By TINA TIMOTHY

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called on the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission andNational Agency for Food & Drug Administration & Control(NAFDAC) “to wake up from slumber and save Nigerians from abuses and violations of their legal and constitutionally protected rights.”

The group is claiming that consumer rights were being abused by fake claims, especially by those claiming to be making sex enhancing products which were not verified by regulatory authorities.

National Coordinator of HURIWA, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, drew the attention of agencies of federal government responsible for the protection of the rights of Nigerian consumers to the anomaly during a media briefing Wednesday, February 9, 2022.

HURIWA said the market space was filled with products like Kayan Mata, which were not verified, adding that such unscientific products were being sold both online and in the traditional market places in which citizens are deceived into believing in the efficacious effects of those products to enhance their sexual lifestyle.

“HURIWA is worried that the seemingly growing global demand for sex-related products and increasing awareness of sexual wellness are spurring a boom in the global sex industry amid rising demand for lingerie, contraceptives, condoms, lubricants, sex toys, etc., Business insider predicts the global sex market will grow by nearly 7% each year up till 2021.

“HURIWA shares same observation with a certain writer who wrote that despite its conservative culture and proclivity to avoid sexual matters, Nigeria's sex industry is evolving just as fast. Also this writer says that the sexual wellness market is dominated by condoms, pills and sex toys, but there is a significant niche that exists outside these, a world of herbs and spices that serve as sexual enhancers. Enter Kayan Mata, a local aphrodisiac.

“HURIWA is calling on relevant regulatory agencies to wake up from slumber and protect vulnerable Nigerians from products such as sexual enhancers from being duped, especially if these products are yet to be authenticated and accredited. Agencies such as the Federal Competition and Consumer Rights Commission formerly identified as the Consumer Protection Council and NAFDAC are the two leading regulatory authorities that ought to stop deceptive advertisements of sexual wellness and enhancement products that have flooded the airwaves and online/social media and wreaking domestic havoc and destabilising marriages and relationships.

“These two slumbering governmental giant regulatory bodies set up to protect consumer rights should please wake up and work or be restructured and proactive hierarchies set up for these bodies,” Onwubiko said.

In an open letter to one of the most reported sellers of the so-called KAYANMATA, HURIWA said it was giving 72 hours to one Hauwa Sa’idu Mohammed (a.k.a Jaruma) to refute in the media, the alleged efficacy of her local Aphrodisiac (Kayan Mata) or showcase approvals from regulatory authorities.