FEDERAL GOVERNMENT LAUDS SON AT 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

The Minister of State Industry, Trade and
Investment, Ambassdor Mariam Y. Katagum
noted that 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
on Monday. She noted that 50 years was a long
time in the life of an organisation 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 organisation,
Ambassdor Katagum said “in
acknowledgement 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 organisation 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
organisation 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 a 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 Organsation
in the next 50 years is to be the foremost
standardisation 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
eradication of substandard products.

The highlight of event was the Launch of the
SON Compendium and 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 who 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 programme
for recognition of deserving Companies in
Lagos on the 6th December,2022.