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‘Operate Ajaokuta Steel On PPP Arrangement’

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Stakeholders in the steel industries have urged the Federal Government to operate Ajaokuta Steel Company on Public Private Partnership model.
Some of the stakeholders that spoke with newsmen in Abuja,  yesterday, said that government should not attempt to commercialise or privatise the steel company.
They described the Ajaokuta steel company as the major key asset that Nigerians could boast of.
However, some of the stakeholders said that government should complete the remaining two per cent of the plant and renovate the asset to have more value.
They said that it would make the PPP arrangement, commercialisation or privatisation an easier task.
The Federal Government is considering running Ajaokuta company on PPP model, private entity or outright sales.
Former National President, Iron and Steel Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, Mr Otori Saliu advised the Federal Government to erase privatisation option from its plans.
Saliu said that no privatisation had favoured or worked in Nigeria, adding that power sector that was privatised was a total failure.
He said that the steel plant was 98 per cent completed, urging the Federal Government to complete the remaining two per cent and test run the plant for few years before involving the private companies as PPP arrangement.
He said that government should invite the private company, the TP Russian, that built the plant for the completion of the remaining two per cent.
According to him, the steel company is made up of 43 different units; 40 have been completed and the three that are yet to be completed should be given to TP Russian Company to complete them.
He also suggested that government could un-bundle the units to different companies to run them while it manages the water and power units to generate funds for the company.
“Concessioning some of the units to private companies does not mean that government is not in charge; of course, government cannot operate Ajaokuta alone, but it must involve private companies.
“What government wants to do now is to commercialise uncompleted plant that will reduce the value of the plant.
“Government should, therefore, complete and operate the steel company for years before involving private companies,” he said.
National President, Nigeria Metallurgical Society, Prof. Benjamin Adewuyi said that the voice of the society was that the Federal Government should not sell the steel company in its current uncompleted position.
Adewuyi said that an uncompleted asset like Ajaokuta should not be sold because it would go as peanuts.
“Ajaokuta is remaining two per cent to be completed; governments need to complete the infrastructure and test run the company before involving private partnership as PPP arrangement.”
He alleged an India Company that the steel plant was concessioned to, cannibalised and destroyed some of the equipment in the company.
Secretary-General of the African Iron and Steel Association, Dr. Sanusi Mohammed also called on government to complete the plant to operate it for two years before involving private companies.
“The government should complete the steel plant and operate it for two years; during this period, there will be lots of interest from private companies.
“The best option is that government should run the steel plant on PPP arrangement.
Mohammed said that government should complete the external infrastructure such as road, rail and dredge the River Niger, as they were the only means the company would transport materials needed for making steel and export the finished products.
Also, Mr Isah Onobere, sole administrator of the steel company, said that the Federal Government had consulted a firm to look into best option that should be adopted on the steel company to become viable again.
Onobere said government had set up a committee to look into the option as soon as the consultant finished and submitted it suggestions.
He said that the ministries of mines and steel development; finance; Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), ICRC and others were in the group set up to look into the consultant’s recommendations.
The Tide source reports that the foundation laying of Ajaokuta was made in 1980 by the former President, Alhaji Shehu Shagari.
The company is located on 24,000 hectares of sprawling green-field landmass built on 800-hectares of land over three decades ago.
In 2004 and 2005, former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration concessioned it to Global Holding Infrastructure Limited (GHIL) an india company.
However, the Indian firm did not live up to expectations in managing the company and the government, under the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s administration, revoked the contract in April, 2008.

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MoneyPoint Empowers Pharmacists With Payment Solutions 

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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

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Embrace AI, CIIN Urges Insurance Operators 

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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.

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NASRDA Reassures On Strengthening Nigeria’s Space Capability 

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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

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