L-R: Director, Laboratory Services, SON, Mr David Ikhenebame; Director, Corporate Affairs, SON, Mrs Talatu Ethan; Chairman, Commerce and Industry Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CICAN), Mr Charles Okonji; Vice Chairman, CICAN, Mrs Rhoda Ogunseye, during the One-Day Standards Organisation of Nigeria/Commerce and Industry Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CICAN) Training and Workshop, held in Lagos, today.
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) today hosted a capacity building workshop for members of the Commerce and Industry Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CICAN).
The workshop, held on July 22, 2025, aimed to empower CICAN members with knowledge and skills to effectively report on commerce and industry issues.
In his welcome address, Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, Director General and Chief Executive of SON, warmly welcomed CICAN members to the workshop.
He expressed appreciation for the crucial role journalists play in shaping national discourse, influencing policy direction, and promoting industrial development, trade facilitation, and consumer protection.
Dr. Okeke emphasized the importance of partnership and collaboration between SON and CICAN. He noted that the workshop was a testament to the organization’s commitment to working with stakeholders to promote industrial development and consumer protection.
He stressed that knowledge is power and that the workshop was designed to facilitate knowledge sharing and exchange among participants. He encouraged CICAN members to take advantage of the workshop to enhance their skills and knowledge.
The SON Director General highlighted the organization’s role in promoting industrial development through setting and enforcing standards. He noted that SON’s efforts had contributed significantly to the growth and development of Nigeria’s industrial sector.
The DG, who was represented by the Director, Corporate Affairs, Standard Organisation of Nigeria, Mrs Talatu Ethan, emphasized the importance of CICAN in shaping national discourse on commerce and industry issues.
He noted that CICAN members play a vital role in influencing policy direction and promoting industrial development.
The workshop provided CICAN members with an opportunity to enhance their skills and knowledge in reporting on commerce and industry issues.
Participants engaged in interactive sessions and discussions on various topics, including standards, trade facilitation, and consumer protection.
Dr. Okeke reaffirmed SON’s commitment to working with stakeholders to promote industrial development and consumer protection. He noted that the organization would continue to collaborate with CICAN and other stakeholders to achieve its goals.
The workshop highlighted the importance of CICAN’s role in promoting transparency and accountability in commerce and industry. CICAN members were encouraged to continue playing their watchdog role in reporting on issues affecting the sector.
The workshop discussed the importance of industrial development in promoting economic growth and development. Participants noted that industrial development was critical to creating jobs and improving living standards.
The workshop also discussed the importance of trade facilitation in promoting commerce and industry. Participants noted that trade facilitation was critical to enhancing the competitiveness of Nigerian products in the global market.
The workshop highlighted the importance of consumer protection in promoting commerce and industry. Participants noted that consumer protection was critical to building trust and confidence in the market.
The workshop provided an opportunity for SON to showcase its achievements in promoting industrial development and consumer protection. Participants were impressed by the organization’s efforts in setting and enforcing standards.
CICAN members expressed their appreciation to SON for organizing the workshop. They noted that the workshop had provided them with valuable knowledge and skills to effectively report on commerce and industry issues.
The capacity building workshop for CICAN members was a success. The workshop provided a platform for knowledge sharing and exchange among participants. SON’s commitment to working with stakeholders to promote industrial development and consumer protection was reaffirmed.
The workshop highlighted the importance of future collaboration between SON and CICAN.
Both organizations are expected to work together to promote industrial development and consumer protection.
The workshop noted that industrial growth was critical to promoting economic development. Participants emphasized the need for continued support for industrial development initiatives.
The workshop highlighted the importance of standards and quality in promoting commerce and industry. Participants noted that standards and quality were critical to building trust and confidence in the market.
The workshop emphasized the importance of consumer confidence in promoting commerce and industry. Participants noted that consumer confidence was critical to driving demand for products and services.
It provided a platform for participants to discuss the way forward. Participants emphasized the need for continued collaboration between SON and CICAN to promote industrial development and consumer protection.
Dr. Okeke expressed his appreciation to CICAN members for participating in the workshop. He noted that the workshop was a testament to SON’s commitment to working with stakeholders to promote industrial development and consumer protection.
