UI Shareholders Demand Dividend Payment

Shareholders of Universal Insurance Plc have commended the company’s management for the impressive performance recorded in the 2008 financial year despite the economic downturn, even as they called on the company to plan for dividend payment in the next financial year and make its audited report available early enough. This was pointed out during the company’s 39th Annual General Meeting, the first though since it became a quoted company on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

The shareholders present were placed with the investments made by the company, especially in the venue of the meeting, which is a subsidiary called Universal Hotel in Enugu State, and other investments in real estate, communications and its core business. Speaking on behalf of the stake shareholders is Mr Alexander from Osun State. He pointed out some mistakes in the documentation of the report and urged management to correct such so that it will not repeat itself in the next report.

He also advised that more branches should be opened in the Northern region to increase the company’s market share. In the same view, Mr Boniface Okezie, president of Progressive Shareholders Association of Nigeria, also commented on the company’s impressive performance and encouraged investors not to loose faith over dividend since the company invested for long term. He suggested share reconstruction so that the number of shares issued will be manageable to facilitate dividend in the future.