The newly appointed Director General of the Standard Organisation of Nigeria, Ifeanyi Okeke, has outlined plans to promote locally manufactured products and boost exportation.
Okeke assumed office last week following the appointment by President Bola Tinubu, succeeding Mallam Farouk Salim.
In a statement on Friday obtained by The PUNCH, Okeke emphasized his commitment to fostering job creation, poverty reduction, and increasing confidence in the export sector.
He plans to facilitate easier access to advanced laboratories for small and medium-sized enterprises, enabling them to enhance product quality and compete globally.
“I have received the baton of stewardship today; my immediate priority will be to review the handover notes quickly to achieve our objectives timely,” Okeke stated.
He commended President Tinubu for the appointment, expressing gratitude and pledging to diversify the nation’s economy away from oil by ensuring locally made goods meet global standards.
Acknowledging the efforts of his predecessor, Farouk Salim, Okeke emphasized the continuity of noble projects.
While acknowledging that governance is a continuum, he pledged commitment towards continuing with the noble projects on the ground that would help in achieving the President’s homegrown economy agenda and increasing the competitiveness of Nigerian products both at home and at the international markets.
“Stakeholder engagements shall form critical pillars of my administration while encouraging the micro, small, and medium scale enterprises, as they are the engine drivers of the nation’s economy and growth.
“We are going to encourage the industry operators to take the issue of product testing as a very key element to productivity and economic growth,” he assured.
He emphasized the importance of product testing, aiming to protect the nation from substandard products and promote the growth of industries.
Eradicating substandard products, he noted, would lead to higher capacity utilization and increased youth employment opportunities.
“I remain ever grateful for this opportunity while soliciting the support of all in this important mandate,” Okeke affirmed.
