Business
Focus On Agric Would Ensure Food Security, Employment/Wealth – Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated his administration’s interest to invest in agriculture as an effective tool to ensure food security, massive employment and wealth creation.
Governor Fubara made this known at the exhibition and town hall meeting for all farmers in Rivers State themed, “Made In Rivers State Farms”, organised by SIDAFECO Event Centre Limited in collaboration with the Rivers State Ministry of Agriculture at the Obi Wali International Conference Centre, Port Harcourt.
The Governor, who said his leadership would focus on farming, noted the state plans to embark on the training and support of young entrepreneurs, corporate and commercial organisations, research institutions willing to engage in commercial farming.
Represented by the Acting Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Maurice Ogolo, the Governor said, “My administration will support fish and other aquatic farming, livestock farming.
“Government will stimulate the growth of agro allied industries, encourage large scale production of palm oil, cassava, rice, sweet potato, and plantain, which the State has comparative advantage to undertake along their value chain.
“Government will also ensure that farmers have regular supply of fertilizers, improved seedlings, and other Agricultural imput and support services”.
He called on all farmers, stakeholders, captains of industries and key players to contribute in making food security achievable in the state, adding, “by the end of the meeting, we would be able to know the challenges that farmers are facing, and the achievements they have made to enable Government to proffer solutions”.
Also speaking, the Royal Father of the Day, who is the Chairman, Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council, His Royal Majesty, Ohna Sergeant Awuse, explained that “farming had been the tradition of our people long ago when farmers used food items in exchange during the trade by barter period.
“Oil exploration had denied the people of the state some of the good things they used to enjoy as farmers”.
He commended those still farmingPage 14, Friday, Oct 6, 2023 for refusing to give up in spite of the many challenges they are facing.
The Royal Father, who was represented by King Suanu Baridam, Gbene Mene Bangha, stressed the need for government at all levels and captains of industries to give support to Rivers State farmers in order to boost productivity, grow local economy and guaranty food security.
He charged the youth to avail themselves the opportunity provided by agriculture to better their lot.
The Chairman, Catfish And Allied Farmers Association Of Nigeria (CAFFAN), Dr. Momoh Mustapha, noted the importance of fish farming in the country, adding, “Rivers State has the capacity to produce the quantity of fish the country needs.
“Oil well would dry up, stock market would fall, but the fresh water will remain in the states for fish farming. Disappointedly, sixty four percent of the fish we eat in the country is imported”.
By: Lilian Peters
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
