Converner of the Consumers Value Awards (CVA), Akonte Ekine, has described consumers as the ultimate judges of value.
In an interview with The Guardian in Lagos, recently, he observed consumers interact with brands every day and are best positioned to determine which organisations consistently deliver on their promises.

Speaking further, he disclosed that the fifth edition of the CVA has officially closed, marking the end of another significant chapter in the nation’s consumer-driven platform for recognising brands and public institutions .

Ekine described the response from consumers as another strong affirmation of the growing importance of consumer participation in shaping brand excellence.

To him, “every vote represents a consumer’s experience, confidence and expectation. The conclusion of voting is not the end of the process; it is the beginning of the most critical phase, where every vote is carefully verified to preserve the integrity of the award.”

With voting now concluded, he said that the CVA secretariat has commenced verification and validation of all votes to ensure accuracy, transparency and fairness before the final results are confirmed.

The next stage of the process, he added, would include preparation and dispatch of official notification letters to the brands and institutions that emerged successful in their respective categories.

He noted, “receiving an official letter from the CVA is more than an invitation to an event. It is confirmation that Nigerian consumers have recognised a brand’s commitment to quality, service, innovation and trust.”

Reflecting on emerging consumer trends, Ekine noted that today’s consumers are evaluating brands beyond price alone. To him, “consumers are looking at reliability, responsiveness, transparency and the overall experience they receive.”

Ekine emphasised that the event is more than an awards presentation. He expressed appreciation to every consumer who participated in the voting process and to every nominated organisation for embracing the spirit of consumer engagement.

In conclusion, he noted, “whether a brand receives an award this year or not, every nomination and every vote send an important message. Consumers are paying attention, and organisations that listen, improve and consistently create value will continue to earn their confidence.”