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ARSO Holds 30th General Assembly, As FG Promises To Support Achievement Of Its Mandate

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…ARSO approves 250  newharmonised standards across the continent

 
By Gloria Ikibah 
 
 
The Minister of Industry Trade and Investment, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite has reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to ensure that the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) achieve its mandate.
 
 
The Minister gave the assurance at the opening ceremony of the 30th ARSO General Assembly held in on Wednesday in Abuja, with the theme, “Educate an African fit for the 21st Century – Building a Quality Culture – “One Market, One Standard”. 
 
 
The Minister who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Ambassador Nuhu Abba Rimi, said this year’s theme articulates the essential role of standardisation in promoting sustainable development, innovation, export-oriented manufacturing and production.
 
 
She stated that the goal of the Ministry therefore is to reposition and revitalize the Nigerian economy for sustainable growth by exploring innovative strategies to bolster our nation’s economic sustainability as outlined in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for Nigerians.  
 
 
She said: “To realize this vision, we must embrace standardisation as: “Standards set Good International Best Practices in every sector of Life”, which, if strictly adhered to, could promotes productivity, trade and ensures predictability, transparency, openness, and as well as a basis for Technical Regulations”.
 
 
Going back memory lane, Dr. Uzoka-Anite asserted that Nigeria takes pride among African nations for its role in the foundation of ARSO in 1976; most especially the strategic role played by late Dr. Adedeji Adebayo, who (while serving as the Secretary General of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) between 1976–1977), championed the process of the establishment of ARSO.
 
 
“Similarly, we will not forget in a hurry the excellent role the Nigerian ex-President, His Excellency, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo played in 1977 as one of the nine Heads of States that signed and endorsed the instruments of the ARSO membership for their respective governments. 
 
 
“Furthermore, the theme draws my attention (I believe yours too) to the 21st Century symbiotic relationship between education, sustainable development, industrialisation and trade; with standardisation being a strategic pillar for us as a government, stakeholders and as well as the standardization community in general.
 
 
“Candidly speaking, this points out the need to equip the African youth with relevant skills and SMEs with innovative tendencies needed for the 21st Africa’s Industrial Development and Integration Agenda as provided under the AfCFTA so as to create awareness on the role of standardization in sustainable development to catch up with the rest of the world”, she stated. 
 
 
According to her, standards shape our everyday lives, drives economic efficiency, facilitates trade and is the fulcrum for tackling the challenges of moving towards a more sustainable and resilient model of development. 
 
 
He therefore called for collaborative efforts among African nations and ARSO member states to re-lubricate the implementation of the AfCFTA; even as he stated that only 35 of the 43 African nations ratified the agreement.
 
 
“There are many areas of policy-making decisions guided by standards of different kinds in areas such as facilitating international trade as well as to help establish trust through guaranteed specifications and quality requirements. 
 
 
“With the world moving towards Artificial Intelligence for faster development, I dare to say that future policy-makers will need a better understanding of standards and standards-related issues through exchange of ideas and knowledge, relevant trainings and robust research findings to support and maintain artificial intelligence.
 
 
“Furthermore, I like to believe that the current standardisation activities – at the national, regional and continental levels – will require robust synergy and collaboration among African nations and ARSO member states to re-lubricate the implementation of the AfCFTA Agreement, especially with respect to enhancing a Common Regulatory Framework in the Context of TBT annex 6, article 5”.  
 
 
“You may recall that these instruments recommended development and implementation of standards, technical regulations, conformity assessment procedures, accreditation, metrology, capacity building and enforcement activities to boost intra-Africa trade, particularly trade in value-added production and commerce across all sectors in the continent.
 
 
“Although, only 35 of the 43 African nations that ratified AfCFTA agreement (piloted in six African nations of Kenya, Rwanda, Cameroon, Ghana, Tanzania, Mauritius, Tunisia, and Egypt) all being ARSO members, they will largely benefit from AfCFTA, strategies of reducing tariffs and non-tariff barriers among member nations.
 
 
“It may also interest you to know that AfCFTA could stimulate intra-African trade by up to USD35 billion per year, boost agriculture and industrial exports by up to USD 4 billion (7%) and USD 21 billion (5%) respectively and stimulate a GDP rise from USD 1.7 trillion (2010) to USD 2.6 trillion (2020) thereby pushing up consumer spending from USD 860 billion (2010) to USD 1.4 trillion (2020) and thus potentially lifting millions out of poverty (McKinsey).
 
 
“Furthermore, AfCFTA has been structured to boost intra-African trade which over the years has suffered three major categories of obstacles; namely weak productive capacities and limited economic diversification, tariff-related trade costs, and high non-tariff-related trade costs that hamper the competitiveness of firms and economies in Africa”, the minister noted.
 
 
In his remarks the director General of the standards organisation of Nigeria, Dr. Ifeanyi Okeke, said the theme is not only apt and significant but will further cement the hope of a standardized single market.
 
 
According to the director General the ARSO 30th General Assembly is an avenue to foster collaborations and further boost the already established relationship between the delegations of the African Countries and the International Community who are decision-makers of the ARSO activities within the ccontinent and beyond.
 
 
He said : “In February 2023, the Assembly of Heads of State and Government at the 36th Ordinary Session of the African Union underscored the urgency of accelerating progress towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG-4), which emphasizes quality education. This year 2024 has been declared the “Year of Education” by the African Union, calling upon all governments to re-double their efforts to ensure inclusive, equitable and quality education for all.
 
 
“In alignment with this vision, the current Nigerian administration, under the banner of “Renewed Hope”, has laid out a comprehensive educational roadmap aimed at transforming our educational sector. This roadmap focuses on increasing access to quality education, improving infrastructure and investing in the givers of education – the teachers.
 
 
“The government’s commitment to educational reform reflects our understanding that education is the foundation of national development. At the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, we are committed to integrating this roadmap with our collective goal of fostering a quality culture and transfer of knowledge through standardization – a significant progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals that will ultimately capture “no-African-child-is-left-behind effort.
 
 
“Dear colleagues, as we delve into our theme for the year 2024, we are reminded of the essential role that standardization plays along the way. The challenges we face are enormous, sometimes complex: understanding the various theories of climate change and addressing them, harnessing the 4th Industrial Revolution, uplifting the young people, controlling burgeoning population, amongst other.These challenges demand that we equip our youth with cognitive skills and knowledge necessary to navigate and succeed in an increasingly complex global landscape”.
 
 
Dr. Okeke charged all ARSO member states to work collaboratively to address the educational deficits that hinder our progress, especially with millions out-of-school children and a huge learning poverty rate.
 
 
“Standardization, as we all may agree, is not merely about setting guidelines, it is about fostering a quality culture that permeates every aspect of our lives. It ensures that our products and services meet international benchmarks, enhance competitiveness and facilitate trade. It is about creating a unified market where quality is the norm, not the exception. This vision of “One Market, One Standard” is integral to achieving the aspirations of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
 
 
“As we deliberate for the next couple of days, let us seize this unique opportunity to re-commit ourselves to the Continental Strategy for Education in Africa (CESA) 2016 – 2025”, he added. 
 
ARSO Secretary General, Dr. Hermogene Nsengimana, disclosed that 250 new harmonised standards has been approved, bringing the total to over 2000.
 
 
He however expressed concerns about the implementation of these standards across the continent.
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BREAKING: Jubilation As PDP Wins All 30 LGs In Osun State(See winners)

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Osun State Independent Electoral Commission, OSSIEC, has announced that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, won all the local government and councillorship positions in the just concluded local government elections in the state.

The Chairman of the Commission, Hashim Abioye, made this announcement via a Facebook Live broadcast on Saturday evening.

Abioye stated that PDP candidates secured all the councillorship seats in all 332 wards in the state, as well as the chairmanship elections in all 30 local government council areas.

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The names of the PDP chairmanship candidates and their respective local government council areas:

Babalola Wasiu Kayode – Boripe

Okunade Oluwafemi Adesanya – Egbedore

Adeyenuwo Rotimi John – Ife Central

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Agboola Francis Olajire – Obokun

Azeez Lateef Adeniran – Isokan

Aina Abayomi Adesina – Boluwaduro

Sodiq Samuel Oluwapelumi – Ola Oluwa

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Ajibade Oluwatoyin S. – Irepodun

Adebanjo Oladiti Tunmininu – Ilesa West

Ibironke Alade Adegboye – Atakumosa East

Aroke Muyiwa Aderemi – Ife South

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Kolade Obafemi Kolawole – Olorunda

Moshood Adekunle Kabiru – Iwo

Awotunde Abiodun Sarafadeen – Ifelodun

Akande Taiwo Adekunle – Osogbo

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Dada Feyisayo Ajibola – Atakumosa West

Amodu Taiwo – Ede North

Atolagbe Kayode Olayinka – Ifedayo

Akande Michael O. – Ife North

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Adeyekun Taiwo Adebayo – Oriade

Adeniran Adenike Felicia – Ayedaade

Afolabi Oyekola Lukman – Ede South

Odunyemi Haruna Bukola – Ife East

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Jooda Ambali Babajide – Irewole

Adewale Adeyinka Oluwaseun – Odo Otin

Ogunbiyi Solomon Akinyemi – Ayedire

Raimi Adenike Nafisat – Ejigbo

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Adebisi Jayeola Nasir – Ila

Ilesanmi Taiwo Sunday – Ilesa East

Alade Aderemi Fatai – Orolu

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DSS arrests three for assaulting operatives during LSHA crisis

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested three persons linked to the alleged assault on its officers during the crisis that rocked the Lagos State House of Assembly, following the removal Mudashiru Obasa, as Speaker

Apparently sensing danger, some lawmakers had mobilized their supporters to the Assembly Complex, but these supporters allegedly attacked some DSS officers who were invited by the Assembly leadership to secure the facility. Security sources revealed that “after extensive analysis of CCTV footage, we were able to clearly identify three of the suspects”.
“The suspects, Ibrahim Olanrewaju Abdulkareem, a photographer and two others attached to the Assembly’s Seargent at Arms, Adetu Adekunle Samsudeen and Adetola Oluwatosin Fatimoh, a lady, were consequently tracked and arrested during the week in different parts of Lagos,” The trio have since confessed to the crime and will soon be charged to court, the source said.

It would be recalled that the Lagos Assembly had in a leaked memo dated 14th February, 2025 and addressed to the DSS Director in the State, and Heads of other Security Agencies in Lagos State, told the Security Agencies in Lagos that, there was credible information to the effect that, Obasa had planned to forcefully reinstate himself today, February 18, 2025.
Accordingly, the Assembly management, held the view that, the development posed “a potential security threat” to it and its members.

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Police seal OSSIEC office, officials nabbed, says chairman

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The chairman of the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC), Hashim Abioye, has claimed that the police have sealed off the headquarters in Osogbo.

In a video post on the OSSIEC X handle, Abioye accused the police of also arresting election officials and blocking journalists from covering the local government election.

According to him, several OSSIEC officials were detained while on their way to polling units on Saturday.

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Attempts by our correspondent to reach Abioye for further details proved abortive as his telephone line was switched off.

The OSSIEC chair, in the post, assured voters that materials had been deployed to affected areas.

So far so good, the reports have been positive and the conduct has been very smooth and peaceful as against the false alarm raised by the police. Everywhere is calm,” Abioye said.

“The only thing is that in some of the areas in which materials are supposed to have arrived for voters to cast their votes, we had reports of police arresting our officials.

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“I don’t know on whose order because there is no court order that warranted the arrest of officers of our officials.

“As it is, we have deployed materials to those units because we have enough on the ground.

For our people in the media community, I want to apologise for the inadequacy of the tags and the jackets because we have enough but the police sealed our office and that was not warranted at all.”

Abioye’s comments come after police had called for the local government election to be called off by the state government, citing a security threat.

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In a statement by its Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Friday, the Police said it received credible intelligence indicating a likelihood of violence and significant security threats should the planned elections proceed.

The police explained that reports gathered from joint intelligence gathering revealed that various groups, including political elements and other interested parties, are mobilising to instigate unrest, disrupt public peace and undermine the democratic order.

However, the Osun State government acknowledged the police’s advice but insisted on going on with the election.

Channels Television reports that the election eventually went on as scheduled on Saturday.

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