Business
Confab Delegates Want Increased Fertiliser Production
Some delegates at the Na
tional Conference have stressed the need for governments at all levels to increase local production of fertiliser to meet local demand.
The delegates, while debating the report of the conference’s Committee on Agriculture, described fertiliser as one of the main components of agriculture.
Amb. Adamu Aliyu , representing North-East, regretted the low number of fertiliser blending plants in the country more than 50 years after independence.
“We have only two fertiliser blending plants in the country but, unfortunately, they cannot meet the need of the Nigerian farmers and this has resulted in the importation of the products.
“It is necessary that governments in conjunction with the necessary stakeholders ensure that the two plants produce to their full capacity.
“They should also find ways of ensuring that the local demand for fertiliser is met,’’ Aliyu said.
Dr Salome Jankada, representing Taraba in her contribution, called for timely delivery of fertiliser to boost farm yields.
“When you start farming in May and the fertiliser does not get to you until September or November, how can it be useful.
“If the fertiliser is delivered on time, it will go a long way in boosting farms produce,’’ she said.
Jankada also stressed the need for government to be consistent in its policies, saying this would boost agricultural productivity.
Mr Kenan Mamman, representing persons living with disabilities, also called on government to ensure that fertiliser being distributed through phone is delivered to the intended beneficiaries.
“I have just received an SMS that I have been issued two bags of 10 kg fertiliser and maize.
“The same message was sent to me last year but when I got to the point of collection, I was told it had been claimed by another person.
“There should be a mechanism to ensure that the product is delivered to the right person,’’ Mamman said.
Mr John Momah, an elder statesman from Taraba, called for the celebration of Farmers’ Day to celebrate the contribution of farmers in the country.
“Nigerian farmers are hard-working but are never appreciated. The peasant farmers have worked hard to put food on our table and to contribute to the growth of Nigerian economy.
“For this reason, I wish to recommend that we should have Farmers’ Day on the Nigerian calendar to celebrate Nigerian farmers,’’ he said.
Momah also called for the revival of the abandoned agricultural show in the country adding that “every local government should be encouraged to conduct this annual event”.
Mrs Ebele Okeke, representing retired civil servants, stressed the need for state governments to pay for the water they consumed from dams.
“Normally, state governments take water from dams and they don’t pay the River Basins but instead make the people to pay for water rate.
“State governments have to pay River Basins so that the money can be used to pay for the maintenance of the infrastructure,’’ Okeke suggested.
Gen. Jeremiah Temlong, an elder statesman, called on the Federal Government to be more involved in policy formulation and leave agricultural business to states and local governments.
Temlomg also called for more attention to be given to aqua-culture through appropriate policies and funding.
“Our bodies of waters in the country should also be stocked with fingerlings so that people can go into fishing and make a living from that,’’ he said.
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