Yemisi Izuora
The Director-General of the Standards Orgfanistion of Nigeria (SON), Mr Osita Aboloma, has continued to receive commendations for championing against spread of substandard goods in the country.
The latest is from the organisers of The Eagle Awards and Banquet who honoured the SON DG with a platinum Award for meritorious public service.
The award took recognition of the sterling efforts of Aboloma in containing substandard products in the country, and also creating an enabling environment for indigenous entrepreneurs to thrive.
A citation on Aboloma particularly commended his efforts in enhancing the Ease of Doing business in the country, by creating opportunity for Nigerian products,
It also mentioned Aboloma’s continuous efforts in interfacing with the key stakeholders, which has led to better understanding between the SON and the entrepreneurs, adding that genuine Nigerian entrepreneurs no longer see the SON as one oppressive agency out to ruin their businesses, but a business facilitator and encourager.
According to the citation which was signed by chairman of the Advisory Board, Captain John Igboko, “Aboloma has demonstrated commitment, foresight and determination towards sanitising the sector of substandard products.
Due to the strict enforcement of powers of seizure, confiscation and destruction of sub-standard products, including powers to seal off premises where such defective products are manufactured, stored or sold, sub standard products have reduced in the country”.
The organiseres also described Aboloma as a “ bridge builder, who has taken his campaign against substandard products proactively and productively, knowing when to wield the big stick and when to use the carrot.”
According to them, the SON DG has maintained a level-headedness while doing an excellent job, and his unique approach has led to increased confidence on the part of business owners and other entrepreneurs in dealing with the agency.
“Some of several achievement under Aboloma include a robust development process for market-driven standards as well as championing the harmonisation of standards within Africa and across trading borders; the near completion of an ultra-modern laboratory complex in Lagos, commencement of a National Metrology Institute, strengthening of engineering services in standard enforcement, strengthening of the Mandatory Conformity Assessment program (MANCAP) for certification of locally- manufactured products, and the offshore Conformity Assessment program (SONCAP) for imported products and collaboration with sister agencies in enhancing competitiveness of Nigerian products”.
The management of The Eagle said recent revalidation of international accreditation of the SON Food Technology Laboratories for biological and chemical testing as well as the international accreditation of the SON Management Systems Certification Service were also proofs of Aboloma’s competence
Other accomplishments which won Mr Aboloma out attention, and indeed our prized Platinum Award include the Automation of the SON’s processes in the sustained fight against influx and circulation of substandard and life-endangering products through the setting up of a rapid response squad and the aforementioned support for development and growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises through. Aboloma remains modest in the use of executive powers, choosing instead a winner strategy that has helped him to achieve desired results. He deserves the platinum award for the best public servant of the year”, the organisers said.
A highlight of the awards and banquet which held at the Lagos Country Club was musical performances by various musical artistes