Business
Commissioner Lauds UNICEM’s Community Relations Programmes
The United Cement Com
pany of Nigeria Limited (UNICEM), has been lauded for initiating and sustaining robust Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) progammes that are deliberately targeted at uplifting the company’s host communities and her people.
Cross River State Commissioner for Information and Orientation Mrs Rosemary Archibong who stated this in a goodwill message at a two day stakeholders workshop on Developing Sustainable Business Enhancement Initiative Through the Cassava Cluster Centre Scheme for UNICEM Host Communities held at the company’s office basement, Diamond Hill, Calabar, pointed out that the initiative could not have come at a better time than now, when the nation is shifting attention from over dependence on oil to agricultural production which made Nigeria thick in the 60s and early 70s.
Mrs Archibong, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr Freedom Ejom, described the Cassava Cluster Centre Scheme as a very laudable initiative that is deliberately designed to complement the small holder farming activities of host communities and charged benefitting co-operative societies from UNICEM host communities to take the scheme seriously as it will introduce agricultural best practices of International standards that will culminate in the use of modern technologies for high yield, quality assurance, improved processing methods and market linkages.
She implored other companies operating in the State to emulate the Corporate Social Responsibility Programmes of UNICEM, assuring that the State Government under Governor Ayade is not leaving anything to chance as all efforts are in top gear to tap into the rich arable land spread across the State to return the State and her people into agricultural production dominance while noting that many investors have come into the State to take up investment opportunities in different agricultural interests.
In a remark, Mr Ayi Ita Ayi of UNICEM Corporate Directorate restated the company’s determination to upscale her corporate social responsibility programme, adding that host communities remain the company’s top priority in the years ahead.
Mr Inyang Bassey, UNICEM Relationship Manager said the Cassava Cluster Centre Scheme is a veritable platform for job creation for the local people and enjoined benefitting pilot co-operative societies to keep to the terms of the programme so that other co-Operative societies can also benefit from the scheme.
The Managing Director of Notragolo Nigeria Limited and lead Consultant to the project, Mr Okon Oyo Ita commended UNICEM for championing the scheme for host communities, which he explained would checkmate youth restiveness, poverty alleviation and unemployment.
Mr Oyo-Ita advised the selected pilot co-operative societies not to abuse the scheme through selling of their empowerment packages, warming that it is no more business as usual, emphasising that they should utilise the scheme to improve on their livelihood and that of their families.
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