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GIZ, LASG Partner To Grow Circular Economy

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The German Agency for International Corporation (GIZ) is collaborating with the Lagos State Government to promote circular economy by boosting the activities of Micro Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs).
Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre, Mr Bankole Oloruntoba, said the strategic collaboration was to proffer innovative solutions to the various challenges facing Lagos State.
The Tide’s source  reports that Oloruntoba made the assertion at the circular Lagos Challenge Grand Finale, held in Lagos.
A circular economy is “a model of production and consumption, which involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products as long as possible”.
The source reports that the Circular project was launched by the Lagos State Government with the support of the GIZ.
Oloruntoba said about 1000 applications were received in January from individuals who wanted to take part in the innovation challenge before being reduced to 12 after two stages of screening.
The CEO added that the dynamism of Lagos also contributed to the fact that the innovation challenge is holding in Lagos, adding that whatever innovation carried out would serve as a model to other states.
“The will and passion to demonstrate innovation led to the journey that brought us here. The aim is to create dynamic growth economy in Lagos.
“We welcome you all and thank you for being here, working with us to find an alternative in solving problems in Lagos.” he said.
Mrs Toyin Odutola, an Assistant Director who represented the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment, Mr Tunji Bello, said the State Government would continue supporting innovative ideas.
“Lagos State Government is interested in circularity of the state. We want to make sure all our recyclables are recycled and wastes effectively managed.
“We implore anyone with innovative ideas to share with the state government which is always ready to make the environment more habitable.” she said.
Jennifer Seydel,  representative of GIZ Nigeria said the Circular Lagos Challenge seeks to grow the market for circular economy businesses in ways that benefit producers, consumers, and communities across Lagos.
She said circular businesses are also expected to reap the monetary benefits, stimulate local economic growth and create meaningful job opportunities.
The source gathered that Circular Lagos is organized as bottom up initiative, which focuses on experimenting with small-scale projects with a view to learn from practice.
It also aimed at building institutional capabilities and develop an engaged and committed network of Circular Economy professionals in Lagos.
For the challenge, circular businesses submitted innovative solutions that can fundamentally change the way people design, change and use the things they need.
The winners of the most promising innovation undergo an incubation programme where they receive educational input and introduced to circular economy tools such as entrepreneurship, finance and policy.
Their application is developed to pilotable prototypes of solutions.
The challenge is guided by Circular market leaders that have urgent business needs and an interest to support entrepreneurs from ideation to project implementation.
The sponsors include BASF Sweepsmart, Coca-Cola & Growing Businesses Foundation, Nigerian Breweries, Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance and NGN.

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Firm Unveils Digital Solutions For Cooperatives

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A subsidiary outfit of First Registrars Firm, the Cle Digital Services Limited, has launched a digital solution for cooperative societies in the country.
Business Manager of Clé Digital Services Limited, Oladipupo Olabisi, at the launch in Lagos, revealed that the product, Clé Cooperative Management Solution, was a revolutionary digital platform, professionally designed to streamline cooperative management and enhance members’ engagement.
He said, “Today marks a significant milestone in our journey as we introduce a groundbreaking digital platform designed to transform the way cooperative organisations operate and engage with their members.
“The Clé Coop Solution represents the culmination of extensive research, development, and collaboration with cooperative communities around the world.
“From multipurpose societies to housing cooperatives and agricultural cooperatives, the Clé Coop Solution empowers cooperatives of all sizes to efficiently manage their operations, communicate with members, and foster collaboration”.
Highlighting the economic and environmental significance of cooperative societies, Olabisi explained that with significant investment committed to the development of the product, members of cooperative societies, particularly administrators and executives, would have robust experience.

The business Manager added, “We also understand the challenges that many cooperatives face in navigating complex operational tasks and effectively communicating with their members.

“To this end, Clé Coop Solution is a step ahead of other platforms, as it also offers more than just cooperative management services. Members of cooperative societies can have access to a number of value-added services, such as the CLE market hub, discounts on specific products and services and much more.

“Finally, I want to reiterate our firm belief in the power of cooperation and technology to drive positive changes in the world. With the Clé Cooperative Solution, we are not just launching a product; we are embarking on a journey to empower cooperatives and create a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable future for all”.

A Director with the Lagos State Government Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Co-operatives, represented by the Surulere Cooperatives Area Coordinator, Mr Akin Adekunle, commended the launch of the software to address specific challenges of cooperative societies.

He charged the organisation not to limit the use of the cooperative solution to the elite cooperatives but to other categories, as society was replete with various types of cooperatives.

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AI, Key To Business Profitability – NAICOM

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The Commissioner for Insurance/CEO, National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), Mr. Sunday Thomas, has said artificial intelligence (AI) is key to the future of insurance business in Nigeria.
He, therefore, urged insurance operators to increase adoption in this area, saying it gives better productivity and enhanced profitability, while ensuring quick service delivery and claims payment to insurance consumers.
Thomas stated this while delivering a keynote address at the 8th BusinessToday annual conference & exhibition with the theme, “The World of AI: How Insurance and Pension Sectors Can Explore Opportunities for Market Penetration”, in Lagos.
Thomas, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Lagos Office of NAICOM, Ajibola Olabisi Bankole, said Technology adoption is part of the 10-year roadmap of the insurance industry, and that NAICOM, as a regulator, will continue to evolve policies that will engender the growth of the industry, increase penetration and contribute to the nation’s GDP.
Earlier in his Goodwill message, Chairman of the conference, who is also the Chairman of NEM Insurance Plc, Mr. Tope Smart, noted the level of insurance penetration in Nigeria when benchmarked with the global penetration, saying that a lot of factors were responsible for the increase in penetration level.
He said lack of or low enforcement is affecting the adoption of compulsory insurances, adding that the industry is working assiduously to partner agencies responsible for enforcement to increase insurance adoption.
“It is quite saddening that out of a population of 200 million, only about  three million people are actually insured. Lack of enforcement is a challenge but the industry is working round the clock to increase enforcement through the regulatory and enforcement bodies.
“Consumers’ apathy due to bad experience they had in the past is affecting policy renewals, but I can assure Nigerians that there are various complaint avenues for people to lodge complaints.
“If your legitimate claims are not settled, you can approach Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) and NAICOM; if your complaints are genuine, they will be definitely resolved”, he assured.
The President, Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), Mr. Edwin Igbiti, said the growing insurance industry will require that the nation’s economy be derisked, while seeking partnership with government  and other stakeholders to deepen insurance penetration.
He stated that AI will increase insurance premium growth, enhance service delivery, and ensure that the insurance sector contributes more to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product(GDP).

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Bank Unveils Upgraded Mobile App

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The Stanbic IBTC Bank, a subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Holdings, has unveiled an enhanced version of its mobile app which was optimised specifically for businesses.
Head of Partnerships at Stanbic IBTC Bank, Omolara Osunsoko, in her opening remarks at the event in Lagos said the enhanced mobile app offers a range of new features designed to streamline and simplify digital banking for business owners.
She said, “The solutions added to the app will help business owners transact whilst on the go. This cutting-edge offering exemplifies our dedication to innovation, convenience and growth in our digital space. It underscores our promise to continually enhance our services”.
According to Osunsoko, the enhanced mobile app for businesses provides a comprehensive suite of tools to manage finances efficiently.
“With an intuitive interface, users can execute transactions seamlessly, transfer funds between accounts, check real-time balances, and manage beneficiaries. The app offers instant access to transaction statements, self-service options, and security features to safeguard business operations”, she added.
The Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Bank,  Wole Adeniyi, remarked, “We are thrilled to introduce the enhanced Stanbic IBTC Mobile App tailored specifically for our business clients.
“Our goal is to provide businesses with a seamless and efficient platform to conduct their banking activities, including transactions, statement requests, transfers, and more, all from the convenience of their mobile devices.
“This app enhancement is a significant step in our ongoing efforts to simplify our banking processes and enhance the customer experience through technology.
“With robust security measures and a user-friendly interface, our business clients can now manage their finances more efficiently and confidently”.

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