, Mr. Biram Fall, QNET’s Regional Manager for sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) stated that QNET recently launched two campaigns, the social awareness campaign and the Say No Campaign adding that the campaigns perfectly reflect QNET’s commitment to transparency, integrity, and consumer empowerment.
Fall who was represented by Theodocia Naana Quartey, QNET’s Senior Regional Legal Counsel, SSA, explained that the company has further implemented robust grievance redressal mechanisms to address customer concerns promptly and effectively. “In response to the prevalence of fraud cases misusing our brand name, a comprehensive fraud-proofing strategy has been implemented to ensure our integrity.”
He urged everyone present at the event to continue advocating for consumer rights within their communities. “By promoting education and awareness, we can empower consumers to make informed choices and hold businesses accountable for their actions”, Fall stated.
In his own Speech, Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, of Lagos State assured stakeholders that his administration would continue to create an enabling environment that promotes fair competition, protects consumer rights, and supports the development of small and medium-sized enterprises.
The governor said mutual understanding between consumers and producers underscored the symbiotic and interdependent relationship that existed between the two entities within any economy.
He, therefore, urged consumers and producers to foster an enduring partnership, rather than relationships that could impede sustainable growth and development in the economic value chain.
According to him, the call is necessary because it reflects a broader acknowledgment of the interconnectedness of economic actors and the need for harmonious interactions to address challenges, innovate, and adapt to changing market dynamics.
“Consumers and producers are not adversaries but rather partners in a complex economic ecosystem.
“While consumers rely on producers to supply goods and services, producers, in turn, depend on consumer demand to drive their businesses forward,” he said.
Earlier in his welcome address, Mr Afolabi Solebo, General Manager LASCOPA, said that developers and companies must prioritize ethical considerations in ensuring that AI benefits the society as a whole.
Solebo noted that responsible AI involved transparency and accountability.
According to him, consumers deserve to know how their data is being used and have the right to understand the decisions made by AI systems.