I saw some guest pasting naira and also almighty US dollar on the foreheads of the groom and bride at the wedding reception of Program Manager of Screen Naija, Mr. Felix Omokagbo and his beautiful God sent bride Ritamary Odinakachukwu on Saturday, October 31, 2015, at the Federal College of Education, (Technical) Akoka, Lagos, after the wedding ceremony at St. Dominic's Parish, Yaba, Lagos.

http://nigerianconsumers.createaforum.com/news/screen-naija-manager-felix-weds-his-dream-girl-ritamary-in-lagos/

1 Nov 2013 13:00 Africa/Lagos

Consumers Digest Names 2014 Automotive Best Buys

DEERFIELD, Ill., Nov. 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Thirty-seven vehicles and eight companion models received Best Buy ratings from Consumers Digest for the 2014 model year. The ratings, which are published in CD's December issue (on sale Nov. 1) and are available at ConsumersDigest.com, span 12 categories: Subcompacts, Compacts, Family Cars, Luxury Cars, Sporty Cars, Hybrids, Minivans, Compact SUVs, Midsize SUVs, Full-size SUVs, Luxury SUVs and Pickups. The Best Buys—based on behind-the-wheel driving experience, safety ratings, ownership costs, warranty, price, comfort, ergonomics and amenities—reflect CD's view of which 2014 vehicles offer exceptional all-around value for the money.

2014 Automotive Best Buys

    3 "Subcompacts": Chevrolet Sonic, Fiat 500, Ford Fiesta
    3 "Compacts": Ford Focus, Kia Soul, Mazda3
    7 "Family Cars": Chevrolet Impala, Ford Fusion/Lincoln MKZ, Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata/Kia Optima, Mazda6
    4 "Luxury Cars": Audi A6, BMW 3 Series, Cadillac ATS, Chrysler 300
    5 "Sporty Cars": Chevrolet Camaro, Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, Ford Mustang, Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ
    3 "Hybrids": Ford Fusion Hybrid/Lincoln MKZ Hybrid, Toyota Prius
    3 "Minivans": Chrysler Town & Country/Dodge Grand Caravan, Honda Odyssey
    4 "Compact SUVs": Chevrolet Equinox/GMC Terrain, Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5
    3 "Midsize SUVs": Honda Pilot, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Nissan Pathfinder
    5 "Full-size SUVs": Buick Enclave/Chevrolet Traverse/GMC Acadia, Dodge Durango, Mazda CX-9
    3 "Luxury SUVs": Acura MDX, Acura RDX, Infiniti QX60
    2 "Pickups": Ford F-150 and Ram 1500

"Value, as we see it, is based on purchase price and ownership costs relative to quality, performance and subjective factors, such as comfort and design," says Randy Weber, CD's publisher.

Performance characteristics that were evaluated include starting and acceleration, shifting, steering and handling, braking, ride quality and fuel economy. Design factors that were considered include interior ergonomics, seating configuration and flexibility, accessories and amenities, fit and finish and cargo space.

Of note among CD's Best Buys for the 2014 model year, the automakers from Japan and Korea combined to garner a 10 percentage point increase in the number of Best Buys that their vehicles were awarded (18) over the number of 2013-model-year recommendations that their vehicles received. The 40 percent of 2014 CD Best Buys for the Asian automakers is the largest percentage for the group since its vehicles represented 42 percent of all Best Buys for the 2009 model year.

The percentage of Best Buys that were awarded to 2014 vehicles that were manufactured by U.S. automakers dipped to 53.3 percent from 60.5 percent for the 2013 model year.

Despite the slide by the Americans, vehicles that were made by General Motors received 10 Best Buys. Ford Motor vehicles received eight recommendations, and the Chrysler family of brands received seven.

Consumers Digest's Automotive Best Buys report includes invoice pricing, standard features and performance traits that support the models' Best Buy recommendation in the collective opinion of CD's veteran automotive editors: Dan Carney has reviewed vehicles for Motor Trend and Popular Mechanics, among others, and is a former president of Washington Automotive Press Association; Susan Carpenter has reviewed vehicles for the Los Angeles Times and Orange County Register; Jim Gorzelany has served Consumers Digest readers for 27 years; Marlon Hanson is president of Texas Automotive Media Association; award-winning reporter Jim Mateja writes a weekly Chicago Tribune automotive column; Courtney Messenbaugh has written reviews for MotherProof.com and other websites.

Consumers Digest and ConsumersDigest.com are designed to inform and educate readers, so they can buy with confidence, no matter the product or service. The editorial team is committed to providing practical advice, factual evaluations and specific recommendations that lead consumers to exceptional values in today's complex marketplace. Like the December issue, ConsumersDigest.com includes the profiles of CD's Best Buy vehicles as well as other elements that assist in the car-shopping experience, not the least of which is the Complete Interactive New Car Guide. In the Guide, consumers will find: articles based on investigations of what automakers are doing to increase passenger and cargo space; the trade-offs of purchasing a hybrid or electric car versus cost of ownership; and the Ultimate Auto Showroom, which provides data on vehicle standard features, options, MSRPs, dealers' invoice pricing and warranties.

SOURCE Consumers Digest

CONTACT: Rich Dzierwa, Editor, 847/607-3000 x7114, rdzierwa@consumersdigest.com

Web Site: http://www.consumersdigest.com

D’banj the highest paid entertainer in Nigeria since 2012 to 2013.

D’Banj now charges N8, 000,000.00 and $100,000.00 outside Nigeria.

He is a brand ambassador of the Bank of Industry (BOI) and now reported to be the new brand ambassador of Etisalat Nigeria for N250 million naira.

Dapo Daniel Oyebanjo (popularly known as D'banj, born June 9, 1980) is a Nigerian singer-songwriter, a harmonica player, and a businessman. He has won several music awards including the awards for Best African Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards 2007,[2] Artist of the Year at the MTV Africa Music Awards 2009.[3] and BET Awards of 2011 for Best International Act; Africa. He adopted the stage name D'banj, a combination of his first name Dapo and his surname Oyebanjo.[2] D'banj is currently best known internationally for his 2012 summer hit "Oliver Twist", an uptempo dance fusion of Afro-Beats and electronic dance music that topped the African charts 2011 and was a top 10 hit in the UK singles chart in 2012 reaching #2 on the UK

New EU rules on consumer rights to enter into force

The new EU Consumer Rights Directive has been formally adopted today by Member States in the EU's Council of Ministers. The new legislation will strengthen consumers' rights in all 27 EU countries, particularly when shopping online. After publication in the EU's Official Journal, governments will have two years to implement the rules at national level. Today's approval follows an overwhelming vote to back the rules by the European Parliament on 23 June 2011 (MEMO/11/450). The European Commission put forward the proposal in October 2008 (IP/08/1474). The final agreement between Parliament and Council on the Consumer Rights Directive was brokered by EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding in June this year.

Top 10 benefits for consumers in the new Directive:

1) The proposal will eliminate hidden charges and costs on the Internet

Consumers will be protected against "cost traps" on the Internet. This happens when fraudsters try to trick people into paying for ‘free’ services, such as horoscopes or recipes. From now on, consumers must explicitly confirm that they understand that they have to pay a price.

2) Increased price transparency

Traders have to disclose the total cost of the product or service, as well as any extra fees. Online shoppers will not have to pay charges or other costs if they were not properly informed before they place an order.

3) Banning pre-ticked boxes on websites

When shopping online – for instance buying a plane ticket – you may be offered additional options during the purchase process, such as travel insurance or car rental. These additional services may be offered through so-called ‘pre-ticked’ boxes. Consumers are currently often forced to untick those boxes if they do not want these extra services. With the new Directive, pre-ticked boxes will be banned across the European Union.

4) 14 Days to change your mind on a purchase

The period under which consumers can withdraw from a sales contract is extended to 14 calendar days (compared to seven days legally prescribed by EU law today). This means that consumers can return the goods for whatever reason if they change their minds.

    Extra protection for lack of information: When a seller hasn’t clearly informed the customer about the withdrawal right, the return period will be extended to a year.

    Consumers will also be protected and enjoy a right of withdrawal for solicited visits, such as when a trader called beforehand and pressed the consumer to agree to a visit. In addition, a distinction no longer needs to be made between solicited and unsolicited visits; circumvention of the rules will thus be prevented.

    The right of withdrawal is extended to online auctions, such as eBay – though goods bought in auctions can only be returned when bought from a professional seller.

    The withdrawal period will start from the moment the consumer receives the goods, rather than at the time of conclusion of the contract, which is currently the case. The rules will apply to internet, phone and mail order sales, as well as to sales outside shops, for example on the consumer's doorstep, in the street, at a Tupperware party or during an excursion organised by the trader.

5) Better refund rights

Traders must refund consumers for the product within 14 days of the withdrawal. This includes the costs of delivery. In general, the trader will bear the risk for any damage to goods during transportation, until the consumer takes possession of the goods

6) Introduction of an EU-wide model withdrawal form

Consumers will be provided with a model withdrawal form which they can (but are not obliged to) use if they change their mind and wish to withdraw from a contract concluded at a distance or at the doorstep. This will make it easier and faster to withdraw, wherever you have concluded a contract in the EU.

7) Eliminating surcharges for the use of credit cards and hotlines

Traders will not be able to charge consumers more for paying by credit card (or other means of payment) than what it actually costs the trader to offer such means of payment. Traders who operate telephone hotlines allowing the consumer to contact them in relation to the contract will not be able charge more than the basic telephone rate for the telephone calls.

Clearer information on who pays for returning goods

If traders want the consumer to bear the cost of returning goods after they change their mind, they have to clearly inform consumers about that beforehand, otherwise they have to pay for the return themselves. Traders must clearly give at least an estimate of the maximum costs of returning bulky goods bought by internet or mail order, such as a sofa, before the purchase, so consumers can make an informed choice before deciding from whom to buy.

9) Better consumer protection in relation to digital products

Information on digital content will also have to be clearer, including about its compatibility with hardware and software and the application of any technical protection measures, for example limiting the right for the consumers to make copies of the content.

Consumers will have a right to withdraw from purchases of digital content, such as music or video downloads, but only up until the moment the actual downloading process begins.

10) Common rules for businesses will make it easier for them to trade all over Europe.

These include:

    A single set of core rules for distance contracts (sales by phone, post or internet) and off-premises contracts (sales away from a company’s premises, such as in the street or the doorstep) in the European Union, creating a level playing field and reducing transaction costs for cross-border traders, especially for sales by internet.

    Standard forms will make life easier for businesses: a form to comply with the information requirements on the right of withdrawal;

    Specific rules will apply to small businesses and craftsmen, such as a plumber. There will be no right of withdrawal for urgent repairs and maintenance work. Member States may also decide to exempt traders who are requested by consumers to carry out repair and maintenance work in their home of a value below €200 from some of the information requirements.

For more information:

European Commission – Consumer Rights Directive

http://ec.europa.eu/justice/consumer-marketing/rights-contracts/directive/index_en.htm

Homepage of Vice-President Viviane Reding, EU Justice Commissioner:

http://ec.europa.eu/reding

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Thursday April 25, 2013.