Business
Science, Vehicle For Development – NLNG …Concludes 2023 Schools Science Quiz Competition
The Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas, (NLNG) has described science as the most credible vehicle for future development, saying that the functionality of science must be demystified.
The General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, NLNG, Andy Odeh, made this assertion at the grand finale of this year’s NLNG sponsored science quiz competition for public schools in Rivers State.
According to him, “for us at NLNG, science is far from being a subject in the classroom, it is the most credible vehicle to take us from where we are today to where we wish to be tomorrow.
“Like I said before, we must demystify science to make it accessible to every child in this state. One way of doing this is to create a buzz around it. This time, the buzz is a quiz competition around the subject matter. This way the young and curious can be interested in it, can be familiar with it”.
He noted with delight that this year’s competition with the theme, “NET-ZERO”, open only to Senior Secondary Schools 1 and 2 levels in Rivers State. focused on critical global issues, climate change, expressing the hope that the competition would help raise awareness among young people and inspire them into action as change agents.
Odeh said, “We are delighted that this year’s science quiz competition is focussed on climate change and net-zero emissions. This is a critical issue that we all need to be aware of, and we believe that this competition will help to raise awareness among young people and inspire them to take action and become agents of change”.
Explaining the pervasiveness of science, the NLNG point man at the science quiz competition, stated that there was hardly anything on life that could not be traced back to science, observing that at NLNG, science was more than just a classroom subject.
He said, “Science is so pervasive that there is hardly anyone in the four corners of Rivers State that hasn’t today counted on science to achieve one elementary task on the other.
“The fisherman who wakes up, takes his net, enters his boat, and paddles it to that part of the sea where he hopes to make his big catch has depended heavily on science.
“So is the teacher who woke up this morning, checked his time, his emails and updates on the phone, entered his car and drove to this place. We all depend on science to improve our lives and the way we live it.
“We depend on science to plan our days and do our tasks. Every new day with new discoveries and inventions, science’s hold on us becomes even stronger and tighter”.
Odeh commended the students who participated in the competition, saying, “We are very proud of the students who participated in this competition. They showed great enthusiasm and knowledge, and they are a credit to their schools and to Rivers State.
“We hope that this competition will inspire other young people to learn about science and to pursue careers in science-related fields, adding that NLNG recognises the importance of science in achieving the company’s vision of being a globally competitive LNG company, helping to build a better Nigeria”.
Representing the Rivers State Ministry of Education, Director of Science and Education at the ministry, Dr. Ataisi Ngerebara, said NLNG has given opportunity to children who, before now, had no opportunity to showcase their talents.
She said science was driving development in the world and that there was a need for young scientists and science enthusiasts in Nigeria to be encouraged in innovativeness and creativity.
She stated that the Rivers State Ministry of Education was fully behind the NLNG Science Quiz Competition.
This year’s finalists were, Niger Delta Science School, Oginigba; Comprehensive Secondary, and Enitonna High School, Borikiri; Community Senior Secondary School, Rumuomasi; Model Secondary School, GRA; Community Secondary School, Aleto Eleme; and County Grammar School, Ikwerre/Etche; with Niger Delta Science School clinching the top spot, while Oginigba Comprehensive Secondary and Enitonna High School, Borikiri, took the second and third positions, respectively.
By: Tonye Nria-Dappa
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