Business
Oil Firms Donate 2,400 Life Jackets To LASG
Governor Akinwunmi
Ambode of Lagos State has taken delivery of 2, 400 life jackets donated by three oil companies to enhance safety on waterways in the state.
The Tide source reports that the jackets were donated by Total Nigeria Ltd., Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Emo Exploration and Production Ltd.
The jackets were presented to the governor at a ceremony at the Governor’s Office at Alausa, Ikeja.
The items include 1, 800 jackets for children and 600 for adults.
Represented by his Deputy, Dr Oluranti Adebule, the governor commended the companies for supporting the government.
“I commend your efforts in ensuring that we have safety on our waterways.
“The 2,400 life jackets that you are presenting to us is appreciated, we assure you that we are going to distribute them to those who need them.
“We are also going to ensure compliance because it is one thing to distribute them, it is another thing to use them effectively,” Ambode said.
The governor charged the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) to ensure that necessary measures were taken to put the jackets to effective use.
Ambode also urged the oil firms to continue to partner with the state, commending them for previous supports to the security trust fund, ministry of health and other agencies.
“I am also using this opportunity to call on other corporate organisations to emulate what Total has done.
“Look at what aspect of government your organisation is interested in and support the State Government.
“This is because we recognise the fact that we alone cannot do it. It is by this kind of collaboration and partnership that we will achieve all that we hope to do,” he said.
The Deputy Managing Director of Total, Mr Charles Ngoka, said the gesture was part of the company’s corporate social responsibility.
“Total as a responsible company takes the issue of health and safety and environment seriously and our company has been partnering with various agencies of government.
“Issues of marine security and safety have been of concern to us as well as the issue of integrity of boats.
“It is in this light we alongside other partners are donating 2,400 life jackets to Lagos State Government.
“We trust that you will ensure strict compliance in the usage as this will go a long way to ensuring safety on waterways,” Ngoka said.
Mr Jonathan Okehs, the Group General Manager of the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), the corporate services unit of NNPC, said that the gesture was to complement government’s efforts on safety.
Okehs, who was represented by Mrs Helen Nkwo, Public Affairs Supervisor of NAPIMS, said that safety of users of waterways was paramount to the organisation.
“The donation of 2,400 to LASWA is a demonstration of commitment to the aspirations of the Lagos State Government to develop marine transportation.
“I strongly believed that if our waterways are developed and effectively utilized, it will alleviate the suffering of commuters in the state.
“We want to enhance the safety of commuters on waterways while on board,” Okehs said.
Dennis Otsemobor of Emo Exploration and Production Ltd., said: “we are aware of the recent happenings on the waterways that is why we partner with other stakeholders to contribute our quota to ensure safety on waterways.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Managing Director of LASWA, Mr Yinka Marinho, said it had become compulsory for every boat operator to comply with safety standards on waterways.
Marinho said that the distribution of life jackets would promote safe and responsible boating, stressing that the company had not relented in educating and promoting safety through advocacy.
“To date, 3,500 life jackets have been donated by the State Government across the entire length and breadth of the state from Badagry to Ikorodu to Epe and others.
“The current drive is aimed at children as Total Exploration and Production Nigeria Ltd is donating 2,400 life jackets with 1,800 for children ranging from ages three to 15.”
According to him, it takes 60 seconds for an adult to drown and 20 seconds for a child.
He said that the children’s jackets were designed in accordance with their weight.
Marinho said that LASWA would intensify enforcement of the use of the jackets on waterways.
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