QNET, a notable global entity in the lifestyle and wellness direct-selling sector, has expressed its deep commitment to protecting the rights of the customers and promoting a culture of transparency, integrity, and trust.
This recommitment was made by QNET at the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) Conference and Exhibition held at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos on Friday, March 15 to mark the World Consumer Rights Day 2024.
Delivering the keynote at the conference, 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 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.
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.
Speaking at the Conference, Mr Biram Fall, QNET’s Regional Manager for sub-Saharan Africa, acknowledged the importance of the World Consumer Rights Day, more so, in this technological age where it is becoming increasingly difficult to tell the real from the fake.
Mr. Fall who was represented by Nana Quartey, QNET’s Senior Regional Legal Counsel for Sub Sahara Africa, said:
“This day is a reminder that consumers have the right to be protected from unfair business practices, with access to safe, quality goods and services.
“It also highlights the importance of governments, businesses, and stakeholders working together to promote consumer rights and address consumer concerns globally.
He further highlighted that it has become imperative for businesses to acknowledge and understand consumer rights’ fundamental importance today.
“Consumer rights ensure that individuals are protected from exploitation and fraud; they have the right to safety, information, choice, and redress if they encounter issues with products or services.
“These rights form the cornerstone of fair and ethical business practices and are essential for fostering trust between consumers and businesses anywhere in the world”, the QNET chief said.
He added that consumer education is a powerful tool that equips individuals with the knowledge to protect themselves from fraudulent trade practices and exploitative market behaviours.
“At QNET, we are deeply committed to protecting the rights of our customers and promoting a culture of transparency, integrity, and trust.
“Through initiatives such as educational campaigns and awareness programs, we strive to empower consumers with the information they need to navigate the marketplace confidently. We also recently launched two campaigns, the social awareness campaign and the Say No Campaign. These campaigns perfectly reflect QNET’s commitment to transparency, integrity, and consumer empowerment.
Mr. Fall said that QNET 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. These include proactive steps, such as the Electronic Know Your Customer (eKYC) initiative wherein every promoter of our products must verify their identity in our system with a government issued ID. We also publish warnings and notices on our corporate website and blog to enhance security and disseminate crucial information. In addition to these, we have launched a dedicated Complaint Mechanism (via email and WhatsApp) that provides avenues for our customers and promoters to engage with us on matters that affect their rights.
“These collective efforts underscore our dedication to creating a secure business environment for our customers and at the same time, collaborate with the authorities in holding fraudsters accountable”, he explained.
Earlier in his welcome address, Mr Afolabi Solebo, the 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.
Good afternoon my name is Aniyun oluwaseun Victor I’m one of the Topline in BURKINA FASO sir my observation is that pls let their be a way we purchased products through our naira because we don’t have any way to purchase products expect we buy ecard or through dollar account pls help us on this thank