The Director-General of the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), Dr. Ifeanyi Okeke, has emphasised the critical role of the media in enhancing and facilitating national development aspirations.
Speaking at a one-day capacity workshop for the Commerce and Industry Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CICAN) in Lagos, Okeke stressed that the media plays a vital role in promoting industrial development, trade facilitation, and consumer protection.
Okeke, represented by the agency’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Talatu Ethan, noted that the media is a key partner in progress, capable of shaping public perception, influencing consumer behavior, and impacting industrial compliance.
He urged the attendees to become advocates of quality and champions of the Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS), emphasizing that they have a critical role to play in projecting the “Nigeria First” policy, which prioritizes the patronage of locally made certified products.
The SON DG highlighted the importance of standardization in harnessing the full benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA).
He tasked the participants to sensitize local manufacturers and businesses on the importance of compliance with the NIS and to promote the visibility and benefits of SON’s key programs, such as the Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) and other product certification schemes.
The Chairman of CICAN, Charles Okonji, emphasized the need for media empowerment and partnership, especially in the current economic climate.
He described the capacity building workshop as a timely event and canvassed SON’s sustained partnership for mutual benefits. Okonji acknowledged SON’s support over the decades, noting that the regulatory agency has enjoyed good reportage from the association.
The workshop showcased various services offered by SON, including calibrating services, management systems certification, training, and marketing services.
These services aim to promote standardization, product quality assurance, and regulatory compliance in Nigeria.
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