Many in our community have asked me to comment on the issue between a company which makes tomato paste (Erisco) and a citizen of our country. Largely, what happened was unfortunate as when such happens, Nigeria is losing. Yes, the Police have more important things to deal with. Nonetheless, we as citizens must be nuanced on comments we put online especially when it comes to brands since corporations are people. Yes, companies are people because they are owned by people.
In all these issues, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) captured my viewpoint: “While we acknowledge and encourage consumers’ right to voice legitimate complaints through appropriate channels, it is important to hold consumers accountable for spreading false information about local products and attempting to vilify local manufacturers in the public opinion place. Hence, the need for equal protection of manufacturers and consumers’ rights.
“The case in question underscores the importance of diligent investigation as carried out by the Lagos State consumer protection agency and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria which exonerated the manufacturer of the said product. The two agencies should actually be commended for unravelling the truth of the case,” – MAN statement.
Yes, there is a “need for equal protection of manufacturers and consumers’ rights”. Of course, bullying is not acceptable. But consumers must be careful. Why this point?
A few years ago, someone put up billboards in Accra that I was coming to an event; I knew nothing about this event. Some of our community members here paid the fee and went, hoping to connect with me. The organizer lied and said “Professor canceled at the last minute…” One guy, annoyed, went online and wrote many negative things about a village boy. I reached out, explained and we understood. Then, he deleted and apologized. That has happened in Owerri where you could be listed in events you are not aware of, and people based on that will touch your webinality.
Lesson here: in the Igbo Nation, there is this axiom ‘ndo na-ala uwa azi’ [sorry heals most pains]. Yes, as consumers and commenters, we can just say “SORRY” and “APOLOGIZE” when it turns out we could be wrong. Possibly, you bought a counterfeited product and your reviews could be off-target, as Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) has provided here. NAFDAC also wrote: “The formulation of tomato paste and ketchup products with sugar is safe for consumption” for this product.
That said, Nigeria has more important things to deal with, and I call the lawyers to chill. This is way too long and they need to share handshakes and close this matter. Consumers have rights. Manufacturers have rights. But those are not absolute and someone could be exercising rights on a fake product. And most importantly, we need to free the Police so that the Force can focus on important things.
Generally, the company has made many mistakes; it could have invited this consumer to trial a genuine product and learn from her views. And the consumer could have offered an apology on the possibility she reviewed a fake product. Someone must bring them together.
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