Business
Digitisation Policy: Don Raises Concern Over e-Waste Volume
A don, Prof. Oladele
Osibanjo, has expressed concern over the increasing volume of electronic waste in the country.
Osibanjo, a professor of chemical management at the University of Ibadan, made the observation in Abuja during an interview with newsmen.
He said that the digitisation and Information Communication Technology (ICT) policies would pose challenges in terms of e-waste management.
The don said that the country would experience high volume of waste as a result of transition from analogue to digital by 2015, the deadline set for the digitisation policy.
According to him, the country should plan and be ready to face the challenges of handling the volume of e-waste that would be generated by these policies.
Osibanjo, who is also an Executive Director of Basel Convention Coordinating Centre for Training and Technology Transfer for Africa Region at the University of Ibadan, said that Nigeria was the electronic waste (e-waste) capital of Africa.
“We are battling from e-waste from two sources – those generated internally and those from outside the country.
“Nigeria generates the largest volume of e-waste in Africa, 1.2 tonnes yearly and the volume continues to increase because of the ICT policy.
“The policy of a computer per child and everybody going into ICT and so on.
“With the digitisation in 2015, the volume will further increase, what will happen to analogue?” he asked.
The don also said that the importation of second-hand computers and illegal dumping of the second-hand electronics had also been a challenge in the country.
Osibanjo, however, noted that the biggest challenge the country would face was lack of infrastructure to manage the e-waste.
“What we do now is that we collect what is not working and dump those that cannot be repaired and burn them and the process of burning constitutes health hazard.
“It constitutes health hazard because of the toxic chemicals from those components. They contain heavy metals such as mercury, lead and plastics.
“ For example, the plastics do not get burnt through the process that is referred to as Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).
“So, the level we are in Nigeria is that we are still using crude methodology for recycling e-waste; this takes place in the informal sector.
“ Informal sector is where you see those waste collectors and waste scavengers collecting wastes and burning them openly and by doing so, they are releasing toxic chemicals to the environment.
“The health side is that in the informal sector, they do not wear protective equipment; no masks, no cloves; they are getting exposed and their health is at risk by the e-waste,’’ he said.
On the other hand, the don said electronic equipment contained materials of strategic value such as indium and palladium; and precious metals such as gold, copper and silver.
He said they could be recovered and recycled thereby serving as a valuable source of secondary raw materials, reducing pressure on scarce natural resources, as well as minimising the overall environmental footprint.
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