The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) as part of the sequence of events to mark its 50th anniversary hosted stakeholders including Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), captains of industry, organized private sectors, civil societies, and well-wishers from the academia amongst others to an award ceremony and book launch in Lagos.
The Director General and Chief Executive, Mallam Salim Farouk in his welcome address thanked all present for coming out to celebrate with the organisation, stating that it is not an easy feat to be able to gather people of such caliber in the industrial nerve center of the country.
Mallam Salim, whilst acknowledging and thanking the President of the Federal Republic, President Muhammadu Buhari for availing him such an opportunity to serve the nation, he commended the Honorable Minster of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, the Minister of State Ambassador Mariam Katagum as well as the Permanent Secretary, FMITI, for their immense support over the years.
In his words the SON DG said over the last fifty (50) years, SON has collaborated with the industries to provide consumers with products fit for its purpose stating that the last 2 years were concentrated on some critical areas, strengthening the National Metrology Systems; implementation of the Nigerian National Standardization Strategy (NNSS) and increasing the technical competence of conformity assessment services through the accreditation of the Product Certification Department.
Mallam Farouk went down memory lane of how the quest for quality within the industry left staff faced with stiff challenges on the unavailability of utility cars, rundown cars, and traffic jams to undertake factory inspections which have been totally upturned with the provisions of conducive work environment, mobility, and equipment most especially for the state-of-the-art laboratories.
The SON’s helmsman while noting the global estimate of about $4.3 trillion in substandard and fake products in 2021 and SON’s call on the support of stakeholders to collaborate with SON in the fight against these substandard products, urged them to invest substantially in brand protection so as to safeguard their intellectual property against counterfeiters.
The SON@50 Outstanding Staff of the year Mrs. Amina Abba Haliru receiving the car gift from a representative of the Managing Director & CEO, Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing, Mr. Innocent Chukwuma Nwala.
The DG also commended the management team and staff of SON both past and present who have worked tirelessly and put in many years of dedication and service to put the organization to its present status as the success of the organization is a result of nothing other than hard work.
In concluding his remarks, Mallam Salim said quality is a journey with no destination and therefore calls upon the stakeholders in the manufacturing sector to undertake the journey of quality with SON in order to industrialize Nigeria, create jobs as well as wealth which will in turn reduce poverty, restiveness and minimize threats to National Security.
Similarly the keynote speaker at the event and the Honorable Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo commended the management and staff of SON for fifty years of golden delivery of standards to Nigerians of all works of life, as SON plays a vital role in ensuring that local goods compete favorably in the international market by guaranteeing quality is maintained throughout production, most especially with the African Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA) policy now in full swing.
The Honorable Minister speaking through the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Mrs. Evelyn Ngige said that SON must play its role in ensuring standards to support industrial development, facilitate trade and promote investment in the Nigerian economy most especially being the Chairman of the Presidential Economic Business Enabling Council (PEBEC) he was impressed by the regular high ranking of SON by PEBEC as an effective trade facilitator.
Goodwill messages were delivered by the DG of the President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN): Otunba Francis Meshioye, Deputy Corps Marshall, Federal Road Safety Corps and the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) all felicitated with the Management and Staff of SON for the attaining the years and pledged continuous support to SON.
Highlights from the event included the unveiling of the SON @50 Historical compendium, the Cutting of the SON 50 years anniversary cake, and the presentation of the SON Outstanding Staff Awards to Mrs. Amina Abba Haliru who was presented with a car donated by Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing.
Notable Companies like Dangote Industries Ltd., BUA Group of Companies, Lucky Fibre Plc, Chi ltd, Chemical, and Allied Products plc, and Government Institutions like the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) amongst others were bestowed the SON @50 Anniversary Special Award for supporting Standards and Quality in Nigeria.
The event had in attendance past Director Generals of SON, retired and present SON Directors, staff, stakeholders as well as media partners.
