Business
Shareholders Advised To Know Their Rights
Nigerian stareholders were recently admonished over ignorance of proper understanding of capital market’s operations to fully understand their legal rights and how to use it to curtail the excesses of managers else, they will continue to achieve less than desirable investment returns.
Mr Peter Nta inaugurating a book he authored with title ‘Shareholders Rights Under the Nigerian Laws’ stated that shareholders’ failure to enforce their rights have made it impossible for the nation to institutionalize good corporate governance.
He encouraged shareholders to take advantage of the current reforms in the financial sector and the global cash crunch to impose their legal rights on their quoted companies and their managements.
Nta warned that there will always be corporate governance problems as long as Nigerian investors continue to treat their investors as private arrangement rather than as business co-owers. He noted that “the current companies mismanagement and threats of failure or collapse in Nigeria will continue to be fostered, if Nigerians continue to personalize publicly quoted companies.”
Nigerians are usually reticent or laid back in exercising their rights as shareholders, especially in corporate governance issues like fraud, corruption and so on, as is typified in the case of Cadbury, Unilever, Oceanic and others. He further revealed that the ‘issue of insider trading and the self dealings by directors can only be checked by separating companies from their founders, directors and managers.
The current chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) Mr Jide Ologun in his review, stated that the inauguration of the book was the best returns to Nigerian investors in the face of sustained investment rash tand the agony that has accompanied it.
He pointed out that “the factual and judicial notice in the book covers shareholders right under the Nigerian laws and what it has done is to simplify and challenge Nigerians and foreigners in maximizing the full benefits of their rights under investment laws.”
According to Ologun, the book has shown that “factual and judicial notice to all stakeholders in the nation’s economy remains one of Nigeria’s contemporary answers in managing global financial difficulties.
The facility will be disbursed through participating Microfinance Institutions (MFIs), which will in turn extend the loans to their customers, particularly SMEs, as they directly interface with businesses at the grassroots level.
The Executive Director of COMCIN, Mr. Micheal Ogbaa who represented the Chairman, Dr. Iredele Oyedele (FCA, FCCA), said the initiative is designed to strengthen micro-lending institutions and expand access to finance for grassroots entrepreneurs, particularly women and youths in the informal sector.
Ogbaa explained that COMCIN does not lend directly to individuals but works through its network of microfinance and cooperative institutions, which in turn provide loans to end users.
“We came together to advocate for the microfinance ecosystem. Commercial banks often exclude people at the grassroots, but our members are positioned to reach them. This facility will empower them to do more,” he said.
He noted that the loan scheme offers low interest rates and flexible repayment plans, making it more accessible to small business owners.
According to him, about 90 percent of beneficiaries are expected to be women, who play a key role in sustaining families and driving economic activities at the local level.
“Our focus is on traders, service providers, and players in the informal sector. These are the real movers of the economy. By supporting them, we are strengthening families and contributing to national development,” he added.
Ogbaa disclosed that eligible SMEs with proven integrity and business track records could access up to N5 million each through participating micro-lending institutions. The rollout has commenced in Lagos and will extend to Abuja, Enugu, and other regions, including the South-West, South-East, and North-East.
He said 12 micro-lending institutions have already benefited from the scheme, while 85 applications are currently being processed under the pilot phase.
“Our target is to reach at least 100,000 SMEs nationwide. We are building a platform that connects funding partners with credible micro-lending institutions, creating a reliable channel for financial inclusion,” Ogbaa said.
He added that COMCIN is also working to attract larger funding pools from development finance institutions and private investors, noting that successful implementation of the pilot phase would boost confidence and unlock more capital for SMEs.
“We have seen encouraging testimonies from early beneficiaries. As we demonstrate transparency and efficiency, more institutions will be willing to channel funds through us,” he said.
-
News12 hours agoRSG Reiterates Commitment To Youth Dev
-
Rivers10 hours agoPolice Launch Community-Centred National Day Celebration In Rivers, Today
-
Business10 hours agoNSCDC Discloses Illegal Dump Site In Ikwerre Community
-
Business10 hours agoYenagoa’s Radisson Hotel Ready December — NCDMB, Other
-
Maritime10 hours agoMWUN Raises Alarm Over Port Security Lapses In Lagos
-
Maritime10 hours agoNNS Hands Over Two Suspected Stowaways to Immigration Service
-
Oil & Energy10 hours agoTranscorp Energy, Renewvia Partner On Renewable Energy Gap
-
Maritime10 hours agoNigerian Navy Plans CMTF To Safeguard GOG