Ecobank, Microsoft, Linkedin, GitHub to Train SMEs

By Dipo Olowookere The House of Representatives Committee on Customs and Excise chaired by Mr Leke Abejide, has promised to ensure that all customs duties and levies collected by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) are accounted for and remitted to the nation’s purse. He gave this assurance during the inaugural meeting of the panel on Wednesday in Abuja, using the occasion to roll out the seven-point agenda of his group. The lawmaker, who contested in the recently-concluded governorship election in Kogi State under the African Democratic Party (ADC), listed the key focus of the team as oversight of the Nigeria

By Adedapo Adesanya Oil prices fell further on Thursday touching a six-month low, as investors worried about sluggish energy demand in the United States and China. Brent crude futures dropped 48 cents to $73.82 a barrel and the US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures fell by 33 cents to $69.05 per barrel, with both benchmarks posting their lowest prices since late June. Analysts noted that the largest global importer of oil, China, is shuttering its interests in crude and this has created pressure on prices. Chinese customs data showed that crude oil imports in November fell 9 per cent

By Adedapo Adesanya Nigerian crude output fell by 30,000 barrels per day to 1.43 million barrels per day in November, according to data from an S&P Global Commodity Insight. This was lower than the 1.46 million barrels produced in October by Africa’s largest oil producer and 312,000 barrels per day short of its 1.742 million barrels per day target in 2023. Angola, Africa’s second-largest oil producer, saw output drop 20,000 barrels per day to 1.13 million barrels per day, according to the survey, compared with its quota of 1.46 million barrels per day. The drops impacted the wider output of

By Adedapo Adesanya Forty-seven per cent of Nigerians are actively engaged with crypto, a new study shows as the country finds safety in the currency amid worries about the foreign exchange rate. According to insights by CoinJournal shared with Business Post, cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin (BTC) and various alternatives, are no longer just investments for speculation, “They represent a significant change in how people view and use money, providing decentralized options compared to traditional financial systems.” CoinJournal analyzed the data for the past three years, providing a comprehensive understanding of the current status of cryptocurrency adoption in 2023, as well as

By Dipo Olowookere A wholly owned subsidiary of NEC Corporation (NEC), Northgate Public Services (NPS), has acquired i2N Limited, which supplies specialist software to the UK’s Ministry of Justice’s HM Prison and Probation Service and the Youth Justice Board. A statement by the firm disclosed that the deal will significantly increase NPS’ offering across the entire criminal justice process. NPS is the market leader for policing IT solutions in the UK with 15 forces currently using NPS’ crime, custody and intelligence management system, CONNECT. Recent contract wins with West Midlands Police and the Metropolitan Police Service mean that over 50

By Investors Hub European stocks are mostly higher on Thursday as the easing of geopolitical and trade tensions prompted investors to cherry-pick shares ahead of the Easter break. While the U.K.?s FTSE 100 Index has risen by 0.3 percent, the French CAC 40 Index is up by 0.7 percent and the German DAX Index is up by 0.9 percent. French automaker Renault has jumped on a Bloomberg report that it is in talks to merge with Japan’s Nissan Motor. Rivals Peugeot, BMW, Daimler and Volkswagen have also moved higher. Swiss Re has rallied on a Bloomberg report that Japan’s Softbank

By Adedapo Adesanya The NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) failed to sustain the growth for the fourth consecutive session on Friday as it depreciated by 0.11 per cent on the back of poor performance by four companies on the platform. This weakened the NASD Unlisted Security Index (NSI) by 0.82 points to wrap the session at 742.70 points compared with 743.52 points recorded at the previous session. It also dragged the market capitalisation of the exchange downwards by N700 million to N645.54 billion from N646.24 billion of the preceding trading day. Business Post reports that the four declining stocks of yesterday were

By Dipo Olowookere Regional Director for Sage in East Africa, Ms Nikki Summers, has pointed out that any party that emerges winner in the general elections in Kenya taking place in August 8 2017 has an opportunity to supercharge job creation and economic growth by adopting policies that help Small & Medium Businesses to thrive. Ms Summers noted that the next government will have a strong framework and foundation to build on, following years of State investment in creating an enabling environment for entrepreneurs and business builders. She said, “With GDP expected to expand by around 6 percent this year,

By Adedapo Adesanya The unlisted securities market appreciated by 0.14 per cent on Wednesday on the back of the gains recorded by the shares of Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc. The company was the only price riser at the midweek trading session, adding 15 kobo to its value to close at N15.90 per share in contrast to N15.75 per share it was quoted on Tuesday. This price appreciation helped the overall outcome of the NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange, which recorded no trading activity the previous day because investors stayed away from the market. At the close of business,

By Adedapo Adesanya Popular music star, Tosin Mr Eazi Ajibade, has announced a partnership with Decagon, organisers of Nigeria’s top software engineering training programme, to help brilliant young Nigerians actualise their dream of becoming software engineers. Mr Eazi will serve as a sponsor for 5 residents or indigenes of Ogun State to attend Decagon. Decagon recently opened applications for its 6-month training programme and the sponsorship will include accommodation, feeding, laptop, internet and a monthly stipend, followed by an immediate job placement into companies like Access Bank, Sterling Bank and Etranzact after graduating. However, successful applicants are required to have

By Aduragbemi Omiyale The Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos, Plateau State, Professor Ayo Omotayo, has promised to take the institute to greater heights under his leadership. The scholar made this pledge while responding to a congratulatory message sent to him by the Harvest of Talents Foundation (THoTF) established by Mr Rafiu Laguda. THoTF is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) based in the United States of America and Nigeria providing a strong and stable environment for people to discover, grow, develop and maximize their talents. The foundation has developed several initiatives aimed at developing

By Adedapo Adesanya Unlisted securities admitted on the NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange on Wednesday welcomed the bulls again at the close of the trading session. At the market yesterday, the NASD unlisted securities index (NSI) moved up by 0.34 per cent or 2.39 points to 713.71 points from 711.00 points recorded at Tuesday’s session. In the same trend, the bourse’s market capitalisation closed N524.04 billion or 0.34 per cent higher to N1.76 billion from N522.28 billion it ended on Tuesday. At the previous session, the market had been lifted by 0.70 per cent by a bellwether, Niger Delta Exploration