By Dipo Olowookere
A group of lawyers in the capital market in Nigeria has concluded to hold a conference to discuss financial opportunities in the market in the midst of the present low yield environment and global health crisis.
The event, which is expected to take place online on Tuesday, September 15, 2020, in line with the COVID-19 protocols on public gathering, will have experts in the capital market and healthcare speaking with participants.
The programme is being organised by the Capital Market Solicitors’ Association (CMSA) as part of its annual business luncheon and is themed Financial Opportunities in the Capital Markets: An Aid to Improving the Nigerian Healthcare Sector.
Chairman of the Planning Committee, Ms Efeomo Olotu, stated that the luncheon promises to be engaging and a conversation opener with the keynote speech to be delivered by the Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mr Lamido Yuguda; and the founding Managing Director of Agusto & Co., Mr Olabode Agusto, who doubles as the Chairman of the Advisory Board of First Cardiology Consultant.
According to her, the virtual annual business luncheon is aimed to focus on the current climate in the Nigerian healthcare sector, following the COVID-19 pandemic, governmental response and the role of the capital market in creating pathways in strengthening a stunted healthcare sector through easy access to capital in resolving the prevalent challenges against affordability, accessibility, liquidity and funding.
“The Nigerian healthcare sector has faced numerous challenges ranging from poor funding and inadequate health infrastructure to a great loss in revenue of over $1 billion annually from medical tourism.
“Similar to any other form of organised economic activity, easy access to capital is important for the efficient delivery of high-quality medical services in any healthcare sector worldwide,” Ms Olotu, who works with George Etomi and Partners, said.
The CMSA is an independent self-regulatory association of solicitors and commercial law firms engaged in capital market practice established in 2001.
According to its profile, the group is concerned with developing the legal framework within which the capital market operates and pursues its objectives by organizing training sessions, workshops and seminars for its members on topical issues arising in the capital market.
Adedapo Adesanya