Business
Siat To Extend Electricity To Host Communities
The management of Siat Nigeria Limited has promised to extend its electricity project to its three remaining host communities in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State as well as address other issues affecting the communities.
The company had in 2015/2016 electrified Egbu and Ihie communities, leaving behind Ozuzu, Isu and Ogida communities.
The Managing Director of the company, Mr. Felix Nwabuko, who disclosed this during a peace meeting with delegates of the communities at the firm’s corporate headquarters in Ubima, Tuesday, said the agro-allied company was fully committed to discharging its corporate social responsibilities to its host communities. It would be recalled that indigenes of Ozuzu, Isu, Ogida, Ihie and Egbu communities in Etche Local Government Area had recently staged a peaceful protest against SNL, alleging neglect and marginalization.
The representatives of the communities, during the meeting presented three core demands to the management of the company bordering on electrification, employment and a welfare Memorandum of Understanding to guide and shape their operational relationship with the company, among others.
Nwabuko, who spoke to the delegates with candour, assured that the firm would extend its electricity project to Ozuzu, Isu and Ogida communities, hinting that the company had already contracted a professional to undertake the costing of the project.
“On the issue of electrification, I want to restate today that the intention to extend electricity has not been cancelled. The fact that it has not happened, should not be taken as having been thrown away. I will not bore you with reasons why it has not happened, it is sufficient for you to believe us today that it has not been cancelled.
We have requested someone to do us a costing of that project. We know who that person is. He is not a community person. He is a professional person that will deliver a professional job. He is not going to be the person that will execute it”, he said.
The managing director said the company was not deliberately shirking its responsibilities towards its host communities, but alluded to the general economic situation in the country, among other factors.
According to him, the company had prioritised the re-planting of its Elele location as a way of generating more revenue for the company.
He said, “Because we are stakeholders, I will tell you a few things. So, it has been slightly a challenging year for SNL, not because we are not producing well, but because in the wider economy, there is suppression of funds. But more importantly, we decided to prioritise the re-planting of Elele. If you go to Elele today, the entire 6,000 hectares have been fully re-planted. All the old farms are gone”.
The managing director disclosed that with the completion of the re-planting of its Elele branch, the company would in the next five years generate more than 20 times the revenue it was generating there, adding that “we are happy that that has been achieved”, and appealed to the communities to exercise patience.
Also speaking at the event, the Executive Chairman of Etche Local Government Area, Hon. ObinnaAryanwu, who brokered the peace meeting thanked the management of Siat Nigeria Limited, and expressed the commitment of his administration to ensure that what is due his people is given to them.
Anyanwu promised to follow up to the letter the agreement reached by the company with the people of the communities with a view to addressing all their grievances.
He expressed delight and satisfaction with the outcome of the meeting, assuring that his administration would ensure that all communities in the local government are positively impacted by his development blueprint, which he said rests in the hearts of the people.
Donatus Ebi
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