Business
Ogoni Clean-UP: Minister Solicits Youths, Communities’ Support As HYPREP Promises To Train 5,000
The Minister of State for Environment, Chief (Mrs) Sharon Ikpeazor, has appealed to youths and communities in Ogoniland in Rivers State to always support the Federal Government and the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) to speed up and effectively and seamlessly implement the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Report on Ogoniland, as it concerns the clean-up project and provision of livelihoods to the people. This is even as HYPREP has promised to train additional 5,000 youths in the area.
Ikpeazor, who made the appeal during a one-day stakeholder engagement programme at the council secretariat of Khana Local Government Area in Bori on Monday, said the support of both the youths and communities in the area was needed to make the project work as well as enable the government and HYPREP work faster in improving the wellbeing of the people in the shortest possible time.
She disclosed that advertisement placements would soon be made for the construction of the Centre of Excellence in Ogoniland as contained in the UNEP Report, assuring that due process would be followed in the advertisement of projects and engagement of contractors for the execution of all HYPREP projects.
Ikpeazor further hinted that an environmental surveillance team, made up of Ogoni youths would also be put in place to provide security at remediation sites in Ogonniland, adding that the Federal Government was committed to training of Ogoni youths.
According to her, the government would ensure that other contaminated sites in Ogoniland not captured in the UNEP Report are included in the clean-up project so that the project would be truly owned by the people.
The minister further noted that the employment of casual workers by HYPREP to drive the clean-up project would be open and transparent, clarifying that HYPREP is not an agency but a project office which has no legal framework.
On his part, the Acting Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Philip Shekwolo said 5,000 Ogoni youths would be selected for the forthcoming livelihood training programme, assuring that the project office was determined to provide potable drinking water to contaminated Ogoni Comminties, as 12 additional lots were on the verge of joining six contractors already selected by the office to ensure that the ongoing water project gets to impacted communities.
Shekwolo further promised that the Centre of Excellence project would come on stream in 2022, and thanked Ogoni indigenous doctors for anchoring the project office’s outreach medical programme recently carried out in the four Ogoni local government areas of the state.
Also speaking, the President of the Supreme Council of Ogoni Traditional Rulers, King Godwin Giniwa stressed the need for the establishment of the University of Environment in Ogoniland, adding that education of the people of the area was key to development, and appealed that the clean-up project should be made faster.
Former Rivers State Commissioner for Environment, Prof Roseline Konya urged HYPREP to ensure that Ogoni people benefit from the clean-up project by carrying along the women and the youths of the area.
Former President of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), Barrister Ledum Mitee harped on the need for HYPREP to provide to the Ogoni people things that are sustainable instead of giving them what he described as mere handouts.
The Senator representing Rivers South East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Barry Mpigi commended the present leadership of HYPREP, stressing that the ongoing clean-up project was a national project which must be treated as such in all ramifications, adding that there was need to drive the project in such a way that it goes beyond the Muhammedu Buhari administration.
On his part, the Chairman of Khana Local Government Area, Dr Barinee Thomas, who spoke on behalf of other local government chairmen in Ogoniland, tacitly passed a vote of confidence on the present HYPREP leadership, and commended it for its humane disposition and serenity of purpose.
He, however , charged HYPREP to engage in deliberate actions to improve the wellbeing of Ogoni people as well as involve young Ogoni contractors in the execution of projects, saying “ All we want is result.”
The event was well attended by Ogoni sons and daughters including the state Commissioner for Agriculture and member, HYPREP Board of Trustees, Dr Fred Kpakol; Commissioner for Energy and Natural Resources, Dr Peter Medee; President of KAGOTE, Hon Emma Deeyah; former Secretary to Rivers State Government, Chief Kenneth Kobani; former Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, Prof Barineme Fakae; among others.
The Director General of the National Oil Spill Detection and Restoration Agency (NOSDRA), Mr Idris Musa; and the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Environment, Mr. Hassan Musa were in the entourage of the Minister.
Ikpeazor visited the ongoing water project in Eleme and some remediated sites in the area.
By: 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