IPAN Holds 29th MCD Workshop

The Institute of Public Analysts of Nigeria’s (IPAN) has said that it will hold its 29th Mandatory Continuous Professional Development (MCDP) workshop at the Raw Materials and Development Council in Abuja

According to the organisers, the workshop is aimed at how to improve the quality of made-in-Nigerian products in preparation for the African Continental Free Trade (AfCFTA).

The event is themed, “African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA):The Crucial Role of Quality Assurance of Products,” has Mr. Francis Anatogu, the Senior Special Adviser (SSA) to the President on Public Sector Matters and Secretary, National Action Committee on AfCFTA as Keynote Speaker.

The chairperson is the Secretary to the State Government, Kogi State, Dr. Folasade Arike Ayoade, a Fellow of the institut; the Special Guest of Honour, Hon. Yusuf Tanko Sunnunu, the Chairman, House Committee on Health Care Services while the Chief Host is Minister of State for Health, Dr. Olorunnimbe Mamora.

In a statement, IPAN’s Registrar/Chief Executive Officer, Aliyu Angara, said the workshop would examine issues such as: Quality Assurance of Food & Agro-allied Products; Quality Assurance of Pharmaceuticals and Herbal Products, in relations to AfCFTA and feature a panel discussion on AfCFTA: The Role of IPAN/Public Analysts in Removal of Technical Barriers. He added that it would also discuss issues such as elimination of technical barriers to trade within Africa and non-compliance to sanitary and phyto-sanitary measures, which lead to product rejections in most African countries and that it targets over 250 participants comprising manufacturers, exporters, importers, product regulators, laboratory owners, and small and medium scale enterprises, among others

He added that panellists were being drawn from the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON); Nigeria Export Promotions Council (NEPC), Nigeria National Accreditation System (NiNAS) and Society of Testing Laboratories of Nigeria (SoTLAN). Another event slated for the workshop is the induction of new members.