Business
NDDC Empowers 350 N’Delta Youths
In its determination to re
duce unemployment in Rivers State and other Niger Delta States, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has empowered 350 youths through its new scheme designed to create new entrepreneurs through the use of mobile phone technology.
The Managing Director of NDDC, Mr. Bassey Dan-Abia, who spoke while launching the scheme in Port Harcourt last week, explained that the programme tagged ‘Retail Empowerment Programme (REAP),’ was in support of the Transformation Agenda of the President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.
Dan-Abia pointed out that beneficiaries of the scheme, who were drawn from the nine states of the Niger Delta region, were expected to become millionaires through sending mobile phone credit to customers via electronic means.
Represented by the Executive Director, Projects of the commission, Mr. Tuoyo Omatsuli, the NDDC managing director promised that the commission would continue to establish different schemes for the training and empowerment of the youths of the Niger Delta to ensure that youths in the region were engaged in gainful ventures.
He described the REAP programme as a pilot scheme that would be sustained to engage many more beneficiaries in future, adding that the commission had provided a starter pack with a mobile phone containing N50,000 Virtual Top-Up (VTU) credit and other items for each beneficiary.
According to him, the REAP programme is an empowerment programme and this Phase I covers 350 beneficiaries. It is in support of what Mr. President is doing at the federal level for youth empowerment.
“We hold this programme dearly to our heart. We are doing this because of our youths. We want to empower them. I urge the beneficiaries to take this business seriously. You can send VTU to the big men in this country and make your profit,” he said.
In his remark, the consultant to the programme and the Managing Director of Credit Switch, Mr. Tayo Adigun explained that Nigeria’s recharge card business was generating over N3 billion daily, adding that the business was being threatened by the emergence of mobile payments.
Adigun observed that the airtime retail business was experiencing a steady growth and stated that the platform could change as the drive towards e-payment continued.
Apart from the N50,000 VTU credit loaded in each mobile phone, beneficiaries were also presented phone accessories such as power banks and memory cards; electricity generator; a business table with chair and an umbrella as well as N8,000 free credit.
One of the beneficiaries, who is physically challenged, Miss Queen Ekpo, pointed out that the scheme would avail them the opportunity to earn a decent living.
According to her, “I am happy that the NDDC has given us the tools with which to fish and take care of ourselves and our families.”
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