Business
AfDB Blacklists 40 Nigerian Firms, Individuals In Four Years
The African Development Bank (AFDB) has blacklisted at least 40 Nigerian firms and individuals for engaging in corrupt practices, fraud and collusive practices between 2017 and 2021, according to data obtained from the bank’s website.
The AfDB said the firms and individuals were debarred “for coercive, collusive, corrupt, fraudulent, or obstructive practices under its sanctions system or adopted under the Agreement for Mutual Enforcement of Debarment Decisions from other global lenders.”
Due to the debarment, the firms and individuals are not eligible to engage in projects financed or implemented by the AfDB.
The AfDB statement stated in part. “The individuals and firms below have been sanctioned by the African Development Bank Group or by signatories to the Agreement for Mutual Enforcement of Debarment Decisions. Sanctions are imposed on entities found to have participated in coercive, collusive, corrupt, fraudulent, or obstructive practices under the Bank’s sanctions system or adopted under the Agreement for Mutual Enforcement of Debarment Decisions.
“These individuals and firms are therefore considered ineligible to participate in contracts financed or administered by the African Development Bank Group for the stipulated periods.”
While some of the debarments were made by AfDB, others were made by the World Bank Group, but recognised by other multilateral organisations including the AfDB under the cross-debarment policy.
In 2017, a Nigerian and a Nigerian firm were debarred by the World Bank under the cross-debarment policy recognised by the AfDB.
In 2018, two Nigerians and two Nigerian firms were debarred by the World Bank under the cross-debarment policy recognised by the AfDB.
Mr. Patrick Alozie Onwuka and Marabef Global Limited were debarred from January 11, 2018, to January 10, 2022, while Mr. Efe Michael Udumebraye and his firm, Efemaz Construction and GE Services Limited, were debarred from December 13, 2018, to December 12, 2022.
In 2019, five Nigerians and seven Nigerian firms were debarred, making a total of 12. Out of this, six debarments were made by the AfDB and the rest by the World Bank. The AfDB debarred Abuharaira Labaran Gero and his firm, ALG Global Concept Nigeria Limited, from January 23, 2019, to January 2022.
The World Bank debarred Mr. Benson Ojoko, Mr. Henry Chinedu Ojoko, and their firm, Emmajoko Nigeria Enterprises, from January 29, 2019, to January 28, 2024, under the cross-debarment policy recognised by the AfDB.
The AfDB also debarred Oceanic Construction and Engineering Nigeria Limited from February 1, 2019, to January 31, 2023.
The World Bank debarred Mr. Robinson Ojoko and his firms, Rojoke CNE Services Limited and CNE Environmental and Waste Services Limited, from February 5, 2019, to February 4, 2024, under the cross-debarment policy recognised by the AfDB.
While the AfDB debarred Qualitrends Global Solutions Nigeria Limited from April 16, 2019 to April 15, 2022, the bank debarred (Mr. Bamidele Obiniyi (also known as Mr. Bamidele Abayomi) and Lutoyilex Construct Limited from May 14, 2019, to May 13, 2022.
In 2020, three Nigerians and 15 Nigerian firms were debarred, making a total of 18. Out of this, nine debarments were made by the AfDB and the rest by the World Bank.
The World Bank debarred Mr. Ugochukwu Ezeh and a firm, Kenoster (Nigeria) Limited, from February 3, 2020, to February 2, 2024, under the cross-debarment policy recognised by the AfDB.
The AfDB debarred Bluestream Systems and Device Limited from February 13, 2020, to February 12, 2021. The debarment is still ongoing. The bank also debarred Beulah Universal Link Resources Limited from February 13, 2020, to February 12, 2024
China Zhonghao Nigeria Limited was debarred by the AfDB from April 14, 2020, to October 13, 2021. The debarment is still valid.
The AfDB debarred CCC International Engineering (Nigeria) Limited and Sinotec Co. Limited (Nigeria office) from April 20, 2020, to April 19, 2023
The World Bank debarred Mr. Mayor Ejiro Hasting and a firm, Puriholi Nigeria, from April 21, 2020, to November 20, 2026, under the cross-debarment policy recognised by the AfDB.
In 2021, four Nigerian firms were debarred; three by the AfDB and one by the World Bank. Maxicare Company Nigeria Limited was debarred by the AfDB from February 23, 2021, to February 22, 2024
The World Bank debarred Asbeco Nigeria Limited from May 25, 2021, to May 24, 2026, under the cross-debarment policy recognised by the AfDB.
The AfDB debarred Sargittarius Henan Water Conservancy Engineering Limited and Sargittarius Nigeria Limited from July 28, 2021, to January 27, 2023.
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