Business
Onne Customs Confiscates Fake Pharmaceuticals Cargo …Strengthens Anti-Smuggling War
The Area II Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Onne, Port Harcourt has made a seizure of 9×40 inch containers carrying 8,245 cartons of fake pharmaceuticals consisting of 250mg of Tramadol and Tramaking and other anti-malaria and analgesic drugs falsely declared as pressure reducing and PVC valves, with total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seizure amounting to N395,125,912.00.
The command has also said that they were particularly delighted by this seizure because they recognised the harmful effect the drugs have on the youth and the current national challenge of the substance abuse.
Area II Comptroller of NCS, Onne, Abubakar Bashir who disclosed this while briefing journalists in Port Harcourt on the activities of the area command on Thursday explained that the command was very resolute in its determination to bring to an end the nefarious act of the illicit trade in fake pharmaceuticals and other dangerous goods.
He said the command had also seized 8×20 foot containers of rice with a Duty Paid Value of N64,878,141 and carrying 4,120 bags of rice from Thailand, adding that these containers were falsely declared as sewing machines with the intent of evading the law.
According to him, the Federal Government has placed heavy priority on agriculture with a view to making the country self sufficient in food production and that the command had been faithful in aligning towards the same policy.
“The total duty paid value of consignments seized so far in the first quarter of 2018 amounts to N460,004,053.48.
“These consignments have been duly stored and the command in line with its mandate has already liaised with NAFDAC for further action.
“We have consistently maintained our policy of zero tolerance for any activities that would jeopardise the well being of Nigerians and have remained steadfast in our commitments to achieve the goal of the Nigeria Customs Service in terms of revenue generation and anti-smuggling.
“The cordial relationship with other agencies of government like NAFDAC, SON, NIMASA and others have led to the sharing of vital information that has proven to be useful at very crucial moments.
The Customs area boss, however, harped on the fact that NCS Service cuts across all facets of life in the sense that every seizure made was targeted at protecting something.
“When we seize items like elephants tusk, we are actually engaged in protecting wildlife and natural habitat. When we seize rice and other banned food items, we are actually engaged in enhancing the capacity of local entrepreneurs to employ Nigerians, improve local food production and achieve self sufficiency in agriculture growth.
“When we seize arms and ammunition, we are enhancing national security and others,” he said.
Corlins Walter
MoniePoint Inc. a digital financial firm in Nigeria, has said it is empowering community pharmacists across the country with innovative payment solutions to improve access to drugs.
The financial firm said it had also provided loans for pharmacists under the aegis of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) to drive healthcare delivery in the country.
MoniePoint in a release titled, “Inside Nigeria’s community pharmacies: How Moniepoint drives healthcare access with payments and funding”, has reaffirmed its commitment to providing digital payment solutions to improve health outcomes in Nigeria.
The release examined how community pharmacies play a crucial role as vital access points for medical care in Nigeria, especially in areas with limited hospital or clinic access.
According to the release, the ACPN National Chairman, Ambrose Igwekwam, highlighted the critical role played by community pharmacies in Nigeria’s healthcare system over the years.
Igwekwam, however, expressed concerns over the challenges confronting the nation’s pharmaceutical industry which he said was hindering access to affordable medicines.
The pharmacist listed poor infrastructural systems, power, transportation, regulatory bottlenecks, importation dependency, and limited research opportunities as major challenges facing the pharmaceutical sector.
He also stressed the need for robust collaborative efforts with institutions like Moniepoint to strengthen the sector.
“As Nigeria continues to grow, improving local pharma manufacturing to meet the demands of this growth presents a key opportunity for us all.
“There is also the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement, which is expected to boost our industry, especially when we start producing our drugs locally, which will provide the much needed foreign exchange from exports.
“We are also seeing advancements in digital health and technology which would hopefully deepen the practice of e-prescription in Nigeria”, the ACPN boss said.
Corlins Walter
In order to enhance customer service and streamline operations, the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) has called on stakeholders in the insurance industry to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The President of the institute, Yetunde Ilori, made this call at the 2024 Office Representatives Committee (ORC) Workshop, organised by the institute, with the theme “AI and the Future of the Insurance Industry”, in Lagos.
Ilori at the event, emphasised the importance of AI adoption, noting that it was not a threat to jobs but rather a tool to improve efficiency across the insurance sector.
“It is not about AI taking over our jobs, but about us using AI to simplify processes and give maximum satisfaction to all the customers we serve whether as underwriters, brokers, loss adjusters, or in educating our members”, she said.
The workshop, which brought players in the insurance sector together, aimed to address how AI could be leveraged to transform business processes and improve customer interactions.
The Chairman of the ORC, Monica Nwachukwu, underscored the role of AI in modernising the industry, adding, “AI can automate customer and claims processes, allowing insurers to provide faster and more efficient services to their customers”.
She explained how AI could help extract data from legacy systems, enhancing decision-making processes.
“By integrating AI with APIs, insurers can feed valuable data into AI solutions to improve operations and customer service”, she added.
In his address, the Managing Partner of A4S and Training Heights, Orlando Odejide, stressed the need for companies to align their strategies with future technologies like AI, especially as they prepare for 2025.
“Any organisation that wants to grow into the future must have its strategic plan in place. If your strategy for 2025 is not ready, it should be done by October”, he advised.
He encouraged participants to think critically about how AI could be integrated into their business models to ensure they remain competitive.
“The idea is for you to use this workshop as a platform to think about your organization and how AI can help streamline your processes and improve growth”, Odejide noted.
In order to gain global respect and recognition, the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) has reaffirmed its determination to pursue its goal in ensuring that Nigeria’s space capabilities are recognised on the world stage.
The agency also reaffirmed its commitment to positioning Nigeria as a key player in the global space economy.
In a statement by the Director of Media and Corporate Communications, Dr. Felix Ale, NASRDA revealed that the Director-General of the agency, Matthew Adepoju, emphasised this during recent engagements at the 79th United Nations General Assembly and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and Global Alliance Business Association international conference in Michigan, United States.
The statement noted that Adepoju outlined a forward-thinking agenda, stressing the importance of Nigeria’s space programme as a leader in research, exploration, and technological innovation.
“Our goal is to ensure that Nigeria’s space capabilities are recognised on the world stage.
“We must foster collaborations with global space agencies to enhance our satellite capabilities and technological infrastructure”, he stated.
The NASRDA boss said the agency is focusing on enhancing satellite capabilities, expanding international collaborations, and leveraging space science for national development.
He said NASRDA will have no stone unturned in pursuit of excellence, ensuring the agency secures the necessary resources and recognition to propel it forward.
“The relationships we build today will pave the way for tomorrow’s advancements in space science.
“Innovation and progress thrive in an environment built on collaboration and inclusivity”, he stated.
He emphasised that with the support of the government, international partners, and a dedicated team, NASRDA is poised to make significant strides in the evolving global space landscape.
“We are on the brink of a new era for Nigeria’s space agency. Together, we will ensure our nation stands out in the global space economy”, he said.
Corlins Walter
