News
Oil Palm Firm Pays Shareholders N2.8bn Dividend After Tax
The management of Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc has announced a dividend payment of N2.8 billion after tax to shareholders.
The Tide source reports that the company is located at Udo Community in Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State.
The Chairman of Okomu Oil Palm, Mr Gbenga Oyebode made the announcement at the company’s 2017 annual report and accounts, yesterday in Benin.
He said the feat was made possible due to the prudent management of the company.
“As s result of the excellent results delivered and to ensure that our shareholders remain participants in the success of the company, the Board of Directors recommends for approval, a dividend payment of N3.00k per ordinary share, or a total dividend of nearly N2.8 billion.
“During the year under review, the results of the company recorded combined turnover totaling N20.2 billion which amounts to an increase of 40 per cent on 2016 turnover.
“Direct costs of sales were 36 per cent higher than 2016 at N4.9 billion, generally in line with inflation and the Naira devaluation,’’ he said.
According to him, in 2017, the company also paid more than N2 billion in taxes to federal agencies up from N948 million paid in 2016.
“This translated into a total comprehensive income of N8.9 billion in 2017, this being 78 per cent better than the N4.9 billion total comprehensive income recorded in 2016,’’ he said.
Oyebode explained that although there were some improvements from the previous year, “2017 still presented numerous challenges to the business environment with a contraction monetary policy, high levels of inflation and unemployment.
“However, government’s action to reign in excessive budgets and improve foreign liquidity as well as an increase in oil prices helped bring the economy out of recession this year.
“We also saw improved rubber and crude palm oil (CPO) prices this year, with increases of 24 per cent and 44 per cent respectively.
“This combined with fiscal discipline displayed by the management, saw the company delivering excellent record,’’ he said.
“The consolidated profits on continuing operations after tax saw an increase of 78 per cent on the 2016 results.
“Turnover also increased by 40 per cent from 2016, which saw the company take up position as one of the top 10 companies with the highest turnover on the Nigerian Stock Exchange in 2017.’’
On its operations in the year under review, Oyebode noted that as at the end of 2017, the total oil palm area was 17,244 ha, of which 7,371 ha with new plantings were yet to mature.
“Plantation cost for the year was 28 per cent higher than for 2016,’’ he added.
‘Production of crude oil palm from the oil mill was two per cent higher than 2016’s production, with oil extraction rates averaging approximately 22 per cent.
“However, the oil mill costs for 2017 were 37 per cent higher than the previous year, predominantly driven by the increased costs of imported spare parts as a result of the devaluation of the Naira.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
-
Sports2 days agoPlateau Wins Kanemi, As Bayelsa, Bendel Played 1-1
-
Education2 days agoVC Congratulates Igwe on Appointment as Pro-Chancellor
-
Politics2 days agoAlleged Attack On Abure In Benin, LP Calls For Investigation
-
Sports2 days agoLa Liga: Atletico Bring Real Back To Earth
-
Maritime2 days agoCustoms, MAN Consent On 4% FoB Exemptions, Manufacturing Support Measures
-
Rivers2 days agoIAUE Emerges Winner Of National Campus Debate, 2025
-
News2 days agoFUBARA: UNDERUTILISED SEAPORTS DENYING RIVERS ECONOMIC PROSPERITY ……..Hosts NPA Board, Mgt On Courtesy Visit
-
Opinion2 days ago94 Years From A Turning Point