News

OPINION: MultiChoice’s Price Hike

Published

9 months ago

March 30, 2025

There doesn’t seem to be two ways of articulating the Nigerian situation today other than that the people are hurting as they suffer multiple emotional pains. They hurt on two prongs. One, astronomic increment in prices of goods and services and second, government regulatory agencies’ perceived inability to tame the greed of service providers. However, wherever a government agency goes against the grain to fight for hurting Nigerians, its fight should become the people’s fight.

Last week, I stumbled on a report in the Business Day newspaper which articulated South African MultiChoice’s binge of discriminatory pricing. While the usual complaints by service providers range from skyrocketing exchange rate and huge cost of providing services, but when comparative national favouritism and self-perception of tin-demigoddess slip into the equation, it becomes a matter of huge national concern. MultiChoice, you will recall, is a South African company. Complaints of price upward jerking at the drop of a hat have dogged MultiChoice from time immemorial. To many Nigerians, whenever the South African company looks through the windows and sees that the day is foggy or rainy, it slams its Nigerian users of its DStv and GOtv services price increments at its whims.

MORE FROM THE AUTHOR: OPINION: When Bandits Took Over Ondo State

The most recent of its audacious whims has got Nigerians asking whether they have a government that caters for their interest or whether any regulatory agency that could come to their aid exists. Recently, MultiChoice woke up and literally saw a foggy day. It then imposed an arbitrary 21% price increase, effective March 1, 2025, which again riled Nigerians. What makes MultiChoice’s audacity more nauseating was that, about this same time it slammed Nigerian consumers this price jerk, it reduced prices of the same services for its South African subscribers by up to 38%, “to enhance value”. Nigerians saw this Janus approach to their welfare by MultiChoice as the proverbial case of the hunting dog which is quick at calming its own puppies’ frayed nerves with its motherly milk while pouncing on the babies of the grasscutter with a malicious rout. Why was what was sauce for MultiChoice’s goose not sauce for its gander? Nigerians ask.

In that Business Day report, a group known as Save the Consumers, a non-governmental consumer rights advocacy group, raised the consciousness of Nigerians over this arbitrariness and MultiChoice Nigeria’s ill treatment of Nigerians as if they had no government agency that could come to their aid. It would be recalled that in May, 2024, the South African company had made same complaints on operation costs which it said necessitated an increment of prices in Nigeria. I am not aware that it made same adjustment in its home country, South Africa. But, Nigerians got a breather when the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) intervened to ask for a suspension of all price adjustments pending the conclusion of ongoing investigations. Rather than heed this intervention, MultiChoice unilaterally went ahead to increase prices again by 21%, an obvious disregard, as said by Save the Consumers, to “both Nigerian consumers and regulatory authority.”

More unsettling for Nigerian consumers of MultiChoice services is that, according to the rights protection group, “in South Africa, MultiChoice has lowered fees on various products, added new channels, and introduced features that improve the user experience, all while acknowledging the financial pressures faced by South African households.” Are Nigerians not facing same pressure which should make a humane organization feel for them? The rights protection group was of the opinion that, “in South Africa, MultiChoice has lowered fees on various products” and that “this double standard, lowering prices at home while increasing them in Nigeria, amounts to economic discrimination and reinforces long-standing concerns about MultiChoice’s exploitative approach toward the Nigerian market” which I agree with absolutely.

Citing the usual guile with which many enterprises hoodwink consumers in Nigeria, MultiChoice cited “inflation in Nigeria” as justification for the hike and promised that, with the hike in prices, it would afford Nigerian users an opportunity for it to deliver “world-class content”. Experience has shown Nigerian consumers that when companies offer such shibboleth, what the people face, as it is done at present with MultiChoice is, in the words of the consumers’ rights protection group, are “repetitive content, frequent service disruptions, and poor value for money.” Service fairness, rather than punitive pricing, is what Nigerian consumers need today. It is said that, in South Africa, MultiChoice has lowered fees on various products. Why is Nigeria then an exception?

Thus, when MultiChoice’s CEO, Byron Du Plessis, gave unsatisfactory justifications for price jerk-up in Nigeria, especially without corresponding hike in South Africa, what the people see is a monopolist that is unafraid of the segregationist implications of market’s response to its price tyranny. It is on this score that I agree with this consumer rights protection group that the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) must be bold in breaking the monopoly of MultiChoice. Nigerian consumers of this viewing product should not be chained to a spot in the pay-TV sector. This can only be done by liberalizing the market and paving way for more players in the sector. Nigerian consumers must also be made to know that it is patriotism to migrate to alternative platforms. A reversal of the March 2025 price hike is a must.

News

Eating Takeout Food Often May Increase Heart Disease Risk — Study

Published

3 days ago

December 30, 2025

Editor

Research suggests that higher takeout food consumption may increase a person’s risk of cardiovascular disease, like heart disease.

In a new study, published in Food Science & Nutrition, researchers said eating takeout food too often can influence systemic inflammation that underlies much cardiovascular disease.

The study of over eight thousand people in the 2009 to 2018 U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) found that those who eat greater amounts of takeout food are likely to have various elevated risk factors for heart disease.

They were interviewed in their homes and also visited a mobile examination centre, where they recalled their food intake, received cardiometabolic health assessments, and had blood collected.

Mammograms may predict heart disease risk in women — Study

The researchers found a correlation between the amount of takeout food a person consumes and their likelihood of developing chronic low-level inflammation, a key driver of cardiovascular pathology.

Deaths from cardiovascular disease and the consumption of takeout foods are both on the rise, and while that does not prove a causal relationship, the study explores whether there is a connection between the two.

The study tracked degrees of systemic inflammation according to the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII), a scale that quantifies the risk of inflammation related to the intake of specific dietary substances.

The three major takeaways from the analysis included that a higher level of takeout food consumption corresponded to an unfavourable cardiometabolic profile consisting of lower HDL, as well as higher triglycerides, fasting glucose, serum insulin, and insulin resistance.

Jayne Morgan, MD, cardiologist and Vice President of Medical Affairs in a reaction, who was not involved in the study, explained that “Takeout food raises the cardiovascular risk not because of one ingredient, but because of a predictable combination of nutrients, additives, and preparation methods that adversely affect blood pressure, lipids, insulin sensitivity, inflammation, and endothelial function.”

“This includes excess sodium that increases blood volume and blood vessel stiffness, and unhealthy fats, usually saturated fats or trans fats, that increase cholesterol level and atherosclerosis, a condition that can lead to heart attack and stroke.”

Michelle Routhenstein, Preventive Cardiology Dietitian at Entirely Nourished, also not involved in this study, declared, “It is also important to recognise that frequent takeout use often reflects broader lifestyle pressures such as demanding schedules, limited access to cooking resources, irregular meals, and disrupted sleep, all of which can quietly compound cardiovascular risk.”

News

How To Identify Fake Kiss Condoms In Circulation

Published

3 days ago

December 30, 2025

Editor

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has recently warned Nigerians about the circulation of counterfeit Kiss brand condoms in major markets across the country.

Contents
Original DKT Kiss condoms
Fake Kiss condoms

In a public alert published on its website recently and referenced as Public Alert No. 042/2025, the agency said the warning followed information received from DKT International Nigeria, a non-governmental organisation involved in contraceptive social marketing and HIV/AIDS prevention.

NAFDAC stated, “The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control is notifying the public about the sale and distribution of fake Kiss condoms in various Nigerian markets.

“The information was received from the MAH-DKT International Nigeria, a leading non-governmental organisation focused on contraceptive social marketing. Its mission is to provide Nigerians with affordable and safe options for family planning and HIV/AIDS prevention.

“The fake Kiss condoms have been reported to be found in Onitsha Market, Idumota Market, Trade Fair Market, and various markets in Kano, Abuja, Uyo, Gombe, Enugu, and others.”

Kiss condom is a brand of male latex condoms designed to offer sexual protection, including the prevention of unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections such as HIV, gonorrhoea and syphilis.

To help consumers avoid counterfeit products, NAFDAC outlined key differences between original and fake Kiss condoms.

Original DKT Kiss condoms
The original product comes in a light red box pack with clear instructions printed on the lower part of the pack, including single-use warnings and storage and caution information. The box contains detailed medical device information, including MDSS GmbH, Germany, and a complete Nigerian address at Isolo Industrial Layout, Oshodi-Apapa Expressway.

The condom pack is light red, with the word “Kiss” closely written on six lines. The wallet outer pack is lighter red, carries the Oshodi-Apapa address, manufacturer details, and a clear product description beside the condom image. The hidden flap includes revision dates, medical device details, and caution information, while the wallet inner contains detailed instructions and eight bullet points under important notes.

The original condom is large, oval-shaped, well-lubricated, and has a large teat end for semen collection.

Fake Kiss condoms
In contrast, fake Kiss condoms come in darker-coloured box packs with little or no additional information. Some boxes are plain white inside and lack condom images. The address is wrongly listed as 42, Montgomery Road, Yaba, Lagos, while the manufacturer’s address is incomplete or missing. Storage and caution information is absent.

The condom pack is darker, with “Kiss” loosely written on five lines and wide spacing. The condom strip is longer than the original. The wallet outer pack is also darker red, carries incorrect or missing addresses, lacks colour wave designs, and shows inconsistencies in barcode lines. Medical device and caution information are missing, and the hidden flap contains no details.

Inside the wallet, information is summarised with only six bullet points. The fake condom is thinner, round-shaped, less lubricated, and has a smaller teat end.
(TRIBUNE)

News

Lagos: Police Arrest 14 Suspected Traffic Robbers On Lekki-Epe Expressway

Published

3 days ago

December 30, 2025

Editor

Fourteen persons suspected to be involved in traffic-related robbery have been arrested at various points along the Lekki-Epe Expressway in Lagos over the past two weeks.

The arrests were confirmed on Tuesday by the Lagos State Police Command spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, via a post on her official X handle, @AbimbolaShotayo.

According to her, operatives of the Command’s Tactical Squad based in Elemoro carried out the operations that led to the suspects’ apprehension.

She explained that the arrests followed sustained patrols and intelligence-driven operations aimed at curbing criminal activities associated with traffic congestion and improving the safety of motorists and other road users along the busy corridor.

Adebisi noted that the development reflects the Command’s determination to strengthen security and uphold law and order on the Lekki-Epe axis, adding that the Tactical Squad has continued to proactively identify crime-prone areas and respond swiftly to threats posed by criminal elements.

She called on residents and commuters to support police efforts by providing timely and credible information that could assist in preventing and detecting crime.

“Security is a shared responsibility. Members of the public are encouraged to stay alert and promptly report any suspicious movements or activities to the nearest police station,” she said.

The police spokesperson further reassured residents and road users of the Command’s commitment to maintaining aggressive patrols and security operations to protect lives and property in the area.

She reiterated the Command’s community policing message, “See Something, Say Something,” stressing the importance of cooperation between the police and the public in sustaining peace and security.