Business
‘Active Directory’ll Secure Govt’s Record’
As Information and Communication Technology (ICT) leads activities and services of governments in modern times, the ICT department of the Rivers State government has prioritised its efforts towards ensuring that the State Secretariat Complex becomes ICT compliant to compete favourably with other ICT states around the world.
This has been achieved through various ways including the implementation of the Active Directory Services (ADS), e-Service Portal and Wireless Area Network (WLAN).
Briefing Newsmen on the state of ICT in Rivers State, Thursday, in Port Harcourt, the Special Adviser to the governor on information and Communication Technology, Mr Goodlife Nmekini explained that the Active Directory Service, a network access control acts as a central authority for network security and has been a major tool for the management of resources and network in the state’s resource-based environment, the secretariat.
Nmekini said that the Active Directory Service Network was meant to protect government’s information like it is obtainable in every other advanced country in the world.
Describing the network as Rivers State government’s workers network, the SA maintained that the network can only be accessed by the state’s government’s workers, contractors and or authorised persons adding that government’s information must be protected from the public for security reasons.
While noting that the Rivers State government has not only gone into e-governance but transparency in governance, Nmekini said the department was ensuring that every worker at the state secretariat who logs into the system gains access to it after due authentication, adding that the ADS was meant to provide staff of the state’s secretariat the ability to back up or flow with governemnt’s information in and among themselves.
In his words: “We want to make sure that every staff of the state secretariat logs on tot the system. When you log, It will authenticate you before you gain access to the system. The reason for that is because we are moving into critical areas. We are now beginning to gather government’s property so that every ministry would be able to collaborate and share information. And to be able to do that, we need a secured environment.”
Nmekini also stated that one of the biggest benefits of the ADS was the ability to manage all the networks and resources from one location to the other and sharing resources on different printers.
The Special Adviser further revealed that the implemented e-service portal, www.riverstate.gov.ng was meant to provide easy access to online platforms that are laced with cutting-edge technology.
He explained that the e-service portal would reduce the stress and difficulties associated with transaction between the government and its citizenry.
In order to achieve the goals of his Excellency’s transparent government, we had to put something together in the form of a portal. For instance, there is a form for the citizenry to fill and submit to the government. We want a situation where you can access the information; download it and fill it from the comfort of your homes and we will also be able to receive the forms from here. This will remove congestion from the roads and also help in combating the difficulties of having to come down to the secretariat,” he said.
Nmekini further stated that Wireless Area Network (WLAN) is on-going at the State Secretariat Complex and the government House were efforts by the department to keep the state in tune with ICT activities.
Lady Levi Usende
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