Business
Expert Harps On Harnessing Tourism For Revenue
Rivers State lawmakers voting to pass the N104.2 billion Supplementary Budget in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
A tourism expert, Mr
Johnpaul Ezeani has said that proper harnessing of community-based tourism (CBT) would help to generate income that can lead to economic development in the communities.
Ezeani who is a tourism consultant told newsmen in Abuja said that such moves would also alleviate poverty, as well as create employment that would increase tax paid by workers.
He noted that harnessing both the natural and cultural tourism potential would bring about sustainable tourism development in the communities.
He also said that the high level of poverty which remains a major problem in achieving millennium development goals could be tackled by the additional income generated by the sector.
“ The decisions about tourism activities and development must be driven by the host community.’’
He said that no country of the world today could afford to reject the significance of tourism to its economic, social, political and cultural development.
“Countries of the world have become aware of the numerous benefits accruing from tourism and are working more than ever before to develop the industry.
“Tourism accounts for the largest volume of migration of people all year round and unlike in other industries, tourism industry takes the customer to the product, rather than the product to the customer.’’
Ezeani said that CBT had a unique potential to carry investment directly to the local level and make significant contribution to rural development.
“ CBT can help to boost agricultural and social development and ensure community enrichment. “It is a type of tourism in which local communities invite tourists to their communities, having provided overnight accommodation and other facilities for the expected visitors.
“Tourists come in contact with the local habitat and wildlife, participate in different cultural festivals and enjoy the traditions and cultures of host communities.
“This type of tourism aims to upgrade the living standard of the local residents as well as generate revenue through community initiatives and/or self development projects.
“Such projects like construction of bridges, roads and town halls and rural electrification, sign posts/road signs, among others,’’ he said.
Ezeani said that it was natural that income generated from tourism was used to conserve the resources of nature as well as renovate and build new facilities to consistently encourage increased tourist influx.
“Part of the income generated should be set aside for projects which will provide benefits to the community, maintain and upgrade cultural assets like archaeological ruins, historical sites and traditional craft production.’’
He stressed the need for tourism to become community based and for members of the community to have some development initiatives through self-help projects.
“Such community development initiatives include building of schools, town halls, construction of feeder roads and drainpipe systems, electricity, water projects, establishment and maintenance of local markets.
“Generally, community based tourism avails tourists the opportunity to know the social, cultural and religious practices of the host.
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