Business
Committee On Aviation Security Extends Report Submission Date
The Chairman, Ministerial
Committee on Assessment of Aviation Security, Air Commodore Hambali Tukur, said that the committee had extended the date for the completion and submission of its report to the Federal Government to next week.
Tukur told The Tide source in Abuja that the initial three weeks timeline given to the committee could not be met due to some issues it encountered at the beginning.
Tukur added that the Easter holiday also contributed to the delay, adding that the government granted the committee an extension of time to enable it to complete the assignment. “We are still on the assignment and we are hoping to complete it in the coming week.
“The initial timeline was three weeks but the ministry granted more time to finish the assignment because of some unforeseen issues we encountered in the course of our job.
“I can assure you that in the coming week, the assignment would have been completed and when the report is out, it will be made public for everyone to analyse it‘.’’
Tukur thanked the President, International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), Dr Benard Aliu, for his visit to Nigeria and commended the organisation’s Audit Team for paying attention to the country’s aviation industry.
He said that the visit of the world aviation body and its president was a good sign for the industry and the country, urging the government to implement all the recommendations made by the ICAO boss.
According to him, given the place and importance of aviation around the world, there must be adherence to certain minimum standards for the sake of passengers and all participants in the industry.
“It is good for ICAO to from time to time carry out this audit and advise on how to improve aviation safety and security at least not only in Nigeria but all over the world.
“Like I said earlier, for the ICAO President to come to Nigeria, it shows the importance the world body attached to the nation’s civil aviation, especially the change in the new administration.’’
Tukur also commended Aliu for the decision of ICAO to make the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) a regional training centre in Africa.
According to him, NCAT is a premier institution in Africa and therefore, should be given its pride of place in the region through necessary upgrades and transform it into a world class Aviation College.
Tukur further said that the establishment of a national carrier would help boost the contribution of the aviation sector to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), adding that many countries had sustained their economies through aviation.
He, however, advised that adequate steps be taken to ensure that the country does not repeat the mistakes that led to demise of the defunct Nigerian Airways.
According to him, the economy must be able to sustain the aviation industry before a country can have a national carrier, because it is foreign currency dependent.
“We don’t manufacture things that the industry uses; that means there would be high demand of foreign currency to take off to such a level that we would be able to use local content.
“Many countries, even within the African region, have moved aviation to such a position that their economy depends on it.
“Take Ethiopia for instance, Ethiopian Airline is world standard because it is part of the star alliance and it is contributing greatly to the economy of that country.
“The same thing will happen if Nigeria is able to marshal its resources and give the aviation industry the boost it needs with the establishment of a national carrier,’’ Tukur said.
Business
MoneyPoint Empowers Pharmacists With Payment Solutions
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
Business
Embrace AI, CIIN Urges Insurance Operators
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.
Business
NASRDA Reassures On Strengthening Nigeria’s Space Capability
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