Business
SIM Registration: Subscribers Besiege MTN Shops
Following text messages di
recting subscribers nationwide to visit its shops to update their SIMs registration, hundreds of angry subscribers on Thursday besieged MTN offices in Abuja for the exercise.
The Tide learnt that although the subscribers, mostly workers and businessmen, have abandoned their duty posts for the registration, the exercise was very slow due to faulty machines or network problems.
In some of the centres where the exercise was ongoing, the numbers of machines used were insufficient compared to the crowd impatiently waiting for their turns.
The Tide investigation recalled that some of the subscribers, who were at the outlets for the update, complained that they were registering their SIMs for the third or fourth times.
At MTN main office at Phase 4 in Kubwa, the road leading to the building was blocked by subscribers that besieged the building for the exercise as early as 8 a.m.
Only four machines were provided at MTN New Dawn shop, Mercy Plaza, Kubwa, in spite of the crowd at the premises.
“We registered only 50 lines on Wednesday due to inadequate number of machines coupled with epileptic network. We are expecting to register more today,’’ one of the officers who requested anonymity at the outlet said.
At MTN registration point, Phase 3, Kubwa, the only machines provided was faulty, while the crowd at the registration point at A Class Park, Wuse 2, was overwhelming.
The situation was not different at other registration centres in the Federal capital territory as many who expected smooth conduct of the exercise were frustrated leaving some with no option than to consider switching to other service providers if their SIMs are blocked.
The MTN had recently sent text messages to its subscribers, directing them to visit its outlets to update their SIMS to meet NCC standard.
“Dear customer, please visit any of the registration point near you from Dec. 26 with valid ID card to update your finger print and picture to NCC standard.
“You have been compensated with N20, 000 valid for 7 days. To activate, please visit any MTN registration outlet to update your biometrics. Dial *559*40# to check.
“Dear customer, this SMS gives you priority access to all MTN shops. Please display it at any MTN shops entrance for express service. Thank you,’’ some of the messages sent to subscribers read.
Mr Haruna Mohammed, one of the subscribers, observed that MTN had not made provision for the physically challenged, pregnant women and others in spite of their numerous messages sent out before the take off of the exercise.
“They should prepare well for the exercise. They should not expect people to spend the whole day waiting for registration,’’ another subscriber, Ibrahim Garba said.
The Tide reports that MTN started another round of SIM cards registration in the country following a fine imposed on it by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for having 1.5 million unregistered SIMs in its network.
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