Business
Xmas: Prices Of Foodstuff Stable In Warri
Head of Service, Barr. Samuel LongJohn (left) in a handshake with a retiree after the presentation of refrigerator at a sendforth party for retired staff of his office.
Few days to Christmas, the
price of rice, vegetable oil and spices have remained stable in Warri, Delta, a survey conducted by The Tide has shown.
The survey showed that though the price of these food items was stable in major markets in the commercial city that of onions, tomatoes and pepper witnessed marginal increase.
In Ogbe-Ijoh Market, a 50kg bag of rice cost between N8,000 and N10, 000, depending on the brand.
A rice dealer, Mrs Joy Harrison, said a 50kg bag of Mama Gold rice was still sold for N10, 200 while the same quantity of Royal Umbrella rice remained N10, 000.
Harrison added that a 50kg bag of Ade rice cost N8,000 while Mama Africa and Stallion brands sold for N8,700 per 50kg bag. The dealer, however, decried low patronage.
‘’Customers are not coming, people are not buying as if we are not in a festive season; this is because there is no money in circulation,’’ she said.
In Dugbaleh Market in Udu, the prices of various brands of rice were the same, but transaction was low.
Mrs Augusta Osayande, a dealer on vegetable oil in the market, said four litres of Favour vegetable oil sold for N1, 000 while the same quantity of Ginos sold for N1, 500.
Osayande told newsmen that the same quantity of Kings, Turkey and UAC Power brands of vegetable oil was also sold for N1,500.
She told the survey that the price of these food items did not change despite the fact that Christmas was around the corner.
Mr Dafe Ideh, the Chairman, Onion Sellers Association in Igbudu Market, told newsmen that there was slight increase in the price of the commodity.
He said that a bag of onions cost between N33,000 and N35,000, as against the previous price of N30,000.
He said that the cost of transporting a bag of onion from the northern part of the country to Warri had risen from N1,400 to N2,200.
Ideh attributed the increase to the security challenges in the North-East which, he said, had affected the production of onions.
‘’Most of the people cultivating onions in the north have been displaced while some even lost their lives to the Boko Haram insurgency,’’ he said.
A tomato seller in the market, Mr Tanko Zakari, said the price of a basket of tomatoes ranged between N4,500 to N7,000, depending on the size. Zakari told newsmen that the cost of a basket of the commodity cost between N3,000 and N4,000.
He said a bag of pepper cost between N6,000 and N8,000 as against N5,000 and N6,000 in 2013, depending on type.
He also attributed the increase in the price of tomato to the insecurity in the North-East and cost of transportation.
“A lot of farmers are afraid to cultivate tomatoes because of the insecurity and the outcome of the 2015 elections.
‘’I tell you tomatoes will be expensive next year because there is less cultivation this year.
‘’My customers also complained that there is no money in circulation and that has led to the low patronage we are experiencing,’’ he said.
Zakari urged government to find a lasting solution to the lingering security challenges in the country.
Mrs Margaret Maxwell, a tomato retailer, said sales were low as some of her customers complained of delay in payment of December salary.
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