Connect with us


BIG STORY

GTCO PLC Launches Public Offer To Raise N400.5Billion

Published

on

Guaranty Trust Holding Company plc (“GTCO PLC” or the “Issuer”) (NGX: GTCO) today announced the opening of its Offer for Subscription of 9,000,000,000 Ordinary Shares of 50 kobo each at N44.50 per Ordinary Share (the “Offer”) following the clearance of the Offer Prospectus and registration of the Offer Shares by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Nigeria (SEC Nigeria). Net proceeds of the Offer will be applied toward the recapitalisation of GTCO PLC’s principal banking subsidiary, Guaranty Trust Bank Limited (GTBank Nigeria) as well as support Group-wide growth and expansion initiatives.

Application List for the Offer opens on Monday, July 15, 2024, and closes on Monday, August 12, 2024.

The Prospectus incorporating the Application Form is available in physical format at all GTBank Nigeria branches nationwide and in electronic format from www.gtcoplc.com. The Prospectus and Application Forms can also be obtained in physical and electronic formats at the offices and websites of the Issuing Houses to the Offer.

Issuing Houses:

  • Stanbic IBTC Capital Limited (Lead Issuing House).
  • ABSA Capital Markets Nigeria Limited.
  • FCMB Capital Markets Limited.
  • Vetiva Advisory Services Limited.

Websites:

  • stanbicibtccapital.com
  • cib.absa.africa
  • fcmbcapitalmarketsng.com
  • Vetiva.com

The Prospectus and Application Forms are also available from the Stockbrokers to the Offer and other Receiving Agents nationwide.

Commenting on the launch of the Public Offer, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Guaranty Trust Holding Company plc, Segun Agbaje, said: “This equity capital raise is timely and marks a significant milestone in our strategic plan to pivot the organisation for transformational growth across the Banking businesses in and outside Nigeria, and the non-banking businesses; differentiating it as a leading Financial Services Group in Africa. Over the last three years, we have diversified the earnings of the Group beyond pure banking play, through the creation of a Payments subsidiary and selective acquisitions in the Funds Management and Pension Fund Administration sectors; delivering exceptional value to our stakeholders whilst also enriching the lives of people in every community where we operate”.

GTCO is the most capitalised Banking stock on the Nigerian Stock Exchange and has consistently outperformed its peers in terms of key profitability indicators and other financial metrics. Widely regarded as a first-rate financial institution, GTCO’s leadership in the Nigerian financial services industry and continuing efforts at empowering people and communities across Africa has earned it many prestigious awards over the years.

Before subscribing, please read the Offer Prospectus and where in doubt, consult your stockbroker, fund/portfolio managers, accountant, banker, solicitor, tax consultant or an independent adviser registered by the SEC for guidance. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

About GTCO PLC

Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc is the ultimate holding company of the GTCOPLC Group.

The GTCOPLC Group is one of the largest financial services institutions in Africa. Headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc maintains direct and indirect investments in a network of operating entities located in 10 countries across Africa and the United Kingdom. Within these regions, the operating entities provide a comprehensive range of commercial banking and related financial services to millions of retail, institutional, private banking and wealth management customers, in addition to asset management, pension fund administration and payment technology businesses.

More information on the Offer can be found at www.gtcoplc.com.

 

For enquiries, please contact:

Investor Relations:

+234 2012714580

[email protected]

BIG STORY

JUST IN: Reps Reject Bill Seeking Single Six-Year Term, Zonal Rotation For President, Governors

Published

on

The House of Representatives on Thursday, November 21, rejected a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at instituting a single six-year term for the president, governors, and local government chairmen across the federation.

The bill, sponsored by Ikenga Ugochinyere (PDP, Imo) and 33 co-sponsors, also sought to divide the country into six geopolitical zones and establish a rotational system for the presidency and governorship within these zones.

Additionally, the bill proposed that all elections be conducted on a single day.

It aimed to amend Section 132 of the Constitution by inserting a new subsection (2), deleting the extant subsection (4), and renumbering the entire section accordingly. The proposed amendment would have stipulated that elections to the office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria be rotated between the North and South regions every six years.

The bill also sought to amend Section 180 of the Constitution, replacing “four years” with “six years.”

Furthermore, it proposed altering Section 76 by inserting a new subsection (3), which would read: “(3) For the purpose of Section (1) of this section, all elections into the offices of President, Governors, National Assembly, and State Houses of Assembly shall hold simultaneously on the same date to be determined by the Independent National Electoral Commission in consultation with the National Assembly and in accordance with the Electoral Act.”

When the bill, which was scheduled for a second reading, was put to a vote, the majority of lawmakers voted against it. This is not the first time the House has rejected a bill seeking a six-year single term for the president and governors.

In 2019, a similar bill, sponsored by John Dyegh from Benue State, also failed to progress to the second reading.

Dyegh’s bill had also proposed a six-year term for Members of the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly. He argued that a six-year term would allow members of the National Assembly to gain more experience, as opposed to the current four-year term.

According to Dyegh, re-election for the president and governors costs three times more than the first election and is often marked by violence. He believes a single term of five years would help curb the irregularities associated with re-election.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar had also proposed a further amendment to the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act 2022, advocating for a six-year single term for the president for each of the six geopolitical zones.

He added that the law must mandate electronic voting and the collation of results, and require the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to verify the credentials of candidates, among other reforms.

The governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, also backed calls in June this year for a single term for elected politicians.

Continue Reading

BIG STORY

I Appointed Aides On Garden Egg, Yam, Pepper To Boost Food Production — Enugu LG Chairman

Published

on

Eric Odo, chairman of Igbo Etiti LGA in Enugu state, has defended the appointment of aides for yam, pepper, and garden egg.

On Tuesday, Odo announced the appointments of Ezeugwu Ogbonna as senior special assistant on agriculture (yam and pepper) and Nwodo Ugonna as special adviser on garden egg and pepper.

The appointments attracted criticism from many Nigerians, who viewed the positions as an anomaly.

In his defense on Wednesday, Odo explained that the appointments were designed to increase the production of these crops in large quantities, aiming to meet local demands and support export.

The chairman emphasized that the Igbo-Etiti area is particularly well-suited to cultivating these crops and holds a significant comparative advantage.

“Their appointments are to ensure that local farmers receive adequate attention, needed resources, support, and expertise to enhance production, improve market access, and increase income for farmers,” NAN quoted Odo as saying.

“In essence, the appointment, which is wrongly misunderstood by disgruntled individuals, bad losers, and opposition, reinforces my determination to create a thriving local economy based on the strengths and potentials of Igbo-Etiti’s agricultural landscape.”

Odo explained that the decision was part of a carefully considered plan aimed at boosting productivity, creating jobs, and improving the livelihoods of farmers within the LGA’s communities.

He called on the public to disregard any online or offline comments intended to discredit the appointments, asserting that the council is committed to massive food production and sustainable development.

Continue Reading

BIG STORY

JUST IN: Simon Ekpa, Four Others Arrested In Finland Over Terror-Related Activities

Published

on

Finnish-Nigerian separatist agitator, Simon Ekpa, and four other individuals have been arrested in Finland over terror-related activities.

A local report in Finland stated that Ekpa, the self-declared “Prime Minister of Biafra Republic Government In-Exile,” was remanded in custody by the district court of Päijät-Häme on suspicion of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.

In a Thursday statement published on its website, the Central Criminal Police in Finland said it had arrested five people on suspicion of terrorist crimes.

The police said the main suspect was arrested “on suspicion of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent,” while four others were arrested “for financing a terrorist crime.”

The police added: “Claims will be heard in Päijät-Häme district court today, November 21.”

The statement reads: “The detention demands are related to the preliminary investigation, in which a Finnish citizen of Nigerian background, born in the 1980s, is suspected of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.”

“The police suspect that the man has promoted his efforts from Finland by means that have led to violence against civilians and authorities as well as other crimes in the region of South-Eastern Nigeria.”

The statement quoted the head of the investigation, Crime Commissioner Otto Hiltunen from the Central Crime Police, as saying that “the man has carried out this activity, among other things, on his social media channels.

“Four other persons are suspected of financing the aforementioned activity. All five suspects of the crime have been arrested during the beginning of the week.”

“International cooperation has been carried out during the preliminary investigation,” the statement added.

Continue Reading



 

Join Us On Facebook

Most Popular