The Federal Government has challenge Stakeholders in video technology to explore ways of creating more investment and job opportunities in Nigeria given the advancement in video technology standards

Minister of state for Industry, Trade and Investment, Ambassador Maryam Katagum made the call while declaring open activities marking the 2019 World Standards Day, with the theme: “Video Standards create a global stage.” The event was organised by the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) in Abuja, Thursday.

She assured the continued support of the ministry to ensure that the nation reaps from the benefits of international standards programmes being coordinated by the SON to actualize optimum gains.

The Minister noted that the role of standards as the benchmark for the development and advancement of video technology cannot be over-emphasized.

According to her, “The advent of the global village has redefined international standards development and provided ample opportunity for Nations to leverage on positive developments across the world; interact at a much faster rate than hitherto and enjoy the benefits of international standardization.

“Having standards recognized and respected all over the world, means that a video encoded on one device can be decoded by another, regardless of the device being used thus introducing economies of scale that help to grow the market and give innovators the confidence to invest in new video applications and services.”

Nigeria is a member of international Standardization bodies including the International Organisation for Standardization (ISO); the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).

The high point of the event was the presentation of certificates and awards to the winners of the 2019 6th ARSO Continental Essay and World Standards Day Quiz competition.

Earlier in his remarks, the SON Director General, Osita Aboloma, assured that being the representative of Nigeria in the international standardization bodies, SON would continue to explore means of ensuring the active participation of Nigerian stakeholders in standards development, review and implementation in line with international best practices.

He urged all Nigerians to “join quality vanguard by promoting self regulation, demanding for quality at all times and saying something to SON every time you see something unwholesome.”

He said that SON will continue in collaboration with other agencies of government to ensure that standards are enforced and sustained in video industry to the benefits of all Nigerians.