Business
FRSC Prosecutes Drivers Over Unlatched Containers
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) last Sunday said it had prosecuted 10 truck drivers for driving unlatched articulated vehicles on Lagos highways during the month.
The Lagos State Sector Commander of FRSC, Mr Hyginus Omeje,told newsmen in Lagos that these were among the 52 truck drivers arrested by FRSC officials for various traffic offences.
Omeje said that they were prosecuted at the Lagos State Mobile Court following rampant cases of crashes recorded on the highways resulting from unlatched containers.
He said that the FRSC would intensify arrests and prosecutions of trucks found to be driving unlatched containers on the highways across the state.
According to Omeje, on July 13, the corps arrested 23 traffic offenders and all were prosecuted by the Lagos State Mobile Court.
“Three out of the 23 cases were on unlatched containers.
“Earlier on July 11, when we began to focus extensively on the activities of the operators alongside the special mobile court operations, 29 traffic offenders were arrested.
“ Seven out of the 29 cases were as a result of unlatched containers, and four out of that seven were prosecuted,’’ he said.
Omeje also warned motorists to avoid contending the roads with trucks and articulated vehicles.
“The FRSC is still committed to ensuring the safety of lives and properties on our roads.
“In recent times, there have been recurrent cases of containers falling from trucks while in motion, thereby, causing accidents and loss of lives.
“Consequently, we have started a special operation targeted at monitoring latched and unlatched containers again.
“You will recall that throughout 2016, we had a similar operation- “Operation Scorpion’’, to address this issue of latched and unlatched containers.
“ During that period, cases of unlatched containers constituting hazards reduced but it is like it is coming up again.’’
He said: “ On Tuesday July 11, we commenced the special operation that will focus extensively on the activities of these operators, we also started special mobile court operations.
“Meanwhile, we have had a series of engagements with stakeholders.
“We have also met with the unions of these operators of trucks, the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) and Association of Corporate Fleet Operators, to ensure their members adhere to safety standards.
“One of these safety standards is to ensure that when these trucks are loaded, they twist the lock underneath.
“As long as that twist is locked, if the truck wants to have a crash, then, the truck will have to fall as a whole and not the container slipping off.’’
The sector commander urged all road users to adhere traffic rules and regulations.
“Accident will not inform anybody before its occurrence, so drivers must be very careful while on the road.
“Drivers should also be vigilant before and while overtaking trucks and articulated vehicles.
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