Economy
Coronavirus: OPEC to Hold Emergency Meeting over Oil Demand Worries

By Adedapo Adesanya
The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is in discussions to bring forward its earlier scheduled March meeting as the oil market continues to face unfavourable outcomes as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.
According to the Algerian Energy Minister Mohamed Arkab, who is also the OPEC President, the cartel meeting scheduled for March 5 and 6 is likely to be moved to February.
But Mr Arkab said a decision will be made in the coming days to see what the next course of action will be as the disease continues to spread, reaching over 15 countries that has created a panic that is affecting the global economy.
“It is very likely to advance to February the OPEC meeting, initially scheduled for the beginning of March, so that we can find the means to ensure market balance,” Mr Arkad said,
OPEC and its allies including Russia agreed at a meeting held on December 6 meeting to implement a 1.7 million barrels per day production cut for the first three months of 2020 and to meet March 5-6 in the OPEC Headquarters in Vienna, Austria to decide on any next steps.
However, with the coronavirus spreading and oil prices falling sharply due to concerns about the state of the Chinese economy and jet fuel demand, the alliance looks set to be spurred into taking a quick action, with sources saying deeper cuts could be considered.
An outbreak of the illness has affected close to 8000 people and killed over 200 as at Friday morning since the first case was reported on December 30, 2019 in Wuhan, the capital of China’s Hubei province.
Also, airlines across the globe suspend flights to China as oil prices slumped, adding to the pressure on OPEC and its allies to extend or deepen the group’s oil-production cuts.
The agency declared the outbreak a global health emergency on Thursday, citing fears that the coronavirus may reach countries with weak health care systems.
As at the time of this report, Brent crude was trading at $57.92 per barrel and the West Texas Intermediate crude future has rallied early Friday morning to $52.80 per barrel.
Economy
Should You Start with a Funded Trading Program?

If you’ve been exploring the world of trading—whether you’re just starting out or already have experience—you’ve probably come across the concept of funded trading programs. These programs are becoming increasingly popular, and for good reason. They offer traders a chance to prove their skills and trade with someone else’s capital, rather than risking their own money. But is it the right path for you? Let’s dive into why funded trading programs might be the smartest move for your trading journey.
What Is a Funded Trading Program?
A funded trading program is a type of partnership between a trader and a proprietary trading firm. The trader usually goes through an evaluation phase to prove their skills and discipline. Once they pass, they receive a funded trading account with a set amount of capital provided by the firm. The trader then earns a share of the profits they make, while the firm handles the losses.
Why Beginners Should Consider Funded Trading
One of the biggest hurdles for new traders is risk. When you’re still learning the ropes, it’s easy to blow through your personal savings trying to figure out what works. Funded programs allow beginners to develop and test their trading strategies with significantly less financial risk. Here are a few key benefits:
1. Learn Without Risking Your Own Capital
Most funded programs require you to pay a small fee to take an evaluation, but after that, you’re trading with the firm’s money. This can take a lot of the emotional stress out of trading and help beginners stay more focused and disciplined.
2. Structured Environment
Funded programs often have rules in place for things like drawdowns, daily losses, and risk management. For beginners, this structure is incredibly helpful in developing good habits from the start.
3. Faster Learning Curve
With real-time market exposure and feedback, new traders can learn more quickly. Instead of being stuck in demo accounts or risking too much too soon, they get a guided experience with real consequences and real rewards.
Why Experienced Traders Can Benefit Too
Even seasoned traders often face the challenge of limited capital. Funded programs offer an attractive way to scale their strategies without having to put more of their own money on the line. Here’s how:
1. Access to Larger Capital
Many traders have a winning system, but not enough capital to see meaningful returns. Funded programs can provide accounts ranging from $25,000 to $200,000 or more, giving traders the power to earn bigger profits.
2. No Need to Risk Personal Funds
Risk is always present in trading, but with a funded account, experienced traders can focus on execution without worrying about personal losses. This freedom can improve decision-making and reduce emotional trading.
3. Earn a Professional Income
With profit splits often ranging from 70% to 90%, consistent traders can earn a significant income. Many funded traders eventually turn it into a full-time career.
Things to Look for in a Funded Program
Before jumping into a funded trading program, it’s important to choose the right one. Look for:
- Transparent Rules: Make sure the program clearly outlines its rules, fees, and profit split.
- Reasonable Challenge Conditions: Some firms have evaluation phases that are too difficult or unrealistic. Find one that balances challenge with opportunity.
- Good Customer Support: A responsive support team is crucial when you need answers quickly.
- Fast Payouts: Check reviews or testimonials about how fast and consistently they pay traders.
Why TenTrade Is a Great Place to Start
If you’re looking for a trustworthy and beginner-friendly funded trading program, TenTrade is a fantastic choice. Their platform is easy to use, and their challenge structure is fair and accessible. TenTrade also offers fast payouts and excellent support, making them a favorite among new and seasoned traders alike.
Common Myths About Funded Trading
Let’s bust a few myths that might be holding you back:
- “Only pros can pass the challenge.” Not true. Many beginners have passed on their first or second try. If you have discipline and follow the rules, you’ve got a solid shot.
- “They never pay out.” Reputable programs like TenTrade have a long track record of timely and fair payouts.
- “It’s just a scam to collect fees.” While there are bad actors in any industry, funded trading as a whole is a legitimate and fast-growing field. Do your research and choose a trusted provider.
Final Thoughts
Funded trading programs offer a rare opportunity: trade with someone else’s money, keep most of the profits, and limit your personal risk. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to scale up, they can be a game-changer. With the right mindset, discipline, and a good platform like TenTrade, you can take your trading skills to the next level without taking on the financial stress that usually comes with it.
So, should you get started with funded trading? If you’re serious about becoming a better trader and want to accelerate your progress, the answer is a definite yes.
Economy
Naira Sells N1,612/$1 at Official Market, N1,615/$1 at Black Market

By Adedapo Adesanya
The Naira appreciated against the US Dollar at the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM) on Tuesday, April 8, by N55.66 or 3.5 per cent to N1,612.97/$1 from the preceding day’s rate of N1,628.89/$1.
The pressure on the local currency eased as the Nigerian government said it would make plans to address the impact of the tariffs from the United States, which have now gone into effect and upon announcement impacted the Nigerian currency.
The development will complement recent efforts to stabilise the market by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) which injected $197.71 million in the FX market last week through sales to authorised dealers to ensuring adequate liquidity and supporting orderly market functioning.
However, the domestic currency depreciated against the Pound Sterling in the official market yesterday by N3.80 to sell for N2,060.21/£1 versus Monday’s price of N2,056.41/£1 and lost N1.03 on the Euro to settle at N1,762.56/€1, in contrast to the previous session’s N1,761.53/€1.
In the black market, the Nigerian Naira tumbled against the Dollar yesterday by N35 to close at N1,615/$1 compared with the preceding session’s value of N1,580/$1.
In the cryptocurrency market, it was bearish as US President Donald Trump sweeping global tariffs went into effect and traders retreated from crypto majors, removing all gains from Tuesday’s relief rally as President Trump pushes forward efforts to drastically reorder global trade.
Tariffs on any Chinese goods were hiked to 104 per cent, along with import taxes on over 60 trading partners.
Ethereum (ETH) dropped 6.1 per cent to trade at $1,473.36, Bitcoin (BTC) lost 2.6 per cent to finish at $77,483.73, Ripple (XRP) slumped by 1.9 per cent to $1.82, and Dogecoin (DOGE) depreciated by 1.8 per cent to $0.1463.
Further, Cardano (ADA) went down by 1.3 per cent to $0.5751, Solana (SOL) declined by 1.2 per cent to $107.36, Litecoin (LTC) slipped by 0.9 per cent to $70.41, and Binance Coin (BNB) shrank by 0.5 per cent to $554.70, while the US Dollar Tether (USDT) and the US Dollar Coin (USDC) remained unchanged at $1.00 apiece.
Economy
Secure Electronic Technology, 15 Others Lift Nigerian Exchange by 0.15%

By Dipo Olowookere
The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited appreciated by 0.15 per cent on Tuesday, though weak investor sentiment remained as market participants watch happenings in the global economy.
During the trading session, the banking index went up by 1.89 per cent due to buying interest and the energy industry improved by 0.04 per cent.
However, the insurance sector went down by 4.07 per cent as a result of sustained selling pressure, as the consumer goods shrank by 0.16 per cent, and the industrial goods space tumbled by 0.11 per cent, with the commodity sector closing flat.
At the close of transactions, the All-Share Index (ASI) was up by 159.86 points to 104,376.73 points from 104,216.87 points and the market capitalisation grew by N100 billion to N65.589 trillion from N65.489 trillion.
Secure Electronic Technology ended as the best-performing equity after it gained 8.89 per cent to 49 Kobo, Abbey Mortgage Bank grew by 8.35 per cent to N5.58, Sterling Holdings rose by 6.85 per cent to N5.15, VFD Group jumped by 5.26 per cent to N66.00, and Mutual Benefits improved by 4.55 per cent to 92 Kobo.
On the flip side, UH REIT finished the session as the worst-performing equity after it shed 9.95 per cent to trade at N46.15, NAHCO lost 9.94 per cent to settle at N62.95, NEM Insurance depreciated by 9.92 per cent to quote at N11.80, Lasaco Assurance dropped 9.86 per cent to sell for N1.92, and Royal Exchange slipped by 9.78 per cent to 83 Kobo.
Business Post reports that the bourse ended the day with 16 price gainers and 42 price losers, implying a negative market breadth index and weak investor sentiment.
Yesterday, Customs Street recorded the trading of 460.6 million shares worth N10.1 billion in 14,528 deals compared with the 444.1 million shares valued at N11.2 billion on Monday, representing a growth in the volume of transactions by 3.72 per cent, and a decline in the value of trades and the number of deals by 9.82 per cent and 7.41 per cent, respectively.
The busiest stock on Tuesday was Access Holdings, which exchanged 56.5 million units valued at N1.2 billion, GTCO traded 51.6 million units worth N3.4 billion, Fidelity Bank transacted 24.1 million units for N431.6 million, FCMB sold 23.4 million units worth N208.1 million, and United Capital traded 23.3 million units valued at N319.9 million.
-
Feature/OPED5 years ago
Davos was Different this year
-
Travel/Tourism9 years ago
Lagos Seals Western Lodge Hotel In Ikorodu
-
Showbiz2 years ago
Estranged Lover Releases Videos of Empress Njamah Bathing
-
Banking7 years ago
Sort Codes of GTBank Branches in Nigeria
-
Economy2 years ago
Subsidy Removal: CNG at N130 Per Litre Cheaper Than Petrol—IPMAN
-
Banking2 years ago
First Bank Announces Planned Downtime
-
Sports2 years ago
Highest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn
-
Technology4 years ago
How To Link Your MTN, Airtel, Glo, 9mobile Lines to NIN