SON makes history as it marks 50 years anniversary

 

Cutting of 50 years anniversary cake by SON personnel, manufacturers/state holders.

SON makes history as it marks 50 years anniversary

By Calis Mbadugha, Nnewi

For allegedly attaining the golden age, (50 years), manufacturers and stakeholders last Friday at Martina Chukwuma Plaza, Nnewi, Anambra State, poured encomium on Standard Organization of Nigeriia, SON, and urged it not to relent in its efforts towards ensuring product standardization.

The manufacturers and stakeholders, while pouring the encomium during the celebration of the golden jubilee at the said venue, said that if not for a body like SON, most industries and businesses would have been shut adding that SON saved most of them to be able to compete with other global products.

Earlier in his speech, the SON Director General, DG/Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Mallam Farouk A. Salim, expressed satisfaction that all have realized the work of SON and embraced it for the interest of their products.

The DG/CEO who was ably represented by a Director in SON, 

Mr. Don Pedro Papanye Ebenezer,  while expressing delight said that SON was the apex standization body in Nigeriia and responsible for the formation and establishment of standards relating to various products, commodities, measurements, processes, materials for the certifying of products in Nigeria commerce and industry.

He said that, "The mandate of SON is established in the SON Degree No. 56 of 1971, of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which was signed into law by the former Head of State and Commander-in-Chief, General Yakubu Gowon, in 1971.

"The SON Act has undergone several amendments over the years, with the most recent being the amendment to repeal the SON Act, Cap, s9 laws of Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004 and enact the SON Act 2015".

The SON boss expressed satisfaction that the organization earned a reputation as the foremost standardization body in Africa hinting that in a bid to achieve its mandate it has initiated several programs that include, Mandately Comformity Assessment Programme, (MANCAP), Voluntary Product Certification Scheme, Nigerian Quality Award Scheme, Product-Type Certification for Exports and SON  Conformity Assessment Programme, to ensure that substandard products are apprehended.

It was gathered that under the leadership of Salim, SON's organization structure was expanded to nine, that include, Regional Directorates and 13 Departments, with its corporate headquarters in Abuja and operational headquarters in Lagos and 48 State offices nationwide.

Commending SON for attaining the golden age, Mr. Ifenna Atuchukwu from Nnewi Chamber of Commerce, Christy Obasi who representaed the Sector Commander of Federal Road Safety Corps, Eri Robison who represented Nnewi Council Area of National Youth Service Corps, and Dr. Amaechi Chukwu of Chikason group of companies, all wished SON better years ahead.

Also the Igwe Orizu of Nnewi, Mr. Chikelu Chika, Commander of Nigerian Civil Defence Corps, represented by Ogunjiofor Alex, among others, expressed satisfaction with 50 years of SON and urged it not to relent in its bid to ensure quality products for good health to humanity.