Business
Senate Probes Military Helicopters’ Use
The Senate has resolved to probe the use of military Helicopters.
The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Senator Chris Anyanwu, titled Urgent need to investigate the recent crash of Naval Augusta 109 Helicopter in Bayelsa State.
The upper chamber further resolved that the results of past investigation into air mishaps should be made public.
During the debate, Senators raised issues on the incessant and wrong use of military helicopters and called for a regulatory framework to ensure that military equipment are not indiscriminately used for personal reasons.
Presenting the motion, Sen Chris Anyanwu noted that between 2007 and 2011 there had been two crashes of similar Augusta Helicopters owned by the Navy at different locations in the countr,y adding that the causes of these crashes each time remain unknown to the public.
She said a deep “seated systems problem must be unearthed and resolved to avert further unnecessary loss of lives and heavy financial losses to the nation.”
In his contribution, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu who presided over the session Condoled with all those affected in the crash and noted that Nigeria has lost so much human resources in recent times
His words “I think we have recorded so much death in this country over the last two years. Since 2010 when terrorism reared its ugly head in Nigeria. And since then we have had several deaths arising from terrorism, kidnapping, arm robbery, diseases pollution accidents, road mishaps, air mishaps and other kinds of incidents that have afflicted us over the years.”
These are ordinary Nigerians. The truth is people are dying on a daily basis in this country which is very regrettable. I believe in the last two years we have lost over 50,000 people.
“So this calls for all of us as leaders of this country to halt this trend. “I think that our regulatory agencies need to wake up and ensure that only air worthy planes should take off and land in this country and for the pilots to be properly trained. And of course a lot of people have died because of security lapses. We need to also wake because the protection of live and property is the main responsibility of government”, Ekweremadu added.
In a tear-ladden voice, Senator Ahmed Markarfi, said the crash calls for the executive, which has a lot of resources, to ensure that measures are in place to avert the continuous loss of lives in Nigeria.
Senators Barnabas Gemade, Ganiyu Solomon, Abdul Ningi, Olubunmi Adetumbi and Uche Chukwumerije warned against the use of military equipment, especially helicopters for private purpose and called for a stop to the indiscriminate use of military choppers by very important persons.
Sen. Abdul Ningi said, “we have to put our acts together to regulate the use of government’s military hardwares.”
Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi, Abuja
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