General News
Pearl Awards Holds 15th Year Editio
The 2010 edition of the prestigious PEARL Awards, a celebration of outstanding quoted companies in Nigeria is scheduled to hold on Sunday November 28, 2010 at the Grand Ball Room of the prestigious Lagos Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Mr. Tayo Orekoya, President PEARL Awards Project at a press briefing to announce the Awards said the PEARL Awards rewards Performance, Earnings and Returns Leadership by companies quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.
He stated that the uniqueness of the Awards, endorsed in 2003 by the apex Capital Market regulatory authority, Securities & Exchange Commission, is underscored by its defined criteria and methodology. “The Awards process is based on verifiable facts and figures assessed utilizing credible parameters and tools of data evaluation,” he said.
He indicated that the 2010 Awards is the 15th year edition of the nationally acclaimed PEARL awards, having been instituted in 1995, with the maiden edition held on 27 May, 1995. Widely acknowledged by capital market stakeholders including quoted companies, stockbrokers, Shareholders Associations, among others, for its objectivity over the years, the Award process would reward outstanding quoted companies based on actual performance in the 2009 financial year, for this year’s Awards.
The 2010 Awards Nite, being a special 15th year edition, according to Orekoya promises to be much more glamorous than previous years’ editions. The event is being packaged to be a night of excellence and glamour, where corporate chieftains and captains of commerce and industry will savour the joy of excellent operational and stock trading performance after a turbulent economic period.
It would also, as in past years, provide a forum for quoted companies to be recognized and rewarded for the results of the various measures adopted in the wake of the stock market volatility during the previous financial year, to be on the winning edge. In spite of the vagaries of economy and the capital market, a number of companies that strategically outperformed others must be recognized and celebrated, Orekoya stated.
He reiterated that the institution of the Performance, Earnings And Returns Leadership (PEARL) Awards 15 years ago followed the long overdue need to recognize and reward deserving quoted companies for outstanding performance.
He stated further that this year’s Awards, like previous ones will be determined utilizing ten operational and stock performance indices namely Turnover Growth; Return on Equity; Earnings Yield; Share Price Appreciation; Stock Activity; Dividend Cover; Dividend Yield; Net Asset Per Share; Dividend Growth and Profit Margin Ratio.
He noted that for the 2010 edition, the PEARL Awards would be in three main competitive categories namely the Sectoral Leadership Awards, which rewards a company for out-performing other companies within the same sector, based on aggregate points garnered from all the ten indices utilized for ranking.
The Market Excellence Awards category, in recognition of entire market leadership in respect of each of the ranking indices while the third category is the Overall Highest Award category – The PEARL of the Nigerian Stock Market.
A fourth category for Special Honourary Awards, introduced in the year 2000 to reward and honour individuals and media institutions that contribute remarkably to Capital Market development in Nigeria, would also feature in this year’s Awards. Notable past recipient of Awards in this category of Awards include Mr. Gamaliel Onosode, Dr. Suleyman Ndanusa, Dr. Christopher Kolade, Late Asiwaju Akintunde Asalu, Dr. Umar Faruk, Mr. Wole Adetunji and Sir Sunny Nwosu.
Also under this honorary category is the PEARL outstanding CEO of the year Award won by the following, among others – Mr. Jim Ovia, former Managing Director/CEO, Zenith Bank Plc. and Mr. Jacob M. Ajekigbe, former MD/CEO, First Bank Plc in the 2007 edition.
Orekoya also stated that the PEARL Awards Project in charting a new course has appointed frontline professionals into its Board of Governors to provide policy direction for the Awards Project. These personalities include Alhaji U. F. Abdullahi, Chief Alex Akinyele, Prof Herbert Orji, Alhaji Ahmad Rabiu, Mrs. Eniola Fadayomi, Mr. Wole Adetunji, Mrs. Funmi Babington-Ashaye, Dr. Biodun Adedipe, Mrs. Lola Oyebadejo, Dr. Faruk Umar, Mazi Unegbu.
According to Orekoya, the PEARL Awards identifies with the changes being initiated by the current leadership of the Securities and Exchange Commission, particularly as it relates to the Nigerian Stock Exchange. He posited that some of these changes were indeed overdue.
General News
Haleon Introduces New Corporate Identity in Nigeria

Haleon, a global consumer health company with a purpose to deliver better everyday health, is introducing its corporate identity across Nigeria in a phased transition. Trusted brands such as Panadol, Sensodyne, Macleans, Otrivin, Voltaren, Cac 1000 and Andrews Liver Salts remain unchanged in formulation, quality, and effectiveness.

Following the formal demerger from GSK, Haleon was launched on July 18, 2022, as an independent company 100% focused on consumer health. Haleon is the new home for brands like Sensodyne, Panadol, Centrum and others, trusted by millions worldwide for their proven effectiveness in improving everyday health.
From relieving tooth sensitivity or pain to providing essential vitamins and nutrients, our products are designed to fulfil Haleon’s purpose: to deliver better everyday health with humanity.
This revised corporate identity is a branding change only and does not affect the safety, quality, or efficacy of the products. Haleon is sharing this update as part of its commitment to transparency and consumer confidence, helping consumers continue to choose the brands they know and trust.
Haleon’s collaboration with Fidson Healthcare forms part of this approach, reinforcing the value of local production in supporting trusted everyday health brands in Nigeria.
Panadol Extra 100s and Panadol Pain & Fever 100s are currently being produced and supplied to the market under the Haleon identity. Sensodyne Rapid Action will bear the Haleon corporate identity from mid-June, followed by Andrews Liver Salts later this year.
In due course, additional brands—including Otrivin, Voltaren, Cac 1000, Macleans, and the wider Sensodyne portfolio—will also transition to the Haleon identity.
Haleon remains committed to ensuring consumers can continue to access the same high-quality brands at pharmacies, supermarkets and other retail outlets across Nigeria.
“As Haleon introduces its identity in Nigeria, we want consumers to feel informed and reassured. The trusted products they rely on remain the same in quality, formulation and effectiveness.
“At the same time, our local production approach in partnership with Fidson Healthcare supports reliable access to high-quality everyday health products in Nigeria,” said Himanshu Raj, Haleon General Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa.
General News
Kaspersky Warns of “Grey” Scam Websites Exploiting User Trust

Recent research by Kaspersky has shown that the so-called “grey” websites repeatedly target all world regions, and this may be driving both financial loss and large-scale data harvesting.

Grey websites are deceptive online platforms that fall outside traditional phishing definitions but still manipulate users into voluntarily handing over money and personal data. Kaspersky’s new report provides detailed insights into the threats posed by the grey websites on global and regional levels.
Unlike classic phishing attacks, which aim to steal credentials outright, grey websites rely on persuasion, misleading interfaces, and hidden terms to exploit users. They often impersonate legitimate services such as e-commerce platforms, financial tools, AI services, or subscription-based content, making them significantly harder to detect.
Kaspersky analysis shows that the majority of suspicious resources globally fall into several recurring categories:
- Fake browser extensions and “security tools” that actually harvest browsing data and track user activity.
- Fraudulent financial platforms including crypto exchanges, trading tools, and investment schemes promising unrealistic returns.
- Intermediary services (e.g., legal or real estate), charging for low-value or nonexistent services while harvesting sensitive personal data.
- Subscription traps offering low-cost trials that convert into costly recurring payments hidden in fine print.
- Fake online shops that either deliver counterfeit goods or nothing at all.
Example of a grey website.
A notable trend is the emergence of tools disguised as AI services or image-processing platforms, reflecting attackers’ ability to adapt to current digital trends and target younger audiences.
There are proven security solutions that help users to detect grey websites across different types of devices – those running on Windows, Linux, Android and iOS. The detection model is based on many factors, including domain name and age, IP reputation, stability of the infrastructure used, DNS configurations, HTTP security headers, digital identity and popularity of the web resource and other criteria.
Regional specifics
Regional variations in grey websites demonstrate how threat actors localise scams based on user behaviour and trending technologies.
In Europe, the threat landscape is dominated by links to suspicious browser extensions and fake “privacy-enhancing” tools.
These resources often present themselves as security solutions, promising safer browsing or anonymous search capabilities. In reality, they function as browser hijackers – intercepting traffic, collecting cookies, tracking user behaviour, and injecting advertisements.
The popularity of these threats reflects a high level of user concern around privacy and security, which attackers actively exploit. Additionally, these regions show a steady presence of phishing intermediaries and crypto-related scams, indicating a blend of technical and financially motivated attacks.
Across African markets, financial scams are the most prominent category of suspicious resources. Fraudulent trading platforms, fake brokers, and investment schemes frequently mimic legitimate financial services, often accompanied by fabricated licenses or endorsements.
These platforms typically prevent users from withdrawing funds, instead introducing additional “fees” or taxes to prolong the scam. The concentration of these threats highlights how attackers leverage growing interest in online investing while exploiting gaps in regulatory enforcement and financial literacy.
In the Middle East and North Africa region, suspicious resources frequently mimic communication (Internet telephony) tools, financial platforms, or betting services. Additionally, Ponzi-style investment schemes and crypto scams are widespread, often presented through polished interfaces that mimic legitimate platforms.
Web browser-based threats also play a significant role, with malicious extensions targeting user data and browsing activity. The regional threat profile reflects a convergence of financial fraud and technical compromise, where users risk both data exposure and monetary loss.
“Suspicious websites don’t look harmful at first glance. But they exploit trust, urgency, and familiarity, and a single click on what looks like a harmless AI image tool, a “secure” browser extension, or a heavily discounted online shop could be all it takes to lose money or expose sensitive data.
Instead of direct credential theft, attackers turn to behavioural manipulation – whether that’s subscribing, investing, or installing software,” comments Anna Larkina, Web Content and Privacy Analysis Expert at Kaspersky.
General News
MSMEs Paucity of Funds Receives Boost as Senate Backs Bill Seeking to Unlock Cash for them

Businesses across Nigeria, particularly micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), may soon be able to convert unpaid invoices and credit sales into immediate cash without relying on conventional bank loans following the passage of the Factoring, Assignments and Receivables Financing Bill for second reading in the Senate.

The bill, which seeks to establish a legal framework for factoring and receivables financing, is expected to improve access to credit, boost liquidity for businesses and enhance domestic and international trade.
It also seeks to provide legal certainty for the assignment of receivables through factoring, promote transparency, modernise assignment laws and facilitate greater access to credit for businesses across the country.
Leading debate on the bill which was sent from the House of Representatives for concurrence, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele said on Tuesday that the proposed legislation would create an enabling environment for debt factoring to thrive in Nigeria while defining the rights and obligations of creditors, factors and debtors involved in such transactions.
He explained that the bill provides for factoring contracts between sellers and factors and clarifies the legal relationship among parties in receivables financing arrangements.
According to Bamidele, the legislation has already passed all legislative stages in the House of Representatives and has complied with the Senate’s procedural requirements under Order 78(3) of the Senate Standing Orders.
He told lawmakers that the Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Compliance, chaired by Abdul Ningi, had scrutinised and cleared the bill for concurrence.
“The committee confirmed that all procedural requirements for consideration and concurrence by the Senate have been fully met,” he said.
Seconding the bill, Adetokunbo Abiru said the legislation would provide businesses with an alternative source of financing by enabling them to turn credit sales into cash and improve their working capital.
Abiru noted that factoring has become increasingly popular across Africa over the last decade, largely through initiatives supported by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank).
He disclosed that the African factoring market is currently valued at over $50 billion, but Nigeria’s participation remains below one per cent.
According to him, countries such as Egypt and Morocco have benefited significantly from the financing model, adding that Nigeria risks missing out on the growing market without a clear regulatory framework.
“I think that passing this major legislation will help support our micro, small and medium enterprises in terms of converting most of their credit sales into cash without going through the normal borrowing arrangement,” Abiru said.
In his remarks, Ningi also assured lawmakers that the compliance committee had reviewed the bill and found no legal impediments to its passage.
Following a voice vote, the Senate approved the bill for second reading and subsequently referred it to the Committee of the Whole for clause-by-clause consideration.
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