Business

Nigerian Breweries Okays N2.40 Dividends

Published

15 years ago

March 1, 2011

Nigeria Breweries Plc is to pay its shareholders a second and final dividends for the year business which was concluded on December 31, 2010.

Nigerian Breweries, in a talk with the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), said was the second and final dividend for the last year business. The company had during the year of business, paid an interim dividend of N1.50 for every N0.50 share held by it’s shareholders.

The company stated that it had recommended a dividend of N1.25 per share as a final dividend, Inline with this proposed payment, which sums upto N2.40 total dividend for the shareholders for last year.

The stated further company that the date for the closure of registeration of members is March 17, 2011 while payment date is due for May 19, 2011.

Furthermore, the continuous heavy selling that generalised the activities at the capital market for most of the last week came out in heavy losses as market major indicators ended last week in the red. Monday the down-ward movement of indicators resumed.

The main activity measuring indicators, NSE-30 while three out of the four sectoral indicators recorded losses.

All-share index (ASI) had a further decline of 164.34 basis points from it’s opening position for the week that sticked at 26,181.18 came-out lower at 26,016.84, with 164.34 points counted as a loss.

Blue chip companies in the market, went down from 1,148.12, it’s opening position at the starting of the week to end Monday at 1,138.79, diminishing by 9.33 points which was measured by the NSE 30 index of it’s activities.

The Banking sub-sector, loss 4.30 points, from 428.50, and close at 424.20, while investors exchanged a total of 444.746 million shares worth N2.4 billion in 6,327 deals.

The sub-sector was driven mainly by activities in share of Intercontinental Bank Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, First Bank of Nigeria Plc and FinBank Plc, accounted for 141 million shares.

Some activities boosted like; Continental Reinsurance Plc, AIICO Insurance Company plc and Intercontinental WAPIC nsurance.

The market capitalisation of the 201 first-tier quoted companies decreased to N8.315 trillion from N8.368 trillion recorded as at the close of trading on Friday last week.

NSE Insurance index depreciated by 0.29 points to close at 184.85, down from 185.13. Last week, while NSE Food/Beverages indicator depreciated by the day at 871.84, down from 831.34. NSE Oil/Cas close yesterday flat at 346.89 as at Friday.

Finally, 54 stocks recorded share price change, with positive side 16 and 38 on the negative side, with rest unchanged.

Four banks were listed. Skye Bank, Wema Bank, First Bank and Diamond Bank, on the positive price change table. Other gainer’s chart were: CAP Plc, International Breweries Plc, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Champion Breweries Plc and Fidson Healthcare Plc, among others.

Loser’s chart Monday featured 14 banking stocks of the 38. FCMB, Zenith Bank, Union Bank, Guaranty Bank Plc, among others. Other market heavyweight, depreciated and pushed down the market, such like, Dangote Sugar Plc, Dangote Flour Plc, Lafarage WAPCO Cement Plc, JAPAUL Oil and Maritime Services Plc and the rest market heavyweight.

Major stocks on the trading floor of Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) Monday and the quality traded; JAPAUL Oil $ Maritime Services Plc, 77.066 million share worth N146.226 million exchanged in 53 trades.

In bank sector, Intercontinental Bank Plc had 71.948 million of it’s shares exchanged in 356 deals for a value of N161.094 million. Fidson Healthcare had 41.857 million of it’s share traded valued at N99.220 million Zenith Bank, First Inland Bank, First Bank and Wema Bank had 26.978 million shares, 23.229 million, 19.703 million and 16.078 million shares exchanged.

Transport

Nigeria Rates 7th For Visa Application To France —–Schengen Visa

Published

4 days ago

January 28, 2026

The Tide

Nigeria was the 7th country in 2024, which filed the most schenghen visa to France, with a total of 111,201 of schenghen visa applications made in 2025, out of which 55,833, about 50.2 percent submitted to France

Although 2025 data is unavailable, these figures from Schengen Visa Info implies that France is not merely a preferred destination, but has been a dominant access point for Nigerian short-stay travel into Europe.

France itself has received more than three million Schengen visa applications, making it the most sought-after Schengen destination globally and a leading gateway for long-haul and third-country travellers. It was the top destination for applicants from 51 countries that same year, including many without visa-exemption arrangements with the Schengen Zone, and the sole destination for applicants from seven countries.

Alison Reed, a senior analyst at the European Migration Observatory said, “France’s administrative reach shapes applicant strategy, but it also concentrates risk. If processing times lengthen or documentation standards tighten in Paris, the effects ripple quickly back to capitals such as Abuja.”

The figures underline that this pattern is not unique to Nigeria. In neighbouring West and Central African states such as Gabon, Benin, Togo and Madagascar, more than 90 per cent of Schengen visas were sought via French authorities in 2024, with Chad, Djibouti, the Central African Republic and Comoros submitting applications exclusively to France.

“France acts as the central enumeration point for many African and Asian applicants,” said Manish Khandelwal, founder of Travelobiz.com, which reported the consolidated statistics. “Historical ties, language networks and established diaspora communities all play into that concentration. But volume inevitably invites scrutiny, and that affects refusal rates and processing rigour.”

That scrutiny is visible in the rejection statistics. Of the more than three million French applications in 2024, approximately 481,139 were denied, a rejection rate of about 15.7 per cent. While this rate is lower than in some smaller Schengen states, the sheer volume of applications means France contributes significantly to the total number of refusals within the zone.

For Nigerian applicants and policymakers, one implication is the need to broaden engagement with other Schengen consular hubs. “Over-reliance on a single consulate creates what one might call administrative bottleneck effects,” said Jean-Luc Martin, a professor and expert in European integration and mobility law at Leiden University. “If applicants from Nigeria default to France without exploring legitimate alternatives in countries like Spain, Germany or the Netherlands, they expose themselves to systemic risk

Martin added that the broader context of Schengen visa policy is evolving, with the European Commission’s preparing roll-out of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) aimed at harmonising pre-travel screening across member states.

For Nigerians seeking leisure, business or educational travel to Europe, these trends suggest that strategic planning and consular diversification could become as important as the completeness of documentation and financial proof. Governments and travel consultancies in Abuja, Lagos and beyond are already advising clients to explore alternative consular pathways and to prepare for more rigorous screening criteria across all Schengen states

By: Enoch Epelle

Transport

West Zone Aviation: Adibade Olaleye Sets For NANTA President

Published

4 days ago

January 28, 2026

The Tide

Prince Abiodun Ajibade Olaleye, a former Welfare Officer and Public Relations Officer of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), has formally declared his intention to contest for the position of Vice President of NANTA Western Zone, ahead of the zonal elections scheduled for Thursday, February 26, 2026.

In a New Year message to members of the association, Olaleye expressed optimism about the prospects of the travel and tourism industry in 2026, despite the economic headwinds and migration policy challenges that affected operations in the previous year.

He acknowledged that reduced patronage and declining trade volumes had placed significant financial pressure on many travel agencies, but urged members to remain resilient and forward-looking.

According to him, the challenges confronting the industry should be seen as opportunities for growth, innovation and institutional strengthening.

He stressed the need for unity and collective action among members of the association, noting that collaboration remains critical to navigating the evolving global travel environment.

Unveiling his vision for the NANTA Western Zone, Olaleye said his aspiration is to consolidate on the achievements of past leaders while expanding the zone’s relevance, influence and impact “beyond imagination.” He promised a leadership focused on commanding excellence, improved member welfare and stronger stakeholder engagement.

Drawing from his experience in previous executive roles within NANTA, the vice-presidential aspirant said he is well-positioned to make meaningful contributions to the association, particularly in areas of member support, public engagement and institutional growth.

“I believe that together, we can take our association to greater heights and build a stronger, more prosperous NANTA Western Zone that benefits all members,” he said, while appealing to delegates for their support and votes.

Olaleye concluded by offering prayers for good health, peace and prosperity for members in 2026, expressing confidence that the new year would usher in renewed opportunities for the travel industry and the association at large.

By: Enoch Epelle

Business

Sugar Tax ‘ll Threaten Manufacturing Sector, Says CPPE

Published

4 days ago

January 28, 2026

The Tide

The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) has warned that renewed calls for a sugar tax on non-alcoholic beverages could hurt Nigeria’s manufacturing sector, threaten jobs and slow the country’s fragile economic recovery.

In a statement, the Chief Executive Officer, CPPE, Muda Yusuf, said while public health concerns such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases deserve attention, imposing an additional sugar-specific tax was economically risky and poorly suited to Nigeria’s current realities of high inflation, weak consumer purchasing power and rising production costs.

Yusuf who insisted that the food and beverage sector remains the backbone of Nigeria’s manufacturing industry, said the industry supports millions of livelihoods across farming, processing, packaging, logistics, wholesale and retail trade, and hospitality.

He remarked that any policy that weakens this ecosystem could have far-reaching consequences, including job losses, lower household incomes and reduced investment.

Yusuf argued that proposals for sugar taxation in Nigeria are often influenced by global policy templates that do not adequately reflect local conditions.

According to him, manufacturers in the non-alcoholic beverage segment are already facing heavy fiscal and cost pressures.

“The proposition of a sugar-specific tax is misplaced, economically risky, and weakly supported by empirical evidence, especially when viewed against Nigeria’s prevailing structural and macroeconomic realities.

“Existing obligations include company income tax, value-added tax, excise duties, levies on profits and imports, and multiple state and local government charges. These are compounded by high energy costs, exchange-rate volatility, elevated interest rates and expensive logistics,” he said.

The CPPE boss noted that retail prices of many non-alcoholic beverages have risen by about 50 per cent over the past two years, even without the introduction of new taxes, further squeezing consumers.

Yusuf further expressed reservation on the effectiveness of sugar taxes in addressing the root causes of non-communicable diseases in Nigeria.

By: Lady Godknows Ogbulu