BUSINESS
Stakeholders Commit to Effective Implementation of NPoA for Economic Growth
Stakeholders in public and private sectors have committed to the effective implementation of the second National Programme of Action (NPoA) to enhance economic growth and development.
The stakeholders who spoke at the closing of a five-day workshop to finalise the NPoA document in Abuja on Friday, said a collaborative effort was needed to implement the action.
Chief Executive Officer of the Africa Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), Nigeria, Princess Gloria Akobundu, said the workshop dealt with challenges identified in line with the country’s National Development Plan (NDP).
Akobundu said that participants at the workshop also looked at the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 and the AU-Agenda 2063 for smooth implementation of the NPoA in line with global best practices.
She said that some of the recommendations made were geared toward addressing security challenges and unemployment in the country. Others recommendations are policies that would enhance economic growth, address education lapses, out of school children, public private sector partnership and infrastructure to ensure good governance.
Akobundu said the implementation of the NPoA would take place across all states in the country.”We designed a framework that will be used to implement the NPoA, addressing the challenges and consolidating on the gains,” she said.
Akobundu, however, expressed optimism that President Muhammadu Buhari would launch the NPoA document between July and August for effective implementation. Chief Executive Officer of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Continental Secretariat, Prof. Eddy Maloka, said that the country had shown commitment in producing the document.
Maloka, represented by Mr Jean Adou, acting Director of Monitoring and Evaluation at the APRM Secretariat, said that collaborative efforts were needed in the implementation process.
Dr Louis Mandema, a member of the National Governing Council of the APRM, said that all stakeholders must remain consistent in the implementation of the NPoA until the results were achieved.
Alhaji Nuhu Laumarah, the Gombe State Coordinator of AUDA-NEPAD, Nigeria, assured that the coordinators would ensure prompt implementation of the programme in the states when launched.
Mr Kanayo Iwuchukwu, a representative of the Organised Private Sector (OPS), said the workshop had enlightened them for better understanding of the document. Iwuchukwu pledged the commitment and collaboration of the OPS to ensure adequate implementation of the programme when launched.
Mrs Margaret Katanda, a representative of the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), said they were committed to making the NPoA, a success. The APRM was established in 2003 by the AU Heads of State and Government to foster practices that lead to political stability, high economic growth, sustainable and inclusive development.
The core mandate of the APRM is a comprehensive NPoA developed to address governance challenges identified in the country. The five-day programme attracted stakeholders from across AU member states. (NAN)
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) says it is organising a compliance summit for Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and Compliance Officers to address Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and related issues.
The Director-General of SEC, Dr Emomotimi Agama, said this in a statement made available on Saturday in Lagos.
He said that the summit, with the theme, “Navigating regulatory challenges: Aligning with changes in FATF in the era of VASPS,” would be in Lagos on Oct.
21 and Oct. 22.According to him, SEC aims to equip capital market operators with the necessary tools and knowledge to thrive in a complex regulatory environment.
Agama said that the Nigerian Capital Market Institute (NCMI), a subsidiary of SEC, would hold the summit.
He noted that the summit would ultimately foster a culture of compliance and integrity in the operations of the participants.
“The aim is to equip capital market operators with essential insights and strategies to effectively navigate the evolving regulatory landscape.
“Attendees are to gain knowledge of understanding regulatory changes, clarity on the latest updates to FATF standards and how these impact Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs).
“They will also learn best practices for aligning their compliance programmes with new regulations, ensuring they meet international standards that enhance compliance frameworks in their organisations,” he said.
According to him, key objectives of the summit are regulatory compliance, understanding and implementing Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) regulations.
Others, he added, would include risk management, which encompasses identify, assess and mitigate risks associated with virtual assets and operational efficiency which would lead to enhanced internal controls, governance and compliance frameworks.
The director-general mentioned that the benefits of the summit include regulatory clarity, risk reduction, enhanced governance, competitive advantage and networking opportunities.
The welcome address at the summit is expected to be presented by Ms Frana Chukwuogor, Executive Commissioner, Legal and Enforcement, SEC Nigeria.
The opening remarks and overview of the summit will be delivered by Dr Agama while Ms Hafsat Bakari, Director, Nigeria Fraud Intelligence Unit(NFIU) will present a goodwill message.
Among the speakers expected at the event are, Mr Obinna Iwuno, Chairman, Stakeholders in BlockChain Association of Nigeria (SiBAN) and Certified Cryptocurrency Compliance Specialist and Investigator, Mr Ade Bajomo.
Also, Mr Zacch Adedeji, Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), President, Fintech Association in Nigeria, Mr Peter Shodipo, and the President, Committee of Chief Compliance Officers of Capital Market Operators in Nigeria (CCCOCIN) among others.(NAN)
To end the week, the stock market rebounded from previous losses, gaining N74 billion.
Investor interest in MTN Nigeria, FBN Holdings, Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) and other equities lifted the market.
Notably, the market capitalisation opened at N56.014 trillion, adding N74 billion or 0.
13 per cent to close at N56.088 trillion.The All-Share Index also advanced by 0.
13 per cent, or 129.44 points, closing at 97,606.63, compared to 97,477.19 recorded on Thursday.As a result, the Year-To-Date (YTD) return increased by 30.54 per cent.
The market breadth closed positive, with 31 gainers and 19 losers on the floor of the Exchange.
On the gainers’ chart, Consolidated Hallmark Plc and Sterling Nigeria led by 9.
45 per cent each to close at N1.39 and N4.98 per share respectively.Mecure followed by 9.19 per cent to close at N10.10, Regency Alliance Insurance gained 9.09 per cent to close at 72k, while Fidson Healthcare Plc increased by 8.24 per cent to close at N15.10 per share.
Conversely, Deap Capital Management and Trust led the losers’ chart by 9.93 per cent to close at N1.36, NEM Insurance trailed by 9.71 per cent to close at N7.90 per share.
Daar Communications also lost 9.52 per cent to close at 57k, Tantalizers shed 9.09 per cent to close at 60k, while Dangote Sugar declined by 3.31 per cent to close at N31 per share.
Analysis of the market activities showed trade turnover settled higher relative to the previous session, with the value of transactions up by 20.33 per cent.
A total of 304.43 million shares valued at N5.60 billion were exchanged in 6,950 deals, compared with 277.75 million shares valued at N4.65 billon in 7,091 deals traded in the previous session.
Meanwhile, Access Corporation led the activity chart in volume and value with 68.26 million shares valued at N1.34 billon.(NAN)
The Ministry of Petroleum Resources has inaugurated a Technical Working Group to enhance gas reticulation practices in Nigeria’s building industry.
The ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Amb. Nicholas Ella inaugurated the Technical Working Group (TWG) between the National Gas Expansion Programme (NGEP) and the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON) on Wednesday.
Reports= says that reticulation refers to the process of creating a network of pipes or tubes to distribute gas or other utilities to buildings or industrial sites.
The permanent secretary restated the importance of creating energy smart cities, saying that modern urban development relies on efficient gas and utility distribution systems,
“Most modern cities in developed countries have evolved to energy smart cities where energy, specifically gas and other utilities are piped to districts and estates.
“However, one of the key tools in creating energy smart city is the National Building
Code which, in essence, sets the guidelines on Building Pre-design, designs, construction and post-construction stages,” he said.
The permanent secretary reiterated the benefits of reticulated gas systems for households and businesses alike, adding that it ensured metered supply akin to water and electricity,
According to him, it eliminates the need for cumbersome refills, and also enhances safety by burying pipes and incorporating advanced safety equipments.
“The TWG is tasked with designing a comprehensive policy to implement best practices for gas reticulation using LPG, PNG, and Bio-Gas across Nigeria’s building sector.
“Key responsibilities include reviewing the current National Building Code, examining global gas distribution systems, and proposing quality standards for materials used in gas installations,” he said.
The permanent secretary emphasised the need for rigorous safety protocols and guidelines to ensure the efficient and safe use of gas in construction.
He urged the group to prioritise environmental sustainability in its recommendations, adding that the group is expected to submit its report by Nov. 15.
Earlier, Mr Samson Opaliwah, the Chairman of CORBON. expressed the council’s commitment to collaborate with the group to ensure safe uptake of gas for use in houses and housing estates in Nigeria.
“I assure you of the williness of CORBON to leverage the expertise and resources at her disposal to ensure that steps are put in place for gas infrastructure in buildings and estates.
“The gas infrastructure will be safe, sustainable and world-class.
” Our collective efforts will yield clear, standardised guidelines for safe and effective gas systems in buildings, matched with a skilled workforce to meet growing demands in Nigeria,” he said. (NAN)
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