*The Standards Organisation of Nigeria emphasises the imperative to create awareness on the importance of producing quality Shea Butter both for local and international use, to boost consumer confidence and global competitiveness

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has said that the agency is committed to best practices in the country’s Shea Butter value chain.

The regulatory Organisation stressed the measure would boost consumer confidence, and ensure global competitiveness for the product.

ConsumerConnect learnt Malam Farouk Salim,  Director-General of SON, stated this at an event Tuesday, August 30, 2022, in Minna, Niger State capital.

The occasion was a day’s sensitisation workshop on Shea Butter Value Chain to companies in the value chain in the state.

Malam Salim, represented at the workshop by Mr. Umaru Kawu, SON Director of Human Resources Management, used the occasion to present Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) certificates to certified companies in the value chain, agency report said.

Salim also said: “One of the most important agricultural activities in Niger state is shea-nut production, processing and marketing.

“Niger State produces over 50 per cent of the shea nut butter in Nigeria. Therefore, it is imperative to create awareness on the importance of producing quality shea butter both for local and international use, which will boost consumer confidence and global competitiveness.”

He further noted: “As an organisation charged with the responsibility of facilitating the development of standards and also ensuring that the quality of locally manufactured and imported products meet the requirements of the relevant standard in order to satisfy the needs of customers.

”We will ensure quality and safety as well as facilitate trade, SON has developed relevant code of practice for shea butter value chain.”

The SON Chief as well said that President Muhammadu Buhari had demonstrated commitment to promotion and development of non-oil sectors with focus on the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) as the driving force.

Salim stated: “This is in line with the presidential order on ease of doing business.

“At the heart of this efforts are the twin issues of standards and quality of our locally manufactured goods and services.”

According to him, quality is an important factor in any product or service, hence the workshop and presentation of the MANCAP certificates to ensure global best practices.

“With the high market competition, quality has become the market differentiator for almost all products and services,” said he.

The Director-General added that quality control is essential in building a successful business that delivers products that meet or exceed consumers’ expectations.

Likewise, Mrs. Talatu Ethan, Director of North Central Region at SON, said that the objective of the workshop was to ensure that stakeholders become aware of the SON brand, products and services and the need to support the organisation to succeed.

Mrs. Ethan said that the workshop would make the companies in the value chain to comply with the relevant Nigeria Industrial Standards (NIS) in the production, processing and marketing of shea butter.

Earlier, Hajiya Hauwa Nuhu, Niger State Coordinator of SON, disclosed the Organisation presented 67 MANCAP certificates to 45 companies for 91 products within and outside the shea value-chain.

Capt. Mohammed Musa (Rtd.) Managing Director, Crystaliser Nigeria Limited, whose company received MANCAP certificate in the production of fertilizers, said that he was satisfied with the SON’s certification.

Musa stated: “This certificate shows that our fertilizers are of good quality that will enhance crop production.”