CONSUMER RIGHTS PROTECTION AGENCY ENDORSES AIRTEL'S BONANZA

THE agency responsible for the protection of consumers rights nationally, the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) has expressed satisfaction with the way a telecommunication service provider, Airtel has conducted the ongoing the Airtel Feel Free Bonanza.

Speaking at the prize presentation ceremony in Lagos, the head of the agency's Lagos operation, Mrs Ngozika Obidike said after subjecting the process of participation in the promo, selection of winners and prize redemption procedure to scrutiny, the Council was fully satisfied that the mobile operator has upheld the rights of consumers. The Council subsequently endorsed the promo.

Also, she commended Airtel for giving its customers the opportunity to participant in one of the two categories of the bonanza free of charge by sending the key word, 'Feel Free' to the shortcode, 333.

Obidike said she was glad to see the winners of the free promo collecting the brand new Samsung LCD television sets. She then congratulated all the winners in the first two weeks of the promo, particularly those, who won N1, 000,000.00 cash prize each, counselling them to invest their winnings wisely.

The CPC representative also enjoined Nigerian consumers to always feel free to report any abuse of their rights to the Council, pledging it is always ready and willing to rise in defence of the rights of Nigerian consumers.

The Council counselled participants in promos to watch out for the activities of criminals, who are out to defraud them.

Also speaking at the occasion, the Chief Marketing Officer of Airtel, George Andah said the company does not request for bank details or any financial transaction details of customers before they are allowed to redeem their winnings.

He disclosed that winners are usually notified of their winning through a voice call from a special Airtel number and not through SMS as often presumed by many participants, adding that they to be wary of people that request for recharge cards to be sent to them or for their financials, such as ATM card PIN number and bank account details, to be disclosed before they can collect their prizes.

Winners from the first two draws of the Airtel Free Feel Bonanza, who are based in Lagos were rewarded at the ceremony.  Those, who were presented with their winnings included eight winners of the N1, 000,000.00 (one million naira) cash prizes, seven winners of brand new LCD television sets and six winners of Blackberry smartphones.

Andah said that every day between now and May 31, 2011, Airtel customers will have the opportunity to win numerous prizes. There are 72 N1,000,000.00 (one million naira) cash prizes, 72 brand new  LCD television sets, 72 Blackberry smartphones, numerous data bundles, SMS bundle, and ringtones yet to be won.

Airtel Feel Free Bonanza is a two-pronged SMS promotion,  'Airtel Feel Free,' which allows customers to send SMS free of charge to a short code, 333, and 'Airtel 2Good club' which requires customers to send the key word to 444.

Customers, who participate in the free promo (Airtel Feel Free Promo) have the opportunity to win LCD Television sets while those take part in the 'Airtel 2Good club' promo will have the chance to win any of the cash prizes of N1,000,000.00 each, Blackberry smartphones and data bundle. Participation in 2Good Club attracts a daily charge of N100.