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Tag: Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers

  • NGX Group Hosts Katsina State Governor, Strengthens Collaboration on Capital Market Opportunities

    NGX Group Hosts Katsina State Governor, Strengthens Collaboration on Capital Market Opportunities

    Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group) hosted the Executive Governor of Katsina State, Dr. Dikko Umar Radda, CON, at the Exchange, marking a significant step toward advancing the state’s economic vision through capital market opportunities. The visit reaffirmed Katsina State’s commitment to sustainable economic development and underscored the importance of strategic partnerships in attracting investment, expanding infrastructure, and fostering financial inclusion.

    Welcoming the Governor and his delegation, Alhaji (Dr.) Umaru Kwairanga, Group Chairman of NGX Group, commended Governor Radda’s administration for its forward-thinking policies, particularly the launch of the Katsina State Development Plan. He highlighted the crucial role of the capital market in mobilizing investment and securing long-term financing for critical projects. “The strategic roadmap set by Katsina State reflects a strong commitment to structured and sustainable development. The capital market serves as a vital enabler, providing access to financing that will drive industrialization, infrastructure development, and overall economic prosperity,” Kwairanga stated.

    In his remarks, Governor Radda emphasized his administration’s dedication to leveraging capital market instruments to drive economic growth and development. “Katsina State is poised for accelerated economic transformation, and partnerships with institutions like NGX Group are essential in realizing our vision. We are keen on exploring Sukuk bonds, infrastructure bonds, and green bonds to finance key projects, attract investment, and create economic opportunities within the state. By deepening our engagement with the capital market, we can unlock funding for critical infrastructure, drive industrialization, and generate employment for our people,” Governor Radda affirmed.

    Also speaking at the event, Temi Popoola, Group Managing Director/CEO of NGX Group, restated the Group’s commitment to transforming Nigeria’s capital market landscape through innovation and technology. “We are building an Exchange that extends beyond traditional securities trading. By leveraging technology, we are enhancing market accessibility, attracting capital, and creating new investment opportunities. Our goal is to develop a dynamic, inclusive, and globally competitive capital market that supports national and subnational economic growth,” Popoola stated.

    Echoing this commitment, Jude Chiemeka, CEO of NGX, reiterated the Exchange’s role in supporting state governments with market-driven financial solutions. “The Exchange remains committed to working closely with subnational governments to structure tailored financial instruments that align with their development priorities. We have the expertise and resources to facilitate seamless access to capital, ensuring that Katsina State can effectively fund transformative projects,” Chiemeka noted.

    The visit culminated in a Closing Gong Ceremony, symbolizing the beginning of a strategic partnership focused on unlocking investment opportunities, fostering financial inclusion, and driving sustainable economic development in Katsina State through the capital market.

    Other key capital market stakeholders present at the event include Femi Shobanjo, CEO of NGX Regulation Limited; Haruna Jalo-Waziri, CEO of Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS); and Oluropo Dada, President and Chairman of Council, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, among others. They expressed optimism about the potential for deeper capital market engagement with Katsina State, reinforcing the role of capital markets in subnational economic expansion.

  • NGX Group, Female Leaders Call for Investment, Deeper Inclusion for Women

    NGX Group, Female Leaders Call for Investment, Deeper Inclusion for Women

    Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) and its subsidiaries joined the rest of the world on Friday, March 8, 2024, to commemorate the International Women’s Day (IWD) by leveraging its Closing Gong Ceremony to “Ring the Bell for Gender Equality”. With the theme, “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress”, the event focused on individual actions, conversations, behaviours and mindsets that will accelerate progress and impact on the advancement of women across all spheres of life.

    The event, organized in partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), UN Women, the United Nations Global Compact Network Nigeria (GCNN), Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS), the SterlingOne Foundation and Association of Securities Dealing Houses of Nigeria (ASHON) brought together prominent female leaders within the ecosystem.

    Delivering her opening remarks, Dr Irene Robinson-Ayanwale, Divisional Head, Business Support Services Division, NGX welcomed all to the 10th Ring the Bell for Gender Equality. She said, “When I learnt of this year’s theme, “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress”, it resonates deeply with us. It serves as a powerful reminder of the need to establish equal opportunities for everyone while fostering an enabling environment for women across all sectors. This initiative represents a significant step forward in our efforts to promote gender equality and support women’s economic empowerment. Through innovative financial instruments such as gender bonds, we can mobilise capital towards projects that benefit women and advance gender equality across various sectors of the economy”.

    Dahlia Khalifa, Regional Director, Central Africa and Anglophone West Africa, IFC, who was represented by Alexandra Celestin, Regional Industry Manager, Financial Institutions Group, Anglophone West Africa and Central Africa, said “This Ring the Bell for Gender Equality event highlights the importance of gender equality for economic development and growth. Economies that reduce barriers to women as leaders, employees, and entrepreneurs promote inclusive societies and pave the way for sustainable development. Collective, coordinated, and bold action by private sector leaders will be instrumental in accelerating progress towards gender parity and igniting greater resilience. IFC continues to collaborate with partners and stock exchanges like the Nigerian Exchange Group to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion in the private sector.”

    On her part, Mrs Elizabeth Ebi, Group Chief Executive Officer, Futureview Group said “The implications of a truly equal and balanced world; a world where men and women make equal contributions to the society, enjoy equal opportunities, and even enjoy the same rewards and benefits. Going by the growing body of evidence out there, it is safe to conclude that the multiplier effect on families, businesses, communities, economies and ultimately, nations would be indeed phenomenal.” 

    The event served to raise awareness about the importance of investing in women, to inspire inclusive leadership and to advocate for gender responsive policies. By championing these principles, stakeholders can create empowering environments where every individual can thrive and contribute to collective success.

    Bolanle Austen-Peters, Founder, Terra Academy for the Arts said, “We use art to change the narrative about women. Our story telling in the past has mostly been done by foreigners which heavily skews the image of Nigerians and Nigerian women. Our focus is to tell the stories of female heroes, champions in history like Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti. These are the kind of women we celebrate today.”

    During the Closing Gong Ceremony, Mrs. Yemisi Ayeni, Chairperson, NASCON Allied Industries called for increased female representation in corporate organisations, equitable inclusion in workplace and more participation in the society, in line with the sustainable development goals.

    Present at the closing gong included Hafsat Rufair, Director, Securities and Exchange Commission, Ms. Fiona Ahimie, Director, NGX RelCo and 2nd Vice President, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers; Amina Mohammed, Director, NGX RegCo; Onome Komolafe, Divisional Head, Business Services and Client Experience, Central Securities and Clearing System; Peju Ibekwe, CEO, Sterling One Foundation; Tomilayo Aluko, Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications, CSCS and Lillian Olubi, Director, NGX. 

    The event also featured notable personalities like Adejoke Silva a Nigerian actress – philanthropist and a strong supporter of women’s emancipation and empowerment, contributing to their education, training and progress.

  • NGX, CIS, ASHON to work with MOFI on market development, listings

    NGX, CIS, ASHON to work with MOFI on market development, listings

    Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), along with the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers and the Association of Securities Dealing Houses of Nigeria (ASHON), have demonstrated their willingness to collaborate with the Federal Government through the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) in facilitating market development and listings.

    This was disclosed during the Closing Gong Ceremony, held in honour of MOFI’s engagement with capital market stakeholders at the NGX trading floor in Lagos.

    Temi Popoola, the CEO of NGX, commended MOFI for its role as the custodian of government investments and assets, emphasizing that NGX is eager to collaborate with MOFI to facilitate capital access for listed entities and contribute to the advancement of Nigeria’s capital market. “This partnership is an opportunity for the capital market to actively play a key role in growing the economy under President Bola Tinubu’s agenda. This is an exciting time and you may have seen that our local investors really stepped up their participation in the market recently. We think that with a lot of foreign capital, together with the strengthening and enhancements that have been done, that the market is ready to support many initiatives from the government. We really look forward to working together towards the support in developing our markets”.

    On his part, Dr. Armstrong Takang, the CEO of MOFI, emphasized the importance of optimizing the value of government investments and assets, aiming to mobilize, structure, and deploy investment capital in priority sectors of the economy. He expressed the aspiration to grow MOFI’s asset under management (AuM) to at least N100 trillion. “MOFI intends to collaborate with NGX to guide companies in meeting governance, operational, and reporting requirements necessary for listing on the Exchange. This move also contributes to MOFI’s objective of professionalizing Government Owned and Government Linked entities (GOE and GLEs)”, he added.

    Expressing the institute’s enthusiasm for the partnership, Oluwole Adeosun, the President of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), pledged cooperation with MOFI, particularly in areas like capacity development and other market-related initiatives. 

    Sam Onukwue, the Chairman of ASHON, noted that the partnership’s impact on the Nigerian economy would extend beyond financial gains to encompass broader socio-economic advantages that contribute to sustainable development.

    On her part, Tinuade Awe, the CEO of NGX Regulation Limited (NGX RegCo), highlighted the regulatory company’s commitment to collaborating with MOFI on matters of transparency, investor protection, and mitigating systemic risks.

  • Wema Bank Appoints Chukwuemeka Obiagwu As Executive Director

    Wema Bank Appoints Chukwuemeka Obiagwu As Executive Director

    Wema Bank Plc has announced the appointment of Chukwuemeka Obiagwu as an Executive Director of the Bank effective from 1st of April 2021.

    Emeka is a multi-disciplinary professional with a background in Accounting, Insurance, Corporate Finance, Stockbroking, and Public Finance. He has over three (3) decades of experience in banking, financial services, and public service.

    Early in his career at Fidelity Bank Plc, Emeka successfully repositioned and grew a
    subsidiary which he eventually led as the Group Managing Director & CEO. At different times, he creditably led the Human Resources, Corporate Services.

    Transaction Support Services, Corporate Finance, Regional Banking as well as the
    Retail and Commercial Banking arms of the bank. He was a Non-Executive Director
    of Fidelity Pension Managers where he also served as Chairman of the Board, Audit
    Committee.

    He left Fidelity Bank Plc. in 2015 after 20 years of meritorious service and in January
    2016, joined the Federal Inland Revenue Service as a Director with responsibility for
    Enforcement. He was also a Member of the Technical Committee of the Board and
    Chairman of the Budget Committee of FIRS, among many other roles.

    Emeka is an alumnus of the Lagos Business School (SMP 16) as well as Harvard
    Kennedy School of Government Boston, Massachusetts USA, where he obtained an
    Executive Certificate in Economic Development. He has had the privilege of studying
    at some of the world’s leading institutions for Executive Business Education, such as,
    INSEAD Business School, Fontainebleau, France; Kellogg School of Management to
    mention a few.

    Mr. Obiagwu is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN);
    Fellow, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers; Honorary Senior Member, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria; Fellow, Chartered Institute of Taxation; and Associate, Chartered Insurance Institute (London).