By Gabriel Agbeja

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted below normal to above normal rainfall in the months of August, September and October (called ASO season), across the country.

Its Director-General, Prof. Mansur Matazu, who addressed newsmen in Abuja, quoted the agency as predicting above normal rainfall conditions over the northern states like; Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Kano, Jigwa, Yobe, Borno, Bauchi.

NiMet further predicted normal rainfall conditions over Kebbi, Gombe, northern Kaduna and Adamawa.

Normal to above normal rainfall conditions are expected over most parts of the Southwestern states like Lagos, Ogun, Osun, much of Oyo, Ondo, parts of Ekiti and Edo .

Normal rainfall conditions are expected in the central states, most of Kaduna, Adamawa, Edo, Ekiti, Oyo, parts of Bauchi, Gombe and Ondo.

Normal to Below normal conditions are expected over the South-South and the inland states such as Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Abia, Imo, Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu, it said.

The agency said it would continue observing and monitoring rainfall events across the country and for forecasting of various rainfall events on different time scales and lead times.

It further said it would keep rendering provision of early warning products and services and timely dissemination of vital information and advisory services on weather and climate related events.

NiMet said that it would keep up its constructive engagement with all relevant stakeholders for adequate uptake and utilisation of weather, water and climate in formation.

The agency advised states and National Emergency Management Agencies to intensify adaptation, mitigation and response mechanisms.

It further advised states that were expected to experience varying degrees of flood episodes to begin their awareness campaigns through field extension workers for possible response activities especially at the high risk areas.

According to it, measures to prevent mud-like disasters by relevant authorities especially in the South East are advised to be put in place.

It urged the public to heed to other advisories by Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) and NEMA. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Chioma Ugboma

Source: NAN News

By Funmilayo Adeyemi

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has advanced reasons why its meeting with the Prof. Nimi Briggs-led committee of the Federal Government on Aug. 16 ended in deadlock.

The union explained that the deadlock came into being because of a certain award of Consolidated University Academic Salary Structure (CONUASS) said to have been prepared by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission to it.

The union, in a press statement signed by its President, ProfEmmanuel Osodeke, on Thursday expressed anger that the award, presented by the Nimi Briggs-led team came in a manner of take-it-or-leave-it , in ordinarily sheet of paper.

The ASUU president said the award salary, was against the principle of collective bargaining based on the Wages Boards and Industrial Councils Decree No. 1 of 1973, the Trade Dispute Act (1976).

He said it was against the ILO Conventions 49 (1948), 91(1950), 154 (1988) and recommendation 153 (1981), Udoji Commission Report of 1974, and Cookey Commission Report of 1981.

According to him,the report also provided a platform for resolving such important issues as special Salaries and Conditions of Service of University Staff, University Funding, roles of Pro Chancellors, Vice-Chancellors, and National Universities Commission (NUC).

He said that a key outcome was a special salary scale for university staff known as University Salary Structure (USS).

He, therefore, said the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Education, should return to the New Draft Agreement of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Renegotiation Committee, whose work spanned a total of five and half years, as a demonstration of good faith.

According to the statement, tagged: Why ASUU Rejects Governments Award of Salary, the union claimed that government imposed the ongoing strike action on them, and has encouraged it to linger because of its provocative indifference.

The Munzali Jibril-led renegotiation committee, submitted the first Draft Agreement in May 2021 but governments official response did not come until about one year later.

Again, the Award presented by the Nimi Briggs-led Team, came across in a manner of take-it-or-leave-it on a sheet of paper. No serious country in the world treats their scholars this way.

Over the years, particularly since 1992, the union had always argued for, and negotiated a separate salary structure for academics for obvious reasons.

ASUU does not accept any awarded salary as was the case in the administration of Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar. The separate salary structures in all FGN/ASUU Agreements were usually the outcome of Collective Bargaining processes, he said.

He said the major reason given by the Federal Government for its miserly offer, which was paucity of revenue, was not tenable.

This is because of several reasons, chief of which is poor management of the economy. This has given rise to leakages in the revenue of governments at all levels.

There is wasteful spending, misappropriation of funds and outright stealing of our collective patrimony.

ASUU believes that if the leakages in the management of the countrys resources are stopped, there will be more than enough to meet the nations revenue and expenditure targets, without borrowing and plunging the country into debt crisis as is the case now.

At the commencement of the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement on March 16, 2017, both the federal government and ASUU teams agreed to be guided by some terms of reference.

ASUU, however, expressed regrets that the former reneged on its side of obligations and agreed in the agreement, he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Ariwodola Idowu/Grace Yussuf

Source: NAN News

By Funmilayo Adeyemi

The Royal Commonwealth Society, Nigeria Branch has pledged to mediate between the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Federal Government using the instrument of Academic Diplomacy to resolve the situation.

The Country Director of the society, Mr Blackson Bayewumi, said this in a statement in Abuja on Thursday.

Bayewumi appealed to ASUU to embrace meaningful dialogue, consultations and compromise at resolving the prolonged academic strike, given the fact that the Federal Government was confronted with several other challenges with limited resources.

He urged the union to also consider the lean income of the government to call-off the strike in the interest of the students, their parents and the nation in general.

It is now essential for the Royal Commonwealth Society Nigeria Branch to intervene in the ongoing industrial action by members of ASUU, in Nigeria after over six months of shutting down academic activities in all public universities.

There is the Article XI of the Charter of the Commonwealth adopted on Dec. 14, 2012 by Commonwealth Heads of Government, and signed on March 11, 2013 by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, of England, and Head of the Commonwealth.

This article shows that access to education, among others, is accorded high priority by the Charter of the Commonwealth.

Nigerian universities are members of the Association of Commonwealth Universities which is one of the associations accredited to the Commonwealth, he said.

Bayewumi said that the association championed higher education as the cornerstone of stronger societies, with a mission to build better world through higher education.

He, therefore, said that the importance of higher education to the social, political, economic, industrial, medical, scientific and technological development of a nation could not be over emphasised.

Besides, keeping young men and women idle for long at this age should be totally avoided, as the popular saying: An idle mind is the devils workshop.

Our esteemed young men and women should be properly educated, mentored and productively engaged for posterity of the country, he said.

NAN reports that the union had been on strike since Feb.14, over alleged refusal of the government to keep to agreement entered with the union.

The union demands included implementation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU renegotiation Agreement and deployment of UTAS, payment of outstanding arrears of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA).

Others are payment of promotion arrears, and release withheld salaries of academics. (NAN) ()

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Edited by Abiemwense Moru/Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News

By Funmilayo Adeyemi

The Executive Secretary, National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Prof. Idris Bugaje, has urged private polytechnics and monotechnics to be innovative by introducing attractive packages to their educational menu.

Bugaje gave the charge on Thursday, in Abuja at the presentation of operational licences to new polytechnics and monotechnics.

He said that there was the need to ensure that every student should graduate with at least one certified skill in addition to their National Diploma.

According to him, skills today have become the global currency of labour and we must key into it by linking up our training with relevant industries in our environments and facilitate hands-on training and apprenticeship.

Most of the licences today are for private sector and I must appeal to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to do whatever is necessary to assist these institutions with good admission quotas to avoid them folding up.

Equally necessary, our private polytechnics and monotechnics must become innovative by introducing some attractive packages that will not be found in public polytechnics and monotechnics.

This isan area you need to think outside the box to bring out something attractive, something innovative, something different and something that you dont find in the public polytechnics.

You can, in addition to the national diploma, introduce training skills to your students, he said.

The executive secretary said this would make the students graduate with a certificate in skills, while calling on the new polytechnics and monotechnics to put in place National Skills and Qualification Framework (NSQF) in their institutions.

He added that there was the need to key into the NSQF so that graduates ofpolytechnics and monotechnics would be able to get dual certificates which are: the National Diploma ( ND ) and the NSQ.

This will allow them take up jobs which are today available in Nigeria. There are lots of skill gaps in many of the infrastructure projects, the railway programmes, the refineries in Lekki and several other projects across the country.

We are importing labour from Asia because we dont have certified and qualified skills from Nigeria to take up these jobs. We have degree holders, diploma holders without qualifications in requisite skills.

So, I am appealing to you to create these innovative channels. Skills training is the panacea to Nigerias current unemployment rate, this is the only root we can use to export labour to the rest of the world, he said.

Bugaje explained that many countries of the world were already earning foreign exchange from skills training before the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic in December 2019.

He identified Bangladesh to have exported 11 million skilled labour to the world, especially, to the Middle East and Europe as a result of COVID-19 pandemic.

He said that there were lots of skill gaps across the western world, stressing thatpaper qualification was not enough for anybody.

He said, hence, we must begin to give the youth training in skills.

Also, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institution and TETFund , Sen. Ahmad Kaita, said that the senate would support the polytechnics and monotechnics to achieve their desired mandate.

Kaita who was represented by his Media Adviser, Mallam Abdulkadir Lawal, said that the Nigerian Senate was very determined and focused to give whatever assistance it could to thepolytechnics in the country.

As you are all aware, polytechnics in Nigeria are so much focused on providing technical and vocational education to Nigerian students.

The Nigerian Senate will not relent in giving all the assistance these polytechnics deserve in discharging their duties, he said.

Mr Ema Abdulfatai representing Novelty Polytechnic, Kishi in Oyo State, promised to key into the mandate of NBTE by providing skills to the institutions students.

Also, Mr Henry Ijohor, representing Harry Pass Polytechnic, Mkar, Gboko in Benue, implored those who received the licences to imbibe NBTEs standards to better the educational sector of the country.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Deborah Coker/Peter Dada

Source: NAN News

By Felicia Imohimi

The International Fund For Agricultural Development (IFAD) has identified youth mobilisation for agriculture as critical for transformation of food system in Nigeria.

Ms Dede Ekoue, IFAD Nigeria Country Director, said this at the 2022 edition of Federal Government of Nigeria/IFAD Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) National Youth Forum on Wednesday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the programme is Promoting Sustainable Youth Empowerment in Agribusiness and Entrepreneurship.

Ekoue said youths accounted for 70 per cent of its population and the size and youthfulness of the Nigeria population offers great potential to expand the countrys capacity at the regional economic hub of Africa and globally.

According to her, this can be achieved by using agribusiness, entrepreneurship and technology to improve the livelihoods of youths and women, thereby enhancing food security, boosting economic growth and accessing decent employment.

She decried that in spite of the youthfulness of the countrys population, the average age of farmers in the sector was 60 per cent.

Ekoue said it implied that the sector was yet to maximise the countrys demographic dividend of young population.

Nigerias young women and men should remain top priority by all of us. They deserve our support to reach their full potential, allowing them to prosper and also ensuring sustainable productive life, Ekoue said.

She explained that the worlds youth population, expected to grow employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for young women and men, remained limited particularly for those living in economically stagnant rural areas of developing countries.

Agricultural development presents an opportunity to meet young peoples aspirations for stable jobs and access to social services which are normally absent in rural areas.

This ambitions constitute common push factors promoting an increase in migration for young men and women in most developing countries, she said.

The country director hinted that the FGN/IFAD-assisted VCDP had tremendously continued to significantly contribute to the promotion of sustainable youth empowerment in agribusiness and entrepreneurship among young men and women in the country.

According to her, there are over 35,000 youths participating in the project at the moment.

Ekoue said that the alignment of IFAD Country Strategy with the Federal Government priorities provided the organisation a unique opportunity to play a central role in empowering the Nigerian youth.

According to her, it also avails the opportunity in transforming rural areas, reducing poverty and contributing to achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Youth is a key priority for the 12th Replenishment of IFAD Resources (IFAD12) as reflected in IFADs Strategic Framework.

The FGN through our key partners- Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and Ministry of Finance-IFAD has co-financed and is co-financing projects that are youth-sensitive.

We are also promoting sustainable empowerment of young men and women in agribusiness and entrepreneurship in Nigeria.

She identified IFAD as a premium partner and ever ready to contribute as part of the United Nations Systems to a sustainable partnership and collaboration with the government and all stakeholders.

The partnership according to her, is making greater progress on the ground for the young women and men for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and life, living no one behind.

Dr Fatima Aliyu, National Programme Coordinator, FGN/IFAD-VCDP, said the programme objective was to increase the incomes, food and nutrition security of smallholders and producers who cultivated not more than five hectres of either cassava or rice.

According to her, the programme also targeted at processors who process not more than two metric tons of cassava and mill not more than four metric tons of rice daily and traders on a sustainable basis.

IFAD-VCDP is implemented by the Nigerian government with funding support by IFAD in nine states of Anambra, Benue, Enugu, Ebonyi, Kogi, Niger, Nasarawa, Ogun and Taraba.

IFAD assisted-VCDP of the FMARD Youth Forum holds every year to discuss contemporary issues relating to youth and entrepreneurship development in Nigeria to showcase the programmes contribution to government efforts at combating youth unemployment in Nigeria.

Dr Mohammad Abubakar, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, in his keynote address, said the huge population of Youths was largely unemployed or under employed.

Represented by Mr Ubandoma Ularamu, Director, Projects Coordinating Unit (PCU) FMARD, however, said the population was endowed with resourcefulness, patriotism necessary for national growth and development.

He says The need to harness and develop these potentials to their fullest has been one of the major policy focus of this administration with the ministry playing the major role being the largest employer of labour both actual and potential.

The ministry is currently implementing a robust national youth and gender policy aimed at empowering youth and women, developing potentials for growth and contribute to national developments.

Agriculture is a key sector of the Nigerian economy which ensures food security, creates jobs, opens up rural economies, provides raw materials and develops latent resources and potentials.

It has remained a major contributor to Nigeria from the non-oil sector. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Saidu Adamu/Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

By Rukayat Moisemhe

Chief Executive Officer, FAE Envelopes, Mrs Layo Bakare-Okeowo, on Wednesday said that paper industry could equate oil revenue generation for Nigeria if revived and maximally exploited using backward integration policy.

Bakare-Okeowo made the assertion at the companys facility tour by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) and the Nigerian Association of Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) in Lagos.

According to her, the paper industry, which she referred to as a gold-mine, will generate more foreign exchange, tackle unemployment, and contribute to the countrys Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The FAE boss, however, stated the need for a functional paper mill in the country and the proper implementation of backward integration policy to ensure ease of access to raw materials for production.

She quoted that the sum of five million dollars was enough to create paper mills cluster to drive the sector to full potential for the countrys sufficient use and for exports.

She also called for more support to the sector to engender more research in pulp and paper as well as capacity building to develop the industry.

Billions of dollars is what is being expended to import paper into the country, meanwhile, God has blessed us with so much raw materials that can be transformed into making paper.

We have the Kenaf specie for paper production with a gestation period of six months against that of wood that its gestation is about 12 years.

Also, waste products, bamboo, sugar cane, jute leaves popularly called ewedu are all raw materials that can be transformed to paper with a quick turn around time for investment.

Once all these are in place, the future of the Nigeria paper industry is endless and could become self sufficient and also begin to export both in the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and globally, she said.

Bakare-Okeowo said that in spite of the obvious challenges with the operating environment, her passion to drive Nigerias industrialisation agenda to fruition was part of what had sustained the envelope business for over forty years.

She reiterated the companys commitment to becoming more innovative in its drive to secure contents of envelopes, saying that the company had in its pipeline, a fireproof envelope.

With the elections coming soon, there is need for tamper proof envelope which is water resistant and can be used to secure votes once sealed.

Again, the future of paper is endless and we hope that the government can do what is necessary to drive the sector to its full potential seeing that Egypt has 25 functional paper mills, she said.

President, LCCI, Dr Michael Olawale-Cole, reiterated the chambers interest in the success of all manufacturing companies at the heart of its operations.

He called for continued amiable relationship to drive Nigerias industrialisation agenda for all round growth and prosperity of the nations economy.

Ude John Udeagbala, President, NACCIMA, advocated the need for proper succession planning for businesses in Nigeria to engender sustainability.

Also, Mr Adesoji Adesugba, Managing Director, Nigeria Exports Processing Zones Authority(NEPZA), charged players in the paper industry to take advantage of the Free Trade Economic Zones across the country.

This, he said, would enable industries enjoy the maximum incentives such as duty free imports at the free trade zones.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that over 400 million metric tonnes of paper is being imported into the country annually.

In spite of the current global digitalisation, paper continues to be important for job creation, forestry, and education and literacy. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Saidu Adamu/Olawunmi Ashafa

Source: NAN News

Constance Athekame

The Abuja Electricity Distribution (AEDC) has attributed power interruption experienced across its franchise areas to the ongoing Industrial issues in the sector.

The management of AEDC in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday, said that the industrial issues were between the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) and the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

We will like to assure our valued customers that all stakeholders are working hard to ensure mutual and amicable settlement and power is restored forthwith.

The AEDC, however, thanked its customers for their patient and understanding.

The Chairman of FCT of NUEE, Mr Godfery Abah, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that a notice signed by its General Secretary, Mr Joe Ajaero, had directed its members to stop work effective Aug. 17.

Abah said that the action followed the directive by the TCN Board that all Principal Managers in acting capacity going to Assistant General Managers must appear for a promotion interview.

He said that this directive is in contravention of our Conditions of Service and Career Progression Paths, and unilaterally done without the relevant Stakeholders.

Another grievance is the stigmatisation of staff from the office of the Head of Service (HoS) of the Federation from working in other areas in the Power Sector.

And, the refusal of the Market Operator to fund the payment of entitlement of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria, Ex-PHCN, Staff as agreed in December 2019 agreement after an industrial action by the union, he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Council of Wise of the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy and Democracy, an NGO, has urged the Inter- Party Advisory Council (IPAC), to abide by its codes during the forthcoming 2023 General Elections.

Chairperson of the council, retired Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, made the appeal when she led he colleagues on an advocacy visit/engagements with the leadership of IPAC, on Wednesday in Abuja.

Bulkachuwa also enjoined the leadership of IPAC to ensure that political parties discharge their responsibilities to their members in the country without recourse to violence.

Let me on behalf of the council appeal to the leadership of IPAC to always abide by its Codes of Conduct and declared objectives.

This is to ensure that our political parties discharge their responsibilities to their members and indeed the nation without recourse to violence/

They should be encouraged to be guided by democratic principles such as: inclusive participation, equity and fairness in all their activities.

We wish to advise that the leaderships should also take steps to compel their members and official to fully comply with the electoral laws.

They should also follow guidelines issued by the electoral umpire (INEC), in order to develop a culture of integrity and trust.

Its also the responsibility of the Advisory Council to ensure that the political campaigns by political parties are devoid of rancor, hate speech, inflammatory and unguided utterances capable of instigating violence, she said.

The former President of the Court of Appeal stated that Nigeria deserves peaceful transparent 2023 elections, adding that for Nigeria to develop, there must be stable good governance.

The council wishes to remind the IPAC leadership that for Nigeria to develop, there must be stable good governance, which could best be put in place through free and transparent elections.

The council believes that the ability of Nigerians to once more prove the prophets of doom and our detractors wrong largely depends on the conduct of the parties during the forthcoming 2003 elections:

They owe it a duty to the Nigerian people to improve upon and consolidate the democratic successes so far achieved in Nigeria, she said.

Bulkachuwa assured that the council would continue to remind stakeholders to always listen to their own wise counsel before they act.

According to her, the council played a very important role in ensuring a free, fair and violence-free election in 2015 through its numerous engagements with many stakeholders.

Earlier, the Executive Director, Savannah Centre, Amb. Sani Bala, explained that the council of wise which comprise of credible and reputable Nigerians is a platform for early detection and deliberations of major issues around around the general elections.

Responding, the IPAC National Chairman, Mr Yabagi Sani, commended the efforts of the council towards ensuring violence-free, fair and credible 2023 General Elections.

According to him, IPAC stands on nothing short of peaceful, transparent and credible elections come 2023.

He said; Our meeting with the council was very informative and highly educative in the sense that we learn a lot.

It has further confirmed the need for Nigeria to have credible and transparent elections.

We will take the message of the council of wise to other political parties and we will deepen interaction and interface with the council in order to benefits from the fountain of knowledge. (NAN) (www.nannews.n)

Edited by Saidu Adamu/Bashir Rabe Mani

Source: NAN News

By Stephen Adeleye

The acting Chief Justice of the Federation (CJN), Olukayode Ariwoola, has unveiled the trophy for the 28th Judiciary Staffers Games scheduled for Lokoja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the National Sports Association for Judiciary (NASAJ) would hold from Aug. 17 to 27 in Lokoja.

Ariwoola, who was represented by the state Acting Chief Judge, Josiah Majebi, unveiled the trophy at the premises of the State High Court, on Wednesday in Lokoja,

The CJN described the trophy as a trophy of unity designed to foster unity among the judiciary staffers across the federation.

The CJN commended Gov. Yahaya Bello for hosting the competition and for the security and hospitality enjoyed by the participants.

He encouraged the organisers and participants to play by the rules and regulations of the game, so as to achieve the desired success.

The President of NASAJ, Emeka Ndilli, said the competition was founded in 1994 while Kogi hosted in 2016 and now in 2022 within the space of six years.

Ndili expressed gratitude to the good people of the state for their hospitality and the Governor for accepting to host the games within a few years interval.

On his part, the states Commissioner for Sports, Idris Musa, appreciated NASAJ for considering the state for hosting the games in 2016 and 2022.

He assured participants of good hospitality from the good people of Kogi, adding that the state was safe. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Saidu Adamu/Joseph Edeh

Source: NAN News

By Stellamaris Ashinze

Google on Tuesday said that it had invested in Lori Systems, an e-logistics company digitising haulage and providing shippers with solutions to efficiently manage cargo and transporters.

The Managing Director, Sub-Saharan Africa, Google, Nitin Gajria said in a statement that this new investment is the third from Googles 50 Million dollars Africa Investment Fund, announced in October 2021.

Gajria said that it came off the back of the launch of Googles first product development center on the continent, in Nairobi, Kenya, the city where Lori Systems first launched.

He said that named by the Financial Times earlier this year as Africas seventh fastest-growing company, Lori Systems had helped thousands of shippers and carriers move over 10 billion dollars worth of cargo across the continent since its founding in 2017.

According to him, the continent, logistics operators face a host of problems; from fragmented supply and demand markets to inconsistent pricing, paper documentation and little or no access to financing.

A pioneer in e-logistics in Africa, Lori Systems lowers the cost of goods by eliminating pain points along the cargo journey seamlessly connecting shippers to transportation.

Providing shippers with solutions to efficiently manage their cargo and transporters, and digitizing their entire transport operations from sourcing transportation to documentation and payments.

At Google, we understand the transformative power digitisation can bring to the African continent.

There is so much potential in the region, but its only through innovation that this can be fully unlocked, he said.

According to Gajria, Lori Systems is a great example of how technology can be scalable across Africa, and how, in turn, this can drive meaningful economic development.

Were excited to see where the future takes a business like this.

Jean-Claude Homawoo, Lori Systems co-founder said that in recent years, the global logistics industry had seen much innovation.

She, however, said that global supply chains were in dire need of modernisation, with technologies yet to reach critical scale.

Homawoo said that on the continent, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is expected to lead to an 81 per cent increase in intra-African trade, providing a 21.9 billion opportunity.

The co founder said that providing opportunities in untapped trade potential that the 54 ratifying countries were hoping to capitalise on over the next five years.

Logistics is key to unlocking this opportunity.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Lori Systems, Uche Ogboi said that the company was excited to have Google as a partner, as the organisation continued to build the operating system for emerging market logistics.

According to her, our vision of the future of logistics in Africa is one that is digital, scalable and more efficient.

She said the company had been successful, achieving up to 20 per cent price reduction for cargo owners and nearly 2 times increase in truck utilisation for transporters on Lori platform.

We are excited about this funding as it will allow us to continue driving superior efficiencies across logistics on the continent.(NAN)

Edited by Chioma Ugboma

Source: NAN News