Business
CRSG To Provide Quality Inputs For Farmers
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources in Cross River State, Prof. Egrinya Eneji, has informed that the state government through the ministry is making necessary efforts to engage agro- dealers in the state to get best quality inputs from the right sources for agro-dealers across the state so that farmers can also get the best inputs for their farm produce.
Eneji stated this during a one day interactive growth enhancement session organised by the ministry to enable agro-dealers across the State familiarise and chat a way forward with the Ministry of Agriculture for increased productivity.
Eneji, stressed the importance of agro-dealers, as they remain the channel through which farmers get quality inputs such as fertiliser amongst other agro-services, urging the agro-dealers to ensure that they work directly with the Ministry of Agriculture in sourcing for inputs and other technical services that may be required, adding that farmers would be given a wholesome delivery that would enhance and increase farmers output and productivity.
The Commissioner further stated that the Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade, has placed Agriculture as the leading industry in the State, hence the establishment of support service centers such as rice city, rice mills, cocoa processing devices, amongst other key agricultural equipment, maintaining that the State is aggressive in the pursuit of agricultural programmes.
He charged agro-dealers to take advantage of the agricultural initiatives of the State by ensuring that they join efforts with the government to see that the Ministry and the Agro-dealers live up to the responsibility they owe Cross Riverians and the State at large.
Earlier, the Director, Tree Crops, Mr. Gabriel Ufono, stated that the interactive session between agro-dealers and the Commissioner was to draw the agro-dealers attention to the responsibility that the Ministry has entrusted on them to serve as input distribution link between the Ministry and the farmers across the State, adding that the state Government wants to create a platform where Agro-dealers can reach farmers with the necessary inputs needed to increase adequate yield.
Ufono enjoined farmers to stock up their warehouses even though the Growth Enhancement Session has been put on hold at the moment, stating that the Government has put a responsibility of trust on the agro-dealers by believing that they can deliver the dividend of democracy to farmers in the State, pointing out that the Government has huge expectations from agro-dealers that would go a long way to ensure agricultural expansion and productivity in the State.
He urged the agro-dealers to state the progress made so far, promising that the State Government will continue to create an enabling environment for agro-dealers in the State to succeed.
Also, the Growth Enhancement Coordinator, Mrs. Ada Edu, commended the ministry for creating such a forum that will enable agro-dealers in the State to have a one-on-one discussion with the Commissioner, urging them to be more committed in the business of distributing inputs to farmers as these farmers rely solely on the inputs provided by the agro-dealers in the State for great yield.
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