Pantami, CBN halt MTN, mobile operators planned N4 charge per USSD – ITREALMS

ITREALMS: 

The Honourable Minister of Communications Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has ordered a halt of the proposed MTN Nigeria’s charge of N4 per 20 seconds use of Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD), due to commence Monday, October 21, 2019, reports ITREALMS.

Also, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) opposed plans by MTN to charge their subscribers for USSD, access to banking services from October 21.

USSD, ITREALMS gathered, is often referred to as ‘Quick Codes’ or ‘Feature codes’; is a communications protocol used by Global System for Mobile (GSM) cellular telephones to communicate with the mobile network operator's computers.
“Yello, as requested by your bank, from October 21, we will start charging you directly for USSD access to banking services. Please contact your bank for more info(rmation),’’ the message purportedly from MTN read.

But reacting to what has become a viral text message allegedly sent by the Mobile Network Operator MTN Nigeria and other Mobile Operators notifying subscribers of a four naira (N4:00) charge per 20 seconds on USSD access to banking services from the 21st of October 2019, Pantami said his office has been undated.

According to the Spokesperson to the Honourable Minister of Communications, Uwa Suleiman (Mrs), the attention of the Federal Ministry of Communications has been drawn to the text message making around, allegedly sent by the Mobile Network Operator MTN Nigeria and other Mobile Operators.

She said, the office of the Honourable Minister of Communications, Dr Pantami, is unaware of this development and has hereby directed the sector regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to ensure the operator suspends such plans until the Honourable Minister is fully and properly briefed.

Meanwhile, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), through its governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, also opposed plans by MTN to charge their subscribers for USSD access from October 21.

Briefing newsmen, CBN Governor said at the just-concluded World Bank-IMF Annual Meetings, in Washington on Sunday, denied the MTN decision insisting that the request negates the progress of the industry.

MTN had in a Short Messaging Service (SMS) to some subscribers, stated that the decision was on the request of the banks and would take effect from Monday, October 21, this year.

“Yello, as requested by your bank, from October 21, we will start charging you directly for USSD access to banking services. Please contact your bank for more info(rmation),’’ the message read.

For CBN governor, “About five, four months ago, I held a meeting with some telecom companies as well as the leading banks in Nigeria at Central Bank, Lagos. At that time, we came to a conclusion that the use of USSD is a sunk cost. What we mean by a sunk cost is that it is not an additional cost on the infrastructure of the telecom company.

“But the telecom companies disagreed with us, they said it is an additional investment on infrastructure and for that reason, they needed to impose it. I have told the banks that we will not allow this to happen. The banks are the people who give this business to the telecom companies and I leave the banks and the telecom companies to engage.

“I have told the banks that they have to move their business, move their traffic to a telecom company that is ready to provide it at the lowest possible, if not zero cost. And that is where we stand, and we must achieve it,’’ he said.
ITREALMS gathered that the transactions to be affected by the charges include intra and inter-bank money transfers, via the use of USSD, among a few others.

Chuks Egbuna/Editor

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WebTv licensing: No amount of attacks will stop us says Minister - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has declared that no amount of attacks, sponsored or otherwise will stop the implementation of the recommendations outlined for the sanitization of the national broadcasting industry, reports ITREALMS.

Part of the recommendation, he said approved includes the amendment of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) Act “to enable NBC license WebTv and radio stations.”

Speaking to ITREALMS on Sunday at a ministerial briefing in Lagos, Alhaji Mohammed, insisted that all the recommendations as outlined for NBC Implementation Committee recently set up by the Federal Government will be executed to the letter.

“Let me be straight: No amount of attacks, sponsored or otherwise, will stop the implementation of the approved recommendations,” he asserted.

According to him, only non-patriots and anarchists will kick against measures aimed at putting an end to what he called “fake news and hate speech.”

These, he said, are rampant in the broadcast industry.

“Only those who are guilty should be afraid of the efforts to sanitize the broadcast industry,” he maintained.

Pointing out that responsible broadcasters have nothing to fear, stressing that its not a move to stifle free speech or gag anyone.

“But purveyors of fake news and hate speech should not expect to sleep easy,” he said.

Some of the highlights of the recommendations include:

i) Independence of the NBC from political interference in the exercise of its regulatory powers, particularly with respect to the issuance and withdrawal of broadcasting license.

ii) A review of the National Broadcasting Code and extant broadcasting laws to reflect the following amendments;

- Upward review of fines from N500,000 to N5,000,000 for breaches relating to hate speeches, inciting comments and indecency

- Wilful repeat of infractions on three occasions after levying fine on a station to attract suspension of license

- Upgrade of breach of political comments relating to hate speeches and divisive comments to ''Class A'' offence in the Broadcasting Code, among others.

Chuks Egbuna/Editor





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Makinde appoints SAs for ICT, youth and sports - ITREALMS

ITREALMS: 

The Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, has approved the appointments of Mr. Bayo Akande and Mr. Kazeem Bolarinwa as Special Assistant on Information Communication Technology (ICT)/E-Governance and Special Assistant on Youth and Sports respectively, reports ITREALMS.

According to their letters of appointment, the duo appointments were with immediate effect.

The Special Assistant (Print Media) to Governor Makinde, Moses Alao, in a press statement available to ITREALMS, quoted the Governor as charging the duo to see their appointment as a call to service and “to discharge their duties with absolute loyalty, dedication and diligence.”



The new Special Assistant on ICT and E-Governance, Akande, holds an M.Sc. in Business and Management from Aston University and a B.Eng. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Sheffield.



He has, for many years, been a player in the Technology Industry as the founder and CEO of Orb Solutions, a full service technology company that specialises in the areas of managed technology services, server management, IT support as well as web and mobile app development.



“Orb has successfully developed E-commerce platforms, financial trading platforms, University Management systems and mobile apps for a number of blue chip clients such as Total E & P Nigeria Limited.



“Akande’s in-depth knowledge of the Technology Industry has enabled him in the establishment of West Midlands CBT Ltd, a technology services company that was established in 2013 primarily to bring about a revolution in how examinations are conducted in Nigeria. “The company sees to the operation of thousands of computers between Lagos and Ibadan. It conducts JAMB examinations and distant learning exams for Universities such as the University of Ibadan, National Open University of Nigeria amongst others,” the statement said.



Bolarinwa, the newly-appointed Special Assistant on Youth and Sports, is a 29-year-old Ibadan-based good governance advocate, who graduated with a First Class in Business Administration and holds a Masters in the same field.



“He has demonstrated competence in Business Development, Youth ‘Advocacy and Emancipation’ over the years, with his contribution towards rewriting the narrative of Ibadan to the world, using the social media.



“As a 26-years-old, Bolarinwa as a seasoned Business Consultant, founded his consulting firm Ireign Classique Consult Nigeria with branches in Kaduna, Kano and Jigawa, with which he traverses NYSC camps (such as Oyo, Osun, Kaduna, Kano, and Jigawa NYSC camps) to impart knowledge in Nigerian youths through public speaking and to orientate them for skill acquisition.



“His company is registered as a Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) partner with the Federal and some states government.



“In 2018, Bolarinwa convened a political movement called Deliver Oyo (DO), a movement geared towards preaching good governance, youth participation in politics and advocating for leadership. With this platform, he was able to traverse the zones of Oyo State and all tertiary institutions in the state to preach his belief.



“Bolarinwa was one of the advocates of Not Too Young To Run in Oyo State,” the statement added.





Ayo Midele/Editor

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Airtel says we offer more value in new data plans - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Telecommunications services provider, Airtel Nigeria, has said it offers massive increase in data allowance on its weekly and monthly data tariff plans in a new move, reports ITREALMS.

This, the teleco also said, is to enable mobile internet consumers to enjoy more value at heavily discounted rates.

The new data tariff review applies to most of the weekly and monthly data plans of the telco including its mega plans.

Under the new tariff, customers who subscribe to the N3,000 monthly plan will get 8GB data; consumers who buy the N5,000 monthly plan will get 15GB of data while customers who subscribe to the N20,000 Mega plan will be credited with 110GB of data, valid for 30 days.

Airtel also introduced a new data plan specifically designed for heavy data users, seeking more value to stream online, chat and download movies. The new plan gives 6GB of data weekly for only N1,500.

The telco said the reviewed data tariff plan will ride on its expansive 4G network, which covers over 100 major cities and towns.

Commenting on the new data plans, the Chief Commercial Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Dinesh Balsingh, said prevailing consumer trend indicates a growing demand for data/mobile Internet and Airtel is well positioned to take the lead in providing the right value offerings as it currently has the largest 4G network in the country.

“As the preferred mobile internet services provider, Airtel is committed to offering superior value to telecoms consumers across the country and our newly revamped data plans is a testament to our commitment to empower our customers. With the same price, our customers now have higher data allowance to do much more and get more out of life; to succeed, to become more productive and to do so much more” he said.

To activate the Airtel data plans, customers are advised to dial *141#. The data plans are available to all prepaid and postpaid customers on the Airtel network.

Nenye Dom/Editor

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Osinbajo says free education policy in Oyo commendable - ITREALMS

ITREALMS: 

The Nigeria’s Vice-President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, has commended the Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde, on his fee education policy in the State, reports ITREALMS.

This came as Governor Makinde maintained that free qualitative education has come to stay in the State, adding that education remained the best form of poverty alleviation and empowerment that can be given to the youths.

A press statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, Saturday, indicated that both Osinbajo and Makinde were guests of the Presiding Bishop of the Victory International Church, Bishop Taiwo Victor Adelakun, at the 30th Anniversary of the Church/ Divine Proclamation Service for Dominion University, held at the Rehoboth Cathedral, Ibadan.

Osinbajo maintained that he was happy that Governor Makinde has taken up the challenge of providing free qualitative education in Oyo State.

According to Osinbajo, though President Muhammadu Buhari, on June 20, 2019, declared that education would be free across the country for the first nine years covering primary to junior secondary school, the Federal Government could not force the States to key into that declaration.

He promised that the Federal Government would work with the states to deliver free qualitative education, saying: “We will support them in whatever way we can to ensure that they achieve the objectives of free and compulsory education.”

In his address at the occasion, Governor Makinde maintained that his administration would make the necessary investments on education without caring about who will take the credit down the line.

He added that that his administration would lay the right foundations for the free education policy to thrive.

Governor Makinde congratulated Bishop Adelakun, asserting that the proclamation of the Dominion University would be the beginning of the journey that would produce the kind of leaders that Nigerians want.

He added that the Oyo State Government would support Dominion University.

The Governor said: "Truly, we understand the fact that four years is not enough for us to really get to where we are going but four years is enough to lay the solid foundation upon which successive administrations will build upon.

"Of course, some of our leaders will tell you that at their own time in school during the time of Papa Obafemi Awolowo, they got free education. Papa has been long gone but we still see the impact today and that is what education, as one of the pillars that this administration is resting on, is all about in Oyo State.

"We will make all the necessary investments and won't care who takes the credit.”

He further said: "I do sincerely congratulate the Church and I believe that this proclamation is the beginning of a journey that will produce the kind of leaders that we want for our state and for our country.

"I want to pledge the support of the government of Oyo State to the Dominion University. It is actually common with politicians to organise poverty alleviation programme but I believe that when you give an individual knowledge, the individual will eventually take him or herself out of poverty.

"So, I thank you our dear father in the Lord for this vision. We will key into it and give it necessary support.

"Also, I appreciate the Number two citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for being part of today's event. You have been there like I saw in the video clip and this shows your commitment to take majority of our youths out of poverty.”

Ayo Midele/Editor

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Pix: From left, Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo; Presiding Bishop, Victory International Church, Rehoboth Cathedral, Bishop Taiwo Adelakun and Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde during 30th year anniversary of the church and Divine Proclamation service for Dominion University held Rehoboth Cathedral, Ibadan. PHOTO: Oyo State Government.

Textile industry: FirstBank's fashion statement with local attire - ITREALMS

Commentary@ITREALMS:

For many years, until the early 1980s, the Nigerian textile industry was the highest employer of labour, after the public sector. Sadly, the industry is in dire straits battling for survival in recent times.

Among the challenges that confronted the sector were policy inconsistency leading to closure of many textile companies occasioned by poor power supply, smuggling, poor access to finance and high operating cost, among others.

It is unarguable that the closure of many textile companies contributed to the rise in the country’s high unemployment rate, rising insecurity and other social vices.

It is against this backdrop that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, recently lamented the country’s descent from being a textile giant to a mediocre player in the world economy.

Emefiele said Nigeria used to be home to Africa’s largest textile industry in the 1970s and early 1980s with the employment of over 450,000 people.

ALSO READ: Why FirstBank Fintech Summit 3.0 matters - ITREALMS.

“The textile industry at that time was the largest employer of labour in Nigeria after the public sector, contributing over 25 per cent of the workforce in the manufacturing sector.

“The industry was supported by the production of cotton by 600,000 local farmers across 30 of Nigeria’s 36 states.

“This sector supported the clothing needs of the Nigerian populace, as our markets were filled with locally produced textiles from companies such as the United Textiles in Kaduna, Supertex Limited, Afprint, Texlon, Enpee and Aswani Mills, among others.

“In addition, the cotton growing sector has gone dead, thereby depriving thousands of smallholder farmers the chance to earn a living.

Furthermore, a large proportion of our clothing materials today are imported from China and countries in Europe,” Emeifele stated.

It is against this background that First Bank of Nigeria Ltd, in line with its celebratory 125th anniversary , themed, “Woven into the Fabric of Society”, on Oct. 2 commemorated the country’s independence with a locally made textile attire.

Specifically, the bank set aside Oct. 2 to have all staff wear a locally made textile attire adorned in its 125 anniversary logo and over 18,000 staff across the bank and FBN Holdings participated.

The bank in a statement attributed the initiative to moves to celebrate the country’s 59th Independence anniversary and at the same time support the textile industry.

“The native attire fashion statement by FirstBank and the FBN Holdings Group is rooted in our trust in the diverse opportunities the textile industry provides.

“And indeed its contribution to national growth and development, vis-à-vis the job opportunities, youth and women empowerment, as well as the entrepreneurship driven influence its creates cannot be over-emphasised.

“The bank is indeed honored to have been woven into the Fabric of Society in the last 125 years and is committed to keep promoting activities and opportunities that contribute to the growth of the textile industry.” it added.

Apart from the above initiative, FirstBank also provide access to market and provide opportunities for entrepreneurs in the Small Medium Scale Enterprise (SMEs) of the fashion industry with an initiative tagged Fashion Souk.

The bank partners with Eventful Nigeria Ltd with Fashion Souk, a platform that creates an opportunity for players in the fashion industry to exhibit and sell their wares to the thousands of event participants.

The bank also in a bid to ensure sustainability of the industry recently introduced fashion design loan specifically designed to offer financial support to the participants in the textile industry.

The bank’s fashion design loan with a single obligor limit of up to two million naira is targeted at tailors, dressmakers and traders in clothing accessories with no tangible collateral required.

To be eligible for the loan, applicants must have been in line of business for a minimum of three years.

Commenting on the development, Mr Moses Igbrude, Publicity Secretary, Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN), described the initiative as a wonderful concept.

“I hope those in the local textiles value chain will key into it and take advantage of this initiative.

“FirstBank should also ensure that the concept is properly communicated to the larger audience to ensure more patronage of locally made textile,” Igbrude said.

He noted that the Federal Government on its part should encourage institutions that are supporting our local industries by way tax incentives.

Also speaking, Mr Shehu Mikail, National President, Constance Shareholders Association of Nigeria, commended the bank’s support for local fabric and the textile industry.

Mikail said that the initiative would boost the morale of interested bodies who would like to venture into local fabric in promoting our culture to the world.

He said that the bank should focus on the fashion designers who would be ready to promote Nigerian mode of dressing to meet the world class in fashion design.

“This will help in promoting Made in Nigeria fabric and it will also encourage an interested investor to venture into textile industry business and this will transform our economy,” Mikail said.

*Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma contributed this from News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

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FG requests India's support for Nigerian Film Industry - ITREALMS

ITREALMS: 

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has enjoined the Indian Government to support Nigeria's film industry with the technology that will enhance the quality of films produced in the country, reports ITREALMS.

The Minister made the call in Abuja on Friday when he received the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Abhay Thakur, on a courtesy visit to his office.

“I think Bollywood is probably the biggest film industry in the world, closely followed by Nigeria, but while we are proud of what Nollywood is doing in terms of content, I think we still need to do more in the area of technicality and technology and I think this in one area that I would want us to concentrate on in our bilateral relationship,” he said.

Alhaji Mohammed was quoted as urging India to extend support to the area of capacity building for the lecturers of the Film Institute in Jos, in order to enable them to acquire the requisite and relevant knowledge, which will be imparted to the film makers.

“I want India to avail Nigeria of the opportunity to train not just our budding producers and film directors, cinematographers and the like but probably if India can stretch its hands of friendship to our Film Corporation, especially the Film College in Jos, so that they can be able to improve the technical quality of our films.

“I still believeUj that in the area of content, we have very rich content, very fecund imagination but I think in terms of the quality of the films, we still need to do much more and I don’t think there is a better place we can look forward to than India for this,” he said.

According to the Special Assistant to the President, office of the Minister of Information and Culture, Segun Adeyemi, the Minister was quoted as saying that in spite of the huge population of India, it still shares some similarities with Nigeria, particularly in the plurality of culture and religion.

He sought the assistance of India in the area of capacity building for Nigeria’s cultural officers, as well as the provision of scholarships for Nigerians in culture-related fields.

In his remarks, the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Thakur, said in order to further deepen the ties between the two countries, the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is organizing Journalists Exposure Visits for a select group of Nigerian journalists to expose them to specific, Africa-focused business events in India.

He also extended an invitation to Nigerian cultural troupes to participate in the India-Africa Cultural Festival, which is coming up in December, as a platform to showcase the cultural endowment of the country.

The High Commissioner, who said his country is enjoying a long standing relationship with Nigeria, especially in the areas of trade, film, media and culture, disclosed that India is also organizing special events in the area of Performing Arts, music and painting.

He said over 50,000 Indians are currently residing in Nigeria, which he described as India's biggest trading partner in Africa.




Uj. N. Dominic/Editor




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Pix: Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed (right), presenting a souvenir to the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Abhay Thakur (left), when he paid a courtesy visit to the Minister in Abuja on Friday.

Infrastructure Dev: Sanwo-Olu, Okonkwo engage ASPAMDA, Trade Fair Market Leaders - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Thursday, met with market leaders from Alaba International Market and Trade Fair axis in Lagos West senatorial district, alongside the Managing Director, Fidelity Bank, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo, reports ITREALMS.

The consultative meeting, which was at the instance of the Governor and coordinated by Mr. Okonkwo, lasted for about 90 minutes and it was centered around the State Government’s plans to improve security and upgrade infrastructure around the markets.

Speaking to newsmen after the meeting, Gov. Sanwo-Olu said the discussion was aimed at fostering collaboration with the traders and to carry them along in the plans of the Government. The Governor said he was pu satisfied with the conditions under which businesses were conducted in the markets, expressing disappointment over the state of roads and absence of relevant public facilities around markets. In fulfilling his campaign promises to the traders, Sanwo-Olu said his administration was prepared to change the condition by investing in infrastructure that would improve the quality of lives and commercial activities in the area.

He said: “We have just finished an interactive meeting with the leaders of various markets around Alaba, ASPAMDA, Trade Fair areas in Lagos West Senatorial District and the discussion was coordinated by our friend in the banking sector, Fidelity Bank. We all agreed that we all have roles to play to address infrastructure and other challenges around the markets. As a government, we are taking up the responsibility to design an all-inclusive model that will improve the economic wellbeing of people around the markets. Once we put infrastructure in place, not only would businesses flourish, employment will also be created.” Aside constructing network of roads surrounding the markets, the Governor said part of the Government’s long-term plans was also to complement the efforts with provision of amenities, including fire stations, clinics, general hospitals and security protections that would aid commercial activities in the markets.

Sanwo-Olu said the market leaders agreed to work with the Government on documenting all businesses in their respective jurisdictions, which would facilitate easy payment and collection of tax for developmental purposes.

The Governor said: “we had conversations around being socially responsible. So, we will see the traders living up to the expectations in terms of doing what they are meant to be doing to support government in the areas of their taxes, wages and levies. We also want to eliminate multiple taxations; any agency that is not meant to be around the market will be stopped.

“We also discussed security issues, and I assured that government would help to improve on the security of lives and properties in the area and the state in general. We will address the menace of Okada riders all around those markets. We will also ensure that the work that is going on around Lagos-Badagry Expressway is well coordinated, so that they can have some relief at various periods of the day, even when construction is going on.”

The Governor said the meeting would not be the last in his engagement with the market leaders, pointing out that Chairmen of local councils in which the traders operate would be invited to subsequent discussions before the start of regeneration work across the markets within the senatorial district.

Fidelity Bank’s Managing Director, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo, hailed Sanwo-Olu for partnering with the market leaders to drive the regeneration programme, saying the Governor understood the importance of engagement in leadership. According to him “Fidelity Bank was one of the first banks to open in the area and we understand their challenges from the extensive engagements we do have with them. We bank most of them and when there are issues we come together to interact and find solutions. This is exactly the approach that Gov. Sanwo-Olu is using today. The Governor has outlined a course of action and we also use our knowledge of their needs and working in collaboration with the government, to come up with a model that will work for all stakeholders. The traders are ready to take this collaboration to the end and make sure they have better market conditions so when they want to pay their taxes, they will pay them happily.”

President General of Alaba Amalgamated, Chief Fabian Ezeojika, said the discussion with the Governor and his Deputy was fruitful, promising to mobilise traders to respect the agreement made with the State Government.

Markets and dealers represented at the meeting included Alaba International Market, Auto Spare Parts and Machinery Dealers Association (ASPAMDA), BBA Trade Fair, Alaba Fancy and Furniture Dealers, and Electrical Dealers Association of Nigeria (EDAN), among others

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W Initiative plans for Health Month, targets 2m women, families - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Flagship women empowerment programme from Access Bank Plc, the W Initiative, has outlined plans for 2019 W Health Month, reports ITREALMS.

The plans, ITREALMS gathered,are aimed at improving community awareness on health issues that affect women and their families by bridging knowledge gap, providing access to health checks and encouraging healthy lifestyle habits.

All through the month of October, ITREALMS gathered, the W Health Month will focus on key areas such as infertility, endometriosis, vesicovaginal fistula (VVF), cancer, maternal and neo-natal mortality among others.

The Coordinator ‘W’ initiative, Access Bank Plc, Ayona Trimnell, said: “Globally, the month of October is dedicated to raising awareness for Breast Cancer, a major health issue affecting mainly women. However, as an institution with focus on women, we are expanding the scope to shine the spotlight on 5 salient health issues affecting women and their families.

The 2017 African Research and Population Centers, estimated 40,000 maternal deaths in Nigeria, making the country the second largest contributor to maternal mortality worldwide. There is need for us to change the story one woman at a time and we at Access Bank have been moving the needle in our own way through our flagship product, the Maternal Health Service Support (MHSS).

Activities planned during the period include free health screening, health talk by specialists, fitness classes, fund raising to support these causes etc. The Health Month will wrap up with an advocacy walk tagged ‘Walk for Women’s Health’ on Saturday 26 October 2019,” he said.

Established in 2014, the W Initiative is home to everything Access Bank has to offer women. This includes both financial and lifestyle needs. Under the Initiative, participating women and their families have access to a wide range of privileges including access to credit facilities to meet business and healthcare needs, the ‘W’ community which provides insights on family matters, health, career, lifestyle and finance. This is in addition to special offerings for the home such as discounts and freebies on health, beauty and fitness.

Health screenings will hold every Tuesday at October designed partner locations across the country.

Uj. N. Dominic/Editor

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Pix: L-R: Njideka Esomeju, Regional Sales Director, Lagos 1, Access bank Plc; Aituaje Iruobe (aka Waje ) Music Artist; Ayona Trimnell, Coordinator, ‘W’ Initiative, Access Bank Plc; and Ada Udechukwu, Head, Women Banking, Access Bank plc at a meet-and-greet event to launch the Women's Health Month this October 2019 in Lagos recently.

James Hope College acquires America International School, offers 40% scholarship - ITREALMS

ITREALMS: 

The James Hope College (JHC) has acquired the American International School Lagos (AISL) Lekki Campus facility to establish James Hope College in Lagos, reports ITREALMS.

At the signing ceremony held at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, ITREALMS reports, that the Governor of Lagos, His Excellency Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the United States Ambassador ably represented by Carol Cox, the Chairman of AISL Board, Ali Safieddine and other prominent persons were in attendance.

While giving his speech at the event, the Founder/Chairman of James Hope College, Mr. Jim Ovia stated that the College would continue to offer full scholarship based on merit, to 40% of all the students that would be admitted into the school.

James Hope College, a co-educational initiative of the Jim Ovia Foundation, offers a combination of British and Nigerian curricula. James Hope College is a Cambridge Associate School, a member of Council of British International Schools (COBIS) and Association of British Schools Overseas (AoBSO). JHC is in partnership with Microsoft Imagine Academy and GL Education. JHC is accredited by Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE), Pearson Edexcel Examinations, and British Schools Overseas (BSO.

With the acquisition of this property, James Hope College is set to replicate in Lagos the outstanding academic performance it is known for. More importantly, the offer of full scholarship to 40% of the students on merit ensures that the school’s equal opportunity model of academic excellence is extended to all students regardless of their state of origin.

James Hope College Lagos will open its doors to students in September 2020.

Uj. N. Dominic/Editor

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Pix: Chairman, Jim Ovia Foundation, Mr. Jim Ovia,CON ( 3rd Left), flanked by His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Lagos, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu ( 3rd right); Representative of the American Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms. Carol Cox (1st Left); Chairman, Board of Directors, American International School Lagos (AISL), Mr. Ali Safieddine; Managing Partner, Olaniwun Ajayi, Prof Konyinsola Ajayi, SAN; and Member, Board of Trustees, James Hope College, Prof. Oyewusi Ibidapo Obe, OFR at the signing ceremony of the acquisition of American International School Lagos Property to establish James Hope College Lagos held at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos on Wednesday.

9mobile says moreblaze, more data bonus - ITREALMS

ITREALMS: 

Customer-friendly telecommunications company 9mobile, has increased value on its daily data subscription packages, declaring more data for subscriptions on its moreblaze, reports ITREALMS.

Subscribers, ITREALMS gathered will enjoy as much as 150 per cent more data flux for the same price on 9mobile’s daily data plans.

With the reloaded Moreblaze daily data plans, 9mobile subscribers get a 150% increase in data value at no extra charge. They can also get 650mb data at the newly introduced rate of N200 to enable customers enjoy faster browsing and streaming experience without tearing their pockets.

Moreblaze is 9mobile’s mobile broadband data portfolio available in a range of options that afford subscribers the opportunity to choose their preferred data plan. It comes in variants of daily, weekly or monthly subscription, smartpaks, and video streaming plans. Any of these plans enables data-dependent businesses and individuals to do more through reliable, consistent and superfast internet connection.

Speaking on the data service, 9mobile’s Acting Director, Marketing, Layi Onafowokan said in addition to making internet access pleasurable for all, the telco is offering this increase in data volume for the same price as an avenue for more subscribers to join the network and enjoy the best-in-class internet experience that Moreblaze offers.

“At 9mobile, we are always delighted at seeking innovative ways to wow our existing and potential customers, hence, we continuously revamp our data offerings so that all categories of customers on our network can have access to fast and reliable broadband service that suit their needs”, he said.

Onafowokan added, “Moreblaze offers all categories of users fast and reliable broadband internet to enjoy a richer online experience while surfing the internet. Students can livestream online course content seamlessly; content creators, bloggers and small businesses that make a living online can also upload their content without interruptions, simply by relying on the unrivalled experience that Moreblaze offers.”

He stated further that aside offering superior quality data experience, Moreblaze stands out for granting access to all social media and chat platforms, and it also allows customers to pause and resume their plans on 9mobile’s streaming plans. With a simple dial of *200*3*1# or click of the link https://9mobile.com.ng/data-internet/, users can activate this whole new world of data experience.

Nenye Dom/Editor

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Yakata 2019: Konga rolls out loans to merchants - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Foremost e-Commerce giants Konga has taken a step further towards making the 2019 edition of its Yakata sales an unforgettable experience for its customers. To this effect, Konga has made available soft loans and credit facilities for merchants on the Konga Marketplace, reports ITREALMS.

Konga Yakata – as Konga’s Black Friday sales are known – is widely regarded as the biggest sales event in Nigeria’s annual shopping calendar. The sales extravaganza occupies a special place in the consciousness of millions of Nigerian shoppers, many of whom look forward with eagerness to its commencement.

By extending soft loans to the merchants on its platform, Konga is hopeful of equipping the merchants with the capacity to grow their business and make more products available to shoppers ahead of the 2019 edition of Konga Yakata.

“Konga Yakata is around the corner and our intention is to make it the best ever in the history of the company for our customers,” disclosed Co-CEO, Prince Nnamdi Ekeh. “For all of us at Konga, nothing comes in the way of ensuring our customers are satisfied. This is why we have taken the uncommon step of providing credit facilities to merchants on the Konga platform in preparation for Konga Yakata 2019.”

“We understand that our customers will be looking forward to the widest assortment of genuine products across multiple categories on Konga. This is why we are committing significant funds into expanding the carrying capacity of our merchants for the sales fiesta.

“No other sales event comes close to Konga Yakata. Therefore, it is only fitting that Management has decided to go all out and make it a memorable one for our teeming customers,” Ekeh enthused.

Indeed, access to loans and credit facilities one of the encumbrances that has constantly hobbled businesses in Nigeria in their attempts to scale. This remains a huge challenge for most small business owners who have limited access to credit facilities and loans with favourable interest rates.

This point is not lost on the management of Konga – Nigeria’s only omni-channel retail platform – which under its new owners, has achieved remarkable growth and expansion, setting it on the path of profitability.

“We have partnered with Simple-Fi to make these loans available at very low and convenient interest rates of 2.08% only. Merchants on the Konga platform can also take advantage of flexible repayment plans,” Ekeh concluded.





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Why FirstBank Fintech Summit 3.0 matters - ITREALMS.

ITREALMS:

Leading financial services provider, First Bank of Nigeria Limited has adduced reasons why it hosted the third edition of annual Fintech summit with the theme: Banking + Tech = Solving Real Problems, reports ITREALMS. 

Adducing these reasons on Wednesday in Lagos, the Deputy Managing Director, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Gbenga Shobo, said, “Our Fintech Summit 3.0 was convened to set the tone for discussions that promote disruptions in the digital space, especially in the financial industry, as we recognise the opportunities for inclusive growth and influence of Fintech not just in banking but also business operations across all industries." 

The 2019 edition of Fintech summit, he said, built on the successes achieved in the last two editions.

“FirstBank in the last few years, has used technology to deliver solutions to promote financial inclusion. With over 33,000 Firstmonie Agents in 36 states doing over N2 trillion worth of transactions. We are reducing poverty with our Agency Banking footprint. 

"Our Firstmobile application has become the foremost mobile banking application in the country with over 3 million users doing over 14 million transactions monthly. It is one of the major gateways for Financial Inclusion where everyone can download the app and open an account at their own convenience! This was not the case a few years ago. 

"Our USSD channel, *894#, is also solving Financial Exclusion problems for those who do not have easy access to internet data. With over 8 million users today, transactions worth over N4 trillion have been consummated using this channel," he pointed out.

The 2019 summit, ITREALMS reports came with a conference and panel sessions made up of tech experts, start- ups, regulators and other stakeholders to deliberate pressing issues, trends and upgrades in the application of technology in the financial services industry, with Victor Asemota, Founder, Swifta Systems & Services as the keynote speaker.

With the evolution that has taken place in the financial services industry in recent times, especially through the advent of technological inclusion in business operations across all industries, this year’s event focused on how technology can aid the solving of large scale societal problems within the context of financial services in Nigeria. The event cuts across multiple panel sessions to deliberate issues and prospects in the business management across the financial technology ecosystem with a view to having participants exposed to the trajectory of current and future opportunities in the Fintech ecosystem.

The panel sessions comprised experts with over two hundred combined years of experience in the Financial and Technological Industry space to deliberate on topical issues in today’s technologically driven business world. Topical issues to be discussed are: Solving Business Problems; Solving Regulatory, Security & Legal Problems and Solving Lifestyle Problems.

Amongst the FirstBank team of speakers and moderators are Folake Ani-Mumuney, Group Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications; Olayinka Shittu, Chief Transformation Officer,

Oluwatoyin Aina, Group Head, Energy Downstream & Int. Oil Trading; and Taiwo Shonekan, Head, Customer Experience & Value Management.

Debo Odunlana, CEO, Doctoora Health; Damilola Emuze, COO/Co-Founder, Scholarx; Edward Popoola, CTO/Co-Founder, Cowrywise and Chinedu Azodoh, Chief Technology Officer, Max.Ng are the panelists in the Solving Lifestyle Problems session.

The Solving Business Problems panel session include Victor Asemota, Founder, Swifta Systems & Services; Lola Ekugo, Head, Digital Innovation Lab, FirstBank; Akindele Phillips, CFO/Co-Founder, Farmcrowdy; Deepankar Rustagi, CEO/Founder, Vconnect & Omnibiz and Dayo Ademola, Head of Innovation, EFInA.

The panelists in the Solving Regulatory, Security & Legal Problems are the Sam Okojere, Director, Payment System Management Dept, CBN; Tosin Faniro-Dada, Head, Startups (Lagos Innovates), LSETF; Odunoluwa Longe, Co-Founder, DIY-Law & The Longe Practice; Bunmi Akinyemiju, CEO, Venture Garden Group and Harrison Nnaji, Chief Information Security Officer, FirstBank.

Chuks Egbuna/Editor

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Pix: Callistus Obetta, Group Executive, Technology & Services, FirstBank; Gbenga Shobo, Deputy Managing Director, FirstBank; Victor Asemota, Founder, Swifta Systems & Services and Keynote Speaker at the event (FirstBank FinTech Summit 3.0); Adesola Adeduntan, Chief Executive Officer, FirstBank and Abdullahi Ibrahim, Executive Director, Public Sector FirstBank at the FirstBank FinTech Summit 3.0 held in Lagos Wednesday.

OGP and Imo’s Good Governance Voyage-1 - ITREALMS

MidWeekCommentary@ITREALMS: 

One of the cheering news in Imo State today is that the administration of Governor Emeka Ihedioha has submitted a Letter of Intent to join the Open Government Partnership, Nigeria. This confirmation came from the Secretariat of OGP Nigeria, Abuja. The implication is that the state has made some commitments in the area of Open Government.

Imo State government sources identified some of the commitments made by the state to include: Access to Information, Anti Corruption, Open Budgeting, Fiscal transparency, Open Contracting and Citizens Engagement.

Enquiry at the OGP National Secretariat revealed that a Letter of Acceptance of Application to Imo State has already been signed by the Attorney General and Minister for Justice and will likely arrive Owerri, the State capital this week.

Open Government Partnership (OGP) is a multi-stakeholder initiative that focuses on improving government transparency, accountability and responsiveness to citizens through technology and innovations. It was launched in 2011 by eight founding member-countries, following their endorsement of the Open Government Declaration. The eight countries are: Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, Norway, The Philippines, South Africa, United Kingdom and United States of America.

Nigeria joined the OGP in July 2016, two months after President Muhammadu Buhari attended the Anti- Corruption Summit organised by the government of the United Kingdom in May, 2016. At the Summit, the Nigerian President reaffirmed his government’s commitment to strengthening anti-corruption reforms and bringing integrity to governance through leadership by example. He announced Nigeria’s commitment to Global Open Government Partnership principles and directed the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to implement the commitments made in London.

ALSO READ: 100 days of Emeka Ihedioha by Chris Uruakpa - ITREALMS

In July, 2016, the Federal Ministry of Justice, under the leadership of Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, organised a Stakeholders session on the OGP to identify members of the Steering Committee and to discuss the implementation framework of the OGP Principles. One of the highlights of the meeting was the self-selection of the Civil Society representatives at the Steering Committee. Subsequent meetings were held, where the Action Plan and other related issues were discussed.

For OGP to be operational in any state, such a state is required to implement commitments made by the state government; endorse a high-level Open Government Declaration; deliver a state action plan developed with public consultation (government and civil society); Commit to independent reporting on their progress and contribute to peer learning.

Now that the administration of Chief Emeka Ihedioha, pursuant to his electoral promise of entrenching good governance has commenced this journey, steps need to be taken to close the gaps identified in the process.

For the first time in eight years, Imo State annual Budget is online- on the state official website. This is part of the proactive disclosure obligations of the state government under the FOI Act. This, no doubt is a step in the right direction.

The giant strides of the Governor Emeka Ihedioha-led administration in the areas of ease of doing business and open contracting cannot also go without mention.

However, there is need for a stakeholders’ session for state and non-state actors on OGP implementation in the state. The need for members of the state steering committee to emerge cannot be overemphasized.

Again, pursuant to the commitments, there is need for efforts to be fast-tracked towards adopting the Freedom of Information Act in the State. The summary of commitments on Access to Information is implementation of the FOI Act in Imo State. Although the FOI Act is applicable in all states of the federation, having an Imo State version will further show the commitment of the present administration in Imo State to transparency principles.

There is no gainsaying the fact that the present administration in Imo State, led by Governor Emeka Ihedioha is committed to entrenching openness and accountability in governance. This indeed, is a new beginning for Imo State.

While we await a Letter from the OGP Nigeria National Secretariat, accepting Imo State’s application, the foundation needs to be laid for a smooth implementation of OGP principles in Imo State.

Steps need to be taken to make Imo citizens own the OGP process, to ensure effective implementation, lest it becomes another elitist initiative.

The time to act is now!

*Dr. Walter Duru, a Communication expert is a member of the National Steering Committee of OGP, Nigeria, where he co-chairs the Access to Information Working Group. He also chairs the Board of the Freedom of Information Coalition, Nigeria.
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FG insists, ‘we don’t play politics with security, welfare of citizens’ - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Federal Government (FG) has said, there is no playing of politics with the security and welfare of citizens, reports ITREALMS.

The FG made this remark through the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in Katsina on Tuesday at a Special Town Hall Meeting on Security (Banditry, Cattle Rustling and Kidnapping).

“Today's Town Hall Meeting is very unique. Since we started in 2016, this is the first time that we are having Governors from the APC and the PDP as panelists.

''This is first a testimony to the fact that this Federal Government does not play politics with the security and welfare of citizens and secondly, a reflection of the patriotism, commitment and nationalism of the Governors, irrespective of their party affiliations,'' he said.

The event had in attendance the PDP Governors of Sokoto and Zamfara, Alhaji Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and Alhaji Bello Matawalle respectively, as well as the host Governor Aminu Bello Masari of the APC.

The three Governors joined the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohamed; Minister of Defence, Maj.-Gen. Bashir Magashi (Rtd) and the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, as panelists.

Alhaji Mohammed said even though a lot of successes have been recorded in tackling the unique security challenges in the North West, such efforts have not been receiving much publicity in the media.

“Unfortunately, the progress that has been made in combating banditry, cattle rustling and kidnapping has not made the kind of headlines that the security challenges were making at their peak. It has therefore become imperative for the Federal Government, working with the affected states, to provide a platform for the Governors of the front-line states to highlight the successes they have achieved in their various states in tackling these cases of insecurity, as well as for relevant Federal Government Ministers to highlight the efforts that have helped to drastically reduce the level of insecurity in the North West,” he said.

The Minister expressed delight that the unrelenting efforts of the Federal Government as well as the determination and innovative efforts of the governments of the affected states have yielded positive results.

He said the Federal Government will continue to use the Town Hall Meetings to regularly give account of its stewardship to the people, in addition to getting a feedback as well as input from them, thus enhancing citizens’ participation in governance.

In his remarks, Maj.-Gen. Magashi (Rtd) said three of the nine special military operations in the country are concentrated in the North West, in order to most effectively tackle the security challenges in the region.

For his part, the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Aregbesola, said 6,000 personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps are currently operating in the North West, with six hundred of them deployed as Agro Rangers to tackle farmers-herders clashes.

There was consensus among the participants at the event that there has been a tremendous improvement in the security situation in the North West.

A number of suggestions were made to further enhance security in the region.

Uboshe Uboshe/Editor

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Pix: From left: The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Katsina State Governor, Alhaji Bello Masari; Governor of Zamfara State, Alhaji Bello Matawalle; Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and the Minister of Defence, Maj.-Gen. Bashir Salihi Magashi (Rtd) at a Special Town Hall Meeting on Security in Katsina on Tuesday.

Mining Industry; How digital solutions drive cost savings - ITREALMS

ITREALMS: 

Mining operations everywhere are experiencing constant profitability pressures from two directions: continued commodity pricing volatility and global demand variability. Africa-based miners are no exception, reports ITREALMS.com.ng

These dynamics have caused mining companies to re-evaluate business models and seek smarter, more efficient modes of operation that focus on sustainable cost management practices and improved productivity.

The mining sector isn’t unique in this regard. Many of the world’s leading industries—manufacturing, oil and gas, healthcare, and others—have also recognised this need for change. While the exact improvements vary from industry to industry, the path to transformation is similar: an emphasis on improvements at both the asset and process levels through the application of leading-edge digital technologies across the Industrial Internet value chain.

By harnessing the combined power of machine sensors, edge-to-cloud connectivity, advanced data capture, and powerful analytics, the Industrial Internet can deliver deeper insight into mining operations than ever before.

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Education: Parents besiege Oyo public schools over new policy - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Government of Oyo State has announced that it was pleased to discover that measures taken thus far in the implementation of the free education policy have started yielding fruits.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa made available to newsmen on Monday indicated that the huge number of parents applying to register their wards in the state’s public primary and secondary schools is a clear evidence that the free education policy of the administration is well received by the people.

“We are particularly pleased that a number of parents have been besieging the Oyo State Ministry of Education in the past few weeks to make inquiries on steps to be taken to transfer their wards from private schools to public schools.

“The huge turnout of parents and guardians seeking transfer for their wards to our public schools in view of the free education policy of Governor Makinde’s administration, has, therefore, necessitated the introduction of some administrative measures which are meant to control admission and safeguard illegality in the admission process.

Some costs have, therefore, been introduced to offset administration procedures as approved by the administration.

The cost of obtaining forms for transfer of pupils/students to Oyo State public schools are stated as follows:

i. Inter-state; from major cities across the country including Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt-N15,000 (Fifteen thousand Naira);

ii. Other states of the federation-N10,000 (Ten Thousand Naira);

iii. Those seeking transfer from within Oyo State-N7,500.00 (seven thousand five hundred Naira;

iv. Transfer from outside Nigeria-N20,000.00 (Twenty thousand Naira).

The statement further read: “As we have started before now, the policy of the state government is to promote free education in line with its desire to uplift the standards and enhance excellence in educational pursuits.

“In line with the current administration’s four-point service agenda, Education, Health, Security and Economic expansion via agriculture value chain have been so designated as the major pillars. The administration hereby assures the people of its commitment to implement the agenda for the good of all in Oyo State.

“Let us also place on record that the decision to implement the charges listed above is not aimed at constraining the people, but to ensure standardization in the process of transferring pupils and students from private to public schools.”

Uj. N. Dominic/Editor

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Oyo leverages dry port, partners NAFDAC to rid state of illicit drugs – ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde has said they are ready to leverage the dry port, just as partnering with the National Agency for Foods, Drugs, Administration, and Control (NAFDAC) to rid the state of illicit drugs, reports ITREALMS.

Governor Makinde, who stated this while receiving the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof Mrs. Mojisola Adeyeye in a courtesy visit to his office, said that NAFDAC was very crucial to the sustenance of sound health in the country.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, also indicated that the state government was already warming up to take full advantage of the Dry Port being constructed in Ibadan.

The Governor said: "Health is one of the pillars which this administration is resting on. We believe if there is security and a healthy body, we can go out to work and move from poverty to prosperity.”

"NAFDAC and this government will definitely be partners in progress. A couple of things have also happened here so far. In Oyo State, I believe in the next maybe a year or two, we will have our own dry port here. It is in our own interest and that of NAFDAC that we plan for expansion in the scope of activities for the state office here because of the headache of Apapa in Lagos,” he said.

The Governor said that his administration will assist NAFDAC to combat the menace of illicit, and substandard drugs across the State adding that the State would look into the requests tendered to him by the agency and act as appropriate.

“It was imperative for the state to support NAFDAC in order to ensure protection of lives of the people against illicit drugs and dangerous processed food,” he said.

He said that with the emergence of Dry Port in Ibadan, the work of the agency would be definitely needed.

“If somebody is coming from the Northern part of the country and he can pick his container here in Ibadan, why would he have to drive to Lagos. They will pick it from here and make a turnaround back to the Northern part of the country,” he said.

Further, he stated that now that the standard gauge rail line by the Federal Government has reached Ibadan, the state will make adequate use of the Dry Port located at Olorisa-Oko in Akinyele Local Government as according to him, people from the South East, South-South, the North and majority of South West states would not have reasons to go to Apapa in Lagos to clear their cargoes. 

Ayo Midele/Editor

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Tech innovation to boost healthcare services in West Africa - ITREALMS

ITREALMS: 

The West African Healthcare practitioners have been told to take advantage of the several premium healthcare solutions and technologies in the advanced economy to improve the West African healthcare sector, especially in Nigeria, reports ITREALMS.

Speakers at the HealthCare Business Conference (HBC) of the Medic West Africa Exhibition and Congress, held in Lagos, South West Nigeria, expressed no doubt that technological innovation will help bring healthcare services to millions of citizens in the subregion, moreso in Nigerians.

Dr. Chibuzo Opara, Co-CEO, DrugStoc, said that advanced medical technology can improve the standard of medical practice in Nigeria saying that that can be done through the introduction of innovative ,high quality affordable and state-of-the art medical equipment.

Beyond the impact of technological innovation on the health sector, the practitioners also had the opportunity to examine the issue of business management alongside bookkeeping skills.

Highlighting the essence of business management, Country Director, Iqvia and Board Member of Healthcare Foundation of (HFN), Mr. Remi Adesuen said that most members of the HFN are in the SMEs sector of the economy and they offer primary healthcare services to Nigeria contrary to the notion that primary healthcare is that of government.

According to him, over 70 percent of Nigerians access their healthcare through the private sector noting that 60 percent of the practitioners are SMEs, who needs business skills and technology to give the required medical care.

He said that the HBC which was held in partnership with Anadach Group was designed to give its members attending the Medic West Africa Exhibition and Conference access to knowledge on business planning, model and innovative approach to healthcare business.

Besides those, he said that the SMEs were taking through the rudiments of bookkeeping and the regulatory laws of the several agencies that they deal with so that they don’t go against the laws of their operating environment.

He stated that the deployment of digital technology is the best adoption for the SMEs in today’s health sector particularly as the business began to grow.

Adeseun advised that the SMEs common together to access some basic services that bother on accounting, business and other related services so that the cost of those services can be reduced for them.

He called on them to look for opportunities of partnership or collaboration with other players in the public or private sector that would bring the benefit of economy of scales to bear on their businesses and improve the nation’s healthcare.

According to him, although health is a social services, the era when it was run entirely as social service has ended and as such it must be run presently as a business for the services to be sustainable.

He stated if enough fund is not generated to cover the source of fund for the business wither it is government or private, the free health will fail because there will be no longer materials for the business.

To avoid such scenario, he suggested the health insurance scheme which he said has proved effective in most advanced countries of the world saying that the Nigeria health insurance scheme has failed because it was not mandatory.

First Vice President of HFN, Dr. Festus Osoba disclosed that the Foundation is an advocacy group enable the private sector healthcare practitioner to speak with one voice in the country saying that this year it is focusing on the business aspect of healthcare services.

He noted that they are concern about the impact of technological innovation in the sector noting that was why in one of presentation focus was on electronic data, investment in data management as well as implementation and project management since data can help them grow their businesses.

He added that HFN wants their members to be patient-centric and the right of the patient protected so that the healthcare system meets global standard.

Nenye Dom/Editor

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L-R: Dr. Egbe Osifo-Dawodu, Partner Anadach,Mrs. Bimbo Ogunare Senior Manager, Ernest& Young, Dr. Abayomi Sule, Managing Director, Tillit MSME Microservice, Mr Remi Adesuen, Country Director, Iqvia and Board Member of Healthcare Foundation of (HFN).