The International Community is observing today as Consumer Rights Day.

It is a day set aside in solidarity with the international consumer movement in addition to promoting basic rights of consumers.

The day which was first celebrated in Nigeria in 1983 was inspired by a onetime President of the United States Mr John F Kennedy, who sent a special message to the Congress on fifteenth March 1962, where he addressed the issue of Consumers Rights.

Speaking on the significance of the day, the Zonal Coordinator, South East Consumer Protection Council, Mrs Ngozika Obidike, said the day was set aside to celebrate and recognize the importance of consumers as all products are for public consumption.

Mrs Obidike, said that her office is working tirelessly to ensure that no counterfeit or expired products, is on sell in the Market, charging the public to monitor, examine and check whatever they are using.

She also advised that people should be conscious of the quality of whatever they purchase and make complaint if any product is not up to standards.

Contributing an Industrialist, Chief Israel Ezue, called on various regulatory bodies to educate the consumers on the inherent dangers of patronizing substandard products.

Chief Ezue, who is the traditional Prime Minister of Awa in Orumba North Local Government Area used the forum to canvass for stiffer penalties for those engaging in the sale of fake products.

The theme for this year’s event is, “Tested Smart Product.”