Business
Kogi Gets N150m Agric Dev Fund -FADAMA
The World Bank-assisted Fadama III Additional Financing project said it has designed a N150 million agricultural development programme for Kogi under FADAMA III programme.
The project’s Task Team Leader, Dr Adetunji Oredipe, stated this in an interview with newsmen yesterday in Lokoja during an assessment visit to the state.
He said that the programme was also designed to provide support to rural farmers across the value chains of cassava, rice, sorghum and horticulture.
The task team leader added that the programme was to rehabilitate access roads to the rural communities to facilitate market accessibility by the farmers.
He told newsmen that it was aimed at building new generations of business-oriented agro-entrepreneurs as well as giving farmers a new way of feeding their families and earning good incomes.
Oredipe said that the programme was also going on simultaneously in other states like Niger, Kano, Lagos, Anambra and Enugu.
He said some of the states had prepared their designs, while others were already launching their procurement processes, and expressed the hope that the programme will take-off by June.
According to him, the programme covers land preparation activities such ploughing, rigging and secondary level clearing, among others.
He said that the World Bank would provide N120 million while the state government is expected to pay the balance of N30 million as its counterpart contribution.
Oredipe, who stated that the project team was poised to tackle the challenges facing Kogi farmers, appealed to the state government to meet its counterpart obligations.
“We are appealing to the state government to support implementation of this critical programme by fulfilling its counterpart obligations.
“In the face of the prevailing economic hardship facing them, the state government should prioritise wealth and job creation programmes such as the Fadama III.
“ If the government is able to do this and make the needed resources available, together we can work to achieve the objectives set out in the project document,’’ he said.
The team leader identified clearing of virgin land, in adequate market as two of the major challenges facing farmers in the state.
Oredipe said that in view of some of the challenges facing the farmers in the state, the Rural Access and Mobility Project (RAMP) was designed to align with the programme.
“The cost of clearing land, especially in Kogi, is very high and is not covered by Fadama III Additional Financing project.
“We have discussed this with the government, and we are happy to report that the government has acquired new sets of equipment to assist farmers in this regard.
“The state Deputy Governor, Mr Yomi Awoniyi, told the team that government had acquired at least 19 bulldozers, some tractors and other equipment to boost crop production in the state,’’ he said.
Oredipe said that the state agricultural project unit would further discuss with the state government, on how best to take advantage of the new equipment to help farmers with land clearing.
“The programme is also promoting the establishment of agricultural centres close to the farms where off-takers can easily access and pick up the produce.
“This will save the farmers the stress and loss associated with transporting their produce, over long distances, to the market.
“At the agricultural centres, facilities will be provided to assist farmers with initial processing of their produce to ensure convenience for the off-takers,’’ he said.
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