By Karen James
Importers in Nnewi, Anambra State, who are under the umbrella of the Automobile Manufacturers/Importers Association of Nigeria, have been praised for their contribution to the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON). Chief Austin Emmanuel Jideofor, the President of the Association, revealed this in an interview with journalists after a sensitization workshop organized by SON in Awka.
Jideofor emphasized that the association has generated significant revenue for SON under his leadership due to their members’ understanding of the importance of product registration and certificate of brand names. He also highlighted their contributions of providing accommodation for the organization and renewing the rent for them on several occasions. As a result, he confidently declared that the Manufacturers/Importers in Nnewi are the highest revenue generators for SON in the South East region of Nigeria.
The one-day sensitization workshop organized by SON was seen as a valuable opportunity for the manufacturers and importers to gain further insight into their responsibilities in curbing the influx and sale of substandard products in the state and the country as a whole. The Director General of SON, Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, emphasized the importance of nurturing businesses and enabling them to contribute to society through value addition. He further shared SON’s mission to promote consumer confidence and global competitiveness of Nigerian products and services through standardization and quality assurance.
Mrs. Foluso Bolaji, the Director for Public Relations at SON, described the workshop’s timing as appropriate, considering the ongoing efforts to revive the nation’s economy. She highlighted the success of previous sensitization exercises in promoting collaboration among stakeholders and expressed confidence that the workshop in Anambra State would yield similar positive outcomes. She urged all stakeholders to follow the right processes to support mutual business growth and public safety.
Bolaji also discussed the significance of the SON ACT No. 14 of 2015, which empowered the organization to seize and destroy fake and substandard products. She emphasized the need for all stakeholders to adhere to standards and quality assurance, as this would not only lead to business growth but also ensure the safety of lives and property. Bolaji also encouraged manufacturers and importers to certify their products’ quality with SON to gain acceptance both locally and globally.
The workshop, titled “SON Requirements and Compliance, Monitoring Activities to Curb the Influx and Sale of Substandard Products in the Country,” was attended by various stakeholders, including the Anambra State Commissioner for Industry, Mr. Pius Manji, and representatives from the police and civil defense. The presence of these individuals demonstrated the collective commitment to combatting the issue of substandard products.
Overall, the workshop provided a platform for manufacturers, importers, and other stakeholders to gain valuable information on SON requirements and compliance and underscored the importance of standardized and quality products in driving the nation’s economic and trade development.
