Business
FAAN Raids MMIA Cargo Terminal, Seize Goods
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has raided the Hajj/Camp terminal of the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMIA), seized and destroyed goods.
The Tide source reports that the special raid was supervised by the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of the terminal, Mr Uche Uken, yesterday.
He said a female suspect was arrested during the raid.
Ukeni said that the suspect would be taken to the Tango City Police Post, inside the MMIA, for prosecution.
Two canopies alleged to be illegally set up, one being used as church and the other used for selling assorted drinks, were discovered by the FAAN security men.
Ukeni told newsmen that the authority carried out the raid as a way of sanitising the cargo terminal from touts and hawkers operating illegal activities.
He said that the illegal activities often allowed people, who have no business at the airport, to loiter around as touts, causing unnecessary panics and mayhems.
He added that the female suspect arrested during the raid claimed to be a food vendor, observing that there was nothing to prove what she claimed to be during her arrest.
“We seized over 20 cartons of assorted beer, 15 cartons of assorted soft drinks, more than 15 pieces of watermelon, one bunch of unripe plantain and five tubers of yam.
“We took away more than five coolers of cooked rice and stew, 50 cartons of bottle water, 30 packets of sachet water and ten suckers of pineapple.
“These seized items would be taken to the graveyard along the airside at the MMIA for destruction,’’ he said.
He explained that any person interested in operating business at the airport should contact the commercial department of FAAN for documents and approval.
The CSO said that the authority would continue to conduct the raid.
He directed the FAAN management to clear the overgrown grasses opposite the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) cargo offices.
He noted that illegal activities were being carried out around the area covered by the overgrown grasses while people also defecate in the area.
A cargo operator at the terminal, Mr Aliu Danbaba, told reporters that the people made use of the shanties to cool down stress after work.
He said that items being sold at the shanties were cheaper than buying them inside the approved shops at the terminal.
“Things are very expensive in the shops here; we prefer patronising the shanties because their items are cheaper and easy to access.
“We are not happy with the raid by FAAN.
“Where do they want these people to go? These traders have families to care for and this is where they make their daily bread,’’ he said.
A security guard at the NAHCO warehouse, simply identified as Okechukwu, said that the hawkers would come back in a few weeks to start their trading.
He said that was the first time FAAN would raid the place.
Okechukwu urged FAAN to create identity cards for people working in the terminal to checkmate unwanted persons in the place.
L-R: Director-General, Bureau of Public Enterprises, Benjamin Dikki; Minister of Mine and Steel Development, Musa Sada; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Godknows Ighali And Vice Chairman, Technical Committee, National Council On Privatization, Haruna Sambo, During A News Conference After National Council On Privatisation Meeting in Abuja On Thursday (16/4/15).
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