Business
Firm Trains Customs Officers On Scanner Operations
Foremost scanning service provider in the nation’s international trade sector, Cotecna Destination Inspection Limited (CDIL), has graduated nine Senior Customs officers who were recently trained in general scanner operations and image analysis.
The officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) who fall between the ranks of Assistant Comptrollers and Comptrollers were certified as capable of carrying out the specialised import trade operations at the Scanner Site of the Apapa Ports Complex.
Comptroller-General of the Service, Abdullahi Inde Dikko, whom the Area Comptroller of the premier Apapa port, Yusuf Garko represented at the closing ceremony, thanked the service provider for the quality of training it had so far delivered to different cadres of NCS officers.
The graduation of the nine senior officers brings to 1,648 the number of officers and men of the service who have been trained by CDIL in various aspects of customs operations since the scheme commenced in 2006.
Another set of 13 officers were recently trained in March, on the use of modern tools to carry out Valuation and Classification. The officers underwent 2-month classroom and experiential training at the Valuation and Classification Centre (VCC) in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.
The Apapa Ports Area Comptroller remarked that through the trainings from Cotecna, “it is evident that customs men have become the envy of other agencies that see us as expert in the international trade business”.
Comptroller Garko therefore expressed the hope that, the knowledge learnt by the officers will be put into positive use for the benefit of the service and the nation’s economy in general.
“We thank God for giving the service a virile and committed leadership under the current CG who have made it possible for officers to acquire training opportunities in various fields to develop themselves and ultimately lead to improvement of the Customs operations”, he added.
Responding on behalf of the graduating officers, Comptroller Liman Maina, expressed gratitude to the service provider for the quality of lectures, tours and other practical aspects of the training programme which they were exposed to.
He noted that before now, some of the participants had negative impression of the scanner operations, “but now, we have come to understand that the use of the scanner technology will improve our performance in line with global best practices”.
While extolling the virtues of Cotecna, Maina enthused that “government has made the right decision by appointing Cotecna to man the nation’s Destination Inspection Scheme…and the company has proved to be a leader in the industry. He called on the CAC to in the spirit of the Service, encourage the utilization of scanners in clearing cargos out of the port.
“The various trainings provided by Cotecna and others have now prepared the Customs Service with the requisite knowledge and skills to take over the management and operations of the scheme when the time comes”, he added.
Earlier, in his remark Deputy Managing Director of CDIL, Mr. Ernest Woka who represented the Managing Director Alhaji Tayo Rabiu pointed out that one of the objectives of the training and capacity building programmes, is to provide a platform for interaction on critical issues such as scanning with the Nigeria Customs Service with the aim of identifying means for improvement. He said the training scheme was deliberately scripted to share the experiences of the officers in some core areas of customs operations.
While noting that training and capacity building is one of the ways forward for meaningful development, Mr. Woka thanked the officers for their zeal and enthusiasm in attending the training.
He noted that the two scanners deployed by Cotecna in Apapa and Tincan Ports are of the best scanning technology in the world, and first of their kind to be installed anywhere in the Sub-Saharan Africa.
Nkpemenyie MCdominic, Lagos
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
