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Coronation Insurance Charts Digital, Sustainable Future

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Coronation Insurance 2024 AGM

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

The digitalisation efforts, investment strategies, and commitment to sustainability have propelled Coronation Insurance Plc back to profitability after it posted a net profit of N2.2 billion in the 2023 financial year, in contrast to the net loss of N1.8 billion achieved in the same period of 2022.

At the company’s 66th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos on Monday, December 2, 2024, the chairman of the board, Mr Mutiu Sunmonu, the results reaffirmed the role of technology in helping organisations navigate difficult waters.

“Despite the economic headwinds, we delivered strong growth across key financial metrics.

“Our profit before tax of ₦2.2 billion is a clear reflection of our strategic direction, operational discipline, and commitment to creating long-term value for stakeholders,” Mr Sunmonu said as he also acknowledged the broader growth of Nigeria’s insurance sector, where gross premiums rose by 38 per cent in 2023 to N1 trillion, driven by increased activity in the Oil & Gas, Fire, and Motor insurance segments.

Business Post reports that the underwriter posted a 34 per cent growth in insurance revenue to N24 billion from N18 billion in 2022, as net investment income also surged by 228 per cent to N1.5 billion from N461 million in the prior year.

These achievements underline the group’s dedication to optimising its investment portfolio and delivering value to policyholders.

Also addressing shareholders at the gathering, the chief executive of Coronation Insurance, Mr Olamide Olajolo, emphasised the company’s strides in digitalisation, calling it a “game-changer” for its operations.

“Our digitalisation drive has already transformed how we operate and interact with customers,” Mr Olajolo said, adding, “We are leveraging cutting-edge technology to streamline operations and deliver tailored solutions. The journey thus far has been remarkable, and we are committed to sustaining this momentum in 2024 and beyond.”

A shareholder, Mrs Bisi Bakare, praised the company’s efforts, particularly in leveraging technology to enhance customer experience, saying, “The digital transformation has made it easier for customers like me to interact with Coronation Insurance. I am confident that this strategy will keep us competitive and position the company for even greater success.”

Coronation Insurance emphasized its commitment to sustainability by outlining a strategy built on three foundational pillars. The first pillar, Strategic Partnerships, focuses on forging alliances to amplify positive impact and achieve shared goals. The second, Sponsorships and Donations, supports initiatives that align with the company’s mission and values, reinforcing its dedication to societal progress.

Lastly, through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), the company champions projects designed to drive meaningful development within communities. Together, these efforts reflect Coronation Insurance’s unwavering dedication to fostering shared prosperity while ensuring its operations align with global sustainability objectives.

The AGM featured the re-appointment of Mr Abubakar Jimoh and Mrs Stella Ojekwe-Onyejeli as Independent Non-Executive Directors, as well as the approval of the appointment of Mr Victor Etuokwu as a Non-Executive Director on the Board.

 As the Company looks ahead, its leadership expressed optimism about leveraging emerging opportunities in Nigeria’s evolving economic landscape. Coronation Insurance plans to deepen its market penetration, strengthen its digital initiatives, and continue providing innovative insurance solutions tailored to clients’ needs.

“Our ambition is to redefine the insurance experience in Africa,” the chief executive stated, noting, “We remain committed to our mission of addressing Africa’s challenges through transformational solutions and customer-focused innovation.”

Economy

NASD Exchange Extends Bearish Run After 0.56% Drop

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NASD Exchange

By Adedapo Adesanya

The NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange extended its stay in the south territory with a decline of 0.56 per cent on Wednesday, April 2.

This brought down the market capitalisation by N13 billion to N2.417 trillion from N2.430 trillion, and downed the NASD Unlisted Security Index (NSI) by 22.57 points to 4,062.87 points from the previous session’s 4,062.87 points.

It was observed that the NASD exchange ended with three price gainers and three price losers during the trading day.

MRS Oil Plc depreciated by N19.00 to close at N171.00 per unit compared with the previous price of N190.00 per unit, NASD Plc lost N4.14 to trade at N37.36 per share compared with Wednesday’s N41.50 per share, and Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc gave up N2.00 to sell at N78.00 per unit versus N80.00 per unit.

On the flip side, FrieslandCampina Wamco Nigeria Plc appreciated by 19 Kobo to N93.00 per share from N92.81 per share, Food Concepts Plc expanded by 15 Kobo to N2.87 per unit from N2.72 per unit, and Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) Plc improved by 2 Kobo to 52 Kobo per share from 50 Kobo per share.

Yesterday, the volume of securities dipped by 91.8 per cent to 260.2 million units from 3.2 billion units, the value of securities went down by 98.1 per cent to N154.2 million from N8.3 billion, while the number of deals soared by 53.3 per cent to 46 deals from 30 deals.

GNI Plc was the most active stock by value on a year-to-date basis with 3.4 billion units worth N8.4 billion, followed by CSCS Plc with 56.9 million units valued at N3.9 billion, and Okitipupa Plc with 27.5 million units traded for N1.8 billion.

The most traded stock by volume on a year-to-date basis was also GNI Plc with 3.4 billion units sold for N8.2 billion, trailed by Resourcery Plc with 1.1 billion units exchanged for N415.7 million, and Infrastructure Guarantee Credit Plc with 400 million units transacted for N1.2 billion.

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Economy

Naira Slips to N1,380/$1 at Official Market, Remains N1,405/$1 at Black Market

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yuan-naira $10bn

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Naira dropped N2.09 or 0.15 per cent against the United States Dollar in the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEX) on Thursday, April 2, to trade at N1,380.79/$1 compared with Wednesday’s rate of N1,378.70/$1.

However, it appreciated against the Pound Sterling in the official market by N2.77 to quote at N1,824.86/£1 versus the N1,836.57/£1 it was traded at midweek, and improved its value against the Euro by N10.54 to N1,591.92/€1 from N1,602.46/€1.

Yesterday was the last trading session of the week for the local currency in the spot market, as the market will be closed on Friday and Monday for the Easter Holiday.

At the black market, the Nigerian Naira maintained stability against the greenback yesterday at N1,405/$1, but gained N8 at the GTBank FX counter to settle at N1,388/$1, in contrast to the previous session’s N1,396/$1.

Pressure eased on the domestic currency as strong policy indicators have helped calm the majority of worries within the financial systems. Particularly in the remittance segment, the apex bank has directed all International Money Transfer Operators (IMTOs) to route remittance transactions through designated Naira settlement accounts in banks, a move aimed at boosting transparency and channelling more foreign exchange into the formal market.

This helps take off pressure from the foreign reserves, which have fallen below the $50 billion mark as they are gradually decreasing rather than falling sharply.

Meanwhile, the cryptocurrency market was bullish on Thursday, as macro sentiment shifted against recent optimism after reports that Iran is drafting a protocol with Oman to manage traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, easing concerns about disruptions to a key global oil route.

The remarks came after U.S. President Trump on Wednesday night vowed to hit Iran “extremely hard” in the coming weeks and that the Strait of Hormuz would “open naturally” once the war ends.

Cardano (ADA) chalked up 1.9 per cent to trade at $0.2435, Dogecoin (DOGE) grew by 1.2 per cent to $0.0912, Ethereum (ETH) appreciated by 0.8 per cent to $2,066.37, Bitcoin (BTC) added 0.5 per cent to sell at $67,080.53, Solana (SOL) increased by 0.5 per cent to $79.91, and Ripple (XRP) jumped 0.2 per cent to $1.31.

Conversely, Binance Coin (BNB) dipped 0.7 per cent to $586.90, and TRON (TRX) depreciated by 0.3 per cent to $0.3147, while the US Dollar Tether (USDT) and the US Dollar Coin (USDC) closed flat at $1.00 each.

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Economy

Bulls, Bears Share Customs Street’s Spoils Amid Bullish Investor Sentiment

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customs street

By Dipo Olowookere

The local stock market was relatively flat on Friday, as the bears and the bulls shared the spoils of war, though investor sentiment turned bullish compared with the preceding session’s bearish posture.

Data from the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited showed that the All-Share Index (ASI) was marginally down by 4.66 points as it ended at 201,698.89 points versus Wednesday’s 201,703.55 points, and the market capitalisation slightly contracted by N3 billion to N129.806 trillion from N129.809 trillion.

Customs Street was shut on Friday because of the public holidays declared by the federal government today and next Monday.

Business Post reports that John Holt declined by 9.91 per cent to N15.45, Abbey Mortgage Bank shed 9.60 per cent to trade at N8.95, International Energy Insurance slipped by 6.48 per cent to N3.32, Chams shrank by 5.30 per cent to N3.75, and Tantalizers depreciated by 5.18 per cent to N4.03.

On the flip side, Unilever Nigeria improved by 10.00 per cent to N103.40, Fortis Global Insurance gained 9.82 per cent to trade at N1.23, Multiverse appreciated 9.81 per cent to N20.15, Legend Internet advanced by 9.38 per cent to N6.30, and Zichis grew by 9.02 per cent to N14.14.

The market breadth index was positive during the trading session, as there were 35 appreciating stocks and 24 depreciating stocks.

Yesterday, investors traded 560.0 million equities valued at N19.3 billion in 49,676 deals, in contrast to the 815.5 million equities worth N33.3 billion transacted in 52,641 deals in the preceding day, representing a drop in the trading volume, value, and number of deals by 31.33 per cent, 42.04 per cent, and 5.63 per cent, respectively.

Secure Electronic Technology dominated the activity log with 59.7 million shares valued at N61.1 million, Wema Bank exchanged 52.0 million equities worth N1.4 billion, VFD Group transacted 36.0 million stocks for N410.5 million, Access Holdings sold 35.3 million shares valued at N914.8 million, and Chams traded 31.0 million equities worth N115.0 million.

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