Business
Jonathan Promises To Complete Alaoji Power Plant Phase II
President Goodluck
Jonathan has inaugurated the Combined Cycle Power Station owned by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company.
Jonathan said during the ceremony in Umuobasiukwu, Alaiyi in Aba last week, that the second phase of the Alaoji Power project in Aba, Abia, would soon be completed.
“Power is key to development. Without power, micro, small and medium enterprises cannot do well. That is the focus of this administration.
“For small businesses to survive, they need power. If small businesses generate their own power, their returns will be quite minimal and their turn-over will be too low.
“That is why we are totally committed and we promise you that the second phase of this project will be completed.”
He said that he refused to abandon the project which suffered a hitch at a point in its construction in 2009, because he wanted to ensure that Nigerians were provided with adequate power to run their businesses.
He thanked the people of Umuobasiukwu, Alaiyi, for providing the land on which the project was situated and for supporting the work of the construction company.
The president later cut the tape to inaugurate the 504-megawatt power plant constructed by Rockson Engineering Limited.
In his speech, Gov. Chief Theodore Orji of Abia thanked the president for locating the project in the state and for helping the state to overcome the challenge of kidnapping which almost crippled the work.
He said that the inauguration of the power plant would remain indelible in the minds of Abia people and urged the president to help build the housing estate for the plant’s staff.
Also speaking, the Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, described the occasion as another day of joy and glory, especially for the power sector.
According to Nebo, all the NIPP projects across the country were moribund when Jonathan assumed office and he decided to revive them after touring the power plants.
He said that the Alaoji Power Plant was the fourth the president was inaugurating after the Geregu, Omotosho and Olorunsogo power plants generating 430 megawatts, 500 megawatts and 750 megawatts respectively.
He further said that the president would inaugurate six more NIPP plants before December 2015.
The Chairman of the NDPHC, Chief Johnson Arumemi-Ikhide, said that power plant was constructed wholly by a Nigerian Engineering Company, Rockson Engineering Limited.
He noted that the project was a testimony of the “Can-do” power of Nigerians when given the opportunity to handle such big projects.
Arumemi-Ikhide thanked the president for using local content in running projects across the country and for giving Nigerians the opportunity to showcase their industrial capacity.
The president also commissioned the Geometric Power Plant in Aba before meeting with stakeholders in Aba.
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