NEWS
SON Promotion of Standards Ensures Reliability, Growth of MSMEs – Okeke
From Sylvia Udegbunam, Enugu
The Director-General of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr Ifeanyi Okeke said the Agency’s promotion of standards ensures reliability and growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and large enterprises.
Okeke said this at the ongoing 36th Enugu International Trade Fair, with the theme: “Developing Nigerian Industrial Sector/SMEs for Economic Advancement and Global Recognition”.
Represented by the Head, SON South-East Regional Operations, Chukwuma Aharanwa, the director-general emphasised on the importance of embracing standards and standardisation.
According to him, SON has introduces new policies and infrastructure such as the Product Identification Scheme (PIS), the redesigning of Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) Logo, the Electronic Demand and Electronic Receipt (EDER) and the Electronic MANCAP application process.
“With the new policies and infrastructures, SON is set to realise to the fullest the ease of doing business for MSMEs as well as large enterprises.
“SON policies are geared towards promoting value addition in the oil and non-oil sectors of the economy and a conducive business climate for investment inflow, industrialisation and ensuring made in Nigeria products compete favourably with other products in the global market.
“This is with a view to maintaining Nigeria as an economic hub in Africa through Standardisation and Quality Assurance,” he said.
Okeke noted that the MANCAP Logo redesign is an effort to capture attention of consumers towards the sense of confidence and quality assurance with a glance at the logo in relation to organisation’s Standardisation Policies and high quality landscape.
He enumerated and introduced the stakeholders to other SON products and services including: SONPIS, EDER, E-MANCAP process, SONCAP, training services, calibration services, laboratory services and consumer complaints.
Okeke called for collaboration with all stakeholders to foster a conducive and progressive business environment.
The Head of Operations, National Metrology Institute (NMI), Samuel Ayuba, enlightened stakeholders on the importance of embracing calibration and right measures and weight in the business and manufacturing industries.
“As the apex institute for Metrology and Instrumentation in Nigeria, the NMI is available to offer calibration services in various fields of Metrology including flow, Chemistry, Length, Mass, Pressure and Electrical Metrology,” Ayuba said.
The State Coordinator, SON Enugu, Peter Ameh, who led visitors to tour around SON pavilion and some selected companies’ pavilion to show them the MANCAP Logo on certified products, said MANCAP had helped the better patronage for many products in the country.
Ameh stressed the need for new products to get MANCAP and SONPIS certification to open them up for regional and international markets.
In a welcome address, the President of Enugu Chambers of Commerce, Chief Odiega Jideonwo, applauded SON for ensuring trust, reliability and faith in all made-in-Nigeria goods and services.
“SON has been consistent as well as emphasizing and focusing on investors and businesses to get it right and be the best quality and standard internationally,” Jideonwo said.
Groups that visited the SON pavilion included: Block Moulders Association, Emene; Peace Mass Transit (PMT); Water Rock Ltd; Chloe Company Ltd; Memphis Ltd; Rego International School; Veggefresh Company Ltd; Forham School; Gravity Youghurt Ltd; Opay Company; ITF; Ogbete Market Association (OMATA) among others.
Mr Sam Onuigbo, former House of Representatives member for Ikwuano/Umuahia South/North, says President Bola Tinubu remains an indisputable beacon of Nigeria’s democracy.
Onuigbo said this in an interview in Abuja on Tuesday, ahead of Nigeria’s commemoration of Democracy Day, slated for June 12.
He saluted President Tinubu’s bold and patriotic sacrifices during the days of National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), in the fight for democratic governance.
“Tinubu is an indisputable beacon of democracy. He joined NADECO in making sacrifices for Nigeria to restore democracy.
“In 1999, he was elected governor of Lagos State and he brought hope and transformation through democratic leadership and positioned the state as a mega city in the whole world,” he said.
The ex-rep, who is also member, representing South East in the North East Development Commission (NEDC), lauded Tinubu for sustaining Nigeria’s democracy.
According him, Tinubu sustained efforts in building blocks to build democratic platforms that benefitted other states of the nation.
Onuigbo said that Tinubu’s role in entrenching democratic tenets remained unequaled.
He commended Tinubu for working tirelessly to enthrone successive democratic governments not just at the state levels but at the Federal level.
“This is a man who worked for the emergence of President Muhammadu Buhari and some state governors and patiently waited till 2023 to ascend the presidency.”
Onuigbo, therefore, urged the southeast in particular, and Nigerians at large to ensure continuity by re-electing Tinubu , come 2027.
He expressed satisfaction with Tinubu’s economic reforms, saying they were hinged on enduring and long term effects.
Onuigbo, who reiterated the need for Tinubu’s re-election, said it was necessary for him to continue his good works.
He explained that removal of fuel subsidy is now yielding results with increased revenue being injected into the economy.
Onuigbo, particularly, expressed gratitude to Tinubu for creating the South East Development Commission (SEDC) aimed at addressing devastations of the civil war.
He described SEDC as a panacea to age long marginalisation of the southeast since after the civil war.
The lawmaker, however, advised the leadership of SEDC to judiciously manage their resources to develop the zone.
He said: “There is need to reposition our agriculture, need for integrated railway line for the entire southeast to boost commercial and entrepreneurial activities.” (NAN)
The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has reaffirmed its commitment to partnering with government and other relevant stakeholders to refine policies that support Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).Mr Agabaidu Jideani, Director-General of the ACCI disclosed this in an interview in Abuja on Monday.
Jideani said that the collaboration would enhance the SMEs by providing financial support through loans or grants, adding that such efforts can help them overcome financial challenges. He said that the partnership would expand businesses, thereby helping in refining policies that could support economic growth.“Abuja remains a vibrant hub and the ACCI is committed to partnering with the government to refine policies, support SMEs and drive inclusive growth.“Supporting the SMEs will help them expand into new markets and offer them valuable expertise and guidance to improve their operations.“By partnering with government and other relevant stakeholders, business can help refine policies that support economic growth, innovation and development,”he said.Jideani said that the partnership would also ensure that policies were practical, effective and beneficial to all stakeholders.Jideani said that the ACCI had strengthened its advocacy initiative driven by the chambers’ National Policy and Advocacy Centre (NPAC) through strategic partnership with various local and international organisations.He listed the organisations to include European Union, (EU) United Nations Development Programmes (UNDP), Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency (SMEDAN), and the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investments.He said that the partnership had advanced data protection and creative industry growth, thereby, safeguarding sensitive information from unauthorised access, and expanding and developing industries that focus on creative expression, innovation, and intellectual property.The director-general said that the chamber”s focus on SME insurance and gender-inclusive policies underscores it’s commitment to ensuring strong development.He said that the “SME Insurance” was insurance products and services designed specifically SMEs.“These insurance policies help SMEs to manage various risks, such as insurance coverage for losses due to business disruptions and protection against claims for damages or injuries,” he said.While assessing President Bola Tinubu’s two years administration on government policies and their impact on businesses and economic growth, Jideani said that the administration pursued ambitious reforms with positive intentions.He said that the administration, anchored on the “Renewed Hope” agenda, had addressed structural inefficiencies, boost private sector growth, and positioned Nigeria as a competitive economy.According to him, the policies have, however, produced mixed results, with notable achievements tempered by significant implementation challenges.“The administration’s policies have been driven by a commitment to fiscal discipline, market liberalisation, and infrastructure development. The reforms have delivered measurable gains,” he said. (NAN)
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), has destroyed major terrorist enclave used as a training ground, in Bukar Meram, on the southern flank of the Lake Chad region, Borno.This is contained in a statement by the Director, Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, on Monday in Abuja.
Ejodame said the operation was conducted on Monday, following credible intelligence on the plan by the terrorists to attack Marte and Monguno communities. According to him, the airstrikes resulted in the neutralisation of several terrorists as well as the destruction of key logistics infrastructure, including supply vehicles, weapons storage sites, and makeshift shelters.“Battle Damage Assessment confirmed that the strike effectively disrupted imminent threats posed to the communities of Marte and Monguno, reinforcing NAF’s proactive posture in safeguarding civilian populations and critical territories.“The NAF remains resolute in its mandate to protect the sovereignty of the nation and ensure lasting peace and security across the Northeast and beyond,” he said. (NAN)
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