The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has presented the Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) certificate to 15 companies in Enugu state.

The companies that got the certificates include JOMAP Consul, Aqua Rapha Investment, De-Caspian Construction, NK-JOE Enterprises, Salome Angel Coy Ltd, Carlzy and Sharon Paints & Chemical Company.

Presenting the certificates in Enugu on Thursday, Director General of SON, Dr Ifeanyi Okeke, said that MANCAP is a mandatory product certification scheme that ensure that manufacturers deliver quality goods and services to consumers.

Okeke, represented by Mr Chukwuma Aharanwa, Director, SON South-East Regional Operation, noted that MANCAP ensures that all locally manufactured products conform to relevant Nigerian Industrial Standard (NIS) before sale in the market or export.

He said that SON would continue to undertake periodic factory inspections, sampling and laboratory testing of products following the certification.

“This is to ensure that the products certified today continue to meet the requirements of the relevant standards that have earned your establishments these certifications.

“The products are to be revalidated every three years and it is importance that you note that the certificates issued today shall be withdrawn or suspended if the products fail to meet the minimum requirements.

“This goes for both revalidating products and newly certified company’s products,” he said.

The director general said that the certification enhance business growth and maximisation, production of excellent quality products and healthy competition.

“MANCAP encourages continual improvement on quality of products and production processes; it promotes global competitiveness among domestic manufacturers and promotes industrial and economic development.

“(This is) by ensuring that Made-in-Nigeria products meet the requirements of the relevant Nigeria Industrial Standards,” he said.

Okeke revealed that to meet Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) at their point of standardisation needs, the SON had initiated a scheme known as SONPIS.

“SON Product Identification Scheme (SONPIS) Certification is mapped out to address key challenges faced by MSMEs such as access to relevant standards, insufficient testing facilities and to strengthen their capacity to comply with the MANCAP.

“Through mentorship, fostering market-driven standards and encouraging voluntary compliance, SONPIS Certification is the only way by which MSMEs can explore and enjoy opportunities of the free trade agreement,” he added.

One of the recipients of the MANCAP certificate, Mrs Nkiruka Nnamani, said she would upgrade all materials used in her factory to international standard.

“As a bread and confectionery producer, SON assisted my factory to attain international standard both in quality and packaging of all products produced and leading to greater customers’ satisfaction,” Nnamani said.

Another beneficiary, Mrs Stella Aneke, assured that the certification would encourage her company to maintain its standard and quality. (NAN)

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved $2.2 billion financing programme for external borrowing, including a potential Eurobond and Sukuk bond offer.

Mr Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, made this known while briefing newsmen after the FEC meeting on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

“We just had the Federal Executive Council meeting, and I am privileged to present two memoranda to the Federal Executive Council.

” The first one was to complete the borrowing programme of the Federal Government in terms of external borrowing with the approval of a $2.2 billion financing programme.

” It is made up of access to the international capital market for some combination of the Euro bond offer and the Sukuk bond offer, and perhaps a Euro bond of about $1.

“Sukuk financing of another $500 million the actual makeup of the financing which will be done as soon as the National Assembly has considered and hopefully approve the borrowing plan.

“If the external borrowing approval is given, it will be done this year, as soon as possible after approval.”

He explained that the actual combination of instruments that would be raised would depend on what the advisors would say about market conditions at the time of the decision to enter the market.

“Of course, earlier in the year, we had shown the resilience of the Nigerian financial markets, and the depth of their capacity, the increased complexity and sophistication by having a domestic issuance of dollar bonds, which attracted Nigerian investors from far and wide.

“Likewise, being able to access the international capital market is also a sign of the acceptance and the support for the macroeconomic programmes of President Bola Tinubu-led administration,” he said.

The minister said that the economic recovery and revival programme to turn around the economy focused on macroeconomic pillars of market pricing of the PMS and of foreign exchange.

He also disclosed that FEC had approved the Ministry of Finance’s incorporated real estate investment fund.

According to him, the fund is the basis for the revival and the return of long-term mortgage financing to the Nigerian economy.

“The Morph Real Estate Investment Fund is going to be, in the first instance, a N250 billion fund that will provide low-cost and long-term mortgages to Nigerians that want to acquire houses.

” It will help to complete or help to fill part of the gaping 22 million unit housing deficit. Of course, it will create jobs and stimulate economic growth.

“It will also pave the way for other investors in the private sector to come in and participate in the all-important housing construction industry with huge benefits and knock-on effects throughout the whole economy.

“Long-term investors have the opportunity to earn market rates of interest on investment.

“This is going to be blended with seed funding of N150 billion,” he said. (NAN)

The Nigerian Army on Thursday held a Service of Songs in honour of the late Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, who passed on after a brief illness on Nov. 5.

The service of songs marked the commencement of the burial rites for the late COAS whose remains was flown into Abuja on Thursday from Lagos.

Speaking on behalf of the 39th Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Maj.

Aligbe, who is the Commander, Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), noted that the late COAS and 199 of them assembled for training as members of the course on Sept. 12, 1992.

He said that they trained and were commissioned together into the armed forces, adding that the late Lagbaja right from onset led with no doubt.

“He was first and foremost an operational commander.

“Little wonder that while commands in the services are sometimes difficult to come by, he had the privilege of being the only person, if my memory serves me right, to have commanded a battalion at two different times.

“He commanded brigades at two different times. He was a General Officer Commanding at two different times.

“He was primed for the operation that he led, through which, even though they say soldiers don’t die, his memories, they fade away.

“The only way my course mates and I and the other members of the armed forces, officers and soldiers that he left behind, can honor his memory truly, is to continue what he believed in.

*He believed in the indivisibility of Nigeria. He believed in service. He gave everything. At the risk of sounding immodest, I don’t know if we gave him enough.

“Dear course mate, dear friend, dear boss, sleep until we meet again,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA), Hajiya Bilikisu Ibrahim, described the late COAS as a man that gave hope and courage to those he served and led.

Ibrahim said that the memory of Lagbaja would remain indelible in the hearts of every member of the Nigerian army family for a very long time.

“In every step, he walked a path of growth, of unyielding strength and dedication to the service of Nigeria.

“To those he served, he was a pillar of protection, an unwavering beacon amidst storms of insanity and threats.

“But beyond our soldiers was a man of faith, a spirit rooted in devotion and conviction in the trials of duty, he held fast to his spirituality, finding in prayers the fortitude that guided him through the darkest battles.

“His beliefs were his anchor, a quiet force that strengthened him as he led a sacrifice for the nation he loved.

“His life was not only a mission of arms, but of the heart of journey where faith met duty and courage met compassion.

“As we gather hands held in solace and grief, we recall the gentleness in his smile, the depth of his wisdom, the vision that he led armies and inspired peace,” she said.

The Global President of St. Charles Grammar School Osogbo Old Boys Association, Mr Tade Adekunle, read a poem written by one of the current students of the school, in honor of the late COAS.

Adekunle disclosed that the poem was written by an SS2 student named, Agboola Rahim.

Part of the poem reads, “the immortal hero, a militant heart, now still and cold.

“The nation mourn, both young and old. A warrior’s soul, a poet’s might on the field of faith, you shone so bright.

“With every piece of bread, you shield our motherland leading brave men with a steadfast hand, but now empty blade of honor now laid down.

“Its cannon’s cry extinguished, yet legend remains. A warrior’s pulse, now stilled in time. On the altar of freedom, you laid your life, your sacrifice, our beacon of hope”.

The event had in attendance, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, who led other service chiefs including the Acting COAS, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla.

Others were the Chief of the Air Staff represented by AVM Iboro Etukudo; Chief of Defence Intelligence, Maj.-Gen. Emmanuel Undiandeye and Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

Also in attendance are the Comptroller -General, Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adeniyi, former service chiefs, retired military officers, wives of the service chiefs flanked the wife of the late COAS, Mrs Mariya Lagbaja.

According to the burial programme, funeral service will hold at the National Christian Centre while the interment follows at the National Military Cemetery Abuja on Friday. (NAN)