Business
Digitisation:NBC Poised To Beat 2017 Deadline
National Broadcasting
Commission (NBC), will switch over the country from analogue to digital terrestrial broadcasting in 2017, its Director-General, Mr Emeka Mba, has assured.
Mba gave the assurance on Monday in Abuja at the first annual lecture organised by the commission.
The Tide source reports that the occasion was also used to celebrate the commission’s 23rd Anniversary.
The D-G said that though it would not be easy to achieve the switch over, the commission was doing everything within its capability to meet the deadline.
“It is not going to be like the previous time that we promised and could not meet up.
“We thought the necessary funds will be available but somehow along the line, it was a different story,’’ he said.
Mba said the commission would raise funds for the digitisation by selling the commission’s spectrum.
He added that the NBC was already seeking Federal Government approval for the sale.
“We are hoping to brief the President very soon on the matter and I think that is the only solution to raise money for the digitisation.
“Without that, I don’t think it will be possible because I don’t know where the Federal Government will get money from,’’ he said.
He added that the sale of spectrum was the only alternative if the country must go digital in the absence of funding.
The D-G said that the economic situation of the country requires that Nigerians should be patient with the commission.
He said that the spectrum is valued at about N100 billion, adding that the commission was not necessarily going to sell all of them at this point but only a portion.
He said the Federal Government could create up to 18,000 jobs from digitisation.
“Digitisation is a credible way of dealing with the problems of employment and also ensuring that the country meets international standard.
“Broadcasting remains the only potent way of reaching out to people.
“With digitisation, broadcasting will remain more relevant,’’ Mba said.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information, Dr Folashade Yemi-Esan, congratulated the commission on its 23rd anniversary and first annual lecture.
She commended the commission for the efforts made so far in the quest to switch over the country from analogue to digital terrestrial broadcasting.
Yemi-Esan also lauded the commission for its efforts to regulate the broadcast industry by compelling industry practitioners to act according to the code.
She urged the commission to make sure its efforts were sustained in order to take the industry to greater height.
Mr Shola Taylor, the Secretary-General, Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisations (CTO), was optimistic the NBC would meet the June 17, 2017 deadline for digitisation judging by the direction it was going.
He said that the deadline was given to ECOWAS member countries by the International Telecommunications Union, adding that digitisation would open up a lot of opportunities, especially in area of job creation.
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