Brands/Products
FCCPC Begs Tribunal to Dismiss Coca-Cola’s Appeal of N186.7m Fine
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has urged the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal to dismiss Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited’s (CCNL) amended appeal against the N186,666,666.67 penalty imposed for its labelling and marketing practices.
According to a statement shared by the consumer protection agency, the FCCPC had previously imposed a N186 million penalty on CCNL.
This is after formally accusing Coca-Cola Nigeria Ltd and its sister company of misleading trade descriptions and employing unfair marketing tactics in their products, Original Taste and Less Sugar.
However, CCNL appealed the commission’s decision, describing the penalty as “outrageous” and alleging that the FCCPC lacked jurisdiction to impose and enforce such orders.
The company argued that the FCCPC had assumed judicial powers that should be exercised by the tribunal.
In a statement on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle, the FCCPC alleged that Coca-Cola Nigeria Ltd and NBC deceived the public by describing the variant Coca-Cola Original Taste, Less Sugar as identical to Coca-Cola Original Taste in terms of formulation.
“Furthermore, Coca-Cola and NBC, after regulatory intervention, failed to take appropriate steps to address their misleading behaviour. This demonstrates that the companies intentionally misrepresented Coca-Cola Original Taste, Less Sugar as Coca-Cola Original Taste as part of a deliberate business strategy,” the commission added.
Coca-Cola, through its counsel, Mr Gbolahan Elias SAN, approached the tribunal, citing 15 legal grounds against the FCCPC’s decision.
CCNL also claimed that the FCCPC acted as complainant, investigator, prosecutor, and judge, thereby violating the company’s constitutionally guaranteed right to a fair hearing.
In its formal reply to CCNL’s amended appeal dated October 22, 2024, FCCPC lawyer Abimbola Ojenike raised 13 opposing grounds against the brand’s request to quash the penalty and accusations.
The FCCPC argued that Coca-Cola’s claims of procedural unfairness and bias are baseless. It emphasized that the company was provided with extensive opportunities for a fair hearing, including participation in investigations, written submissions, and multiple consultative meetings.
It claimed that Coca-Cola allegedly admitted to regulatory violations and pledged remedial actions but failed to differentiate its Coca-Cola Original from Coca-Cola Less Sugar.
The FCCPC also maintained that it has the statutory authority to issue and enforce orders, and nothing in Section 6 of the 1999 Constitution invalidates the administrative penalties or directives issued under the FCCPA.
The commission asserted its authority to investigate consumer and competition issues related to misleading branding and labelling practices under several sections of the FCCPA, 2018.
FCCPC stated that its findings on Coca-Cola’s products are valid, legally justifiable, and supported by evidence in its final investigative report and maintained that its findings are factual and verifiable, based on due process.
The FCCPC also denied making any conclusive findings on CCNL’s abuse of market dominance.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
To make the holiday season a truly memorable one for subscribers, GOtv Nigeria has announced a promo known as Open Window from December 13, 2024, to January 6, 2025.
Through this offer, customers on the pay-TV platform on lower-tier packages can enjoy premium content typically available on GOtv Supa Plus.
The brand noted that the Open Window is the perfect opportunity for subscribers to explore the GOtv Supa Plus package, which now comes with a festive saving of N1,800.
For just N13,900, instead of the usual N15,700, families can unlock an even wider range of entertainment to enjoy throughout the season.
In the Open Window campaign, GOtv said sports fans can catch all the action live and stay updated with their favourite team in the Premier League and La Liga from December 13 to 16.
However, for families, all movie and kids’ channels will be open during the duration of the promo, ensuring endless hours of captivating stories and animated adventures for viewers of all ages.
Music and culture enthusiasts are not left out either as Channel 49 will serve as a dedicated hub for concerts, carols, and carnivals happening throughout December, celebrating the best of the festive spirit.
From soulful Christmas carols to vibrant cultural displays, this channel promises to be a highlight for audiences seeking unique festive experiences.
It further said subscribers can look forward to premium highlights, including the much-anticipated Bovi Comedy Special airing from December 24 to 26, a variety of nostalgic movies such as Shark Tale and Yogi Bear on M-Net Movies 4 (GOtv Channel 3), and festive classics sure to rekindle fond memories.
To join in the excitement, all subscribers need to do is ensure their GOtv accounts are active. Those who have not subscribed or reconnected can do so conveniently via the MyGOtv app or by dialling *288#. GOtv also invites fans to share their festive moments on social media using #GOtvBetaSeason, sparking conversations and celebrating the joy of togetherness.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Residents of Egbin, Ijede, and Ipakan in Lagos State recently trooped out for the 7th Annual Medical Outreach of Egbin Power.
The three-day medical outreach was organised in partnership with a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) known as Livewell Initiative in line with the power-generating company’s commitment to ensuring healthy lives and well-being of its host communities.
This programme also aligns with the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3) – Good Health and Well-being.
The outreach attracted over three thousand people, including children, adults and nursing mothers, who enjoyed cardiovascular, arthritis, dental, eye-check, diabetes tests, malaria treatment, hepatitis screening, and blood pressure examination.
It was gathered that eyeglasses, dental kits, and medications were administered at no cost to the residents after careful examination by qualified medical practitioners.
“At Egbin Power, we recognise that the health and well-being of our host communities is crucial to our success. This medical outreach programme is one of the ways we demonstrate our commitment to giving back to our host communities.
“It is also in alignment with our commitment to SDG 3 and we believe that access to quality healthcare is a fundamental right, and we will continue to work towards making it a reality for all,” the Head of Corporate Communications and Branding at Egbin Power, Mr Felix Ofulue, stated.
“We are proud to partner with Egbin Power on this medical outreach programme. Together, we are making a positive difference in the lives of the people in these communities,” the Managing Director of Livewell Initiative, Dr Bisi Bright, said.
Also speaking at the event, the Aro of Egbin Kingdom, Mr Olayemi Olukunga, said, “We are grateful to Egbin Power for their kindness and generosity. This medical outreach programme has become an annual tradition that we look forward to, and we appreciate the positive impact it has on our community.”
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Wasilat Ogundipe, thanked Egbin Power for the gesture, saying, “It affords us timely access to free medical examinations, enabling our children, parents and vulnerable community members to address their health concerns.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
International Workplace Group (IWG), the world’s largest provider of hybrid working solutions with notable brands like Spaces and Regus, is opening two state-of-the-art flexible workspaces in Lagos to meet the rising demand.
The addition of IWG’s latest locations, HQ Lagos Lekki Link Bridge and Regus Lagos Mansard Place, followed the business posting its highest-ever revenue, cashflow and earnings growth in its history and achieving rapid network growth, signing 465 new locations in the first half of 2024 alone.
According to the company, the adoption of hybrid working rapidly is accelerating across Nigeria and these new locations in Lagos are part of the drive by IWG to meet the sharply rising demand for top-class flexible working space in the area.
Its unique offering will enable local people to experience living in a “15-minute” city, allowing workers to work close to their homes without commuting far from where they live.
The HQ workspace is set to open in Lekki in March 2025 and will It will be located on the 2nd and 3rd floor while the Regus location at Mansard Place (situated at Plot 928, Bishop Aboyade Cole Street, Victoria Island) will be on the 3rd floor of the six storey building and will open in February 2025.
The buildings will provide space for established firms and start-ups across a range of industries, while IWG’s Design Your Own Office service allows companies to tailor their space entirely to their requirements. The new locations will include facilities including private offices, meeting rooms, co-working and creative spaces.
With explosive market growth as companies of all sizes adopt hybrid working for the long-term, it is predicted that 30 per cent of all commercial real estate will be flexible workspace by 2030 and IWG believes that partners will be able to capitalise on this fast-growing sector,
The potential for further growth is exponential with an estimated 1.2 billion white collar workers globally and a total addressable market of more than £1.57 trillion. Conventional office occupancy will continue to fall as businesses require less traditional space and turn to flexible workspace instead.
Last year alone, IWG welcomed over 800 new partner locations and counts 83 per cent of Fortune 500 companies among its customer base.
Speaking on this, Mr Mark Dixon, CEO & Founder of International Workplace Group Plc, commented: “We are establishing a stronger and much-needed footprint in Nigeria with this these latest openings.
“As an important business hub Lagos is a fantastic place for us to boost our expansion plans. The need for high-quality flexible workspaces continues to soar as hybrid working becomes the new normal.
“We are very pleased to work in partnership with Sterling Bank and APD Mansard Place to develop the brand under a management agreement that will add a cutting-edge workspaces to their the buildings.
“Our openings in Lagos comes at a time when more and more companies are discovering that flexible working boosts employee happiness and satisfaction, while helping the environment. Our workplace model is also proven to increase productivity and allows for a business to scale up or down at significantly reduced costs.”
-
Feature/OPED5 years agoDavos was Different this year
-
Travel/Tourism8 years ago
Lagos Seals Western Lodge Hotel In Ikorodu
-
Showbiz2 years agoEstranged Lover Releases Videos of Empress Njamah Bathing
-
Banking6 years agoSort Codes of GTBank Branches in Nigeria
-
Economy2 years agoSubsidy Removal: CNG at N130 Per Litre Cheaper Than Petrol—IPMAN
-
Banking2 years agoFirst Bank Announces Planned Downtime
-
Sports2 years agoHighest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn
-
Technology4 years agoHow To Link Your MTN, Airtel, Glo, 9mobile Lines to NIN