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Sterling Bank Reaffirms Commitment to Spotlighting Potentials in Creative Industries

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Sterling Bank Plc, Nigeria’s leading financial institution, has reiterated its determination to empower and energise the creative industry because of its strategic importance to the economic growth of Nigeria.”

Mr. Olanrewaju Olalusi, head of Media and Entertainment Financing at Sterling Bank, disclosed the above at the weekend in Lagos while addressing participants at a seminar organised by the Legends of Nollywood with the theme: “Empowering the Nigerian Film Industry – Actualizing Your Resources.”

He said the bank had begun exploring financing of the creative industries in addition to its HEART sectors programme because of its importance to the national economy.

Sterling Bank has become renowned for its strategic focus and investments in the Health, Education, Agriculture, Renewable Energy and Transportation sectors of the Nigerian economy. These sectors have been affectionately dubbed the HEART of Sterling, and our HEART has contributed immensely to the growth of the bank, the sectors and the Nigerian economy.

Olalusi said it is important for artists to leverage funding from financial institutions to scale the level of their operations, remarking that the bank has set up a desk for the purpose of financing practitioners in the creative industry, information technology (IT) and animation, among others.

“We are open to having conversations with partners in the creative industry on the way forward.” He said.

He said that the industry was bustling with amazing talent and potential. But he highlighted a key challenge confronting the industry; a lack of viable business plans on the commercial perspective of creativity to show investors.

He continued by saying that there is a growing need for artists to separate their businesses from themselves and focus on improving their access to infrastructure and a ready market for their creative expressions.

Through collaborations with dedicated partners like Sterling, creatives can better their lot, both creatively and commercially, by leveraging financial advisory services, commercial loans, and other specially designed products to further capacity building and move the industry forward.

In a keynote address by Lagos State Commissioner of Planning and Budget, Mr. Samuel Egube, urged operators in the creative industry to think more deeply about how to seize available opportunities in the industry. He noted that if the industry must grow, then it should be able to attract financial resources from investors, adding that government alone cannot drive the growth in the industry.

He said the business plan should present a strong case to encourage investors to invest. He disclosed that the Lagos State Government has plans to build a media city in the Lekki axis for practitioners in the creative industry to leverage on under its 30-year development plan.

Also speaking, the President of the Association of Movie Producers, Mr. Paul Obazele encouraged his colleagues to lift the industry to a show business level by leveraging financial institutions to scale their operations instead of relying on grants alone.


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Ugo Onwuaso is an ICT enthusiast. He believes technology should be used for general good. He holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from the Lagos state University. Dear Reader, Your support matters. But we believe that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. That is why, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and finance and how they affect lives. Our incisive and analytical view of how technology news affects the daily life help individuals and organizations make up their minds. Quality journalism costs money. Today, we're asking that you support us to do more. Kindly support our effort to deliver technology and finance journalism to everyone in the world. Donate as little as N1,000. Bank transfers can be made to: UBA Plc 1017156876 Communication Week Media Ltd

E-Financial

FIRS Decries Cross-border Tax Crimes

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Dr Zacch Adedeji, Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), has stated that cross-border tax crimes had undermined effort of countries to raise revenue for development.

He added that cross-border tax crimes distorted fair competition because compliant companies pay a higher cost for business and appear less profitable.

He also challenged global leaders to tackle the rising cross-border crimes that have disrupted revenue mobilisation and economic growth. Adedeji threw the challenge while delivering a keynote address at the 42nd Cambridge International Symposium on Economic Crimes (CIDOEC) held at the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom.

The symposium has, for over four decades, been a crucible of ideas, a forge for strategies, and a platform where countries chart a collective course against the impact and threat economic crimes pose to countries and institutions.

The global meeting was attended by about 1,000 participants from more than 100 countries, including legislators, policy makers, law enforcement agencies, security and intelligence personnel, regulators, governance and compliance officers, and academics.

Special Adviser on Media to the FIRS boss, Dare Adekanmbi, in a statement, said Adedeji was represented by the Coordinating Director of Proceeds of Crime Management and Illicit Financial Flows and immediate past chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Professor Bolaji Owasanoye.

“This year’s theme ‘Cross-Border Crimes’ speaks directly to one of the most complex and corrosive challenges of our interconnected world. “In a global economy where capital can move faster than law enforcement, and where digital and legal arbitrage often outpace regulation, the fight against crossborder economic crime is, by necessity, both local and global, both urgent and pressing.

“Modern day cross border crimes remind us that borders and boundaries have become virtual and distance irrelevant to the perpetration of crime and the negative impact on victims,” said Adedeji, who is also the Special Adviser on Revenue to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

On corporate or natural citizens who evade, avoid, fraudulently manipulate tax obligations by exploiting the intricacies of international trade or international finance, the FIRS boss said they have become implicated in cross border crimes.

He said: “When corporate or natural persons earn income in one country but hide same in another country, when they deceive, conceal or falsify records, they undermine the integrity and fiscal aspirations of the two countries they are manipulating. “When they hide income and assets in secrecy in some jurisdictions to avoid home-country taxes, they are hurting the fiscal target of home country.”

 


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NGX Suspends Three Firms over 2024 Financial Results

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Nigerian Exchange (NGX)  has suspended three insurance companies on the exchange for failure to release financial results for the 2024 fiscal year.

NGX Suspends Three Firms over 2024 Financial Results

The affected underwriting firms are Regency Alliance Insurance Plc, International Energy Insurance Plc, and Universal Insurance Plc.

As a result of the embargo, shareholders and other investors will not be able to trade their stocks on the local stock market, according to a notice signed by Obioma Oge for the Head of Issuer Regulation Department of the NGX.

In the statement, it was disclosed that the effective date for the suspension of the three organisations was Monday, September 1, 2025.

It was in line with Rule 3.1, Rules for Filing of Accounts and Treatment of Default Filing, (Default Filing Rules), which provides that if an Issuer fails to file the relevant accounts by the expiration of the cure period, the exchange will: a) send to the issuer a second filing deficiency notification within two business days after the end of the cure period; b) suspend trading in the issuer’s securities; and c) notify the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the market within 24 hours of the suspension.

However, the embargo may be lifted if the trio released their outstanding financial statements for “the year ended December 31, 2024.”


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SEC Launches Redesigned Website to Boost Transparency, Investor Safety

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Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Nigeria has officially launched its newly redesigned website, marking a significant step toward enhancing digital engagement, regulatory transparency, and investor protection.

SEC Launches Redesigned Website to Boost Transparency, Investor Safety

The regulator, in a statement on Monday, said the upgrade introduces a modern design, enhanced functionality, and a streamlined user experience aimed at investors, market operators, and the general public.

According to the SEC, the new platform features improved navigation, consolidated resources such as regulatory guidelines and publications, and a mobile-friendly design.

“This comprehensive upgrade introduces a modern design, enhanced functionality, and a streamlined user experience,” SEC said.

“The restructured platform ensures critical information is better organized and more accessible for all stakeholders, including investors, market participants, and the general public.

“Key enhancements include an intuitive menu and site structure for finding information quickly.

“Consolidated Resources: Key documents, regulatory guidelines, and publications are now easier to locate. A responsive design optimized for desktop and mobile devices.

“The initiative underscores the Commission’s ongoing commitment to transparency, operational efficiency, and improved stakeholder engagement.”

According to Emomotimi Agama, director-general (DG) of SEC, the website redesign reflects “our dedication to continuous improvement in service delivery and communication”.

“This digital advancement is a significant step in building a more transparent and accessible Commission, enhancing our engagement with the capital market and the investing public,” Agama said.

Also speaking, Samiya Usman, executive commissioner for corporate services at SEC, said the focus went beyond aesthetics.

“By simplifying access and logically organizing content, we have created a powerful platform that supports our mission to develop and regulate a fair, efficient, and transparent capital market,” the commissioner said.

The SEC urged stakeholders to explore the website and use its features to access regulatory updates, news, and services.


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