NEWS
Bua Cement, MTNN, Lift NGX by N237bn

Bullish sentiments persisted on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Ltd on Thursday with the market capitalisation increasing further by N237 billion due to investors’ sentiment in bellwethers.
The bellwethers are BUA Cement, MTN Nigeria Commnuciations (MTNN) and Airtel Africa.
Specifically, the market capitalisation surged by N237 billion to close at N21.
764 trillion against N21. 526 trillion posted on Wednesday.Similarly, the All-Share Index expanded by 454.40 points or 1.10 per cent to close at 41,704.11 from 41,249.71 achieved on Wednesday.
Consequently, month-to-date and year-to-date gains increased to 3.7 per cent and 3.6 per cent, respectively.
The market positive performance was driven by price appreciation in large and medium capitalised stocks which are; Airtel Africa, BUA Cement, Nigerian Breweries, Nigerian Exchange Group and MTNN.
Analysts at Afrinvest Limited said, “ In the final trading session of the week, we anticipate a pullback occasioned by profit-taking activities.”
Consequently, the market breadth closed positive with 23 gainers as against 18 losers.
Cutix drove the gainers’ chart in percentage terms with 10 per cent to close at N5.50 per share.
Nigerian Exchange Group followed with 9.79 per cent to close at N23.55, while Consolidated Hallmark Insurance appreciated by 9.09 per cent to close at 60k per share.
Nigerian Breweries went up by 7.41 per cent to close at N51.45, while BUA Cement appreciated by 6.12 per cent to close at N72 per share.
On the other hand, The Initiates Plc (TIP) led the losers’ chart in percentage terms by 8.51 per cent to close at 43k per share.
Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals followed with 4.86 per cent to close at N1.76, while Universal Insurance lost 4.76 per cent to close at 20k per share.
Nigerian Aviation Handling Company shed 3.61 per cent to close at N3.47, while Unity Bank and Royal Exchange depreciated by 3.51 per cent each to close at 55k per share.
The total volume of trades declined by 56.7 per cent to 216.19 million units valued at N3.38 billion exchanged in 4,272 deals.
This was in contrast with a turnover of 499.51 million shares worth N5.08 billion exchanged in 5,998 deals on Wednesday.
Transactions in the shares of FBNH topped the activity chart with 51.92 million shares valued at N628.33 million.
Ecobank Transnational Incorporated followed with 20.02 million shares worth N143.69 million, while Transcorp traded 14.65 million shares valued at N14.97 million.
Access Bank traded 13.03 million shares worth N124.23 million, while Fidelity Bank transacted 12.48 million shares worth N34.16 million. (NAN)
NEWS
Nigeria Condoles India over Tragic Plane Crash

The Federal Government on Thursday condoled the Indian government over the tragic crash of Air India Flight-171 in Ahmedabad.The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, disclosed this in a statement issued by Kimiebi Ebienfa, Spokesperson of theMinistry.Tuggar said, “Nigeria expresses profound sorrow and extends its heartfelt condolences to the government and people of India over the tragic crash of Air India Flight 171 in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025.
“This devastating incident which claimed the lives of over 290 individuals has left the global community in mourning. “Nigeria stands in solidarity with India during this period of immense grief and unfortunate loss.“While initial reports indicate no Nigerian citizen was aboard the flight, the Nigeria High Commission in New Delhi remains in close contact with Indian authorities to verify this information and provide consular assistance where necessary.“In this moment of shared sorrow, Nigeria reaffirms its commitment to global aviation safety and supports the call for thorough investigation into the crash with a view to preventing such tragedies in the future.”The minister further commiserated with the families of the bereaved and all those affected by this tragic incident. (NAN)NEWS
Benue Speaker Advises Youth to Participate Actively in Politics

The Speaker, Benue House of Assembly, Mr Hyacinth Dajoh, has advised youths in the state to participate actively in the economic and political development of the country.Dajoh gave the advice in his Democracy Day message issued by his Press Secretary, Mr Terver Zamber, in Makurdi.
The speaker urged youths to show more interest in the economic and political development of the country. He said that they had the required education, exposure, and numerical strength to make a positive impact on both the economy and governance. Dajoh assured the youths that the assembly under his leadership would continue to enact laws to protect democracy and the rule of law.The speaker urged Nigerians to be more determined in ensuring that democracy worked in the country.He said that democracy remained the best option for the country.The speaker added that through the determination of the citizens and their active participation in the democratic process, Nigeria would be a great country.He saluted the heroic deeds of patriots who worked assiduously to actualise democratic rule in the country, especially the symbol of the June 12 struggle, the late M.K.O. Abiola.According to him, only a truly great, peaceful and prosperous Nigeria could be a befitting compensation for their sacrifices.He commended President Bola Tinubu and Gov. Hyacinth Alia of Benue for their roles in upholding democratic principles.Dajoh said that more sacrifices were required from the citizens to ensure that the country got the best of democracy. (NAN)NEWS
Cross River Communities Resume Hostility with More Casualties

From Ene Asuquo, Calabar
There is another round of hostility arising from communal skirmishes between two brotherly communities of Etono 2 and Biakpan in Biased Local Government Are of Cross River State.The resumption of hostilities happened some days ago when youths from Etono 2 were alleged to have attacked and killed a visitor to Biakpan and another youth whose identity was not immediately known.
Before then there were reports that nearly 50 persons had been killed on both sides. In the latest resurgence, a source said, “Sporadic shootings were heard on Monday and Tuesday inside Biakpan. A few persons have been killed.”State security adviser Southern district, Patrick Odion told our correspondent that he has his men on ground to calm the situation.Recall that about three weeks ago, Commissioner of Police in the state, Olusegun Omosanyin summoned the two sides to his Headquarters in Calabar and cautioned them.The police commissioner had disclosed how there was massive arms buildup by the two communities and said he would launch police action to retrieve the arms from them.He had expressed anger that the two sides had earlier refused to appear before him three times when he summoned them, adding that he had also dispatched his key officers to the two communities.Following the resumption of the hostilities, the police commissioner again met with the leadership of Biase LGA in his office.He assured that he would mobilize his men today to Biakpan and Etono 2 to quell the uprising.When DAILY ASSET spoke with some concerned stakeholders from the two communities they lamented that often when police and soldiers sent to douse tensions would leave, hostilities would resume soon after.A youth leader from Etono 2 who gave his name as Egwu Jerry, lamented, “The presence of the security men usually give us confidence but once they leave, our safety is no longer guaranteed. We’re few compared with those from Biakpan.”He also lamented that they do not have access road elsewhere than the one into Biakpan which reason, their adversaries usually encircle and easily attack and kill them.But a chief from Biakpan who gave his name as Onun Ekpezu alleged that Etono people were too aggressive and violent, and have destroyed their important properties and farms, and have killed their people and visitors.”Because of these, our youths have positioned themselves to defend our women and properties”, Ekpezu said.