Business
Auto Industry Can Create Over 200,000 Jobs …As 500 AICON Staff Protest Sack
The Director-General of the National Automotive Council (NAC), Mr Aminu Jalal, said yesterday that the nation’s automobile industry had the potential to generate over 200,000 jobs.
Jalal said this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.
“The auto industry is very huge and a car has over 2,000 components and each of these components is an industry,’’ he said.
He said the areas of job opportunities included mechanics, insurance, financing and logistics, noting that the new automotive policy of the Federal Government was investor-friendly.
Jalal said that already, 23 car assembly plants had shown interest to invest in the country, and listed the companies to include Piaggio Innoson Vehicles Manufacturing Company and National Trucks Manufacturers in Kano State.
Jalal said that to ensure that the auto industry was developed; the Federal Government had given incentives to the tyre manufacturers to encourage them to invest in the economy, noting that tyre manufacturers like Michelin and Dunlop had shown interest to return to the country.
He listed the incentives to include free-duty on their equipment and incentive to import 20 per cent of tyres components into the country.
Jalal said that Nigeria was currently spending more than N1trillion on the importation of vehicles and their spare parts.
He said substantial part of this figure would be saved if the nation’s automotive industry was fully functional, noting however that the industry still faced the problem of skepticism on the art of potential investors who were doubtful of government’s commitment to the full implementation of the new automotive policy.
Jalal said the Federal Government remained fully committed to the implementation of the policy.
He said that this year, NAC would commit itself to local content development and assist local entrepreneurs in accessing financial assistance to boost their operations.
However, about 500 workers of ALCON Nigeria Limited, a sub contracting firm handling NLNG project site in Bonny local Government Area of Rivers State have petitioned to the Federal government over what they described as unlawful termination of their appointment by the company.
In a thirty page petition addressed to the Zonal Coordinator, South-South, Federal Ministry of Employment, Labour and Productivity, Federal Secretariat Complex, Port Harcourt with the heading “unlawful termination of employment of five hundred workers from AlCON Nigeria Limited Nigeria liquefied Natural gas (NLNG) project site Bonny on request to be unionized”.
The petition which was signed by Allison Awoiyala S. (Electical unit) Kelvin B. Abbey (Iron Bender), Sombonibo Biobioley (Labour), Hamnton P. Allison (Manson), Blessing Blue-Jack (Iron Bender) Kalada (Carpenter), Tamuorokoro Jonah (Scafolder), Inye hart (Painter), Sampson J. Allison (Iron Bender) and Tamunokro Brown (Iron bender) for the affected workers.
The workers averred that before they were engaged into the employment of the company, they met all the requirements for recruitment as stipulated out by the company and wonder why they would be sacked without any justification.
The workers alleged that the only reasons they were sacked by the management was due to their quiet to get unionized adding that some of the workers were invited by the Divisional Police Officer in Finima with a false allegation of ‘hostage taken, site destruction and attempted kidnap” only to be dragged to the Bonny Integrated Recruitment Centre (BIRC) where they were forced to sign and collect their termination letters. the meeting site.
The affected workers among other things demanded that the Bonny Integrated Recruitment Centre by extension the Bonny Chiefs Council stop interfering in Alcon Nigeria Limited over workers matters, withdrawing of termination letter and recalling back all the affected staff, appointment of a union executives, as well as negoitaton of condition of service through effective bargaining.
When contacted on phone, Alcon project services Manager, Ukie Ezeali never responded to the text message put across via the GSM 08033104401.
Lydia William
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