Business
Reactions Trail Ex-militants’ Demand On Resource Control
Mixed reactions have continued to trail the demand by the ex-militants in the Niger Delta region that the 13 percent derivative fund be paid directly to the oil bearing communities.
While some described the demand as a welcome development in view of the several years of neglect of oil bearing communities by those that manage the derivative funds, others faulted it, saying the demand is defective and selfish.
The ex-militants had, in a reaction to the recent position of the South South stakeholders on resource control, said the derivative funds should no longer be paid to the state governments, but directly to oil bearing communities.
Reacting to the ex-militants’ demand, a public affairs analyst, Reginald Chukwu, said the demand by the ex-militants did not make any difference, particularly as it relates to the character of those that manage the funds.
According to him, it is not an issue of making money available, but how the money is utilised for the good of the people, and for the overall development of the oil bearing communities.
“How have we utilised the funds available to us here in the Niger Delta? If only six percent of the funds are invested in the communities, you will see it by yourself, but all you will see is individuals enriching themselves with such resources”, he said.
Sharing the same sentiment, a Niger Delta activist, Mr Jacob Fubara, said that the ex-militants’ demand was long overdue, given the state of underdevelopment in oil bearing communities in the region.
According to Fubara, those opposing the ex-militants’ demand should understand what is happening in the North, particularly in Zamfara State, where the state is allowed to mine gold and pay tax to the Federal Government.
“What is important is that the money should come to the region for the development of the region”, he said.
However, an economic analyst, Jude Chioma, in a telephone chat with our correspondent, said that there was nothing new with the ex-militants’ demand and what is already in place.
He noted that the activities of militants had dragged down the operations of oil companies in the Niger Delta, and urged the militants to desist from those things that could hinder the operations of the multinationals, for real development to take place in the region.
Chioma described the demand of the ex-militants as selfish, explaining that they made the demand with a view to hijacking the funds for selfish gains.
He believes that if the funds go directly to the communities, the militants would hijack it, and such will cause unrest in the communities.
“Look at the amnesty issue, and the current Cluster Development Board being practiced now, where the oil companies give funds directly to the communities. Instead of development, you see the money being diverted to private pockets.
“In those days when the oil companies rendered corporate social responsibility by themselves directly, you would see a cluster of development, but now, the funds given to the communities are diverted to private pockets”, he alleged.
By: Corlins Walter
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