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NNDC To Float New Telecom Firm

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The New Nigeria Development Company (NNDC) said it had concluded arrangement to float a new telecommunications company even as it posted a pre-tax profit of 609 per cent.

Chairman of the company, Prof. Halidu Abubakar gave the indication shortly after the company’s 44th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Kaduna. “Arrangements have gone far in the merger between our Gamji Telelecommunications Company with our affiliate company, Backbone Connectivity Network (BCN) Nigeria,“Abubakar said.

He said the merger would produce “a bigger and more vibrant telecommunication company which will enable us to get better value as a result of synergy.“

The NNDC chairman said discussion was going on with the NNPC on the oil and gas exploration in the Northern region.

“We are making plans to collaborate with the NNPC in our continuous search for hydrocarbon potentials in the Northern Sedimentary basins.

“ The objective is to be part of all the activities of NNPC in the basins and this will reduce financial commitments of our company.“

He said that the company was also collaborating with states to acquire more mining sites to boost solid mineral development, in addition to exploring new areas including property development.

“ The company has identified new areas of strategic focus including boosting agricultural production, development of solid minerals, massive investment in property development, resuscitation of promising ailing industries and consultant services.“

Abubakar said that the company was scouting for more investable funds through collaboration with other development finance institutions, so as to play a greater role in the nation’s economic development.

The 23-member NNDC board had earlier approved the appropriation of N20 million to finance the Young professional Development Trust and the Learning Resources Centre Funds. The Chairman said that the company’s performance had improved in spite of the challenges posed by the deterioration in the Nigerian economy.

“Particularly the insecurity in the country in general and the 2011 post election crisis that occurred in some part of the country, which adversely affected business activities and international investment.“

Abubakar said the company had recorded a pre-tax profit of N69.25 million as against the preceding year’s profit of N9.76 million.

He said the figure represented an increase of N59.49 million or 609 per cent for the year ended March 31, 2012.

“The gross earnings of the company stood at N414.24 million during the year under review, representing an increase of N34.82 million or 9.18 per cent over the previous years’s figure of N379.42 million. “ Operating expenses for the period under review stood at N318.81 million against the preceding year’s figure of N348.26 million, indicating a decrease of N29.44 million or 8.45 per cent,“ the chairman added.

He said the nominal value of the company’s quoted investments stood at N239.26 million, while the market value stood at N6.801 billion.

The chairman commended the NNDC associate companies for recording encouraging result in spite of the difficult operating environment.

Abubakar commended shareholders for sustaining their trust and confidence in the company and pledged to do better in the years ahead.

Secretaries to Governments of the 19 Northern States participated in the NNDC’s 44th AGM.

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Firm Unveils Digital Solutions For Cooperatives

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A subsidiary outfit of First Registrars Firm, the Cle Digital Services Limited, has launched a digital solution for cooperative societies in the country.
Business Manager of Clé Digital Services Limited, Oladipupo Olabisi, at the launch in Lagos, revealed that the product, Clé Cooperative Management Solution, was a revolutionary digital platform, professionally designed to streamline cooperative management and enhance members’ engagement.
He said, “Today marks a significant milestone in our journey as we introduce a groundbreaking digital platform designed to transform the way cooperative organisations operate and engage with their members.
“The Clé Coop Solution represents the culmination of extensive research, development, and collaboration with cooperative communities around the world.
“From multipurpose societies to housing cooperatives and agricultural cooperatives, the Clé Coop Solution empowers cooperatives of all sizes to efficiently manage their operations, communicate with members, and foster collaboration”.
Highlighting the economic and environmental significance of cooperative societies, Olabisi explained that with significant investment committed to the development of the product, members of cooperative societies, particularly administrators and executives, would have robust experience.

The business Manager added, “We also understand the challenges that many cooperatives face in navigating complex operational tasks and effectively communicating with their members.

“To this end, Clé Coop Solution is a step ahead of other platforms, as it also offers more than just cooperative management services. Members of cooperative societies can have access to a number of value-added services, such as the CLE market hub, discounts on specific products and services and much more.

“Finally, I want to reiterate our firm belief in the power of cooperation and technology to drive positive changes in the world. With the Clé Cooperative Solution, we are not just launching a product; we are embarking on a journey to empower cooperatives and create a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable future for all”.

A Director with the Lagos State Government Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Co-operatives, represented by the Surulere Cooperatives Area Coordinator, Mr Akin Adekunle, commended the launch of the software to address specific challenges of cooperative societies.

He charged the organisation not to limit the use of the cooperative solution to the elite cooperatives but to other categories, as society was replete with various types of cooperatives.

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AI, Key To Business Profitability – NAICOM

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The Commissioner for Insurance/CEO, National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), Mr. Sunday Thomas, has said artificial intelligence (AI) is key to the future of insurance business in Nigeria.
He, therefore, urged insurance operators to increase adoption in this area, saying it gives better productivity and enhanced profitability, while ensuring quick service delivery and claims payment to insurance consumers.
Thomas stated this while delivering a keynote address at the 8th BusinessToday annual conference & exhibition with the theme, “The World of AI: How Insurance and Pension Sectors Can Explore Opportunities for Market Penetration”, in Lagos.
Thomas, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Lagos Office of NAICOM, Ajibola Olabisi Bankole, said Technology adoption is part of the 10-year roadmap of the insurance industry, and that NAICOM, as a regulator, will continue to evolve policies that will engender the growth of the industry, increase penetration and contribute to the nation’s GDP.
Earlier in his Goodwill message, Chairman of the conference, who is also the Chairman of NEM Insurance Plc, Mr. Tope Smart, noted the level of insurance penetration in Nigeria when benchmarked with the global penetration, saying that a lot of factors were responsible for the increase in penetration level.
He said lack of or low enforcement is affecting the adoption of compulsory insurances, adding that the industry is working assiduously to partner agencies responsible for enforcement to increase insurance adoption.
“It is quite saddening that out of a population of 200 million, only about  three million people are actually insured. Lack of enforcement is a challenge but the industry is working round the clock to increase enforcement through the regulatory and enforcement bodies.
“Consumers’ apathy due to bad experience they had in the past is affecting policy renewals, but I can assure Nigerians that there are various complaint avenues for people to lodge complaints.
“If your legitimate claims are not settled, you can approach Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) and NAICOM; if your complaints are genuine, they will be definitely resolved”, he assured.
The President, Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), Mr. Edwin Igbiti, said the growing insurance industry will require that the nation’s economy be derisked, while seeking partnership with government  and other stakeholders to deepen insurance penetration.
He stated that AI will increase insurance premium growth, enhance service delivery, and ensure that the insurance sector contributes more to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product(GDP).

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Bank Unveils Upgraded Mobile App

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The Stanbic IBTC Bank, a subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Holdings, has unveiled an enhanced version of its mobile app which was optimised specifically for businesses.
Head of Partnerships at Stanbic IBTC Bank, Omolara Osunsoko, in her opening remarks at the event in Lagos said the enhanced mobile app offers a range of new features designed to streamline and simplify digital banking for business owners.
She said, “The solutions added to the app will help business owners transact whilst on the go. This cutting-edge offering exemplifies our dedication to innovation, convenience and growth in our digital space. It underscores our promise to continually enhance our services”.
According to Osunsoko, the enhanced mobile app for businesses provides a comprehensive suite of tools to manage finances efficiently.
“With an intuitive interface, users can execute transactions seamlessly, transfer funds between accounts, check real-time balances, and manage beneficiaries. The app offers instant access to transaction statements, self-service options, and security features to safeguard business operations”, she added.
The Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Bank,  Wole Adeniyi, remarked, “We are thrilled to introduce the enhanced Stanbic IBTC Mobile App tailored specifically for our business clients.
“Our goal is to provide businesses with a seamless and efficient platform to conduct their banking activities, including transactions, statement requests, transfers, and more, all from the convenience of their mobile devices.
“This app enhancement is a significant step in our ongoing efforts to simplify our banking processes and enhance the customer experience through technology.
“With robust security measures and a user-friendly interface, our business clients can now manage their finances more efficiently and confidently”.

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