The NCC Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau, Mr Efosa Idehen
By CALLISTUS OFFOR, Abuja –
The Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) has assured telecoms subscribers that it is collaborating with relevant stakeholders in creating consumer awareness and promoting initiatives that would empower them with knowledge and advocate for their protection within the telecom industry.
The NCC Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau, Mr Efosa Idehen stated this on Monday in his keynote address at a pre-event to commemorate the 2022 World Consumers Rights Day held at the NCC auditorium in Abuja.
NATIONAL ACCORD reports that the school debate is a pre-event to the various activities scheduled by NCC to celebrate this year’s World Consumer Rights Day, with the Theme: ‘Fair Digital Finance’.
Mr. Idehen, who described this year’s theme as apt, called on stakeholders to do more in bridging the gap in digital finance whilst protecting consumers and keeping them informed on the safe use of digital financial services.
“The theme also demonstrates that there is a global consumer advocacy movement calling for digital finance for consumers everywhere. For the benefit of the young ones amongst us, digital finance is financial services delivered through mobile phones, personal computers, the internet or cards linked to a reliable digital payment system”.
“It is on this premise and support for digital inclusion of youth that the Commission in collaboration with ‘Save The Consumer Initiative’ organized this event to celebrate young telecom consumers, educate them on digital finance, provide information on how not to fall prey to fraudsters using telecom platforms and listen to their views on the of telephones in schools by students”.
To address the menace of financial frauds, The director, noted that the NCC is collaborating with critical stakeholders such as CBN, EFCC, Police, ICPC and other relevant bodies in the fight against e-banking fraudsters.
“Consumers are advised to be careful not to open unfamiliar email or respond to unfamiliar inquiries and report suspicious e-fraud to their to bank and telecom service provider. It is pertinent to note that the Commission supports deliberate and intentional initiatives on consumer protection through sensitization and awareness”
“In the same vein, today’s event serves as an avenue to empower telecom consumers with information and education relating to the WCRD theme. We hope that the debate gives us insight on the effect of the use of telephones by students in learning institutions”. He said.
He urged the participants to take advantage of every information shared at the event as well as those available on the Commission’s website and social media platforms to help advance appropriate and safe digital financial inclusion of youth and children
In his remark, The Executive Director, Save The Consumers Initiative, Aliyu Ilias, commended the continuous efforts of NCC in educating and protecting the rights, interest and privileges of telecom consumers as well as support for consumers advocacy groups.
“We appreciate your open forum, consumer website advisory forum archive, NCC toll free line which has helped consumers in making their complains known and resolved on time”.
Mr. Ilias pledged the support of the initiative in collaborating with the commission in educating telcom consumers in Nigeria.
Highlights of the event was the debate between FCT Schools on the use of mobile phones for academic activities amongst students, the announcement of the debate results and presentation of prizes to winners – 1st prize – JSS Kayarda Kuje, 2nd Prize JSS Area 10 Garki Abuja and 3rd Prize – JSS Wuse Zone 3 Garki Abuja
