Business
Exchange Yet To Recover From Strike
One week after the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) suspended its strike action, transactions at the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange have continued to dwindle, as most investors are yet to return to the market.
On Friday, investors 171,490,798 shares, worth N1.4 billion exchanged hands in 3,097 deals, compared to 178,270,056 shares, valued at N1.2 which was traded in 3,259 deals.
All -Share Index closed at 20,820.32 points while market capitalisation was also closed at N6.6 trillion.
Guinness Plc gained N2.50 per share to lead the gainers chart, while WAPCO, CAP and NAHCO all gained N1.74, 72 Kobo and 29 Kobo, respectively to one behind Guinness.
At the sectoral level the Banking sub-sector was the most patronised with 128,867,681 shares, worth N566.3 million which investors traded in 1,506 deals.
Although the sector’s performance led others, the transactions cannot be compared with the booming days of banking shares.
However, the weekend Banking sub-sector activities was largely driven by the transaction of Diamond, FCMB, Skye Bank and UBA which traded 22,110,317. , 14,820,575.28,721,152 and 18,021,640 shares, respectively, worth N566.1, N49.1, N58.5 and N102 millions, respectively, traded in 61, 42, 106 and 123 deals, respectively.
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Business
FCTA, Others Chart Path To Organic Agriculture Practices
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and other stakeholders have charted path to improved organic agriculture practices nationwide.
At a 2024 national organic and agroecology business summit held recently in Abuja, stakeholders took turn to speak on the additional areas of promoting the practices.
The Mandate Secretary, FCT Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat (ARDS), Lawan Geidam, advocated for sustainable practice to develop resilient food systems that will benefit people.
The event, with the theme,”Towards Policies for Upscaling Organic Agroecological Businesses in Nigeria”, is aimed at fostering growth in the organic agriculture sector.
Geidam, who was represented by the Acting Director, Agric Services, in the Secretariat, Mr. Ofili Bennett, emphasised the success of organic and agroecological farming, reling on the active involvement of farmers, businesses and consumers.
He reassured attendees that the FCT Administration, led by the Minister, Nyesom Wike, and Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, remains dedicated to supporting initiatives that enhance the livelihood of residents.
Geidam described the partnership between the Secretariat and the organic and Agroecology initiative for a monthly exhibition and sale of organic products in the FCTA premises as a testament to this commitment.
“The ARDS remains committed to driving policies and initiatives that align with national goals and global standards”, Geidam said.
On her part, the Chairperson of Organic and Agroecology Initiative, Mrs. Janet Igho, urged residents to embrace healthy eating habits to sustain a good lifestyle. She stressed the importance of adopting organic practices, highlighting the benefits of going organic, growing organic and consuming organic products.
Igho expressed her optimism regarding the Agricultural Revival Programmes as articulated in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda”, which aims at fostering food and nutrition security.
She also extended her gratitude to ARDS for graciously allocating a space in the FCTA premises for the exhibition and sale of organic products, noting that the platform has been effectively used to advance the promotion of organic agriculture in FCT.
Igho outlined several benefits of organic agriculture which includes improved soil health, increased biodiversity, availability nutritious and healthy food and a reduced carbon footprint.
Stakeholders at the summit, underscored the critical need for enhanced private sector involvement and robust capacity building initiatives for farmers.
They highlighted the importance of implementing supportive policies to foster the growth of the organic agriculture sector.
In the light of the significant challenges facing Nigeria’s agricultural landscape, stakeholders decided that organic agricultural practices present sustainable solutions and a pathway for a more resilient and productive farming systems.
The three-day summit featured exhibitions showcasing organic foods, fruits, vegetables and fertilizers, providing an opportunity for residents to better appreciate the benefits of production and consumption of organic agricultural products.