$1.2b Debt: CBN Orders Banks to Stay Off Etisalat

By Modupe Gbadeyanka Business owners in Lagos have been assured of more incentives by the state governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who added that this is part of his administration’s commitment to reforms aimed at improving the ease of doing business and enhancing investment opportunities. Speaking at the commissioning of the newly-built wet hair production factory of Godrej Nigeria Limited, the Governor said his government would continue to pursue actions that would eliminate red tapes and regulatory impediments hindering the growth of businesses in the state, thereby demonstrating his willingness for continued collaboration with the private sector to improve the livelihood

By Dipo Olowookere The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited commenced the first trading session in December 2023 on a bullish note, with a marginal growth of 0.08 per cent. Sustained buying pressure kept Nigerian stocks in the positive territory, extending the dominance of the bulls on Customs Street, though the turnover waned. Business Post observed that investors cherry-picked equities in the banking and the energy sectors during the session, leaving them rising by 1.14 per cent and 0.05 per cent, respectively. However, the insurance counter lost 1.10 per cent, the consumer goods index depreciated by 0.08 per cent, and the industrial

By Adedapo Adesanya All bank accounts without Bank Verification Number (BVN) and National Identification Number (NIN) will from April 2024 have “Post No Debit (PND)” placed on them. This is the latest directive of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to financial institutions operating in the country. In a circular issued by the apex bank and sent to all deposit money banks (DMBs) on Friday evening, the CBN said all the BVN or NIN attached to and/or associated with AL accounts/wallets must be electronically revalidated by January 31, 2024. In the circular seen by Business Post, the central bank said

By Adedapo Adesanya The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to strengthen its banking supervision to prevent some crucial Nigerian banks from failing due to its planned recapitalisation. Last Friday, the Governor of CBN, Mr Olayemi Cardoso, said the CBN would be directing banks to increase their capital base to serve a $1 trillion economy to be achieved by 2030. In a statement signed by Mrs Chinyere Almona, the director general of LCCI, the chamber said, “On recapitalisation of banks, we commend the plan of the apex bank to review the

By Adedapo Adesanya  The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has announced a collaboration with Allied Climate Partners (ACP) that will help create a pipeline of viable climate investments in emerging markets including Southeast Asia, Africa, the Caribbean and Central America, and India. ACP’s new platform is backed by philanthropic capital and designed to mobilize investment in climate-related projects in emerging economies to create significant environmental, economic, and social impact. In a statement seen by Business Post, the parties said the collaboration with IFC will provide advisory and structuring support, technical assistance, and sustainability and impact-management support as needed to help bring

By Bliss Okperan The Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has wished Afrobeats singer, Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, a speedy recovery. In a message via his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Thursday, the Governor said the people of Edo State, where the singer hails from, are proud of him and remain behind him every step of the way. “We are extremely proud of you and remain behind you every step of the way,” a part of his post read. Mr Obaseki said the remarkable achievements of the artiste “over the years fill us with immense pride and joy.”

By Bliss Okperan The Tincan Island Port (TCIP) Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has created a mobile application to automate its bond and license unit, Transire. At the unveiling of the app on Thursday, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Dera Nnadi, said the need to automate the Bond and License Unit had become imperative for administrative and procedural ease of doing business in the command. Speaking at a sensitization program on the automation process, Mr Nnadi informed participants that the application was developed by Superintendent of Customs Samuel Bello, to reduce the volumes of documents being deployed in

By Bliss Okperan The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has announced its election of Danladi Jatau, representing Kokona West Constituency, as the new Speaker. The state parliament also disclosed on Friday that it now has a new Deputy Speaker, who is Mohammed Oyanki, the lawmaker representing Doma North Constituency. The election of the two principal officers of the legislative arm of the state followed the sacking of its former Speaker, Mr Ibrahim Abdullahi, by the Appeal Court sitting in Abuja on Tuesday. While the new Speaker is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), his deputy is a member

By Bliss Okperan A 21-year-old Spanish international winger, Nico Williams, has extended his current deal with Athletic Bilbao, which expires in June 2024, by three seasons. He agreed to remain with the Spanish football outfit until 2027, the La Liga club confirmed this action on Friday. Nico Williams, whose elder brother, Inaki Williams, also plays for Athletic Bilbao, scored nine goals in 43 games in all competitions for the club last season. He represented Spain in the last World Cup in Qatar, while his brother played for their home country, Ghana. The younger Williams has reportedly been targeted by league

By Bliss Okperan Twelve officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) have faced a disciplinary panel constituted to look into the allegations of unethical misconduct against them. The Acting General Manager of LASTMA Mr Olalekan Bakare Oki, confirmed on Thursday that the affected personnel of the agency could be dismissed or demoted if found guilty. He disclosed that the disciplinary panel was statutorily constituted with three Permanent Secretaries as guided by the Lagos State Civil Service Rules and Regulations. Mr Oki said one of the 12 persons was exonerated, while the others have been recommended for dismissal and