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Tag: expert

  • How to build sustainable businesses, by expert

    How to build sustainable businesses, by expert

    Business growth and management expert, Jennifer Orode, has identified ways Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Africa and Europe can navigate the challenging economic landscape.

    She spoke at the inaugural Business Xcellerate Summit: “The Blueprint’’.

    Orode, a member of Forbes Business Council, said the event is to address fears of business owners, push boundaries of innovation, and guide SMEs globally in their journey in new, uncharted territories.

    She stressed importance of having entrepreneurial mindset, which, she said, is crucial in today’s  business.

    Orode, chief executive officer of Ingenium Concepts, a startup advisory and management consulting firm, said there should be mental preparedness in steering business while leveraging product segmentation in surviving economic cycles.

    She said: “Entrepreneurs can thrive in any economic climate by understanding their customers and tailoring their strategies accordingly.

    “Whether we’re in contraction, stability, expansion, or at a peak, it’s about testing the sensitivity of customers and tailoring your products and strategies to different customer segment types.

    “It’s crucial to recognise how different economic cycles influence decisions on sales, investment, profit margins, credit, inventory, and cost management.

    Read Also: CBN insists on 5% Ways and Means cap

    “By understanding customer types and products, owners can gain more share in a contracting economy.

    “Innovation doesn’t always mean creating something new, but it can also mean finding flexible ways to adapt products to a changing market and economic landscape.”

    With career in strategic development, customer relationship, innovative business coaching, Orode has MBA from Coventry University.

    The event was facilitated by industry professionals, each bringing expertise in leadership during uncertainty, marketing and sales, modern technology utilisation, and entrepreneurial mindset.

    Facilitators include Donna Mitchell, founder and chief executive officer of Mitchell Universal Network LLC (USA); Kumar Raghvendra (UK); Kameel Gaines (USA), trucking industry leader; Sidharth Ramsinghaney (USA & Asia), Twilio’s director of Strategy & Operations; and Kameel Gaines, chief executive officer of Rig On Wheels Broker & Recruitment Services.

  • Expert urges Nigeria to adopt tobacco harm reduction from Sweden, Japan

    Expert urges Nigeria to adopt tobacco harm reduction from Sweden, Japan

    Nigeria has been advised to adopt Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR) strategies to combat tobacco-related diseases, which cause over 30,000 deaths annually.

    This recommendation was contained in BAT West & Central Africa’s Scientific Engagement Manager for New Category Products, Dr. Akinwande Puddicombe’s report, “Harnessing Tobacco Harm Reduction: Lessons from Sweden and Japan for a Healthier Nigeria,” highlighting the potential benefits of these strategies in alleviating the nation’s health crisis.

    Puddicombe emphasises the success of Sweden and Japan in implementing THR, offering valuable lessons for Nigeria. In Sweden, the introduction of Snus, a smokeless tobacco product, has led to a significant public health triumph.

    “Today, over 20 percent of Swedish men use Snus, and smoking rates have plummeted,” Puddicombe notes. He explained that this shift has resulted in a dramatic reduction in tobacco-related deaths, with estimates suggesting a 50 percent decrease.

    Similarly, he mentioned Japan has embraced heated tobacco products (HTPs), which heat rather than burn tobacco, thereby reducing the production of harmful chemicals.

    “Over 10 percent of Japanese smokers switched to HTPs within a few years,” Puddicombe stated, citing a study by the Japanese Ministry of Health that found HTPs reduced smoking-related biomarkers by up to 90 percent.”

    The core principle of THR, according to the expert, is providing smokers with safer alternatives to reduce their exposure to harmful tobacco by-products. Traditional cigarettes release thousands of dangerous chemicals when burned, leading to smoking-related diseases. In contrast, reduced-risk products like Snus, HTPs, e-cigarettes also known as ‘Vapes’, and oral nicotine pouches offer significant health benefits. Research indicates that Snus can cut the incidence of smoking-related diseases by 90 percent, while HTPs and e-cigarettes, significantly reduce harmful chemical exposure.

    “By switching to reduced-risk products, smokers can significantly reduce their risk of smoking-related diseases, such as lung cancer, heart disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD),” Puddicombe asserts. Additionally, these products can increase quit rates by up to 50 percent and eliminate second-hand smoke, protecting non-smokers from harmful exposure.

    In Nigeria, Dr. Puddicombe notes that the burden of tobacco-related diseases strains the healthcare system and impacts the well-being of its citizens. He emphasizes that embracing THR can significantly reduce this burden.

    “The introduction of safer alternatives, such as e-cigarettes and HTPs, could provide Nigerian smokers with viable options to reduce their health risks,” he said.

    To achieve this, Dr. Puddicombe stresses the importance of education and awareness campaigns, as well as the need for policymakers to create a supportive regulatory environment that encourages the adoption of reduced-risk products while ensuring their safety and efficacy.

    Read Also: Expert canvases more research on cancer studies

    “Tobacco harm reduction is not a silver bullet, but it is a powerful tool in the fight against tobacco-related harm,” he insisted.

    “By providing smokers with safer alternatives, we can reduce smoking-related diseases and deaths, improve public health, and protect non-smokers from second-hand smoke exposure. It’s time for policymakers, healthcare professionals, and the general public to recognise the potential of THR and work towards a safer future.

    “The success stories from Sweden and Japan demonstrate that THR can lead to significant public health improvements. By learning from these examples and implementing THR strategies tailored to local needs, countries like Nigeria can make substantial progress in reducing the harm caused by tobacco. Let us join forces to create a world where tobacco-related harm is a thing of the past, and where safer alternatives pave the way for a healthier future,” Dr. Puddicombe added.

  • Expert boosts health service delivery with consulting application

    Expert boosts health service delivery with consulting application

    …unveils Regina Daniels as brand ambassador

    Nigeria must fully embrace digital health if its target of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) must be attained, the Founder of Baba Telehealth, Flory Emakpose, has said.

    Emakpose, who noted that current global economic realities have made it crucial for the country to adopt digital health solutions, however, agreed that the Nigerian government is on the right trajectory with its health security programmes, as outlined in the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative and the Health Renewal Compact signed by Federal and State Governments, along with Development Partners.

    She said the government’s UHC attainment efforts require robust support from the private sector and development partners to succeed for the benefit of Nigerians.

    Emakpose, co-founder of Baba Telehealth, a platform providing real-time responses to health issues through handheld devices and computers via an app, spoke in Abuja on Tuesday during the unveiling of popular social media influencer Regina Daniels as an ambassador for the app.

    Highlighting the necessity of technology for accessible and affordable healthcare, Emakpose stated that Baba Telehealth was designed to play a pivotal role in accelerating the health security of Nigerians.

    “The healthcare industry has been rapidly evolving due to technological advancements, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other emerging health developments.

    “In the current digital era, we depend on our smartphones for nearly every aspect of our lives, including banking, entertainment, and socializing.

    “Therefore, why not leverage this potent instrument to gain access to healthcare services?

    “This led us to identify this opportunity which encouraged us to develop a platform that enables individuals to consult with doctors over the Internet, all from the comfort of their smartphones.

    “Baba Telehealth is a telehealth platform that allows patients to connect with healthcare providers through text, audio, and video consultations using their smartphones.

    “This eliminates the need for in-person visits to the doctor’s office, making healthcare more accessible and convenient for everyone,” she said.

    On the value the innovation is adding to the nation’s health landscape, Emakpose said Baba Telehealth is not only expanding health services but reaching more patients in need of care.

    She said: “One of the key benefits of Baba Telehealth is the ability to receive medical advice and treatment from the comfort of your own home. This is especially important during times like the COVID-19 pandemic, where in-person visits to healthcare facilities may not be feasible or safe.

    “With Baba Telehealth, patients can easily access healthcare services without putting themselves at risk.

    “Convenience is another advantage introduced by this, as patients no longer have to wait for hours in a crowded waiting room or travel long distances to see a doctor.

    “With just a few taps on their smartphone, they can connect with a healthcare provider and receive the care they need in a timely manner.

    “Furthermore, it is helping to bridge the gap in healthcare access, particularly in underserved communities.

    “By leveraging smartphone technology, they can connect patients with qualified healthcare professionals, regardless of their location. This is crucial to improving health outcomes and reducing disparities in healthcare delivery”.

    Read Also: Expert highlights how Nigerians can overcome trauma

    Following her unveiling as the brand ambassador for Baba Telehealth, Regina Daniels, a social media influencer, expressed optimism that more Nigerians would gain access to quality and affordable healthcare, as many barriers have been eliminated by this innovation.

    Daniels emphasized that she would not have agreed to represent the product if it did not align with her values and standards.

    She affirmed the integrity and potential impact of the innovation while encouraging Nigerians to take advantage of the opportunity to address their health challenges from the comfort of their homes.

    According to her, societal status is no longer a barrier to accessing healthcare with the innovative platform, which should encourage and enable Nigerians to take charge of their health.

  • Expert demands consumption of locally produced goods

    Expert demands consumption of locally produced goods

    A resource management expert at the Lagos Business School, Dr Austin Nweze, has called on the federal government to look inward to solve the consistent fall in the value of naira against the United States dollar.

    In a chat with our correspondent, Dr Nweze, said the government needs to introduce short, medium and long term strategy to solve the foreign exchange crisis

    According to him, Nigeria must ensure 80 percent of goods consumed in the country must be locally produced.

    It could be recalled that, on Wednesday, the naira depreciated against the United States dollar as it traded N951.22/$1 against N806.73/$1 it traded, on Tuesday, at the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM), the country’s official exchange rate window.

    According to Data from FMDQ Securities Exchange, a platform that oversees foreign exchange (FX) trading in Nigeria, the market recorded a N1159.10 high spot rate and N701.00 low.

    Nweze, who is also a lecturer at the Pan Atlantic University, Lagos, however, reiterated that the country must move away from consumption to a producing economy.

    He said: “Basically, what the government needs to do is to have a national strategy which should be a short, medium and long term strategy. What we need is more production and there should be a strategy on how do we produce.

    “When the CBN was defending the naira, they were just throwing money to problems and no one do that. We shouldn’t throw money to problem but we need to do the thinking. 

    “The biggest way out is domestic production because Nigeria Economy is more about consumption and we must produce what we consume because until we begin to consume what we produce by 80 percent, there may not be a way forward.

    Read Also: How to avoid mental health issues, by experts

    “If we want to produce, we must find a better way of doing it both in the value chain. If we require machine to produce, we must produce that machine locally and not import from China. 

    “If the government can listen, the way to build the economy is to have raw material base and once we do that, we move to industrialisation not just being able to import the component, whatever we plan to produce, 80 percent of the component must be produced in Nigeria.”

    He also disclosed that the the country must stop borrowing to consume and we must priortise local production of goods and machinery used for production.

    He said: “So, we need to stop borrowing money to consume. The economy is bleeding, the amount used to buy cars have created jobs for the people in that country we bought them for. Anything that we consume that is not produce locally, we are running down our economy and helping those economy to grow. We need to turn around and begin to look inward.”

  • Expert urges medical practitioners on ethics

    The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has charged medical practitioners to adhere to professional ethics to save lives.

    Head, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi, Prof Calvin Chama gave the advice at the NMA Bauchi State chapter Annual General Meeting (AGM).

    Chama, who presented a paper with the theme, “Knowing your limit as a doctor”, emphasised that it is only by so doing that patients will have the confidence to patronise the health facility.

    Chama, who pointed out that doctors also need to know their rights in the performance of their duties, stressed that one should not override  other’s rights because the rights of patients and doctors are interwoven.

    The consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist said it is when a doctor could not differentiate between the two rights that conflict occur, which may lead to dire consequences.

    He stresed the need for medical doctors to put their patients first.

    In his opening remarks, ATBUTH Chief Medical Director Dr. Mohammed Alkali urged members of the association to live above board.

    According to him, the patient has the confidence that the moment he gets to the health facility, issues will be treated positively.

    Alkali added that when such confidence is betrayed, the patient will be  discouraged from seeking medical attention.

    He said health practitioners should synergise to promote efficiency.

    Bauchi State NMA Chairman Dr Lamara Dattijo said the AGM was aimed at awakening members on the need to be professional in their calls to save lives, adding that the chapter will take a cue from older professionals who had excellent records in practice.

  • Expert calls for laws to protect children in schools

    The founder of Safe Schools, Prof Ike has called on the National Assembly to pass relevant laws that will ensure the health and safety of children in schools and other public spaces across the country

    Ike said this at the third edition of the Safetagious, organised by Safe Schools in Lagos. The event, tagged Get Your Thrive On, brought together schools owners, environmentalists, teachers, and parents. It featured a seminar, interactive session, and exhibition.

    According to her, the burden of providing safety for children in schools and other public spaces rest largely on government, parents and school owners.

    She said Nigeria need laws that will not only cater for the health and safety need of the child but teachers, parents and everyone that has encounter with the schools.

    Ike noted that providing safety infrastructure in schools will provide an opportunity for children to learn and achieve their dreams and enhance learning outcomes within a safe environment.

    “We urgently need relevant laws that will propel schools to put in place safety measuraes as it will help to benchmark school investment toward the safety of children in schools”, she said.

    Ike lamented that many schools owners are indifference and do not take the safety of the children and other personnel with almost importance.

    Read Also: ‘Our children trek miles to school’

    She said that there is an undeniable and increasing prevalence of emergency situations in schools which calls for more proactive measures from schools to safety of their students and wards.

    She said that there is no arrival with safety but how prepare is the school when emergencies arise is key

    She charged schools owners to come up with their health and safety management structures in their schools that will keep children safe in schools.

    According to her the need for schools to have safety policy is centred on the children and other staffs working in the school is very germane.

    She stressed that schools should self-regulate themselves and ensure that best practices that will ensure the safety of the children in schools should be adopted.

    “We want to implore schools to champion the right safety measures as it is beneficial to them”, she said.

    Also speaking at the event, the Director of Family Health at Lead Nurse Africa International Foundation, Julie Mogbo, appealed to parents to leverage on the relationship they have with their children to keep their children safe and well as the family is the training ground and its prepare the child to be safety conscious.

    “The child keep safe when there is proper training and mentorship given to the child on how to keep safe in the midst of insecurity around them”, she said.

    She asked how convince are we that we have filled up our children emotional bank account?

    She lamented that many children only answer their parent’s last name but do not have their heart. When things happen, they call someone else other than their parents.

    She posited that parents must not relegate their primary responsibility to other care givers because some day we will give account of how much training and support we have given to our children.

  • Expert urges outdoor practitioners to embrace digital advertising

    Expert in the business of media buying and planning has advised members of Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria, OAAN to embrace digital advertising as a new way to grow and remain relevant in business. The Chief Executive Officer of Media Perspectives, Jude Odia, gave this advice at the just concluded 34th annual conference of OAAN held in Abeokuta, with the theme:  ‘Future of OOH in Nigeria: Debt, Ethics and Best Practices,’ said the media landscape and the game has changed.

    He said that, “In the last ten years, the Nigerian advertising industry has witnessed disruptions with digital advertising continually occupying bigger space. Global predictions indicate that digital advertising is on the increase and in Nigeria, it has 8 percent share of total Ad spend from about 5 percent three years ago. ‘’In recent time, the media landscape and the game has changed as advertisers that used to see, for instance, mobile advertising as a complementary consideration are now considering it first in their budget because of impact, emotive connection and reach.’’

    “With digital transformation changing the game and business, he said outdoor and by extension other traditional media platforms can only become relevant through innovation informed by research, partnership, data, M&As, strong association to constructively engage with regulators and increase the barrier into entering the outdoor industry,’’ he noted.

    In his contribution, the immediate past president of OAAN, Babatunde Adedoyin said his administration’s achievements include downward review by 30 percent of advert fee on static and 35 percent on LED boards in Lagos, 20 percent payment on vacant boards policy against 100 percent and curtailing frictions with Lagos State and other regulators.

    The AGM later produced Emmanuel Ajufo, Managing Director of Opportunity To See as the new President of the association, former General Secretary and Managing Director of Twenty First Century, Femi Ogala elected Vice President while Sola Akinsiku, Managing Director of KOK Visibility Edge emerged the General Secretary.

  •  Expert charges youths on creativity

    THE co-Founder Next Leaders Initiative for Sustainability (NELIS), Peter Pedersen, has advised youths to look for creative and innovative ways to solve problems facing Africa.

    Pedersen spoke at the Next Leaders’ Africa Summit organised by NELIS at Afe Babalola Hall, University of Lagos.

    The three-day event tagged Connecting for change: Transforming Africa for better was attended by hundreds of young leaders and social entrepreneurs from five countries in Africa. It featured lecture series, panel discussions and breakout sessions.

    Pederson said by 2030, there would be 10 billion people on the planet and it was expected that 80 per cent of the new people would live in Africa and Asia. Thus, ‘’we have to find new ways of coping with the change. I think is that the issue of innovation is important.’’

    He said the youth make up 65 per cent of Africans, adding that this portends great opportunities for youths to look for more creative ways to address the continent’s socio-economic needs.

    Pedersen, represented by founder Anthropulse Limited Mauritius/Barcelona, Meelan Thondo, noted:  “Youths in Africa are the ones exposed to climate change, unemployment, maternal mortality, poverty, inequalities, malaria and Ebola, migration to corruption and lack of essential infrastructure.

    “I firmly believe that issues around health and well-being need to be at the heart of a sustainability transition and, therefore, deserve more attention. We need to find new ways of addressing health impacts of climate change and urbanisation, and of finding synergies with environmental sustainability,” he said.

    Petersen stressed that sustainable development could not be assured with abundant resources alone, but requires the capacity to convert available resources into new value-added products and services.

    Country Coordinator, NELIS Primer, Lawrence Afere said the event was aimed at gathering Africa’s social entrepreneurs and key players to learn and share on the latest of social entrepreneurship trends, on the skills needed to make social change happen on a broad scale, and to make new connections to collaborate for greater positive change on the continent.

  • Expert seeks inclusive infrastructure development

    A facility management consultant, Mrs. Ibitola Kadiri, has urged state governments to be more proactive in infrastructure development to decongest overpopulated cities.

    Kadiri, a lecturer at the Estate Management Department of the University of Lagos, gave the advice in Lagos.

    She said the plea  became necessary because overpopulation in cities like Lagos needed to be curtailed for efficient utilisation of funds and sustenance of infrastructure facilities.

    According to her, a reduction in population will help to prevent existing infrastructure from being over-stretched

    Mrs. Kadiri said overpopulation was a major hindrance to Lagos State’s dream of becoming a megacity.

    She said development and provision of social amenities in other states would motivate migration of people to the states, noting that relocation of citizens to cities was in search of improved facilities for a better living.

    The consultant said the exodus of people from Lagos during festive seasons was an indication that many Nigerians migrated to urban areas in search of greener pastures.

    “Slums are created by these immigrants, who ordinarily live in their own houses in their home towns, but due to the high cost of living in Lagos settled down in unhealthy environments.

    “It is only when other governors beautify their states that Lagos will begin to feel relief from the population burden it currently faces.

    “For Lagos to effectively decongest, other states must be encouraged to provide the basic necessities of life to their indigenes,’’ she said.

    Apart from migration from other states, Kadiri identified the lack of a good road/transit network as a hindrance to the state’s development.

    She said some areas in Lagos do not have link roads, thus making it cumbersome for residents to commute easily within the state.

    Kadiri said: “Though, Lagos is experiencing infrastructure boom, it is not enough to cater for the teeming population of the state.

    “Along with infrastructure development taking place in Lagos, the state government should come up with the policies aimed at reducing the population to preserve new and existing infrastructure.”

    She, however, urged the state government to be more proactive in improving on its infrastructure to cater for the teeming population.

  • Expert seeks inclusive infrastructure development

    A facility management consultant, Mrs. Ibitola Kadiri, has urged state governments to be more proactive in infrastructure development to decongest overpopulated cities.

    Kadiri, a lecturer at the Estate Management Department of the University of Lagos, gave the advice in Lagos.

    She said the plea became necessary because overpopulation in cities like Lagos needed to be curtailed for efficient utilisation of funds and sustenance of infrastructure facilities.

    According to her, a reduction in population will help to prevent existing infrastructure from being over-stretched

    Mrs. Kadiri said overpopulation was a major hindrance to Lagos State’s dream of becoming a megacity.

    She said development and provision of social amenities in other states would motivate migration of people to the states, noting that relocation of citizens to cities was in search of improved facilities for a better living.

    The consultant said the exodus of people from Lagos during festive seasons was an indication that many Nigerians migrated to urban areas in search of greener pastures.

    “Slums are created by these immigrants, who ordinarily live in their own houses in their home town, but due to the high cost of living in Lagos settled down in unhealthy environments.

    “It is only when other governors beautify their states that Lagos will begin to feel relief from the population burden it currently faces.

    “For Lagos to effectively decongest, other states must be encouraged to provide the basic necessities of life to their indigenes,’’ she said.

    Apart from migration from other states, Kadiri identified the lack of a good road/transit network as a hindrance to the state’s development.

    She said some areas in Lagos do not have link roads, thus making it cumbersome for residents to commute easily within the state.

    Kadiri said: “Though, Lagos is experiencing infrastructure boom, it is not enough to cater for the teeming population of the state.

    “Along with infrastructure development taking place in Lagos, the state government should come up with the policies aimed at reducing the population to preserve new and existing infrastructure.”

    She, however, urged the state government to be more proactive in improving on its infrastructure to cater for the teeming population.