SON DG, Aboloma Honoured For Campaign Against Substandard Products

BY CAMI EZENWA

The sterling effort of the Director General of the standards organisation of Nigeria (SON) Mr Osita Aboloma to rid the country of substandard products, has won him a prestigious platinum plaque.

Aboloma shone like a million stars in the recently concluded The Eagle Awards & Banquet 2020 As The Public Servant Of The Year, ahead of other nominees shortlisted in the category.

The organisres said the award took recognition of the sterling efforts of Aboloma in containing substandard products in the country on the one hand, and also in creating an enabling environment for indigenous entrepreneurs to thrive.

“Mr Osita Aboloma has proven himself to be, not just a public servant but 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.”

His citation also mentioned the principle of The Ease of Doing business in the country, adding that the SON DG pursued it with vigour, constantly interfacing with stakeholders and responding to their needs rather than just wielding a big stick as regulator.

“ 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”.

An SON facility

According to them, much of the success had been achieved because the SON DG had maintained a level-headedness and a problem-solving stance rather than one of sanctions which had led to increased confidence on the part of business owners and other entrepreneurs.

“Some of the 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.

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.

The citation which was signed by the Chairman of the Advisory Board, Captain John Igboko, said the firm was proud of Mr Aboloma and his entire management team at the SON as their efforts has had a multi-faceted impact on the economy of the country.

According to them, heads of critical agencies in the country needed to imbibe the principle of inclusiveness in the way they relate with stakeholders and not to remain aloof as regulators.

A major highlight of the awards ceremony

A highlight of the awards and banquet which held at the Lagos Country Club was musical performances by various musical artistes,

The event was chaired by Otunba T.J Abass, a socialite and publisher of Eko Hot Blog.com.