On Tuesday, July 27th 2021, the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Imo State chapter, led by their Chairperson, Dr. Dorothy Nnaji, visited Hon. Mrs Obioma Okafor, the Director General, Imo State Consumer protection council.
The state chairman of NAWOJ, Dr. Dorothy Nnaji, in a speech, said that, their visit was to appreciate the DG, onbehalf of the good people of Imo State over her excellent performances in restoring sanity in all the markets in imo State, within the few years she piloted the affairs of Imo CPC.
According to Mrs Nnaji, the various relentless efforts of Mrs Okafor has so far changed the narratives of Imo State Consumer protection council. Commending her for ensuring that consumers in the state are adequately protected, maintaining that the DG has shown sound leadership capacity which is evident in the strategic sensitization and effective enforcement operations to eliminate all forms of hazardous products in the market. Today, imolites have really seen the impact of CPC under Mrs Okafor. “At least, the fear of CPC men is the beginning of selling the right products in imo markets”. She posited.
She added: “We are very proud of you and we will continue to see you as a role model, a beacon of capacity amongst the governor’s appointees, and a pride of female gender. You are a good face of womanhood and we are proud to identify with your success strides, we therefore, thank His Excellency, Gov. Hope Uzodimma for appointing a technocrat like you to head this all important agency”.
Speaking further, she expressed their willingness to partner with CPC in order to move the agency forward in line with Gov. Hope Uzodimma’s 3R agenda in imo state. According to her, the primary aim of their association is to promote professionalism among women especially those in the journalism sector, Stressing that the scope of CPC mandates requires potent synergy with the Media. She urged the DG to always take the right measures to serve the people better, assuring her that they are ever ready to offer the needed help. The vibrant NAWOJ chairman, also used the opportunity of the visit to call on Mrs Okafor to support their activities and appealed for assistance to ease mobility problem of the association among other things.
In her response, a highly elated DG, thanked the group for seeing the need to embark on the visit, adding that she remains a true believer of women emancipation which is encapsulated in the shared prosperity policy of His Excellency, Dist. Senator Hope Uzodimma.
She urged the members of the group to be worthy ambassadors of NAWOJ and the 3R government of Gov. Hope Uzodimma wherever they find themselves, adding that Senator Hope Uzodimma has good plans for imolites and that is why immediately he assumed office as the executive governor of imo State, he quickly took a bold step to revive CPC for effective protection of consumers. “For the Governor to appoint a woman to head this critical agency, shows that he believes so much in the transforming abilities of women and we cannot afford to disappoint him nor imolites” she said.
Mrs Okafor reiterated that, effective Consumer protection is a function of collective responsibility and not for CPC staff alone. When you see any sharp practice or quack factory around your neighbourhood, please do well to inform CPC. For us in CPC We have our “3S” meaning, if you SEE something, SAY it, CPC will SORT it out.
Again, to ensure that consumers are not shortchanged in any way, we have initiated 3R. This means a consumer must get a Refund, Repair or Replace of goods or services in any unsatisfactory transaction. Before now , CPC imo State, lacks the needed capacity to carry out their statutory mandates, despite the high rate of fake and adulterated products prevalent in imo State, but now, because of the painstaking efforts of CPC, under my leadership and the strong support from His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma, Governor of imo State, things are no longer business as usual. According to the workaholic Director General, Very soon the first indeginous measurement cups will be out in market, the first of its kind in the whole Nigeria, it has been approved by Federal Ministry Industry Trade and investment, under the department of Weight and Measures. And it has been launched by our Governor on 15th of March this year, to bring an end to all forms of malpractices in selling foods and grains to shortchange the Consumers. In fact, CPC has a wide range of tasks, that is why we like collaborating with people or groups like you, who are partners in progress.
Responding to the demands of support from the group in certain areas, Mrs Okafor noted that helping noble associations like this has been her passion.
“I will do the much I can to extend my benevolent hands to NAWOJ” she stated, adding that her office’s doors are always open to NAWOJ members anytime any day. She prayed for more grace on Dr. Dorothy Nnaji to enable her to pilot the NAWOJ to more enviable heights.
Other executives in the chairman’s entourage includes- Mrs. Vivian Iwu (Vice Chairperson), Mrs. Chika Awurum (Secretary), Mrs. Amaulo Onyinyechi (Asst. Secretary), Mrs. Ogbasi Ijeoma (State Auditor), Nwachukwu Anthonia (Treasurer), Gloria Allison (Fin. Sec) and host of other members.
