The Nation Newspaper

Tag: standard

  • Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)

    Introduction                                                        

    One of the major challenges faced by SMEs is lack of standardisation in the daily operation. Even after preparing a Business Plan as a prerequisite for Start-up, it is important to have SOPs for the core activities of the business. This will assist the business in producing products that meet up to required standards all the time.

    What is Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)?

    A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is a set of written instructions that document a routine activity of an organisation so as to enable employees perform their job functions effectively and efficiently. It is usually a step by step instruction prepared by manager/supervisor in charge of the operation and approved by management to facilitate consistency in the quality of the end product or service.

     

    Benefits of SOP

    1. Standardisation Operations: SOP allows for consistency in daily activities or operations of the organisation. This promotes co-ordination and communication among staff of the organisation.
    2. Training Material for employees: SOP helps as training material for employees especially during induction. It also enables employee to be abreast with the requirements of the work environment.
    3. Performance Evaluation: SOP is an important tool in evaluating the performance of an employee in the organisation. It is the SOP that will be used as a guide in the Job Description for the employee. It helps the employee to know what is expected on the job.
    4. Reference Document: SOP is used as a reference document especially for audit and control measures.

    How SMEs Can Prepare Their Own SOPs

    1.The starting point for any SME is to identify the key areas of operation or activities you want to prepare SOP for.

    1. Determine the objective of each SOP.
    2. Identify the staff that will prepare the SOP for each role or activity. SOP preparation should assigned to individuals that are familiar with the activities of the department. For organisation that can afford it, the service of an external consultant can be contracted.
    3. The next stage is the actual preparation of the SOP. The following minimum requirements must be covered by any SOP:
    4. Title of the SOP
    5. The Scope- Areas of work to be covered by the procedure.
    6. Chart of The Procedure – Step by step of the activity or role.
    7. Effective Date of Operation
    8. Periodicity of Review. How often will the SOP be reviewed for example yearly.
    9. Approval Page: The SOP must be approved by Senior Management. The name and signature of the approving authority must be stated.
    10. Distribution List: The SOP must be circulated to all staff that will use it and copy must be in file.
    11. Training on SOP. Staff must be trained immediately the SOP is approved.

    Conclusion:

    The introduction and usage of SOP is very important for all SMEs. In fact, corporate governance is better enhanced when SOPs are in place. It will also enhance professionalism, accountability and good standards for SMEs. All SMEs are encouraged to make it a practice to have SOPs in place and to review and update existing SOPs regularly.

     

     

    E-mail: tomiomojuwa@gmail.com

  • Commissioner urges WAEC to maintain standard

    Enugu State Commissioner for Education Prof. Uche Eze has urged the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to improve its falling standard.

    He spoke in Enugu when he received members of the Coal City Literary Foundation (CCLF) in his office.

    Eze lamented that WAEC, which was highly rated, is losing credibility due to officials, who connive with schools to lower standard.

    He said: “WAEC is losing credibility as its officials can no longer conduct examinations in the sub-region.

    “The council is no longer what it used to be. WAEC’s ranking of schools seems to be political, which encourages abnormalities and destroys quality of education.”

    On reading culture, the commissioner lamented that youths don’t read anymore, as they sort their ways to pass examinations.

    “Headteachers and parents are not helping matters because they encourage examination malpractice,” he said.

    Eze noted that it is worse in private schools, “as you will not find pupils failing examinations because all of them were promoted.”

    He said the government lacked strong legal instruments to tackle the menace, adding that laws guiding private schools are nothing to write home about.

    “Defaulters of government policy on private school ownership pay N200. This is appalling, but efforts are under way to review the laws,” Eze said.

    He said the Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi administration had provided an enabling environment to enhance education.

    The commissioner praised the foundation for promoting reading culture and urged it to extend its campaign to rural areas.

    CCLF President Dr. Adaobi Nwoye enjoined the government to increase salary of teachers in rural areas and motivate them to improve quality of education.

    She said the foundation had set up reading clubs in schools and organised essay competitions to improve writing skills.

    Nwoye solicited government’s support to enable the organisation reach out to more schools.

  • ‘Aregbesola has set high standard, legacy in Osun’

    The Akinrun of Ikirun, Oba Abdul-Rauf Olayiwola Adedeji, has said Osun State Governor Aregbesola has set an incomparable standard and legacy with his achievements and success.

    The monarch said the governor had fulfilled the hopes of the founding fathers.

    He added that these hopes were not met under previous administrations until the then Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) came on board.

    Oba Adedeji spoke yesterday while hosting Aregbesola and his team during their visit to Ifelodun Federal Constituency in continuation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) membership sensitisation tour in Ifelodun, Boripe and Odo-Otin councils.

    The monarch described the governor as a game-changer, whose impact in the last seven and a half years had taken Osun State to an enviable height.

    He urged the electorate to vote for continuity as the only way to sustain the legacies the Aregbesola administration had accomplished.

    Oba Adedeji said: “We don’t want Osun State to witness stagnation and retrogression again. So, we want the ruling APC to continue in government for the growth and development to continue as well.

    “Aregbesola has come to Osun and has conquered.”

    Addressing  APC supporters, Aregbesola said his administration had impacted every household through social protection programmes.

     

  • Speaker assures public on living standard

    The Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly, Mrs. Rita Maduagwu, has said the legislature will enact laws to uplift citizens’ living standard.

    Maduagwu, in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka, said the legislature would ensure laws were enacted to make people happy to contribute to the state’s development.

    She assured the citizens that any double standard in terms of revenue collection, levies or taxes would be addressed, to make people law-abiding

    The lawmaker said 2018 was a year of abundant progress for the state and the people, adding that legislators would create an enabling environment for progress.

    She urged politicians, irrespective of party affiliation, to cooperate with Governor Willie Obiano to move the state to a greater height.

    Maduagwu enjoined religious bodies to intensify prayers for continued peace and progress in the state.

    She advised security operatives, traditional rulers and community leaders to complement the governor’s security initiatives by fishing out miscreants.

    The Speaker said the government would not tolerate crimes and advised youths not to involve in shady acts.

    She urged parents to take their responsibility of child development seriously.

  • SON, stakeholders begin review of cement standard

    SON, stakeholders begin review of cement standard

    The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has held a stakeholders’ Technical Committee Forum on the review of standard for Cement NIS 444-1-2014 with the theme: “Repositioning the Cement sub- sector”.

    The forum, which held in Lagos, comes four years after the Federal Government approved new cement standard for the producers, aimed at  reviewing the quality of the products.

    The grade-strengths of cement production in Nigeria have been NlS 444-1, adopted as conformity criteria for cement.

    The committee in the wake of  protests against the building collapse, fingered low quality of cement as a key factor. There were  fears over misapplication of the different strength classes of cement allegedly attributed as the cause of frequent collapse of buildings in the country.

    At the forum, SON’s Director-General, Mr. Osita Aboloma, noted that the exercise is “imperative as standards can be reviewed after five years or at anytime at the instance of the stakeholders or if found inadequate due to changes in technology, test methods and government policy”.

    Aboloma, represented by the Director, Standards Development, Mrs. Chinyere Egwuonwu, said cement standard is a important, given that about 80 per cent or more of buildings and other infrastructural development of any nation are carried out with the use of cement. He expressed confidence that the proposed standard will help monitor the quality of cement in Nigeria as well as checkmate the menace of incessant collapse of buildings and concrete structures by poor cement quality and application.

    Egwuonwu said this makes the review of the NIS444-1-2014 very necessary so that the country can attain world best standard, while  promoting product sales.

    She maintained that to develop a certain standard for the country certain principles must be adhered to because the country also belong to an international standard body.

    “Cement is a binder for all the components of the building and its poor application in the construction has been blamed for failures and collapse in the building and construction industry. The standard is a consensus document that promotes trade and ensure a positive impact on the national economy, if strictly adhered to. “Standard development is a stakeholders responsibility for which the SON provides the secretariat,” she said.

    The Chairman, Technical Committee for the review, Professor Joseph Odigwe, said the forum was aimed at regulating the standard of the product in the country and the concentration  is to create standard for all brands of cement in the country.

    The Founder, Building Collapse and Prevention Guild (BCPG) Mr. Kunle Awobolu, advised that government can help in the reduction of prices of cement through the provision of infrastructure such as road and electricity, adding that cost and price are as important as standard.

    The national president of block moulders association of Nigeria, Mr. Rasheed Adebowale, explained that the way cement is mixed is of great concern.

    He, therefore, called on the public and the SON to assist the association in identifying quacks in the system because they cannot do it alone.

  • Nigeria’s real estate set for global investment standard

    The quest for diversification of the economy and attract foreign investment is set for a boost with promoters of The Oceanna unveiling investment options for part-ownership, similar to what earned the Dubai real estate sector global appeal.

    The Group Managing Director, Palton Morgan Holdings, Adeyinka Adesope, said the hotel segment of the iconic project is open to part-ownership with flexible payment options, secure and high returns on investments. “We are opening up the real estate sector to investors both in Nigeria and the Diaspora. Having embarked on a project that has clearly redefined the real estate sector in Nigeria by setting the standard for luxury and working with globally acclaimed professionals/consultants, we now invite investors to participate,” he said.

    Information available on their website indicates that Grenadines Homes, a member of Palton Morgan Holdings, is trying to match the Nigerian real estate sector with Dubai where luxury, safety of investments, flexible financing and high returns, among other things have combined to increase global appeal to that market.

    According to Head, Marketing Services, Palton Morgan Holdings, Kikelomo Williams, the company desires to open up a plethora of opportunities and experiences to discerning investors with the project. “The Oceanna Hotel is more than just a location. It is carefully set out as a plethora of opportunities and experiences, but the first step is to be an investor. It guarantees a lifetime stream of income,” she said.

    She is confident that the global appeal of the iconic development is not just in beauty, “the quality team of experts and professionals working on it will excite anybody familiar with topnotch real estate across the world’’.

  • Envoy backs ‘standard learning environment’

    •10 pupils named Kiddies Vision ministers, commissioners

    Deputy Consul of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos, Mr. Guan Zhong QI, has pledged his country’s support for Nigeria’s quest to build a standard learning environment for children.

    QI stated this at the season four grand finale of Kiddies Vision Young Ministers Competition (YMC) held in Lagos at the weekend where 10 pupils were named minsters and commissioners.

    The event, which was sponsored by the Chinese government and China Industrial & Commercial Enterprises Association, among others, was established to test Nigerian students’ knowledge of their country

    According to the organisers, it would also help to “guide them towards societal values and good governance.”

    QI, who reiterated his country’s commitment to promoting standard learning environment through its corporate social responsibilities, said no fewer than 100 students had received N20,000 scholarships each from his personal donations.

    The 10 comprised five commissioners from primary schools and five ministers from secondary schools, who were selected following a 32-week intense cognitive and academic rivalry,

    Ikpi Divine emerged Commissioner for Finance, Ifeoma Ubegue, Sports, Busayo Adesanya, Tourism, Arts and Culture, Adeniran Kanikun, Education and Okonkwo Chineche Rem, Commissioner for Health.

    The young ministers include Benjamin Orebowale for Health, Quadri Iyanu, Education, Osondu Rebecca, Finance, Geoffrey Happiness, Tourism, Arts and Culture and Ndeze Nicholas, Youth and Sports.

    According to the organisers, Kiddies Vision, with a fan base over 25,000, has mentored 10,000 students on purpose driven leadership.

    Director, Kiddies Vision Mrs. Nnena Umeohia said conferment of public service portfolios on young students was part of measures designed for developing efficient, responsible and accountable youthful leaders from their formative years.

    “During the subsidy protests in 2011, we carried out a research on how much our children know about the people in governance such as commissioners, ministers and heads of agencies but we found out that they knew very little.

    “In fact, they were expert at the latest hip-hop stars, music trends or movies. The competition was established to test the intelligence of Nigerian students on how enlightened they are about their country, the organs and the activities of government, facts and histories of the country to guide these future leaders towards societal values and good governance.”

    She said the group had also developed a programme, “Me & My body” to address the growing menace of child molestation and abuse especially from relatives.

    Umeohia lamented that many kids were subjected to physical and psychological battery due to lack of parental attention and delegation of caring duties to third parties.

  • ‘Govt’s step most acceptable standard in civilised societies’

    Osun State government has said its coroner’s inquest into the death of Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke is the most acceptable standard in civilised societies.

    The government, in a statement yesterday by the Director, Bureau of Communication & Strategy, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, said: “The attention of the Osun State government has been drawn to a news conference purportedly held by the family of the first civilian governor of our state, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, where it rejected the coroner’s inquest instituted by the government into the unfortunate and sudden death of our beloved former governor.

    “This is rather unfortunate. As a government, the step that has been taken is the most responsible and most acceptable standard in any civilised society.

    “The decision to institute an inquest into this sudden death was not to please or satisfy anyone. It was set up for the good of the society. And to the extent that this was set up not to please anyone but for the good of our society.

    “We are all bereaved and mourning the unfortunate death of one of our illustrious sons and most importantly a former governor of our dear state.

    “It will not be in the best interests and honour of the departed soul for the government to engage the family in a matter of this nature.

    “It is, therefore, trite to state that the Adeleke family has a right to the choices open to it, just as we are sure this is a matter that is already in the court of public opinion.”

  • Ogun advises contractors on standard

    Ogun advises contractors on standard

    Ogun State Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Ms Adenrele Adesina, has urged contractors bidding for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) /Conditional Grant Scheme (CGS) scale up projects to comply with stipulated standard towards achieving quality service delivery of projects.
    She spoke at the Governor’s Office Press Centre, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, while welcoming contractors to the opening of bids on 2015 SGDs/CGS projects for local governments.
    Adenrele said the CGS projects were important to the government, as they would have impact on the people at the grassroots and ensure even development across the nooks and crannies of the state.
    She enjoined them to execute the contracts with diligence and uphold ‘’Ogun Standard’’ by sustaining the image of the state.
    “You should know that you are in partnership with the government. You must, therefore, uphold the standard of the state,’’ Adenrele said.
    The Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr. Hassan Adekunle, assured contractors of prompt release of mobilisation fee for the take off of the projects.
    He said: ‘’Much as we will not delay your payment, please do not perform below standard. You are to move to site immediately.’’
    The representative of Arshcorn and Form Ltd, Mr. Akin Taofeek and representative, Victor and Grace Nig. Ltd, Mr. Dele Soneye, on behalf of other contractors, thanked the Tender Board Committee for ensuring transparency in the bidding processes, pledging that they would not disappoint the government.
    The CGS projects which covered three thematic areas of Education, Health and water/sanitation would involve the construction of classrooms, VIP toilets, borehole, health centres and purchase of ambulance, among others.

  • ‘Improve Ondo education standard now’

    A lawyer and politician, Chief Olusola Oke, has called for improvement in the education standard of Ondo and Ekiti states.
    Oke recalled that in the recent past, the two neighbouring states under the old Ondo state were once adjudged the home of standard education.
    He lamented that the poor economy is having its effect on the states particularly in area of quality education delivery.
    Oke spoke in Akure the state capital during the launch of a book ‘Visible figures’authored by an undergraduate of Ekiti State University (EKSU) Ado-Ekiti,Oluwatobi Aladetan.
    He urged stakeholders particularly in Ondo State to get the state back on track educationally.
    The former Ondo State commissioner for environment Chief Sola Ebiseni who was also the guest of honour, hailed the author for his vision and intellectual feat at his early stage in life.
    “This is another Wole Soyinka in the making,” Ebiseni teased.
    Aladetan while appreciating the guests at the occasion, said the 79-page book was to help individuals come up with developmental plans on one hand, and for leaders to know the need for planning and development on the other.