As part of activities to commemorate the World Consumer Right Day celebration, the Brand Journalists’ Association of Nigeria (BJAN) has concluded plans to join the rest of the world to mark this year’s Consumer Day themed: ‘’healthy diet~

However, the Association has developed its theme to fit the local industry that is ~implication of unhealthy diet to national development’’.

The event, which is scheduled to hold on Friday, March 13, 2015 at White House Hotels, GRA, Ikeja and it will also be used to honour individuals who have contributed to the nation’s marketing communication industry and consumer empowerment in 2014.

To deliver the keynote address at the BJAN 3^rd edition of consumer day symposium is the Director General of Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr. Joseph Odumodu. Meanwhile those who will be discussing the paper include Director General, NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii, Director General Consumer Protection Council, Mrs. Dupe Atoki, Publisher, BusinessDay Newspaper, Mr. Frank Aigbogun, Managing Executive UAC Restaurants, Mr. Mark Hedderwick and CEO Purples Consult/President, Consumer Advocacy Foundation of Nigeria (CAFON), Mrs. Sola Salako.

According to the chairman of the Association, Mr. Goddie Ofose, the decision to join the rest of global community in celebrating consumers is to deepen discussions on issues affecting consumers with particular focus on the plight of consumers in Nigeria.

“We are using this forum to reawaken stakeholders in the industry that they have a duty to protect consumers. Our role as journalists is to educate, inform and entertain. It also includes agenda setting’’, he stated.

He added that, “The event is an initiative of BJAN in commemorating consumers in Nigeria as well as recognising those who have championed their course in previous year.

‘’It is imperative that those who have contributed meaningfully to the betterment of consumers and industry at large be recognised to serve as a springboard for encouragement’’, he said.

Those who will be honoured include President, Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mr. Femi Adesina (Media), President, Experiential Marketers Association of Nigeria, Mr Kayode Olagesin, (Brand Activation), MD, Noah’s Ark Advertising, Mr Lanre Adisa, (Advertising) and MD, XLR8 Limited, Mr Callistus Okoruwa, (Public Relations/Communications).

Others are Director General, Consumer Protection Council, Mrs Dupe Atoki (Regulator), President, Media Independent Practitioners Association of Nigeria, Mr Tolu Ogunkoya, (Media Independent), Commercial Director, Promasidor Limited, Mr. Kachi Onubogu, (Corporate) and Chairman, Marketing and Media and Allianz Limited, Dr. T.O.E. Ekechi, Media (Out-of-Home).

According to reports, unhealthy diets are linked to four of the ten biggest causes of death worldwide: overweight and obesity, high blood pressure, high blood glucose and high cholesterol. Obesity alone is estimated to cost US$2 trillion per year. It really is time the world woke up to the price of unhealthy diets.

 

It is why CI has decided to make helping consumers choose healthy diets the theme of World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) 2015.

All consumers deserve the right not just to food, but to healthy food. A binding global treaty would ensure consumers easy access to healthy food and lead to a more equitable, sustainable food system.