The Minister of State Industry, Trade and Investment, Ambassador Mariam Y. Katagum said the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) is a useful tool in the delivery of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investments mandate of facilitating trade and the growth of the Nigerian industrial sector.
The Minister of State made this statement at the SON 50th Anniversary celebration in Abuja.
She noted that 50 years was a long time in the life of an organization in Nigeria especially given the fact that the country’s existence as an independent country was only 12 years longer.
“SON must therefore be one of the oldest government institutions in Nigeria. This anniversary is undoubtedly a milestone worth celebrating. In addition, the steady growth of the Organisation from its humble beginnings to becoming the Apex Standards Body in Nigeria, with constitutional responsibilities, is also remarkable and worth celebrating”, she said.
While congratulating the organization, Ambassador Katagum said “in acknowledgment of its consistent implementation of reforms aimed at making its services more easily accessible to the public, SON has been ranked first in the Ease of Doing Business by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC).
She went on to note that,” the organization also recently received an Award from the National Information and Technology Development Agency (NITDA) for Ease of Doing Business in the Information Technology Sector. These two recognitions are no doubt fitting anniversary gifts which will of course challenge the organization to keep up its good work, she said.
The Director General of SON, Mallam Farouk Salim explained that SON is working with the National Assembly to ensure the review of the agency’s Act and appealed for speedy facilitation of the process.
While acknowledging the achievements and strides of SON in the last 50 years, Mallam Farouk Salim said his vision for the Organization in the next 50 years is to be the foremost standardization body in Africa and among the top-ranking globally.
The SON helmsman explained that while this vision is achievable, the Organisation would need to surmount several challenges to achieve it.
In a goodwill message, the Minister of State for Works and Housing, Alhaji Umar El-Yakub said SON has changed the story of “Made in Nigeria” goods.
Representatives of the Nigeria Customs Service, National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) commended SON on efforts to ensure the eradication of substandard products.
The highlight of the event was the Launch of the SON Compendium and the Presentation of Awards to deserving members of staff and SON State Offices.
The Head, SMEs Desk, Engr. Pheabean O. S. Arumemi won the “Director General’s Award for Special Contribution”, while Mrs. Amina Haliru, Assistant Chief Standards Officer/ Head, Halal Desk won the award for “ Outstanding Staff”.
The award for “Most Efficient State” was won by SON Rivers State office and was received by the Acting Director, South-South Directorate, Engr, Samuel Ayuba.
SON’s Ogun State office 1, won double awards for Improved Percentage for Service Income and Most Effective State Office, the South – West Regional Director, Mrs. Yeside Akinlabi, and the State Coordinator, Ogun State Office, Mr.Jerome Otene Umoru were on hand to receive the award.
SON’s Ogun State office received the award for the” State with the Highest Number of New Products Identified for MANCAP” the award received by the State Coordinator, Engr. Danmola Abayomi, supported by his Regional Director.
The event ended with an exhibition to showcase the products of Companies that have consistently maintained quality.
The 50th Anniversary Celebration continues with Regional Exhibitions of Made – in – Nigeria products in Lagos, Kaduna, Port Harcourt, and Kano. There will also be a special program for the recognition of deserving Companies in Lagos on the 6th of December 2022.
