Business
Western Marine Customs Hands Over N704.5m Worth Drugs To NDLEA
As part of her inter-agency cooperation to tackle smuggling and other maritime vices within the waterways , the Western Marine Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NSC) on Monday in Lagos handed over 120 bags of cannabis sativa worth about N704,518,000 to operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) .
The 120 bags of illicit drug, which amount to 10,551 loaves, have a duty value at N704,518,000.00.
Speaking at a brief handing over ceremony, the Customs Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Odaudu Salefu, said the drugs handed over were confiscated in three different locations: Jegemo Island, opposite Iworo; Ajido water front; and Asipa Beach, along Seme border, on the 29th of November 2023, 2nd December 2023, and 19th January 2024 respectively.
He stated that in order to evade arrest, the smugglers escaped into the creek on sighting the patrol team.
The Customs boss commended officers and men of the command for their bravery, dedication, integrity and diligence in puncturing the activities of smugglers .
Comptroller Salefu assured that the officers and men of the Command remain steadfast in commitment to safeguard the nation’s economic interest by working closely with other relevant agencies of government.
He noted the encouragement of the Comptroller General of customs (CGC), Wale Adeniyi, who, he said, has been very supportive and focused on eradicating smuggling throughout the country.
“This support has been the force of motivation for officers and men of the command”, he stated.
He further urged Nigerians to desist from illicit cross border trade practices, adding that the service will continue to render smuggling activities useless.
According to him, the seizure is a product of the command’s wide network of intelligence, saying that the suspects of the illicit trade are still at large.
He commended the Comptroller General of Customs for upholding the spirit of the MoU between Customs and NDLEA, noting that both agencies of the government have signed an agreement to work and ensure synergy in tackling hard drug smuggling through the nation’s entry and exit points .
“Today’s event is a product of the hard work, dedication and bravery of my officers who have worked with diligence and integrity to puncture the reign of smugglers of these hard drugs.
“This seizure is also a product of our command’s wide network of intelligence with suspects of these trade still at large, but the Command will now work with NDLEA to effect the arrest of these wicked traders”, the Area Controller said.
In his remarks, the Commander of Narcotics, NDLEA, Paul Ahon, harped on the need for inter-agency cooperation and confirmed that intelligence -gathering by both agencies in recent times has paid off.
Although Ndlea’s role within the creeks is to complement customs role, Ahon said both agencies have contact exchange communication to nip smuggling activities at the creeks in the bud.
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
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
