Nokia partners ACC on counterfeit fight

Mobile phone manufacturer, Nokia is partnering with the Anti Counterfeit Collaboration (ACC) Nigeria on the fight against counterfeit products in the country.

Communications Manager for Nokia West Africa, Mrs. Ngozi Ife Anene, made this disclosure at a one-day media roundtable organised by the duo in Lagos at the weekend.

She said that this effort is in line with best corporate global practices and product standards, hence Nokia, the world’s leading solutions, services and mobility provider, is partnership on this initiative.

Also she urged the media to help in the battle against the counterfeit trade by continuing to highlight the challenges and potential solutions in the media, stressing that Nokia was concerned over the increasing rate of counterfeit goods in the country.

Head, Retail at Nokia West Africa, Mr. Marcel van de Pas, in his address, said that Nokia is only doing what is socially responsible, thus glad to partner with the government and local agencies to ensure consumers have access to genuine products.

Counterfeit products, he said, are not only potentially harmful to consumers, but also have a negative impact on the local economy and on supporting local innovation.

“We will continue to support government efforts to reduce the proliferation of counterfeit products in our markets,” he declared.

He explained that Nokia’s first commitment is to its consumers, who ultimately pay the price in the growing counterfeit trade and with the drive of this collaboration consumers would be aware of the problem and thus educated on the potential risks.

Nokia, he said, hopes that all consumers would have access to genuine products and for this reason encouraged the opening of dealer outlines at every cranny nationwide.

He said, the best way to ensure that Nokia phone is a genuine product is to buy only from authorised Nokia dealers and to always check the phone’s International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number, which provides consumers with a 12 month warranty.

“All Nokia phones undergo rigorous quality testing to ensure the highest standards in product quality and safety. Counterfeit manufacturers do not adhere to these standards, producing sub-standard copies which could even be harmful to the user,” he emphasised.

Equally speaking, Partner, Aluko & Oyebode representing the Anti-Counterfeit Collaboration Nigeria, Mrs Uche Nwokocha, in her paper entitled “Counterfeiting in Nigeria – a growing menace,” noted that the roundtable is just part of the efforts by the organisation and partnership with concerned corporate entities to be a part of the process.

“The impact of counterfeiting on the national economy and consumers is real, and we are working on an action plan to reduce the challenges this peculiar problem poses,” she said.

Chairman, ACC Nigeria, Mr. Marc Schreuder, who also is the chief executive, KFC Nigeria, pointed out that the challenge of fake products is not isolated to fast moving consumer goods alone.

“The fast food industry is rife with copyright infringements which mean consumers do not get value for money,” he said.

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