Business
Piracy Rise In GOG Worries IMB
The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) has expressed worry over rise in reported incidents of piracy, kidnapping and all forms of criminality in the Gulf of Guinea (GOG).
The increase, as stated in the Bereau’s report, showed that there was 21 incidents recorded in the first nine months of 2023, compared to 14 incidents during the same period in 2022.
Among these incidents, 17 were classified as armed robberies and four as piracy.
IMB said the safety of crew members is a mounting concern, as 54 were taken hostage, 14 were kidnapped, and two others were injured.
The Director, IMB, Michael Howlett, expressed concern over the rise in reported incidents in the Gulf of Guinea.
“The Gulf of Guinea stands as a region of concern with a rise in reported incidents, as opposed to the downward trend we have seen in the past two years.
”The Bureau sees regional ownership as critical to safeguard shipping and trade and to address these crimes”, Howlett said.
The Singapore Straits also raised concerns, with 33 reported incidents in the first nine months of 2023, compared to 31 incidents during the same period last year.
“Out of these incidents, 31 vessels were boarded, five crew members were taken hostage, and two were threatened.
“The majority of incidents were reported in July, with ship stores or properties being the primary target for theft”, the report stated.
The Navigational challenges of the Singapore Straits further compound the risks posed by these incidents, potentially affecting safe navigation in these congested waters.
The IMB’s report also highlighted an increase in the number of incidents in the Indonesian archipelagic region, with 12 incidents reported during the first nine months of 2023, compared to 10 incidents during the same period in 2020 and seven incidents in 2021. Knives were sighted in five out of the 12 reported incidents.
Furthermore, reports from Callao Anchorage in Peru increased to 13 incidents from eight during the same period in 2022.
These incidents included nine crew members being taken hostage, one member being threatened, and another member being assaulted.
According to the report, there were 99 incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships in the first nine months of 2023, marking an increase from 90 incidents during the same period in 2022.
Among the reported incidents, 85 vessels were boarded, nine had attempted attacks, three were hijacked, and two were fired upon.
The perpetrators successfully boarded 89% of the targeted vessels, with most incidents occurring at night.
While the reported violence towards crew members is relatively low compared to the past three decades, there remains a real risk to crew safety.
In the first nine months of 2023, 69 crew members were taken hostage, 14 were kidnapped, eight were threatened, three were injured, and one was assaulted.
IMB emphasized the importance of early reporting of incidents, even low-level opportunistic ones, to protect seafarers and ensure the safety of regional and international shipping and trade.
The organization commended local authorities for their efforts in investigating nearly all reported incidents.
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
