Business
INEC De-Registers 38 Parties
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has de-registered two more political parties, bringing the total number of de-registered parties to 38.
Our correspondent reports that the affected political parties are Change Advocacy Party (CAP) and Democratic Front for a Peoples Federation. (DFPF)
A reliable source at INEC told newsmen that the decision to de-register the parties was the commission’s meeting of February 5.
The source also said that the political parties affected did not meet the requirements stipulated by the Electoral Act 2010 as amended.
When contacted, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Mr Kayode Idowu, confirmed the de-registration of the parties.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is determined to conduct free, fair and credible elections in 2015 and beyond, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Enugu State, Dr Lawrence Azubuike”, said.
Azubuike gave the assurance in Enugu at a capacity building workshop which the commission organised for the commission’s staff in Enugu State.
Azubuike said that toward achieving the goal, the commission had commenced series of training for its workers to prevent any laxity in the future elections.
“INEC is doing everything possible to conduct one of the freest elections in 2015. There is a consensus that the electoral exercises which the commission has undertaken since 2011 have improved.
“Therefore, the public will no longer tolerate any shortcoming from the election management body,’’ he said.
Azubuike expressed delight that INEC in the state had not had cause to conduct re-run, run-off or bye-elections since 2011.
He attributed the development to hard work and dedication to duty by the staff and urged the participants to take the workshop seriously.
He said the workshop would boost the workers’ productivity in meeting the expectations of Nigerians in future elections.
In a paper entitled, “Election Logistics: Distribution of Election Materials’, the Head of Department, Operations of INEC, Dr Fidelis Uguru, stressed the need for timely provision of election logistics for elections.
He added that the distribution of election logistics were key to the success of elections.
Uguru explained that the logistics for polls involved planning for and computation of human electoral personnel as well as sensitive and non-sensitive materials.
He said that it also required timely recruitment and procurement of resources, effective transportation of electoral personnel and materials, proper storage of material and provision of adequate security.
Uguru said that out that distribution of election materials, especially non-sensitive ones like voters’ register, forms and stationery usually commenced two weeks before an election.
Uguru emphasised the imperative of monitoring movement of distributed materials with a view to ensuring that they got to the end users.
“If all these are put in place for the elections and with the cooperation of the electorate, there will be free and fair elections in the country,’’ he said.
Some of the participants who spoke to newsmen after the session, expressed satisfaction with the series of training workshops for the staff of the commission.
Dr Anthonia Ekwo and Mr Bassey Effiong expressed optimism that the capacity building workshop would motivate the staff to strive for higher productivity to ensure credible elections.
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