The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has advocated teaching of standards in schools to enable youths embrace quality as a way of life.
Mallam Farouk Salim, Director-General, SON, said this at the organisation’s 50th anniversary celebration on Tuesday in Lagos.
Salim said as Nigeria kept pace with global developments, the country required new skills to manage evolving technical changes.
“Therefore, we have to change the institutional structure for education and training.
“Several studies have demonstrated that inculcating values into highly impressionable minds is more effective in promoting national development than focusing in an isolated way.
“I am aware that it will be necessary to secure political support for the realisation of this objective; therefore, I urge industry to join hands with SON in this epic and noble effort,” he said.
The SON DG also called for the increase in the uptake of standards to assist in the fight against substandard products.
According to him, the global substandard and falsified product industry in 2021 was estimated at 4.3 trillion dollars.
This overwhelming figure, Salim said, justifying the need for a robust collaboration between SON and industry to fight this scourge.
He stated that the SON was, therefore, at the heart of industry, seating at the pinnacle of standardisation work in Nigeria.
He added that the standards body had increased its technical competence in conformity assessment services through the accreditation of its product certification department.
“In this regard, I urge industry to invest substantially in brand protection activities to safeguard their intellectual property and associated brands against counterfeiters, copyright pirates and producers of substandard products.
“We always remind ourselves that industry is a very important partner in our work and the journey 50 years ago commenced in earnest with factory inspection and other routine quality assurance activities.
“As we confidently stride into the next 50 years and beyond, I solemnly declare that industry shall find in SON, a faithful and loyal partner.
“In return, industry should remain steadfast in compliance with standards and government regulations as well as give maximum cooperation to SON in various initiatives intended to strengthen the organisation,” he said.
Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, represented by Mrs Evelyn Ngige, Permanent Secretary of the ministry, lauded SON for 50 remarkable years of valuable contribution to industrialisation.
He stated that SON had a vital role to play in facilitating trade and guaranteeing that quality standard was maintained in the face of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Adebayo tasked the agency to remain committed to ensuring quality of all products and services in the country.
“SON remains pivotal to industrialisation and must be innovative and creative in the discharge of their duties.
“The Federal Government is also ready to back the SON by giving the necessary push with the approval of the National Quality Policy and others necessary to the success of the organisation,” he said.
Otunba Francis Meshioye, president, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), saluted SON on its efforts to reduce the influx of substandard goods into the country.
He called for increased support for SON, particularly in the face of the AfCFTA for an effective standards system to guarantee market penetration and acceptability of product on the continent.
The companies include Dangote Industries Ltd., BUA foods, Chi Ltd., Juhel Pharmaceuticals, Dufil foods and many more received the SON awards for their contributions to standardisation.
Also, Mrs Amina Haliru, a staff of SON, was presented the outstanding staff of the year award, and was given a vehicle donated by Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing.
