In a statement to mark the 2021 World Standards Day, the
Director General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Mallam Farouk Salim
stated that these objectives of the SDGs are highly ambitious but attainable.
According to him, the theme of the 2021 celebrations being
coordinated by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC),
International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International
Telecommunications Union (ITU) is “Standards for Sustainable Development Goals
– Our shared Vision for a better World”.
Stressing the joint message of the three international
standardization bodies, Mallam Salim posited that “The intense battle against a
persistent global pandemic revealed the absolute necessity of addressing the
SDGs in an inclusive way, to strengthen our societies, making them more
resilient and more equitable”.
The statement invites stakeholders around the country to
join the three international standardisation bodies, IEC, ISO and ITU and SON
as an affiliate on a mission that affirms the importance of the seventeen SDGs
to build back better, stressing that standards are more relevant than ever in
this pursuit.
The SON Chief Executive said further that the entire
standards system is built on collaboration which is a testament to the power of
cooperation and the belief that we are stronger than the sum of our parts. “By
working together, we are empowering people with real-world solutions to face
sustainability challenges head-on” he stated.
According to Salim “It is in this spirit that the IEC, ISO
and ITU are engaging in a multi-year World Standards Day journey that showcases
the many ways in which international standards contribute to the success of the
SDGs.
Commenting on the celebrations in Nigeria, the SON Director
General stated that his organisation has been in the forefront of domesticating
international Standards for use in the country by working with relevant
stakeholders to adopt them as National Standards, as well as providing training
and certification services for organisations and individuals in the last fifty
years. This according to him helps to address the attainment of the objectives
of the seventeen SDGs in Nigeria.
Mallam Salim disclosed that his organisation would undertake
road shows in Lagos and Abuja as well as conduct a sensitization workshop for
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across the Country to propagate the
message of the 2021 World Standards Day within the month of October.
He enjoined all Nigerians to support SON in the propagation
and implementation of Standards for the benefit of the Nation and its people
through participation in standardisation activities, provision of information
on suspected substandard products and demand for quality at all times in
purchase decisions.
He concluded thus “We stand united to work together to accelerate the 2030 Agenda, with standards for the SDGs, and our ‘Shared vision for a better world”.