Business
Elections: Capital Market Operators Project Gradual Equities Rebound
Closed shops at area ten shoping complex in Abuja last Monday. Photo: NAN
Some capital market operators have expressed optimism that the nation’s capital market would experience a boost with the near successful conduct of the Presidential and National Assembly elections.
They told newsmen in separate interviews in Lagos that peaceful conduct of the election would increase investors’ confidence in the market.
Alhaji Rasheed Yussuf, immediate President, Association of Stockbroking Houses of Nigeria (ASHON), said that anxiety surrounding the general elections would reduce with the outcome of March 28 polls.
Yussuf said that the market had started reacting positively to the outcome of the elections, noting that more investors would embrace the market.
“It is a good thing that the presidential election, which is more critical, has come and gone without violence,” he said.
Yussuf said that the outcome of the election had shown that there would be Nigeria after the elections, noting that the tempo should be maintained.
He said that the market would react more positively once a winner was declared because there was no major violence.
“Anxieties surrounding the general elections will be subdued because there was no major riot or violence,” Yussuf said.
Mr Olaleye Williams, the Managing Director, GlobalView Consult & Investment Ltd., said that the market would witness increased activities if the tempo would be maintained.
Williams said that local and foreign investors that exited the market due to election anxieties would return to the market.
He stated that the development would increase activities of speculators in the market, to make quick return in the next couple of days.
Meanwhile, a turnover of 2.51 billion shares worth N24.12 billion were exchanged in 19,971 deals last week against 1.38 billion shares valued N12.05 billion traded in 16,877 deals in the preceding week.
The Financial Services Industry led the activity chart with 2.19 billion shares worth N14.14 billion achieved in 12,589 deals.
The conglomerates sector followed with a turnover of 161.71 million shares worth N1.09 billion traded in 1,223 deals.
The third place was occupied by the Consumer Goods Industry with 67.49 million shares worth N7.16 billion transacted in 2,516 deals.
NAN reports that the All-Share Index last week rose by 1228.7 points or 4.19 per cent to close at 30,562.93 compared with 29,334.23 points posted in the corresponding week due to price appreciation.
Also, the market capitalisation improved by N530 billion to close at N10.319 trillion against N9.789 trillion achieved in the previous week.
Dangote Flour Mills led the gainers’ table for the week, appreciating by 27.59 per cent or 80k to close at N3.70 per share.
Champion Breweries followed with a gain of 23.84 per cent or N1.23 to close at N6.39, while Forte Oil Plc increased by 18.33 per cent or N34.84 to close at N224.89 per share.
Conversely, UBA Capital topped the losers’ chart in percentage terms, shedding 21.82 per cent or 36k to close at N1.29 per share.
UAC trailed with a loss of 10.97 per cent or N3.95 to close at N32.05, while Sterling Bank declined by 8.30 per cent or 19k to close at N2.10 per share.
MoniePoint Inc. a digital financial firm in Nigeria, has said it is empowering community pharmacists across the country with innovative payment solutions to improve access to drugs.
The financial firm said it had also provided loans for pharmacists under the aegis of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) to drive healthcare delivery in the country.
MoniePoint in a release titled, “Inside Nigeria’s community pharmacies: How Moniepoint drives healthcare access with payments and funding”, has reaffirmed its commitment to providing digital payment solutions to improve health outcomes in Nigeria.
The release examined how community pharmacies play a crucial role as vital access points for medical care in Nigeria, especially in areas with limited hospital or clinic access.
According to the release, the ACPN National Chairman, Ambrose Igwekwam, highlighted the critical role played by community pharmacies in Nigeria’s healthcare system over the years.
Igwekwam, however, expressed concerns over the challenges confronting the nation’s pharmaceutical industry which he said was hindering access to affordable medicines.
The pharmacist listed poor infrastructural systems, power, transportation, regulatory bottlenecks, importation dependency, and limited research opportunities as major challenges facing the pharmaceutical sector.
He also stressed the need for robust collaborative efforts with institutions like Moniepoint to strengthen the sector.
“As Nigeria continues to grow, improving local pharma manufacturing to meet the demands of this growth presents a key opportunity for us all.
“There is also the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement, which is expected to boost our industry, especially when we start producing our drugs locally, which will provide the much needed foreign exchange from exports.
“We are also seeing advancements in digital health and technology which would hopefully deepen the practice of e-prescription in Nigeria”, the ACPN boss said.
Corlins Walter
In order to enhance customer service and streamline operations, the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) has called on stakeholders in the insurance industry to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The President of the institute, Yetunde Ilori, made this call at the 2024 Office Representatives Committee (ORC) Workshop, organised by the institute, with the theme “AI and the Future of the Insurance Industry”, in Lagos.
Ilori at the event, emphasised the importance of AI adoption, noting that it was not a threat to jobs but rather a tool to improve efficiency across the insurance sector.
“It is not about AI taking over our jobs, but about us using AI to simplify processes and give maximum satisfaction to all the customers we serve whether as underwriters, brokers, loss adjusters, or in educating our members”, she said.
The workshop, which brought players in the insurance sector together, aimed to address how AI could be leveraged to transform business processes and improve customer interactions.
The Chairman of the ORC, Monica Nwachukwu, underscored the role of AI in modernising the industry, adding, “AI can automate customer and claims processes, allowing insurers to provide faster and more efficient services to their customers”.
She explained how AI could help extract data from legacy systems, enhancing decision-making processes.
“By integrating AI with APIs, insurers can feed valuable data into AI solutions to improve operations and customer service”, she added.
In his address, the Managing Partner of A4S and Training Heights, Orlando Odejide, stressed the need for companies to align their strategies with future technologies like AI, especially as they prepare for 2025.
“Any organisation that wants to grow into the future must have its strategic plan in place. If your strategy for 2025 is not ready, it should be done by October”, he advised.
He encouraged participants to think critically about how AI could be integrated into their business models to ensure they remain competitive.
“The idea is for you to use this workshop as a platform to think about your organization and how AI can help streamline your processes and improve growth”, Odejide noted.
In order to gain global respect and recognition, the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) has reaffirmed its determination to pursue its goal in ensuring that Nigeria’s space capabilities are recognised on the world stage.
The agency also reaffirmed its commitment to positioning Nigeria as a key player in the global space economy.
In a statement by the Director of Media and Corporate Communications, Dr. Felix Ale, NASRDA revealed that the Director-General of the agency, Matthew Adepoju, emphasised this during recent engagements at the 79th United Nations General Assembly and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and Global Alliance Business Association international conference in Michigan, United States.
The statement noted that Adepoju outlined a forward-thinking agenda, stressing the importance of Nigeria’s space programme as a leader in research, exploration, and technological innovation.
“Our goal is to ensure that Nigeria’s space capabilities are recognised on the world stage.
“We must foster collaborations with global space agencies to enhance our satellite capabilities and technological infrastructure”, he stated.
The NASRDA boss said the agency is focusing on enhancing satellite capabilities, expanding international collaborations, and leveraging space science for national development.
He said NASRDA will have no stone unturned in pursuit of excellence, ensuring the agency secures the necessary resources and recognition to propel it forward.
“The relationships we build today will pave the way for tomorrow’s advancements in space science.
“Innovation and progress thrive in an environment built on collaboration and inclusivity”, he stated.
He emphasised that with the support of the government, international partners, and a dedicated team, NASRDA is poised to make significant strides in the evolving global space landscape.
“We are on the brink of a new era for Nigeria’s space agency. Together, we will ensure our nation stands out in the global space economy”, he said.
Corlins Walter