Economy
Coronation Insurance Charts Digital, Sustainable Future
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
NBA Demands Suspension of Controversial Tax Laws
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The federal government has been asked by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to suspend the implementation of the controversial tax laws.
In a reaction to the tax reform acts, the president of the group, Mr Afam Osigwe (SAN), the suspension of the laws would allow for a proper investigation into allegations of alterations in the gazetted and harmonised copies.
A member of the House of Representatives, Mr Abdussamad Dasuki, alleged that some parts of the laws passed by the parliament were different from the gazetted copy.
To address the issues raised, the NBA said it is “imperative that a comprehensive, open, and transparent investigation be conducted to clarify the circumstances surrounding the enactment of the laws and to restore public confidence in the legislative process.”
“Until these issues are fully examined and resolved, all plans for the implementation of the Tax Reform Acts should be immediately suspended,” the association declared.
It noted that the controversies “raise grave concerns about the integrity, transparency, and credibility of Nigeria’s legislative process.”
“These developments strike at the very heart of constitutional governance and call into question the procedural sanctity that must attend lawmaking in a democratic society,” it noted.
“Legal and policy uncertainty of this magnitude has far-reaching consequences. It unsettles the business environment, erodes investor confidence, and creates unpredictability for individuals, businesses, and institutions required to comply with the law. Such uncertainty is inimical to economic stability and should have no place in a system governed by the rule of law.
“Nigeria’s constitutional democracy demands that laws, especially those with profound economic and social implications, emerge from processes that are transparent, accountable, and beyond reproach. Anything short of this undermines public trust and weakens the foundation upon which lawful governance rests.
“We therefore call on all relevant authorities to act swiftly and responsibly in addressing this controversy, in the overriding interest of constitutional order, economic stability, and the preservation of the rule of law,” the organisation stated.
Economy
MRS Oil, Two Others Raise NASD Bourse Higher by 0.52%
By Adedapo Adesanya
Demand for hot stocks, including MRS Oil Plc, buoyed the NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange by 0.52 per cent on Tuesday, December 23.
The energy company was one of the three price gainers for the session as it chalked up N19.69 to sell at N216.59 per share versus the previous day’s value of N196.90 per share.
Further, FrieslandCampina Wamco Nigeria Plc gained N2.95 to close at N56.75 per unit versus N53.80 per unit and Golden Capital Plc appreciated by 84 Kobo to N9.29 per share from Monday’s N8.45 per share.
Consequently, the market capitalisation went up by N10.95 billion to N2.125 trillion from N2.125 trillion and the NASD Unlisted Security Index (NSI) rose by 18.31 points to 3,570.37 points from 3,552.06 points.
Yesterday, the NASD bourse recorded a price loser, the Central Securities Clearing System Plc (CSCS), which gave up 17 Kobo to close at N33.70 per unit against the previous trading value of N33.87 per unit.
The volume of securities traded at the session went down by 97.6 per cent to 297,902 units from the previous day’s 12.6 million units, the value of securities decreased by 98.5 per cent to N10.5 million from N713.6 million, and the number of deals remained flat at 32 deals.
By value, Infrastructure Credit Guarantee Company (InfraCredit) Plc ended as the most actively traded stock on a year-to-date basis with 5.8 billion units exchanged for N16.4 billion. This was followed by Okitipupa Plc, which traded 178.9 million units valued at N9.5 billion, and MRS Oil Plc with 36.1 million units worth N4.9 billion.
In terms of volume, also on a year-to-date basis, InfraCredit Plc led the chart with a turnover of 5.8 billion units traded for N16.4 billion. Industrial and General Insurance (IGI) Plc ranked second with 1.2 billion units sold for N420.7 million, while Impresit Bakolori Plc followed with the sale of 536.9 million units valued at N524.9 million.
Economy
NGX All-Share Index Soars to 153,354.13 points
By Dipo Olowookere
It was another bullish trading session for the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited as it closed higher by 0.59 per cent on Tuesday.
The market further rallied due to continued interest in large and mid-cap stocks on the exchange by investors rebalancing their portfolios for the year-end.
Yesterday, Aluminium Extrusion sustained its upward trajectory after it further appreciated by 9.96 per cent to N14.90, as Austin Laz gained 9.81 per cent to close at N2.91, Custodian Investment improved by 9.69 per cent to N38.50, and First Holdco soared by 9.35 per cent to N50.30.
Conversely, Royal Exchange declined by 7.22 per cent to N1.80, Champion Breweries shrank by 6.57 per cent to N15.65, NASCON lost 5.36 per cent to trade at N105.05, Sovereign Trust Insurance depreciated by 5.28 per cent to N3.77, and Japaul went down by 4.51 per cent to N2.33.
At the close of business, 29 shares ended on the gainers’ table and 27 shares finished on the losers’ log, representing a positive market breadth index and bullish investor sentiment.
This raised the All-Share Index (ASI) by 895.06 points to 153,354.13 points from 152,459.07 points and lifted the market capitalisation by N579 billion to N97.772 trillion from the previous day’s N97.193 trillion.
VFD Group finished the day as the busiest stock after it recorded a turnover of 192.0 million units worth N2.1 billion, GTCO exchanged 63.5 million units valued at N5.6 billion, Access Holdings traded 49.8 million units for N1.0 billion, First Holdco sold 45.8 million units valued at N2.3 billion, and Secure Electronic Technology transacted 38.3 million units worth N28.4 million.
In all, market participants bought and sold 677.4 million units valued at N20.8 billion in 27,589 deals compared with the 451.5 million units worth N13.0 billion traded in 33,327 deals on Monday, showing an improvement in the trading volume and value by 50.03 per cent and 60.00 per cent apiece, and a shortfall in the number of deals by 17.22 per cent.
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