NIGERIA CELEBRATES WORLD STANDARDS DAY 2018 – AS EMERGING TECHNOLOGIESTAKE CENTRE STAGE
Emerging technologies, which are blurring traditional boundaries between physical, digital and biological worlds coupled with increased connectivity of people and things, will influence production, trade as well as communication in the fourth industrial revolution.
International Standards, like those produced by the International Electro-technical Commission (IEC), International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) will continue to be chief drivers in the transition to this new era of speed and innovation. These will ensure compatibility and interoperability, such that adoption of new technologies for use can be seamlessworld wide.
These assertions were contained in a World Standards Day message from the office of the Director General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria OsitaAbolomaEsq., to propagate the joint statement from the ISO, IEC and ITU, which stated that the theme of this year’s celebration of Standards on October 14 is“International Standards and the Fourth Industrial Revolution”.
According to him, just like the transition from manual work to machinery and factory work raised the need for standards in the 18th Century, International standards today have become a vehicle to spread knowledge and innovation globally.
Aboloma alluded to the imminent challenge of the rapidpace of change brought about by the fourth industrial revolution such as robots and artificial intelligence taking over more and more tasks previously done by humans, additive manufacturing (also known as 3D printing), as well as digital connectivity of everything from aircrafts to baby monitors.
These according to him points to greater vulnerability of data and the consequences of a breach growing exponentially.
He asserted that International Standards are a powerful way to ensure safety and minimize risk, stressing that security standards can keep our data safe and deter hackers while safety standards for robots will make it easier to interact with humans
The SON Chief Executive stated that the Fourth Industrial Revolution has begun and urged Nigerians to embrace standardsfurther, in order to seize its full potential for the betterment of the Nation.
Aboloma affirmed that the Standards Organisation of Nigeria as a representative of these international standardization bodies in Nigeria would continue to propagate these global standards through adoption for local use, manpower training through seminars, workshops, consumer enlightenment activities and certification of products and systems to the internationally acclaimed standards.
The SON helmsman disclosed that to celebrate the 2018 World Standards Day in Nigeria, his organisation has put together a an essay competition among students of ages 13 to 18 in 30 secondary schools in Lagos State onapplying digital technology towards resolving issues pertinent to their community,citing existing national or international standards.
He stated that the programme, which is being organised in partnership with Dansol High School, Ikejawould climax on October 25, 2018 when the winning entries will be presented prices ranging from household electronic items like television set, microwave oven and tablets to cash awards.
Aboloma then enjoined Nigerians to continue to support SON in its quest to improve the lives of Nigerians through standards.
Bola Fashina
SA (DG)/Head, Public Relations
