Connect with us

General News

Banks’ Divestment from Insurance Firms: Analyst Wants Shareholders to be Given Preference

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Foremost stock analyst and shareholder in many insurance companies, Mr. Nonah Awoh has called on banks and insurance companies to carry shareholders along and allow them to take the driver seat in the determination of who buy the stocks that arises out of banks divesting from insurance companies. He stated that having laboured hard to acquire these shares; they would not fold their hands and watch people whose character and interest may be at variance with the original shareholders. According to Awoh, their fears are hinged on the fact that if the divestment process was not well handled; it may snowball into an unhealthy situation where the board and management of these insurance companies would be negatively influenced by the personal ambitions of the outsiders who may cash in on the opportunity. The share activist wants the divesting banks and insurance companies to allow the existing shareholders to take over the shares or throw the shares into the general public for acquisition. He stated that their fears is further heightened considering that similar situations had happened in the banks in the past where investors money got trapped in the banks liquidation. Another insurance shareholder, Adebisi Olawale, however feel otherwise. To him, throwing the shares into the open market was as good as allowing strategic investors to buy up the divested shares, stressing that what was important was the repositioning of these insurance companies. He added that there have been instances in the past stated where shares were acquired by cronies without the awareness of the existing shareholders that they were the true owners of the stated shares. However, he called on the insurance companies to give top priority to the shareholders in order to avoid friction which at the end will pitch the insurers in a battle of wits against the shareholders. He added that the insurance industry should not be allowed to drift from its present achievements, occasioned by the recapitalization and industry reform which has taken the industry to the next level. It will be recalled that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in continuation of its banking reforms, rolled out an order directing banks to divest from non-banking investments in order to have time to concentrate in core banking services. According to CBN, the former universal banking model created an unhealthy situation where banks were distracted from primary banking operations. The situation has already sent panicky waves beyond the shareholders as industry watchers fear that the divestment process may weaken the strength of some of these companies, considering the enormous premium that the divesting banks attracted due to their spread and clientele base. Sequel to this directive, some insurance companies have already started the divestment process. The recent case in point was the GTBank which announced a divestment of 68 percent equity in its insurance subsidiary, Guarantee Trust Assurance (GTA) plc. The notice stated that "the proposed divestment should also entail the sale of the bank’s equity stake in its insurance subsidiary – Guaranty Trust Assurance plc, which is also quoted on the trading floor."


Kindly share this post

Nigeria CommunicationsWeek believes that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. So since 2007, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and how they affect lives.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Comments

General News

EFCC Declares Tejuosho, City Boys Movement’s Women Leader Wanted over “419”

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC,) has declared Halimat Adenike Tejuosho, a women leader of the City Boys Movement, wanted.

EFCC Declares Tejuosho, City Boys Movement’s Women Leader Wanted over "419"

Halimat Adenike Tejuosho,

A notice issued by the EFCC on Monday via X said Tejuosho has been declared wanted over an alleged case of obtaining money by false pretence.

The notice was signed by Dele Oyewale, head of Media and Publicity for the EFCC.

The anti-graft agency called on members of the public with useful information about her whereabouts to contact any of its offices nationwide.

The Commission also urged the members of the public to reach out via its official phone lines or email, or report to the nearest police station or other security agencies.

Recall that the City Boy Movement recently appointed Tejuosho as the South-West Zonal Women Leader.

According to a statement signed by the Movement, Tejuosho is to provide strategic leadership and coordination for women-focused activities in the zone, driving political mobilization, civic engagement, and advocacy.

 


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

General News

Afreximbank to Fund 3 New Refineries in Nigeria

Published

on

Kindly share this post

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has disclosed plans to finance three additional refineries in Nigeria as part of a broader push to reduce the country’s reliance on imported petroleum products and strengthen local refining capacity.

 Afreximbank to Fund 3 New Refineries in Nigeria

Denys Denya, senior executive vice president of the bank, made the disclosure on Monday during a virtual media briefing focused on the institution’s 2025 financial performance, crisis response initiatives, and long-term industrialisation strategy.

“We are also financing refining on the continent, which will alleviate the importation of refined products. We are not only supporting Dangote; we’re supporting three other refineries in Nigeria,” Denya said.

The briefing, which focused on the bank’s 2025 financial performance, crisis response initiatives, and industrialisation strategy, also featured a question-and-answer session with journalists across Africa.

Denya explained that the push into refining is driven by recent disruptions in global supply chains, particularly linked to tensions in the Middle East, which have raised the cost and complexity of fuel imports for African economies.

According to him, Afreximbank has adopted a dual approach of supporting immediate trade finance needs while investing in long-term productive capacity to reduce structural import dependence.

He said, “For import-dependent economies, the cost of import is very high… so we have taken a proactive approach of engaging with financial institutions on the continent to increase their facilities so they can issue high-value letters of credit.”

The bank’s intervention is backed by a $10bn Gulf Crisis Response Programme, designed to stabilise access to essential imports such as fuel, food, fertilisers, and pharmaceuticals, while also supporting sectors exposed to global shocks.

Denya noted that the facility is already seeing uptake from countries including Kenya, Ethiopia, and Tanzania, warning that demand could accelerate if geopolitical tensions persist.

Beyond short-term interventions, the Afreximbank executive stressed that financing refining projects across Nigeria and other African countries remains central to the bank’s long-term strategy of industrialisation and export development.

He said the bank’s support for large-scale industrial projects, including the Dangote Group refinery, reflects its commitment to reducing Africa’s reliance on imported refined products and strengthening regional value chains.

“Our support for industrialists who are making a difference on the continent is testimony to this approach. We will continue to champion projects that reduce Africa’s reliance on imported refined products,” he added.

Denya further disclosed that the bank is financing similar refining projects in Angola as part of a continent-wide push to achieve self-sufficiency in petroleum products.

The shift towards local refining, he explained, is also expected to improve macroeconomic stability by reducing foreign exchange pressures associated with fuel imports.

 


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

General News

MTN Powers the Ultimate Youth Link-Up with the Launch of Live It 100 Youth Campaign

Published

on

Kindly share this post

The Gathering on 100 has officially concluded its pilot edition, closing out 100 continuous hours of culture, creativity, and community engagement at the National Stadium, Surulere. At the climax of the five-day immersive youth experience, MTN Nigeria and the gatherers of the event unveiled the defining message of the movement: “Live It 100.”

MTN Powers the Ultimate Youth Link-Up with the Launch of Live It 100 Youth Campaign

The event brought together thousands of young Nigerians in a massive convergence of music, sports, gaming, and creative sessions. From watching the sunrise for four consecutive mornings to actively shaping culture in real-time, attendees experienced a shared journey rooted in endurance and expression.

Operating under a partnership model rather than a traditional corporate sponsorship, MTN stepped back to let the youth lead. The techo embraced the primary narrative that “The Gathering is the fire; MTN is the oxygen”.

Karl Toriola, Chief Executive Officer, MTN Nigeria, said: “The energy we have witnessed here in Surulere over the past 100 hours is proof of the unstoppable spirit of the Nigerian youth. Our strategic intent was to position MTN as the critical engine behind this vibrant youth movement, ensuring the brand is seen as an enabler, not an intruder. The Gathering is the fire; MTN is the oxygen. ‘Live It 100’ is our commitment to powering the platform where the conversation happens. We are giving them the autonomy to lead, while we listen.”

A focal point of the event was the high-stakes Pitchathon segment, which provided a structured arena for startups to showcase working products. Rather than a traditional, heavily branded corporate event, the space felt authentic, unscripted, and transparent, allowing founders to interact directly with expert judges, potential investors, and a live audience.

Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, Chief Marketing Officer, MTN Nigeria, shared: “The ideas and partnerships formed over these 100 hours show exactly what happens when corporate Nigeria is finally listening to young Nigerians. We recognise that traditional business engagement doesn’t always work for this generation, which is why we empowered the youth to lead. By supporting The Gathering, we are not just celebrating culture; we are fueling the young Nigerian through youth-led innovation and actively investing in their economic potential.”

Beyond business activity, the event recorded consistent engagement across its programming, providing deep insight into the evolving role of youth within Nigeria’s economy. The sustained 100-hour activity highlighted a growing, resilient base of digitally engaged participants who own their lanes and actively create their own opportunities.

As the event closed, MTN reaffirmed their commitment to expanding the platform, ensuring that The Gathering on 100 will continue to evolve as a vital space for both cultural expression and youth-led economic opportunity.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Trending