Business
Fuel Price / Electricity Tariff Hike: We Are Not In Banana Republic – TUC
The Trade Union Congress, TUC, has blasted the Head of Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade Yemi Esan for warning civil servants against participating in the planned nationwide strike proposed by the Organised Labour.
TUC Chairman in Kogi State, Comrade Ranti Ojo, while speaking to newsmen yesterday, 24 hours to the proposed nationwide protest, insisted that the Federal Government has no right to threaten workers who are fighting for their rights in the country.
Comrade Ojo lamented the poor standard of living of many workers, stressing that Nigeria is not a banana republic where people can not speak when their rights are infringed on.
He said there is no going back on Monday’s nationwide protest, admonishing workers across the 774 Local Government Area in the country to disregard the warning coming from the Head of Service. Comrade Ojo explained that many top politicians revolted against former President Goodluck Jonathan when he increased the pump price of petrol.
“They were the ones that championed that protest castigating the administration of Jonathan for increasing the price of petrol. Now that they are ruling, the rhythm has changed. The price of petroleum at that time and now is doubled.
“The Head of Service knows she is not using her personal money to buy fuel in her car or pay the light bill. This is not what President Buhari promised us when we elected him in 2015. Nigerians are suffering, people are dying every day. Instead of this government to come up with palliatives that would reduce the suffering of the masses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, they are inflicting more pain on the people.
“This is total wickedness on the part of this government. Provided we are not violating the law of the land, the nationwide protest and strike will hold. Nothing can stop us. Here in Kogi, we have mobilised our workers for the mother of all protests on Monday.
When asked if the strike would still hold after a court order restraining the NLC and TUC from embarking on any form of industrial action pending the hearing and determination of a motion on notice, Comrade Ojo said”, labour is yet to receive or see any court order to that effect”.
“We don’t know what the court order entails. But one thing stands clear, we are not in a banana republic. This nation is governed by law and I know the supreme law of the land is the Nigeria constitution. I know the constitution has given not only the labour organization but all citizens of this country the right to protest. It is not the first time this is happening.
“There was a time under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the Federal Government took the case to court. The Federal Government was represented by Afe Babalola (SAN), while the labour movement was represented by Femi Falana, (SAN). In that ruling by the supreme court, it was expressly stated that the right of citizens to protest cannot be caged. The court also affirmed that the act of protest is lawful.
‘We are standing under the platform of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which is binding on every individual, including Mr President and the Head of Service. We as the labour movement, we are law-abiding. Like I told you, we have not been served, we have not seen any order and we don’t know what the ruling contains.
“At the state council, we take directives from the National secretariat. We are mobilizing our members and we are battle-ready to hit the streets on Monday to protest the satanic act of the present administration.
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