Business
Nigerian Students Laud FG’s Seafarers Programme
Locked up shops on Ahmadu Bello Way during Presidential National Assembly elections in Lagos on Saturday.
Nigerian students undergoing seafarers training in the Philippines have commended the Federal Government for instituting the National Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP).
A total of 153 Nigerian students are undergoing training at the University of Perpetual Help in the Philippines.
They gave the commendation on Wednesday when a delegation of the management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) paid a courtesy visit on the authorities of the university at Pamplona in Las Pinas City. The Tide source reports that some members of management of NIMASA are currently in the Philippines on a tour of institutions training Nigerian cadets undergoing the NSDP.
“I have never heard or witnessed in my life an administration which has supported parastatals like President Goodluck Jonathan,” the leader of the students, Mr Raphael Eguagie, told the delegation.
He also commended the Director-General of NIMASA, Mr Patrick Akpobolokemi, and the management of the agency for their efforts in making the scholarship scheme successful.
Eguagie expressed the gratitude of the students for being selected, after a rigorous process that ensured that the best were chosen from different states of the federation.
“At the end of the programme it is expected that more than 5,000 students would have received world-class training in the maritime sector and they will resurrect the maritime industry in Nigeria.
“Two weeks ago, the school introduced enhancement classes for deck and engine cadets on how to handle Bridge and Engine Simulators as well as operating and maintaining other equipment in the department.
“Just two weeks ago, we were at sea for a week on-the-job training and we were posted to different departments to enable us to familiarise ourselves with our duties and responsibilities,” he stated.
The President of the university’s council, Mr Anthony Tamayo, in a message, commended the management of NIMASA for choosing the University for the Programme.
Tamayo was represented by his son, Dr Antonio Tamayo, who is the Chief Executive Officer of the university.
Tamayo urged the Nigerian Government not to relent in promoting collaboration, mutual understanding and solidarity with the university to strengthen the relationship between Nigeria and the Philippines.
He said the Nigerian cadets were passionate to learn, noting that they were also respectful and were taking the training serious. The chief executive said the university had been able to know some Nigerian cultures, assuring that “as time goes on, the two countries will learn more about each other.
“Philippines and Nigerian bilateral relations had been strengthened, particularly in educational areas, due to the fact that both nations were able to exchange students.
“Nigerian scholars after the three years study will be helpful and would have acquired the appropriate skills to practise the profession.
“Since English is the medium of our instructions here in Philippines because both Nigeria and Filipinos speak English, this has reduced the level of language barrier,” Tamayo said.
Also speaking, Mr Callistus Obi, Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services of NIMASA, said that President Jonathan had mandated NIMASA to continue with the NSDP.
He told the students to be disciplined, adding that their commitments to the programme would determine government’s willingness to continue sponsoring the scheme.
Obi said that Nigeria had started building a maritime university, the first Maritime University in West Africa.
“We the staff of NIMASA are making sacrifices to ensure that you (cadets) continue to enjoy the benefits of the training.
“We have to cut foreign trips by staff as well as expenses to ensure that you complete your education.
“We expect that you will also make sacrifices so that others who are not privileged to be here can also benefit wherever they are in Nigeria.”
He commended the management of the institution for making students to imbibe not only intellectual capacity but also morals.
A marine engineering student, Miss Rita Idonor, said that the students were initially having communication barrier, noting however, that they had adapted to Filipino ways of life.
Idonor said that the school’s management was also teaching them Philippines’ language to enable them blend with the Filipino ways of life.
Mr Perekeme Odofori, another marine engineering student, said he had undergone a lot of practical training but needed to improve on theoretical aspects.
Odofori said that the Nigerian ambassador in the Philippines had promised to compel the management of the university to assist the Nigerian students to improve on the theoretical aspect of the training.
He, however, said that he was fully prepared to come and impact his knowledge to other Nigerians, who had yet to undergo the training.
Teports say that the students are also undergoing studies in mandatory basic trainings such as Elementary First Aid, Fire Prevention, Personal Safety, Social Responsibility and Personal Survival Techniques.
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