Business
NIMC Opens 404 Issuing Centres Nationwide
The National Identity Man
agement Commission has said that it had set up no fewer than 404 enrolment centres nationwide.
The commission also said that cards were currently being issued at its state offices and the FCT.
The NIMC Director-General, Mr. Chris Onyemenam, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.
Onyemenam further said that efforts were ongoing to ensure that enrolment and card collection centres were established in local government areas that had not been provided with these services.
” The NIMC currently has over 404 enrolment centres nationwide and is working tirelessly to ensure that more of such centres are opened in all of the 774 local government areas.”
”The card builds a window to a social security benefit system and, therefore, it is a card every Nigerian should get.”
He urged all Nigerians to avail themselves of the opportunity of enrolment into the National Identity Database and be issued a National Identification Number (NIN), which he described as the single version of truth and the foundation identity”.
The director-general noted that NIMC had published newspaper advertorials indicating that the use of the NIN would become mandatory as from September 1, 2015, for all transactions offered by applicable government institutions.
Onyemenam added that the provision of the NIMC Act of 2007 states that transactions such as application for and issuance of an International Passport and opening of individual or group bank accounts, must be done with NIN.
”Any government agency, institution, bank, insurance company and all other institutions offering services or involved in transactions requiring the identity of an individual must first demand for the NIN.
”Any individual, institutions or body who fails to comply with the above has committed an offence under section 28 of the NIMC Act.”
He urged Nigerians to appreciate the full import of the NIMC mandate and understand that the three-decade-old problem of identity management in Nigeria had been resolved since 2012.
Onyemenam advised all Nigerians to avoid crowding the centres as NIMC would send an SMS to all enrollees whose cards were ready for collection.
He explained that anyone whose card was ready would receive an SMS to pick his /her card where he had registered.
Outlining the collection process further, he said: ” You must have received an SMS from NIMC.
”Go to the NIMC collection centre indicated in the SMS sent to you. (Take your NIN/Transaction Slip along).
”Receive your National e-ID Card in a sealed envelope. Open the envelop; take out the card, and sign on the space provided at the back.
”Do a Biometric Verification to confirm that it is your card. This also confirms that the card has been properly printed.
He said that, ”after biometric verification, you will be required to enter a four-digit number chosen by you to activate your National e-ID Card, adding that there is the provision for fund loading at the NIMC collection centre, as one can also do actual cash loading at any branch of Access Bank nationwide.”
The source reports say that NIMC targets about 100 million Nigerians for enrolment and card issuance.
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