His Excellency, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has been bestowed with the honour of Consumer Rights Advocate Governor of the Year 2023, as the second edition of Consumers Value Awards came to a momentous close. The event, which held on 7 September, 2023, at the Radisson Blu, Ikeja, Lagos, was organised by Brand Xchange.

The Governor, who was represented by Mrs. Adetutu Oluremi Ososanya, Lagos State Permanent Secretary of Min. of Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, expressed his profound gratitude and humility to the recognition.

He commended the organisers for putting together an event of such significance as an initiative geared towards protecting the interests of consumers through advocacy and raising awareness on consumer rights.

Sanwo-Olu affirmed the overriding responsibility of governments in ensuring the welfare and security of the citizens, especially in protecting them against exploitation and ensuring that they receive value for money spent to procure goods and services, being the commercial and industrial nerve center of the nation.

He acknowledged that the government recognized the need to put in place an agency that would be charged with the responsibility of ensuring that people are not shortchanged or exploited and receive the satisfaction expected from the goods and services purchased.

“This recognition, which aligns with global best practices, informs the establishment of the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA), the first of such in Nigeria, during the tenure of His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Governor of Lagos State.  This accomplishment would not have been possible without the unwavering dedication of our tireless team and our shared commitment to protecting consumer rights, which has led to real, tangible change in the lives of our fellow citizens. I dedicate this award to all the hardworking and committed team at LASCOPA.”

He commended some residents for taking good advantage of the opportunity provided by the state government through the agency to seek redress whenever their rights as consumers are violated.

The award-winning Governor outlined some of the notable achievements recorded over the years. These include the successful resolution of 8,098 out of 8,337 complaints received, and the recovery of over 264 million Naira to the credit of consumers, is a good measure of the confidence reposed by the people in the agency.

“It is worthy of mention that over the years, we have continued to witness the successful implementation of numerous laudable advocacy programs by the state protection body that have empowered countless individuals across Lagos State and have brought redress to numerous complaints. From being careful about the personal decisions they make, to procure products and services, from taking responsibility to ensure that they do not participate or allow illegal practices to be carried out within their sphere of influence, to speaking out when any such acts that infringe the rights of individuals are observed.”

The icon of Lagos state reiterated that the state is committed in its move to sustaining its campaign advocacy.

“We will not rest on our oars. We will continue to strengthen the capacity of LASCOPA to do more, especially in ensuring that our advocacy campaign is sustained for more effectiveness and wider reach.  As we accept this prestigious award, we renew our pledge to continue advocating for consumer rights, fighting against injustices, and striving for a marketplace where every consumer is treated fairly and with respect.

“Once again, I commend the organizers for initiating this award to reward commitments to consumer satisfaction and promoting healthy competition, which will lead to continual improvements in the quality of goods and services.”