Lexy Blog

…as experts call for the establishment of Traditional Medicine Board There is no gain saying that over 60 percent of Nigerians patronise different forms of traditional medicine (TM) practice and the trade accruing from traditional medicine only is estimated to be over USD1billion. However, what is worrisome is that while countries like China and India have developed their TM such as acupuncture to become globally accepted and are reaping billions of dollars in foreign exchange, Nigeria is still grappling with giving legislative backing to a practice which is sustaining millions of Nigerians that cannot afford orthodox treatment. In an interview with BusinessDay with Tamuno Okujagu, Director-General/Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA), said that traditional medicine has been with mankind al binito and has contributed immensely the World Health Organisation (WHO) acknowledges the growing need and potentials of TM and continues to encourage

While revelations on the rot that crept into the banking industry continue to unfold, depositors point the way forward and advocate good corporate governance as a means of correcting the anomalies in the sector, writes ALEXANDER CHIEJINA Nigerians were bewildered with the sudden sack of the Chief Executive Officers of five banks in the country last Friday. This came as a surprise to a lot of Nigerians within and outside the country. However, the shake up in the banking sector was not expected so soon bearing in mind the recent consolidation that was said to have strengthened the banks. Far reaching as it was, analysts believe that the move by the Central Bank of Nigeria to painstakingly sanitize the sector however shouldn't be the last if Nigeria is on the brink for transformative economic and political advancement. It could be recalled five years ago in June 2004, when Charles Chukwuma Soludo upon assuming office as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, su

Although climate change has always been viewed as portending danger for the earth’s environment, economists and scientists nonetheless insist it holds numerous opportunities for Nigeria’s business environment, writes ALEXANDER CHIEJINA The story of climate change is gradually shifting from that of perennial gloom to investment boom. Unlike in the past when the term "climate change" only reminds people of adversities such as global warming, desertification, erosion, flooding, and sea-level rise, the term now brings to mind mouth-watering investment opportunities. This is partly because the theme of climate change has crept into the business terrain, thereby expanding climate change issues beyond the environmental bunker, which is largely characterized by discourses about environmental degradation and the negative impacts of climate change on livelihoods and the environment. Rather than perpetually viewing climate change as an overpowering dracula that is a

As torrents of rain, showered by the 'open heavens' continue unabated, transporters nod that they are truly in for grueling times on the nation's collapsed roads, necessitating the call on government to urgently expedite action on road repair works in the interest of the economy, writes ALEXANDER CHIEJINA There is no gain-saying that provision of good roads is fundamentally important to the economic development of Nigeria, as well as the well-being of its inhabitants. According to a recent analysis, road transportation in Nigeria controls over 95 percent of all surface transportation spread across the geopolitical zones of the country. However, the network of Federal roads in Nigeria is not only limited, but the few available ones are in deplorable state. During the oil boom, the Yakubu Gowon-led administration increased the number of Federal roads by transferring roads that were state-owned. Some of these roads were gazetted as Federal roads. But as tim

Recently, the European Union (EU) signed an agreement with UNICEF that will bring sustainable and integrated water supply and sanitation as well as hygiene promotion to 200,000 people in rural communities in selected states and local governments. The EU’s investment of 9 million Euros (1.9 billion naira), which will be funded under the Support to Reforming Institutions Programme, is to stimulate accountability and transparency in State and Local Government Area (LGAs) budgeting processes in six states: Anambra, Osun, Cross River, Kano, Jigawa and Yobe. UNICEF will implement the programme over the next two (2) years. Speaking at the occasion, David MacRae, Ambassador/Head of the EU Delegation to Nigeria said “We at the EU believe that the provision of water and sanitation and the promotion of hygiene are essential public services. They protect populations from diseases that particularly affect children, including cholera and diarrhoea, and they help contain malaria.

The need for quality in healthcare services in the country was last week re-echoed at the just concluded fifth West African Health Exhibition (WAH) as over 500 experts who brain-stormed identified poor hospital services and management as a major factor that has plagued the development of the health sector in Nigeria. In a chat, the Chairman National Consultative Committee on Cancer Control in Nigeria, Prof. Francis Abayomi Durosinmi – Etti who was also the chairman of the occasion said “Although the necessity of introducing quality and health care risk management procedures in health care institutions is no longer contested, it must be recognised that total quality control is coming to hospitals very slowly” Speaking during the opening ceremony of 2010 WAH in Lagos, Durosinmi – Etii who applauded the theme “Delivering Quality Healthcare Services in West Africa” noted quality of healthcare services determines the desired health outcomes and are consistent with curren

As the globe celebrates customer service week which is a period set aside to reinforce the significance of providing a quality experience for the consumer, Alexander Chiejina writes on how First City Monument Bank (FCMB) hinges on customer care to drive its business to new heights Good customer service no doubt has over the years been the lifeblood of any business. As it is the case with most organisations in Nigeria and the world at large, they may offer promotions and slash prices to bring in as many new customers as they want but unless one can get some of those customers to come back, such a business won’t be profitable for long. However for Ebele Enuani, a staff with CAP plc, good customer service is all about bringing customers back. And about sending them away happy – happy enough to pass positive feedback about one’s business along to others, who may then try the product or service you offer for themselves and in turn become repeat customers. “If you are a