Business
Envoy Urges Closer Nigeria, S’Leone Private Sectors Tie
The Sierra Leone envoy to
Nigeria has called for closer cooperation between the countries’ private sectors to boost economic development in both countries.
The Acting Minister and Counselor at the Sierra Leone High Commission, Mr Joe Nyuma, said this during an interview with newsmen.
He said that improved partnership between entrepreneurs from the two countries would open up investment opportunities with its multiplier effects on their economies.
He said Sierra Lone needed assistance from friendly countries such Nigeria to overcome its Ebola-induced social and economic losses.
Nyuma said the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country crashed to 2 per cent from 12.4 per cent during the period Ebola lasted in the country.
He, however, disclosed that the GDP had risen to eight per cent in the post-Ebola era.
“We believe we can get more Nigerians’ involvement in Sierra Leone private sector for the good of our two countries.
“In the future, we also want to see how we can cooperate to strengthen our military.
“Our president is a very proactive person and it has been proven beyond reasonable doubt that since he took over, the economy has been moving at an accelerated speed”, he said.
According to him, Sierra Leone had a GDP of 12.4 before the Ebola but it went down to 2 per cent because of the Ebola.
“We have been able to manage the economy, workers are getting their salaries on time and government apparatus is functioning effectively,’’ he said.
The acting minister appealed to investors, especially the organised private sector, to invest in Sierra Leone’s banking, agriculture, diamond mining and fishery sectors.
“The economy is not doing badly at all now.
“Most investors that were scared of visiting Sierra Leone because of the scourge are changing their mind; a lot of them are going there now.
“Investors that are interested in fishery, agriculture and diamond mining are now planning to return to the country.
He said Sierra Leone was a fertile ground for investment, adding that the country had the potential to become an economic power.
“The Diamonds and iron ore mines are still functional. Investors should come on board and help us to see how we can jointly develop our country,’’ Nyuma said.
On the current situation of things in the country he said things were returning to normal since the Ebola crisis was addressed.
“Students are going to school; government offices are working like before. It is now business as usual,’’ the envoy told reporters.
On the forthcoming 25th Ordinary Session of the Heads of States and Government Summit of the African Union, Nguma said the summit would discuss issues bothering on terrorism in Nigeria and the sub-region.
Nyuma suggested the setting up of an intelligence team to trace the root of terrorism with a view to finding lasting solution to it.
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