Connect with us


BIG STORY

BUSINESS: Investors Gain N3.28tr In Three Weeks

Published

on

At the weekend, major global equities lagged behind Nigerian equities in a steady surge that had seen investors win about N3.3 trillion over the previous three weeks.

Equities closed at the weekend with an average return of 5.49 percent, the highest among the main global indices, with more than three-quarters of trades at the stock market being completed at a premium.

Nigeria’s average year-to-date return has increased to 15.12 percent, placing it in the top quartile of all countries with respect to share price growth so far this year, thanks to the persistent rally that was sparked by President Bola Tinubu’s inauguration on May 29.

The All Share Index (ASI)- the common value-based index that tracks all share prices at the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), rose to 59,000.96 points at the weekend, representing a return of 5.49 percent on the week’s opening index of 55,930.97 points. This implied a net capital gain of N1.67 trillion within the four-day trading session last week.

The performance of equities was ahead of other global indices, which also showed a broadly positive global sentiment.

In the United States (U.S.), the Dow Jones Industrial Average and S & P 500 Index closed the week with average returns of 1.6 percent and 3.0 percent respectively.

The FTSE 100 Index in the United Kingdom (UK) appreciated by 1.3 percent, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index rose by 4.5 percent. China’s SSE posted an average gain of 1.3 percent.

The MSCI EM- which tracks emerging markets, rose by 2.1 percent while the MSCI FM – which tracks frontier markets, appreciated by 1.0 percent.

For three consecutive weeks, the local equities have sustained a strong bullish momentum as the Tinubu administration begins the implementation of key policy reforms encapsulated in his manifesto and further enunciated in the May 29 inaugural address.

In a speech that had been described as market-friendly, Tinubu addressed general issues of security, economy, infrastructure, and monetary outlook. The president also directly addressed investors’ concerns on multiple taxations, returns repatriation, and foreign exchange (forex) among others.

“I have a message for our investors, local and foreign, our government shall review all their complaints about multiple taxations and various anti-investment inhibitions. We shall ensure that investors and foreign businesses repatriate their hard-earned dividends and profits home,” Tinubu said, immediately after his inauguration at the Eagle Square, Abuja.

The new administration has since given effect to the stoppage of the fuel subsidy, abolished the multiple forex rates, and instituted probes into major issues of public finance.

The ASI, which opened May 29 at 52,973.88 points, has gained 11.38 percent over the past three weeks, equivalent to net capital gains of N3.28 trillion.

The aggregate market value of all quoted equities at the NGX rose concurrently from its opening value of N28.845 trillion on May 29, to N32.126 trillion at the weekend, an increase of N3.28 trillion.

Market analysts were unanimous that the sustained rally was in response to Tinubu’s pro-market stance, with many of them predicting that a rebound in foreign direct and portfolio inflows would lead to repricing of Nigerian stocks, which had been underpriced by long-running apathy from foreign investors.

Managing Director, APT Securities and Funds Limited, Mallam Garba Kurfi, said the market was responding to the expectations of reforms implied in the president’s address.

Kurfi said: “The speech is excellent, especially as regards converging exchange rate into one; that will attract inflow of foreign Investors. The removal of fuel subsidy will attract more investments in the refineries and removal of double taxes will also bring more Investments into the country, and all these will reduce unemployment and increase productivities.”

Group Executive Director, Investment Banking, Cordros Capital, Mr. Femi Ademola, said the market was expectedly to respond to the pro-economy outlook of the Tinubu administration.

He said the peaceful transition of power and the inaugural speech of the president “struck the right cords” since markets react to sentiments.

According to him, the market is expected to react very strongly and positively to the government agenda including end to fuel subsidy, lower interest rates, end to multiple exchange rates, and ease of capital repatriation by foreign investors.

He said: “These are expected to attract investments back into the country as investors return and strengthen the country’s exchange rate. Perhaps, one very notable issue is the issue of lower interest rates.

“This may indicate that the administration will not be looking at attracting portfolio investment with high-interest rates but more likely direct and patient investment that would stay for a longer period.

“While the market may still continue with its usual zigzag movements, the implementation of these policy reforms would ensure more positive movements on the market than negative.

“Supporting the monetary policy changes with the required fiscal reforms such as infrastructure development would add to the sustainability of the growth plan for the economy.

“I am happy with the inaugural speech and the plans of action as it is what is needed at this time. However, it has to go beyond words and intentions; the administration must hit the ground and run with the implementation of the policies.”

Chief Operating Officer at GTI Capital Group, Mr. Kehinde Hassan, said the general economic outlook enunciated by the president would herald new thematic growth for the economy.

He said investors appeared favorably disposed to the various initiatives, noting that the market response was a sort of a vote of confidence in the president’s economic direction.

Afrinvest Securities said “economy reform optimism” bolstered the market performance, noting that “the rally in the market followed the promise of critical reforms by the President Bola Tinubu administration”.

Coronation Securities Limited said: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s inaugural address was given yesterday (Monday), and it sparked the equity market’s imagination, with a rally of 5.23 percent today (yesterday).

“The announcement of key market reforms, including phasing out fuel subsidies and unifying foreign exchange rates, shows that pro-market policies were not just items in the manifesto but issues which he is setting out to fix. If they are fixed, we expect much more from the equity market.”

 

Credit: The Nation

BIG STORY

Court Jails Gospel Singer Moses Otitoju, Eight Others For Cybercrime

Published

on

The Federal High Court in Ilorin, Kwara State, has sentenced Moses Otitoju, a self-proclaimed gospel singer, and eight others to prison for crimes linked to cybercrime, conspiracy, and misuse of funds.

Otitoju was sentenced along with Ayodele Joseph, Adeoye Joseph, and Abubakar Abdulmalik, all charged with similar offences by the anti-corruption agency.

The charges were filed by the Ilorin Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

According to a statement issued Friday by Dele Oyewale, Head of Media and Publicity at the EFCC, the 31-year-old gospel singer from Iyamoye in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State was sentenced to six months in prison by Justice Abimbola Awogboro without the option to pay a fine.

Otitoju was convicted for keeping over N8.4 million in his bank account, which was traced to illegal activities.

One of the charges read, “That you, Otitoju Moses Sesan, sometime between October 2024 and December 2025, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did retain control of the gross sum of N8,404,339 in your account, being proceeds of criminal conduct, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 17(a) and (b) of the EFCC Act, 2004.”

Ayodele, who had N243,750 in his account, received an eight-month jail sentence without an option of fine.

His Tecno 19 phone was confiscated by order of the court and handed over to the Federal Government.

Adeoye, a native of Okene LGA in Kogi State, was also sentenced to eight months without the option of a fine.

He forfeited $220, an iPhone 13, and a Tecno Pop 9 phone to the Federal Government.

Abubakar was handed a six-month prison term. His iPhone 16 and Samsung S10 were also ordered forfeited to the Federal Government.

EFCC prosecutors Aliyu Adebayo, Sesan Ola, Rashidat Alao, and Mustapha Kaigama led the cases, presenting statements, exhibits, and recovered funds as evidence, all of which were admitted in court.

In another case, Justices Haleema Saleeman and Sulaiman Akanbi of the Kwara State High Court found Emeka Achi, Isaac Oluwafemi, Afolabi Olatoye, Zubeiru Zubeiru Junior, and Abdulkadir Taofeek guilty of cybercrime and diversion of funds.

Justice Akanbi sentenced Abdulkadir to three years in prison with an option to pay a N500,000 fine, and ordered that N800,000, an iPhone 14 Pro Max, and a Samsung phone be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

Justice Saleeman sentenced Emeka, Isaac, and Afolabi to six months in jail each, with the option to pay N100,000 as a fine.

In addition, Emeka was ordered to repay N3.35 million within three months and report to the EFCC every two weeks alongside his parents until full payment is made.

Tunde Oyekola

Continue Reading

BIG STORY

Kogi University Lecturer Dies During Sex Romp In Hotel Room With 200-Level Student

Published

on

A senior lecturer at Kogi State University, Anyigba, named Dr. Olabode Abimbola Ibikunle, reportedly died in a hotel room following a sexual encounter with a 22-year-old student in her second year.

It was reported that the event happened on Tuesday, July 15, and the police at Anyigba were alerted shortly after. The student involved was taken into custody for questioning.

The lecturer, known across the university for his strict approach, was allegedly infamous for taking advantage of female students in return for academic favours.

Sources claim Dr. Ibikunle, who was married with children, had booked a room in a hotel alongside the student, who is studying Social Studies Education.

According to those familiar with the situation, the lecturer consumed several energy drinks prior to the incident, presumably in anticipation of vigorous activity.

Unfortunately, the lecturer collapsed and passed away during the act.

The Kogi State Police Command verified the incident to SaharaReporters on Friday, labeling it as unfortunate.

In a statement to SaharaReporters, the Command’s spokesperson, SP William Ovye Aya, stated that the student had been moved to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for deeper inquiry and potential charges.

Aya explained: “The report was received on July 16, but the unfortunate incident happened on July 15, 2025. It was the manager of the hotel (name not disclosed), who came to the police station at Anyigba and reported about his guest, the lecturer who had lodged in their facility with a 22-year-old 200-level student, 22 years old, named Gloria Samuel.

“According to the manager, the girl on that fateful day rushed to the reception and complained that the lecturer took her to the hotel, and after they had sex, the man slumped.

“So the manager rushed and informed the DPO, and the DPO rushed to the scene, and they moved the man to the hospital. On arrival, a doctor on duty confirmed the lecturer’s death.

“So the girl in question has been transferred from Anyigba Police Division to the State CID for further investigation and prosecution. An autopsy has been conducted, but right now I don’t know whether the result of the autopsy is out because I haven’t spoken with the SCID.”

Continue Reading

BIG STORY

FULL LIST: Tinubu Appoints IBB’s Son, Muhammad Babangida Chairman Bank Of Agriculture, Others As Heads Of Govt Agencies

Published

on

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Muhammad Babangida, the son of the former military President, as chairman of the revamped Bank of Agriculture.

President Tinubu approved the appointment today, along with seven others. Some of them will serve as chairmen or directors-general of Federal agencies.

Muhammad Babangida, 53, is an alumnus of the European University in Montreux, Switzerland, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Master’s degree in Public Relations and Business Communication. He later attended Harvard Business School’s Executive Program on Corporate Governance in 2002.

Others appointed by the President are:

Lydia Kalat Musa (Kaduna State) Chairman, Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority (OGFZA).

Jamilu Wada Aliyu (Kano State) Chairman, National Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC).

The Hon. Yahuza Ado Inuwa (Kano State) is the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) chairman.

Sanusi Musa (SAN, Kano State) is the Chairman of the Institute of Peace and Conflict Resolution(IPCR).

Prof. Al-Mustapha Alhaji Aliyu (Sokoto State) is the Director-General of the Directorate of Technical Cooperation in Africa (DTCA).

Sanusi Garba Rikiji (Zamfara State) is the Director-General of the Nigerian Office for Trade Negotiations (NOTN).

Mrs Tomi Somefun (Oyo State) is the Managing Director of the National Hydro-Electric Power Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC).

Dr Abdulmumini Mohammed Aminu-Zaria (Kaduna State) has been appointed Executive Director of the Nigerian Integrated Water Resources Management Commission (NIWRMC).

 

Bayo Onanuga

Special Adviser to the President

(Information & Strategy)

July 18, 2025

Continue Reading



 

Join Us On Facebook

Most Popular