Investment Institute Bill Passes Second Reading

A bill for an Act to establish the Chartered Institute of Financial and Investment Analysts of Nigeria, last Thursday scaled through its second reading at the House of Representatives.

The bill seeks to regulate and control practice of financial and investment analysis in the country.

It also seeks that every financial and investment analysts practicing in Nigeria register with the institute.

Leading debate on the merits of the bill, Rep. Samson Osagie (ACN –Edo), said that the proposed legislation would ensure that standards were set for analysts in the investment sector.

He said the proposed institute would also coordinate the activities of members of the institute.

Osagie said that the proposed institution would also address issues arising from investment in the Country.

According to the lawmaker, the bill is for a professional body that is distinct from other bodies like the stock dealers and banking institutes.

He urged members to support the bill in order to safeguard financial investment in Nigeria.

“ There is the need to professionalise financial practices in Nigeria.“ Osagie emphasised.

In his contribution, Rep. Abubakar Momoh (ACN-Edo) , aligned himself with the submission of Osagie ,that there was the need to have a coordinated body like the Chartered institute of Financial and investment analysts of Nigeria.

He said that “the proposed legislation will help shape the financial investment in the Country.’’

There was no dissenting voice, and the Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal referred the bill to the House Committees on Commerce and Justice for further legislative inputs.

The house also passed for second reading a bill for an Act to provide for personal data protection.

The bill seeks to regulate the processing of information relating to individuals, which included, obtaining, holding , use or disclose of such information.

Meanwhile, a bill to alter the provisions of Section 277 of the 1999 constitution was referred to the Committees on Rules and Business, Justice and Judiciary for advise.

Ajagbe stressed that the NSF had always given unflinching support to its player and would strive to sustain it.

“As I speak to you I have not being invited, but they have a right to form any association.

“Whatever they do is in line with what they are expected to do, the federation has no objection to the idea, we will continue to support them as we have always done,’’ Ajagbe said.

Ajagbe, who is also the Vice- President of the Africa Squash Association, told NAN that the body had always treated the players fairly.

The president also told NAN that the body is working strenuously to ensure a good outing for the discipline at the forthcoming 18th National Sports Festival in Lagos.

“We recently concluded a refresher course for our technical officials in Calabar Last week in Calabar in readiness for the NSF which held from Nov. 15 to Nov. 18.

“Our officials were updated with the current scoring techniques, which will ensure that players are treated fairly at the festival,’’ the president said.