Business
Bird Flu: Traders Lament Poor Sales In PH
Following the reported out
break of Avian Flu, otherwise known as bird flu, in Port Harcourt, traders have been complaining of poor sales of chicken and eggs.
The Tide correspondent who visited some of the markets in Port Harcourt at the weekend observed that the usual patronage during such periods was not there, as most of the dealers were seen relaxing in their shops.
It was further observed that those who retail such eggs were also complaining as they could not even sell a crate as at the time our correspondent visited the market.
Although, some of them said they were not aware of the outbreak of the diseases, but expressed optimism that they would have a good sale before the end of the day.
A business woman and manager of Inabel Frozen shop, Madam Inabel Okumbia said she had been recording poor sales of recent until one of her customers informed her that it was because of the reported cases of bird flu in the state and other parts of the country.
Okumbia noted that the outbreak had really affected her business, especially on chickens, as she went to market and loaded cartons of chicken into the shop.
She called on the government to take urgent steps to ensure that the diseases is contained urgently to save them from incurring losses.
Another dealer, Mrs Ibifaa Johnbull expressed dismay that the issue of bird flu is being reported in the country again, after being experienced a few years ago.
Johnbull, the owner of J and J frozen food investment said the outbreak of the avian flu in Port Harcourt had been very worrisome as it is affecting their market with poor patronage, and complained that most of her customers who used to purchase frozen chicken now prefer to buy fish and other frozen meats.
She also called for quick intervention by the government and other authorities concerned.
A petty trader on chicken parts in one of the markets, who only gave her name as Uloma, lamented over the poor patronage unlike before, stressing that buyers are also scared after hearing the outbreak of bird flu in the state, but that she has confidence that it would soon be over like the dreaded Ebola virus.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Emma Chinda, who announced the outbreak said hundreds of fowls infected by the avian flu had been killed in a private farm in Port Harcourt.
Chinda also disclosed that the farm had been quarantined and decontaminated, after samples of the flu were taken to the Veterinary Research Institute in Vom, Plateau State, enjoining the people of the state not to panic, as the state government is doing everything to contain the outbreak.
Collins Barasimeye
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