Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has said it has decided to co-opt the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III and other royal institutions as part of drive to rid the country of sub-standard goods.
This is in its recognition of the unique place of royal fathers in the national scheme of things in the country.
Consequently, the traditional ruler has graciously acceded to the agency’s request for him to be an ambassador for the national coalition programme against sub-standard products in the country. The programme kicked off in Sokoto recently.
Joseph Odumodu, director-general, SON, said the move was to get traditional rulers involved in the fight against the influx of sub-standard goods into the country.
“If we remove sub-standard products, those products we produce locally will begin to get patronage, which would in turn boost local production. That is why we believe that if somebody like you adds a voice in what we seek, a lot of people will believe you. We want to strengthen the presence of SON in the North-West, most especially in Sokoto, and we are graciously requesting your support to assist us with a land and also supporting to build our office,” Odumodu told the Sultan.
Also, the agency has ordered the arrest of two Chinese nationals who allegedly specialise in bringing counterfeit phone accessories into Nigeria, as the enforcement, compliance and monitoring team of SON paid an unscheduled visit to the alleged perpetrators’ residence in Ikeja area of Lagos. This comes at a time when the agency has renewed its commitment and drive to stamp out fake and sub-standard products from the Nigerian markets. Manufacturers and importers of sub-standard products have continued to find the environment uncomfortable following the agency’s zero tolerance campaign on such products. The two Chinese apprehended were said to have been assembling sub-standard phones in Nigeria.
The agency following a tip off raided the perpetrators’ abode before arresting them and subsequently handing them over to the police.
Osa Victor Obayagbona
