The Director-General of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Mallam Farouk Salim, yesterday warned Nigerians against the patronage and procurement of substandard and fake products, stating that it encourages insecurity across the country.
He explained that while Nigerians patronise fake products instead of authentic ones, this causes the genuine companies to close shop, hence creating more unemployed youths, which leads to insecurity and a life of crime.
He, however, stated that the biggest achievement of his agency in the last two years is the sensitization of Nigerians to understand the dangers of consuming substandard products, and desist from their consumption, among other achievements like the creation of regional laboratories and directorates for efficient more access of Nigerians to its activities, attainment of international accreditation for three additional laboratories for testing paints, electrical cables and food (micro-nutrients), etc.
Speaking in Abuja during a briefing to commemorate the agency’s 50th anniversary, he said: “Our major achievement is the sensitization of the Nigerian public to substandard goods, and the realisation that SON is here as a partner to help them avoid sub-standard goods, and also to help our industry realize the importance of following standards.
