By Aduragbemi Omiyale

Leading food and beverage company, Rite Foods Limited, has joined Muslim faithful in Nigeria for the celebration of Eid el-Fitr, the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

In a statement, the chief executive of Rite Foods, Mr Seleem Adegunwa, urged Muslims to embrace the values of love, unity, and exemplary conduct as they enjoy a peaceful and fulfilling Eid, also encouraging them to reflect on the teachings of Prophet Mohammed (SAW) and continue to uphold the virtues of faith, compassion, and national unity.

He further advised Muslims to to rejuvenate and celebrate with its wide range of award-winning products.

“We commend our Muslim brothers and sisters for their devotion throughout Ramadan and encourage them to let the lessons of this sacred period guide their daily lives.

“As they celebrate, we remain committed to providing quality products that add delight and nourishment to every moment,” Mr Adegunwa stated.

Reaffirming Rite Foods’ dedication to excellence, he highlighted the company’s diverse portfolio of premium products, including 13 refreshing flavours of Bigi Carbonated Soft Drinks, Bigi Premium Table Water, Sosa Fruit Drink, available in five delicious flavours, Fearless Energy Drinks for an extra boost, and Bigi and Rite Sausages, perfect for on-the-go enjoyment.

Also, the Head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, Mr Ekuma Eze, emphasised that the company, driven by innovation and cutting-edge technology, will continue to cater to the needs of its diverse consumers.

“We are committed to delivering superior quality products that enhance every occasion. Eid el-Fitr is a time of joy, and we are honored to be part of the celebration with our consumers,” he added.

As a brand recognised for quality and excellence in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) industry, Rite Foods was recently honoured as ‘Food Company of the Year’ at the prestigious Independent Awards 2024.

The company said it remains committed to delivering exceptional products that bring people together in celebration, nourishment, and satisfaction. With a commitment to producing quality products, the company continues to set industry standards in the FMCG sector.

By Adedapo Adesanya

Public Relations guru and chief consultant of TPT International Limited, Mr Adetokunbo Modupe, will headline the Lagos Chapter of Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) PR Discourse for the month of April.

The NIPR Lagos chapter is scheduled to hold its monthly Public Relations (PR) Clinic on April 3, where vital issues on the growth of PR practice and its contribution to the national economic value chain will be discussed.

The PR Clinic, with the PR RESET theme, will have TPT International Limited’s founder, Mr Modupe, speaking on PR RESET: Reinventing Yourself for the Evolving PR LANDSCAPE”.

Expected at the special discourse are members of NIPR, special guests, and important personalities in the private and business sectors.

According to Dr Ahmadu, Fatimah-Binta, the General Secretary of NIPR, the monthly meeting will be held on Thursday, April 3rd, 2025, and will feature one of the most sought-after Public Relations Consultants in Africa, Adetokunbo Modupe, Founder of TPT International Limited.

Mr Modupe, a Harvard Business School and York St John University trained leadership Innovation and Management specialist, will bring to bear his vast knowledge of the PR practice spanning over three decades.

The event will be held on Thursday, April 3, at the Eko FM Multipurpose Hall, Agindingbi, Ikeja, by 3 pm, and deliberations are expected to be very thought provoking and impactful.

By Adedapo Adesanya

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed May 8 for judgment in the suit filed by MultiChoice Nigeria Limited against the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).

Justice Omotosho fixed the date after lawyers representing the parties adopted and argued their written addresses for and against the case.

The court had earlier restrained the commission from taking “any administrative steps” against the plaintiff following an increase in the service price of two of its brands; DStv and GOtv.

The restraining order was a sequel to a formal request by MultiChoice seeking the court’s protection from planned sanction from the FCCPC, over the increase in the price of DStv and GOtv.

At the proceeding, the court granted the commission’s request for an extension of time to regularise its processes and also allowed the plaintiff to withdraw its application for interlocutory injunction which has been overtaken by event.

Arguing its case, MultiChoice through its lead counsel, Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo submitted that the bone of contention is “whether the defendant have the right to control the price at which the plaintiff offers its services to the public.”

He argued that the Act establishing the FCCPC did not confer on it the powers to regulate price or prevent anyone including the plaintiff from increasing its prices.

Also, the lawyer stated that the issue of whether the defendant can regulate price has been litigated before between the two parties, adding that the tribunal had held that the commission has no powers to regulate prices of goods and services in the country, except the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The Plaintiff’s lawyer also submitted that even the president who is clothed with the powers to regulate prices has maintained “that his government does not believe in price control” but, that prices are determined by market forces of demands and supplies.

The plaintiff in addition submitted that if the FCCPC has no powers to control price “where does he have the powers to prevent the plaintiff from increasing price.

MultiChoice subsequently accused the Commission of discrimination, stating that all businesses in the country have been increasing their prices in line with economic conditions and inflation without the Commission raising an eyebrow, save with the plaintiff.

He, therefore, urged the court to grant all the reliefs sought in the suit.

While adopting his counter affidavit in opposition to the suit, lead counsel for the defendant, Mr Joe Agbugu, urged the court to first address the cause of action; which is the the issue of increase in the price of DStv and GOtv.

Mr Agbugu disclosed that the Commission on February 25, wrote the plaintiff after it announced price increase effective from March 1, 2025.

According to the senior lawyer, MultiChoice was summoned to appear before the commission on February 27, “they wrote that it was not convenient and proposed March 6. We then said that in the interim they should hold on with the price increment.”

Mr Agbugu further stated that, “there was no issue of price regulation or fixing as at the time the action commenced.”

Besides, he claimed that the statute establishing the FCCPC, gave it “powers to check exorbitant pricing” and also powers to “regulate abuse of dominant position in the market” as it relates to prices and passing of cost to the consumer.

“The plaintiff occupies a dominant position in the television and entertainment,” Mr Agbugu claimed, adding that the case before the court is not of price regulation but the powers of the Commission to investigate prices that are deemed exploitative and abuse of dominant position.

“The Commission is not to tell you to use price A or B but to determine that the price is exploitative” he said, “they ran away to be investigated over their planned action.

“Our action is not about price fixing; the issue is about whether the price is exorbitant…the mandate of the Commission is to protect the consumer.”

Reacting to the claim of discrimination, defendant’s lawyer, submitted that, “abuse of dominant position qualified them to be singled out for exorbitant pricing.”

Mr Agbugu subsequently urged the court to strike out the suit and dismiss it because it attacks the major task of the Commission of protecting consumers.

“The suit should be dismissed and the plaintiff returned to us for investigation,” he added.

Responding, Justice Omotosho announced that, “judgment is reserved to May 8.”