Telecom
V-Convention Underscores QNET’s Commitment to Transparency and Accountability – Biram Fall
Mr. Biram Fall, QNET’s Regional General Manager, Sub-Sahara Africa, said that V-Convention is a veritable platform where QNET underscores its commitment to transparency and accountability.
Mr. Biram Fall, QNET’s Regional General Manager (RGM)
He stated this on Thursday at a webinar organised for Nigerian journalists who have attended the V-Convention (VCON) in Malaysia to share their experiences.
Mr. Fall stated that V-Convention enables stakeholders to witness firsthand the company’s dedication to product quality, ethical business practices, and the empowerment of its IR network.
He also added that V-Convention is an avenue for distributors to deepen product knowledge, engage with company experts in business-building sessions as well as gaining insights from accomplished distributors.
He further emphasized that QNET brings together a diverse assemblage of marketing professionals, experienced business leaders, and global entrepreneurs associated with the QI Group’s flagship business in Penang, Malaysia. “Every year since 2022, QNET invites selected journalists from media outlets in Nigeria to attend this important event.
We recently hosted the first V-Convention of 2024 in May, bringing up to 9,000 attendees. Following QNET’s theme for the year, “Championing You,” the event emphasized QNET’s unwavering commitment to empowering individuals with financial independence and personal growth through our lifestyle and wellness product portfolio.
“This unique platform fosters knowledge exchange, develops new ideas, and propels the industry forward by bringing together a diverse group of experts, entrepreneurs, and marketing professionals.
Speaking further Mr. Fall noted that Nigerian Journalists overtime have been invited to Malaysia in order for them to have a firsthand experience of the convention.
According to him, “Every year since 2022, QNET invites selected journalists from media outlets in Nigeria to attend this important event.
“We’re grateful to our media partners who have joined us at various times to mark this important occasion.”
Nigerian journalist who at one time or the other attended the V-Convention (VCON) in Malaysia shared their palatable experiences at various times at the convention.
Starting with Royal Ibeh, a reporter with Leadership Newspaper who attended the VCON 2024 edition said, “It was a great experience. My take home from the VCON experience is how QNET is empowering micro entrepreneurs all over the world, QNET has given them a purpose in life.
“Imagine someone who does not have anything doing, all of a sudden start earning as high as $500,000, all thanks to QNET. I would scream more than them if I was given that opportunity.
“So, that is what I was eager to write about on how Africans can leverage on the direct selling model. I would love to see a time when Africans will be in that hall, celebrating the founders of QNET”.
N’ankwat Dariem of Voice of Nigeria who was at the VCON 2023 noted the significant presence of young entrepreneurs at the event seeking to improve their lives through direct selling. This resonated with Prince Osuagwu of Vanguard Newspaper, VCON attendee 2022 who further highlighted the strong sense of community and support fostered by the event.
He viewed VCON as a platform for knowledge exchange, particularly valuable for replicating success stories in the Nigerian market with its large youth population. Osuagwu was also impressed by QNET’s dedication to innovation, showcasing products that address real-world challenges in Nigeria, such as vertical farming technology and hygiene devices.
Mr. Akeem Ajisafe Abiodun, CEO, Transblue Ltd, said that the goal with the webinar was to gain a deeper understanding of what the V-Convention means for QNET and its stakeholders and to highlight its crucial importance to the direct-selling industry.
He said V-Convention is QNET’s largest gathering of network marketing professionals, experienced business leaders, and global entrepreneurs associated with the QI Group’s flagship business. “QNET is known for its direct-selling business model, which involves selling products directly to consumers through an e-commerce platform. This business model has empowered thousands of people worldwide to become successful entrepreneurs. Direct selling is not only a promising career option but also a route to economic empowerment. The industry provides an appealing opportunity to launch a business with minimal capital or logistic challenges. However, in Nigeria and many African countries, the industry has garnered attention for the wrong reasons due to the prevalence of pyramid schemes and fraudulent practices posing as legitimate direct-selling companies.”
Ajisafe added that V-Convention is a platform that plays a significant role in dispelling the misconception that direct selling is fraudulent. It emphasizes the importance of ethical practices, networking, and building sustainable businesses. The event also highlights the value of direct selling as a means of personal and financial empowerment, showcasing the success stories of entrepreneurs who have built their businesses through QNET’s direct selling model.”
Speaking on the latest trends and Innovation showcased at V-Convention 2024, Ajisafe said that V-Convention provides a platform to showcase the latest trends and innovations in the direct selling industry. This includes the launch of exciting products that enhance customer experiences and increase distributors’ efficiency, as well as exclusive training and empowerment opportunities.
“The recently concluded V-Convention in May was a five-day event that showcased the launch of products such as the Amezcua E-Guard X. This revolutionary device is a unique wellness solution that provides protection for your body from the harmful effects of electro-smog exposure from mobile phones, computers, laptops, and televisions. Additionally, the event introduced the HomePure Rayn, which is the first showerhead to integrate Amezcua Resonance Technology with the high-quality water filtration that the HomePure brand is known for. Lastly, the BHM luxury Swiss watch and jewellery brand introduced a new collection of timepieces titled Alto.
“The event celebrates the power of community by bringing together a diverse group of up to 9,000 individuals from over 30 countries worldwide, creating a dynamic environment for exchanging ideas, sharing success stories, and forming meaningful connections,” Ajisafe said.
MTN Nigeria is set to reignite the dreams of creatives with the launch of its Best of the Streets talent competition for the 2025 edition. This initiative aims to discover and nurture Nigeria’s next generation of creative talent.
L-R: Mobolaji Ogunlende, Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Lagos State; Dapo “D’Banj” Oyebanjo, Singer and Founder of C.R.E.A.M platform; Dandizzy, Rapper and Singer; A’isha Umar Mumuni, Chief Digital Officer, MTN Nigeria and Obi Asika, Nigerian music executive and Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture, NCAC., at the Best of the Streets press briefing on Wednesday, April 23 held at the MTN Rooftop Events Centre, Ikoyi, Lagos.
Slated to commence on May 1, 2025, the competition offers unsigned artists a transformative platform to compete for life-changing rewards, including a grand money prize, professional music video production, and an EP recording deal.
At the press briefing on Wednesday April 23, A’isha Umar Mumuni, Chief Digital Officer of MTN Nigeria, emphasized the initiative’s impact.
“The premise of Best of the Streets is that there’s talent in every street in Nigeria, whether it’s acting, singing, dancing, comedy or other performance arts.
“Best of the Streets seeks to bring out that talent, to show Nigerian youths that there are opportunities everywhere; and at MTN, we are very proud to take part in creating these opportunities.”
Best of the Streets is in collaboration with C.R.E.A.M (Creative Reality Entertainment Art and Music), founded by Nigerian rapper, Dapo “D’Banj” Oyebanjo is a platform which provides talent management, publishing, and funding support to grassroots artists.
“The C.R.E.A.M platform provides solutions and services for talents, creatives and entrepreneurs, by granting them convenient access to showcase their skills and monetize their content. With our newly launched distribution arm, we are not just discovering talent, we are giving them the tools to take them global,” D’banj explained.
Chris Anokute, Nigerian-born LA-based American Executive, known for discovering global superstar Katy Perry, commended the efforts of this initiative in pushing local Nigerian music to the international stage. “Best of the Streets is the greatest artiste discovery platform I’ve seen come out of Africa.
“The music industry is, as of last year, a 30-billion-dollar industry. Afrobeats is the fastest growing genre in the entire world, over 1.1 million hours of music streamed out of Nigeria on Spotify this year alone.”
On the importance of empowering the creative capacities of the youth, Mobolaji Ogunlende, Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Social Development in Lagos State. “As a government, we have vowed not to leave anybody behind in Lagos state, irrespective of their background.
“There are about 30 million citizens in Lagos, and 60% of the youth. Not every youth will be able to go to school, but we still have the creatives, digital, fashion icons, among others. This platform is an avenue to encourage them.”
To participate, aspiring contestants can dial *463# on their MTN line, upload original content via the official @creamplatform, and mobilise votes from the public. Over 2584 creatives are set to be showcased and rewarded this year. Entries into this competition continue up until December, with daily, weekly and monthly winners, with a final winner who will secure the grand prize.
The Best of the Streets initiative reinforces MTN’s commitment to youth empowerment and creative innovation, aligning with Nigeria’s growing entertainment industry demands.
Meta has announced its intention to appeal the decision of the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT), which upheld a $220 million fine imposed by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) over its data practices.
The penalty follows a 38-month investigation conducted by the FCCPC, in collaboration with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), which ran from 2021 to December 2023.
The investigation found evidence of unauthorised data sharing, insufficient user consent mechanisms, and discriminatory practices that treated Nigerian consumers differently from those in other regions.
In July 2024, the FCCPC imposed the $220 million fine on Meta and WhatsApp, citing violations of Nigeria’s data protection and consumer rights laws. Additionally, the ruling mandated corrective actions to ensure that Meta’s business practices comply with Nigerian regulations.
In a decision delivered on Friday, April 25, the tribunal upheld the fine, reaffirming the FCCPC’s authority and investigative processes. The tribunal also ordered Meta to pay an additional $35,000 to cover the costs incurred during the investigation.
However, Meta expressed disagreement with the tribunal’s ruling, stating in a statement on Saturday, April 26, that it would urgently seek to appeal the decision and apply for a stay of execution.
“We are urgently applying to stay the order and appeal today’s decision to avoid any impact to users,” WhatsApp said.
The company also contested the tribunal’s findings, claiming that the ruling misrepresented how WhatsApp operates and contained inaccuracies regarding its data practices.
Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal has upheld a $220 million fine imposed by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) on Meta Platforms Inc. and WhatsApp LLC for data privacy violations in Nigeria.
The Tribunal also awarded $35,000 in investigative costs to the country’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission .
In a statement issued by the FCCPC, the Tribunal delivered its judgment in the appeal filed by Meta Platforms Incorporated (Facebook) and WhatsApp LLC against the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), affirming the Commission’s authority and ruling in favour of its actions on nearly all contested issues.
According to the statement by the FCCPC, “The Tribunal specifically determined that the Commission adhered to prevailing laws, fulfilled its mandate, and exercised its powers by the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
“It ruled that the multiple actions by WhatsApp and Meta, for which the Commission made findings of violations, were correctly identified, and that the Commission did not err in making those findings.”
The statement revealed that WhatsApp and Meta’s legal team was led by Professor Gbolahan Elias (SAN), while the FCCPC was represented by Babatunde Irukera.
It added that both legal teams presented their final arguments on behalf of their respective clients on January 28, 2025.
“The FCCPC had on July on July 19, 2024, issued a Final Order imposing a $220 million administrative penalty after concluding that the companies engaged in discriminatory and exploitative practices against Nigerian consumers, the investigation started in 2020.
“The case arose from a 38-month joint investigation initiated by the FCCPC and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) into the conduct, privacy practices, and consumer data policies of Meta Platforms and WhatsApp.
“Dissatisfied with the Order last year, Meta and WhatsApp appealed to the Tribunal, challenging both the legal basis and the findings of the Commission,” FCCPC said.
The Tribunal upheld the FCCPC’s authority and investigative procedures in Meta and WhatsApp’s appeal, resolving most of the contested issues in the Commission’s favour.
It confirmed that the FCCPC acted within its constitutional and statutory mandate, particularly regarding fair hearing, data protection, and consumer rights.
While it dismissed the majority of the appellants’ objections, it set aside one specific order (Order 7) for lacking sufficient legal basis.
While expressing satisfaction with the judgment, Tunji Bello, executive vice chairman/CEO, commended the Commission’s legal team for their exceptional diligence and forensic expertise in assembling evidence and presenting their case.
He reaffirmed the FCCPC’s unwavering commitment not only to protecting the rights of Nigerian consumers but also to promoting fair business practices in line with the FCCPA (2018) and the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Nigerian government.
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