Imo Orientation Agency and CPC team up to educate locals about counterfeit goods

Ahead of the 2026 World Consumer Rights Day, the Consumer Protection Council, in partnership with the Imo State Orientation Agency, conducted a roadshow on Friday to raise awareness among residents about the risks associated with counterfeit and unsafe products.

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The campaign, which took place in Owerri, the state capital, involved officials engaging with traders, motorists, and pedestrians to educate them on the health dangers of consuming fake drugs, adulterated food, and other hazardous products.

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The exercise also sought to inform residents about the activities planned for the upcoming World Consumer Rights Day, scheduled to take place on March 15, 2026.

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Residents who interacted with the team expressed concerns about unsafe practices in the market, including the reuse of empty bottles and the use of nylon bags to prepare local delicacies, which can be harmful to consumers.

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Some residents reported that individuals collect empty bottles from the roadside and reuse them to package drinks, while others noted that food vendors use nylon bags to prepare local delicacies such as okpa.

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Dr. Obioma Okafor, the Director-General of the Imo State Consumer Protection Council, urged residents to immediately report anyone caught engaging in such practices and informed them about their consumer rights.

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Okafor noted that if a buyer purchases a product, such as a charger, and it turns out to be fake, the seller should either replace it or refund the money, and if the seller refuses, the matter should be reported to the Consumer Protection Council.

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The council is currently handling a complaint involving a woman who bought spoiled garri, and when the council intervened, the seller agreed to replace the bad garri with a good one, according to Okafor.

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Mrs. Nkechi Akubuiro, the Head of the Department of Mass Mobilization and Political Education at the Imo State Orientation Agency, explained that the campaign aimed to create awareness among residents about the dangers of fake consumable products.

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Akubuiro stated that the initiative is part of efforts by the Consumer Protection Council to educate the public on how to identify fake goods and protect themselves from harmful products, emphasizing that the council's goal is to protect consumers from buying fake drugs and other consumable products.

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Akubuiro noted that the roadshow was also organized to inform citizens that a special day has been set aside to promote consumer rights and protection, which will take place on Monday, March 15.

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The organisers urged residents to remain vigilant, check product labels and regulatory approvals, and report suspicious or fake products to the appropriate authorities to ensure their safety.

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The roadshow is part of ongoing efforts to promote consumer safety and protect residents of Imo State from harmful and substandard goods.