Business
Judge Tasks FG On Maritime Policies
The Administrator, National Ju
dicial Institute, Justice Umaru Eri, has urged the Federal Government to establish an integrated and coordinated maritime system to ensure sustainable development of the sector.
Eri made the call recently in Abuja at the opening of the 13th Maritime Seminar for Judges, organised by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council in collaboration with the institute.
He said that a coordinated approach to maritime policies would ensure integrated management of coastal zone, including port development and protection of marine resources.
“The enforcement of relevant laws and rules are essential for the implementation of sustainable development policies in the maritime sector.
“And it is in this regard that the judiciary plays vital role in the interpretation and enforcement of these legislation,’’ he said.
Eri advised that maritime policies should be in tandem with laws of the sector, stating that maritime laws formed part of the oldest system of laws “because seaborne transport was the earliest channel of commerce”.
According to him, the rules for resolving disputes involving maritime matters are developed early in recorded history.
He explained that since no country had jurisdiction over the high sea, it became necessary for nations to reach agreement regarding ways of dealing with ships, crews and cargoes when disputes arose.
The Chairman, NJI’s Committee on Maritime Seminar, Justice Ibrahim Auta, commended the council for its effort at standardising port operations in the country.
Auta, who is the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Abuja, said the council’s current effort at sanitising the sea ports would enhance port security and reduce the number of people without genuine business at the ports.
He said that the seminar had attained international status, with participants coming from different parts of the world and commended the council for the effort.
He said the seminar would update the knowledge of judges of superior courts on records, maritime law practitioners and stakeholders in the industry about international laws and conventions.
“The seminar has indirectly provided a very strong platform for continuing education of judges among all strata of courts in Nigeria in line with the vision of National Judicial Institute,” he said.
He urged the participants to review and discuss critical and topical issues on maritime industry in the country.
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Mohammed Adoke, called for professional development and continued legal education in the nation’s judiciary.
Adoke said that judges needed specialised training in diverse areas of laws that came before them for adjudication.
The minister said that maritime law, around which the seminar was organised, was one of the specialised areas of law which required constant training and retraining.
Adoke said that retraining judges would help in keeping pace with the constant changes and developments in the shipping industry.
“Without the requisite knowledge and training, judges may become susceptible to manipulation and misdirection by experts.
“The near absence of special courts and experience in dealing with such specialised issues makes seminars such as this maritime seminar compelling,’’ Adoke said.
The Minister of Transport, Sen. Idris Umar, said the seminar had over the years contributed immensely in influencing policy direction of government in shipping and transport industry.
Umar said this had led to domestication of important maritime conventions.
He said the port reform programme which resulted in concession of the ports brought steady efficiency in terms of cargo delivery as well as competitiveness.
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