Business
PH Hosts South –South Int’I Trade Fair, April …Over 500 Firms To Participate
Port Harcourt will play host
to the first ever South-South regional International Trade Fair to be organized by the Forum of South-South Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (FOSSCIMA).
FOSSCIMA President, Billy Gillis-Harry, who disclosed this at a press briefing in Port Harcourt said the event is billed to hold between 10th and 30th April 2016 at Isaac Boro Park.
He said over 500 companies from across the country and the West African sub-region would participate at the event which he is optimistic would be one of the best trade fairs in Nigeria.
Apart from participants from the nation and West-African sub-region, renowned corporate groups from the European Union would equally grace the event as according to the FOSSCIMA boss, some of the expert firms from Europe had written to the chambers to indicate their preparedness to attend.
“The 1st South-South International Trade Fair is a mult-dimensional trade fair which will provide an ideal and perfect business matchmaking platform for manufacturer, importers, service providers, investors and visitors to meet and discuss business opportunities.
“It will showcase products from the manufacturing industries ranging from food and beverages, garments, textiles and fashion accessories, footwear, gifts and decorative items,” Harry said.
Other areas that would be covered include health, beauty products, industrial equipment, electronics communication equipment, banking, insurance as well as financial products.
FOSSCCIMA, as the largest and most active regional chamber of commerce in the Niger Delta, is out to build, promote and protect businesses through sharing of relevant knowledge and information.
The President explained that the trade fair is part of the body’s effort towards advocating on behalf of businesses whether large or small within the region to foster economic development.
To ensure that the fair meets all its objectives, Harry stated that FOSSCCIMA would work in partnership with Medallion Marketing Limited, a foremost exhibition management firm and Free born, a renowned consulting firm.
Another unique aspect of the event is what he termed RUMSSY project-registering unemployed South-South Youths that will, in a three-week initiative link-up an estimated 100 companies and 50,000 youths to prospective employers.
Throwing more light on the RUMSSY project, Chairman of the Organising Committee of the trade fair, Hon Austine Atakpu, said,” RUMSSY 2016 will not only provide opportunity for these unemployed youths to connect with prospective employers, but an evenue for them to gain skills and knowledge needed to reach their career goals.”
According to Atakpu, the fair with its theme.’ Growing the South-South Economy to Establish Enduring Peace and Security of the Region to impact Nigeria,’ would also incorporate “Nights of stars,’ a talent hunt project to identify, showcase and enable potential young change makers from the region to actualise their talent entertainent industry.
Chris Oluoh
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