Business
Elder Statesman Hails Fubara Over Supreme Court Victory Faults Privatisation Of NNPC
An elder statesman and prominent Niger Delta activist, Rev Sokari Soberekon, has expressed excitement over the judgment of the Supreme Court which affirmed the election of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, describing it as good omen for the State.
This is even as he picked holes in the privatisation of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation(NNPC) by the Muhammadu Buhari administration.
Soberekon, who bared his mind in an interview in Port Harcourt said the victory of Governor Fubara at the Supreme Court was one of the best things that have happened in the State, describing the Governor as God-sent and a leader who has come to the Brick House to liberate the State and Rivers people from the shackles of poverty.
According to him, Governor Fubara’s victory at the Supreme Court was divinely inspired and a strong indication that God has not forgotten the people.
He said as a child of good luck going by his name, Governor Fubara would not only bring good luck to the State but also wipe away the tears of the people whom he noted had been subjected to excruciating pains and hardship for several years.
The Niger Delta activist posited that the name, ‘Fubara’ is known as ‘IbiFubara’ in Kalabari land, which he said means good luck, and urged the Governor to remain focused and committed in delivering the dividends of democracy and good governance to the people.
According to him, he would love the Fubara administration to channel its attention to the resuscitation of the School-to-land programme of the Fidelis Oyakhilome administration, as this would not only create employment opportunities for the teeming youths of the State but also pave the way for massive production of food in the State.
He also indicated that paying bursary allowances to students in tertiary institutions; and introduction of free feeding programmes in primary and secondary schools in the State by the current administration would be lofty initiatives to cushion the effects of hardship currently faced by the people of the State.
While wishing the Governor well and applauding him for the Supreme Court victory, Soberekon advised him to continue to tread the path of peace in order to place on the pedestal of uncommon growth, development and prosperity in the next four years.
Commenting on the privatisation of the NNPC, Soberekon described it as fraudulent and unconstitutional, insisting that the Federal Government is supposed to only privatise what it produces and manufactures in its own factory and not products and resources God has given to the people of the Niger Delta to use and better their lives.
He said God gave crude oil to the people of the Niger Delta, adding that it is not fair the government to hijack and privatise the NNPC without the consent of the people, lamenting that the 13 percent oil derivation funds which are supposed to be paid to oil producing host communities are not accounted for.
Soberekon also gave knocks to the Federal Government for its inability to build a museum in Oloibiri Community in Bayless State as promised, contending that the government has abandoned the people of the area to suffer in poverty and neglect.
He, however, called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene to correct the injustice by building a University of Petroleum Technology in the community where oil was first struck in commercial quantity in the country.
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