The Jama’at Izalat al Bid’ah WaIqamatis Sunnah, an Islamic society, says it will partner with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, NEPC, to establish a unified Halal certification standard in Nigeria.
The National Chairman of JIBWIS, Abdullahi Bala-Lau, who made the disclosure at a news conference on Wednesday in Abuja, said the partnership is aimed at recognising products that are permissible under Islamic law.
According to him, the certification will include edible, drinkable or usable products by Muslims, such as foods, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and many more.
Mr Bala-Lau explained that the global Halal market, which is gradually becoming larger, is estimated to be more than 2 trillion dollars annually.
He added that many countries like Indonesia, Sudan, and Malaysia have unified Halal certification standards and governing systems.
“As part of global community, Nigeria should benefit from this large growing global market. It is our intention to promote this through unified and standard Halal certification in Nigeria.
“JIBWIS has contacted all the government relevant agencies including the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to ensure the actualisation of the initiative,” he said.
He said that as part of efforts to ensure the success of the project, JIBWIS would organise the first international conference on Halal certification in the commercial city of Lagos in January 18, 2019.
He said the theme of the proposed conference would be “Toward Standard and Unified Halal Certification in Nigeria“.
He said JIBWIS had also signed a technical partnership agreement with the Foundation for Sustainable Social Responsibility in Emerging Africa, FOSSREA, an NGO for the implementation of the project.
The chairman said JIBWIS would work closely with relevant public, private, religious and Civil Society Organisations and the media to ensure its success.
In his remark, the Chief Executive of FOSSREA, Aliyu Mijinyawa, said the proposed conference would provide opportunities for all stakeholders to contribute towards the project.
NAN
