Business
Corporate Nigeria Pays Tribute To Ogunbanjo
Lagos stood still last Friday when corporate Nigeria paid tribute to prominent corporate lawyer and philanthropist, Chief Christopher Ogunbanjo.
Biztellers reports that the event, tagged, an Afternoon of Tributes was put together by the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) and the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) in Victoria Island, Lagos to eulogise and honour the memory of Ogunbanjo.
Prominent among those who graced the event were the NGX, LCCI, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dangote Group, BUA Group, Coronation Group, Zenith Bank, FCMB Group, etc.
Governor, CBN, Dr Olayemi Cardoso in his tribute eulogised the late Ogunbanjo not only for his strides in the corporate world but also his life as a father and grandfather.
Cardoso said, “Papa was a remarkable individual whose life and legacies transcend a myriad of fields. In particular, his contributions to the organised private sector in Nigeria was not only a life of achievements, it was also one that charted the way forward for multiple generations, inspiring them to elevate and aspire to be like him.
“Through his efforts, the foreign currency decree of 1985 was promulgated, laying the foundation for a more robust and internationally connected financial system.
“I recall quite vividly that Chief Ogunbanjo was part of a group of forward-looking businessmen who in the late 1960s championed local equity participation in foreign firms operating within Nigeria.”
On his part, Chairman, NGX Group, Dr Umaru Kwairanga, represented by Chief Executive Officer, NGX Group, Oscar Onyema, said, “As we reflect on his remarkable journey, we remember that he was a force behind the growth of many Nigerian companies. A true legal luminary, his influence reaches far beyond the boardroom.
Paying tribute to the late lawyer, President, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote described him as a champion of industrialisation in Nigeria which in his view explained the high turnout of corporate Nigeria at the event.
He said, “That is the reason most of us are here today. I have worked with him closely. I and Abimbola (Ogunbanjo’s son) worked tirelessly to ensure his vision for NGX is sustained. I completed my tenure as president and handed over to Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede and he handed over to Abimbola. We are going to miss him.”
In his comments, billionaire businessman and Founder of BUA Group, Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu said, “He was an astute businessman and a philanthropist. He gave back to society, that was very important to him. I want to express my sincere condolences to the family and the business world.”
In the same vein, the incoming president of LCCI, Gabriel Idahosa, said that the late Ogunbanjo embodied dedication and service to country whilst the outgoing president, Dr Michael Olawale-Cole expressed confidence that Chief Ogunbanjo was resting in peace in the bosom of the Lord.
On his part, Chairman, Coronation Group, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede and former President of the National Council, Nigerian Stock Exchange said it was a privilege to pay tribute to the man whose name and signature are on the founding inaugural memo and articles of the exchange.
“He put food on the table for many stockbrokers, many bankers but most importantly, millions of investors who benefited from his work during the privatisation program.
“The privatisation program was very much stimulated by his efforts and is certainly, alongside with the establishment of the exchange, the defining moment in the building of the Nigerian capital market.
“He not only made those contributions, he went on to chair several companies, to be an active investor in several companies and therefore put his money where his mouth is,” Aig-Imokhuede added.
Former Chairman, NGX Group, Bamofin Abimbola Ogunbanjo, eulogising his father, said, “I would not be far from the truth to say that chief acquired his impressive credentials on the actual battleground of corporate law practice, in company boardrooms, and right here in the Lagos Chamber of Commerce where he stood out as a respected voice of the organised private sector.”
Other dignitaries in attendance were the Chairman, Zenith Bank, Jim Ovia, Group Chief Executive Officer, FCMB Group, Ladi Balogun, Chief Executive Officer, NGX, Mr Temi Popoola, former Presidents of the LCCI, representatives from the Nigerian Bar Association, as well as family members of the deceased
Savannah Energy has shared a trading update on its Nigerian operations and other markets in Africa, including up-to-date cash collections in its Nigerian business.
According to the update, made available on Thursday in Lagos, its gross production in Nigeria averaged 23.1 Kboepd for FY 2024, broadly in line with the prior year’s 23.6 Kboepd, of which 88% was gas (FY 2023: 91%).
On the update, CEO of Savannah Energy, Andrew Knott, said, “I am pleased to provide a FY trading update which demonstrates the continued progress we have made in 2024, a year which saw the highest level of cash collections ever recorded by our Nigerian business. 2025 is expected to be an exciting year for our Company: we have a large planned operational programme in Nigeria which is anticipated to enhance both our oil and gas production levels and capacity; we intend to progress our R3 East oil development project in Niger; we continue to pursue key acquisitions in the upstream oil and gas space; and we continue to seek to build our power business.
“Fundamentally, Savannah remains unequivocally an “AND” company, seeking to deliver strong performance both for the short AND long term across multiple fronts, and pursuing growth opportunities in both the hydrocarbon AND power sectors.”
The update It also shows that it generated a Total Income of US$393.6 million in 2024, compared to FY 2023’s US$289.8 million. This consists of Total Revenues of US$258.7 million and Other operating income of US$134.9 million.
The report also shows that Savannah’s FY 2024 Total Revenues were ahead of the previously issued financial guidance of greater than US$245 million, while FY 2024 financial guidance is reiterated for Operating expenses plus administrative expenses at ‘up to US$75 million’. The company expects its FY 2024 capital expenditure to come in lower than planned (previously guided at ‘up to US$50 million’) due to the phasing of spend.
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According to the update, Savannah’s cash collections in 2024 amounted to US$248.5 million, a slight increase from the US$206 million it received in 2023. The report further shows that its cash balances as at 31 December 2024 stood at US$32.6 million, compared to the 31 December 2023 figure of US$107.0 million.
The report shows that the company’s midstream subsidiary, Accugas Limited, had as at 31 December 2024 drawn down on its NGN332 billion of the NGN Transitional Facility, with the resulting funds being converted to US$, which, along with cash held, was used to partially prepay the existing Accugas US$ Facility, leaving a balance as at 31 December 2024 of approximately US$212.3 million.
The report also provided new updates on Accugas’ US$45 million Uquo Central Processing Facility (“Uquo CPF”) compression project in Nigeria, noting that its commissioning which will enable the expansion of gas production in the medium term is well underway.
The report highlighted the progress being made in the procurement process of long lead equipment in Nigeria for a potential two-well drilling campaign on the Uquo Field in H2 2025, with an additional gas development well expected to add up to 80 MMscfpd of supplemental production capacity and a potential exploration well targeting an Unrisked Gross gas initially in place (“GIIP”) of 154 Bscf (25.7 MMboe) of incremental gas resources.
The update shows that progress is also being made in the planned Savannah acquisition of Sinopec International Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Nigeria Limited, whose principal asset is a 49% non-operated interest in the Stubb Creek oil and gas field (“Stubb Creek”), with regulatory approval and completion being targeted in Q1 2025. Following the completion of the acquisition, Savannah intends to commence an expansion programme which is anticipated to increase Stubb Creek gross production from an average of 2.7 Kbopd in 2024 to approximately 4.7 Kbopd.
In Niger, Savannah continues to seek to progress its 35 MMstb (Gross 2C Resources) R3 East oil development in South-East Niger, while it continues to push for a potential alternative transaction structure to acquire a material stake in producing oil and gas assets in South Sudan as previously announced on 20 December 2024.
On the renewable energy front, the update shows that Savannah has up to 696 MW of renewable energy projects currently in motion, including the up to 250 MW Parc Eolien de la Tarka wind farm project in Niger and the up to 95 MW Bini a Warak hybrid hydroelectric and solar project in Cameroon. A firm believer in Africa’s transition to renewable energy, Savannah continues to target a portfolio of up to 2 GW+ of power projects in motion by the end of 2026.
The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) has projected that the country has the potential to achieve a 5.5% growth in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) if critical policy reforms are sustained.
This was disclosed on Thursday during the launch of the NESG’s 2025 Macroeconomic Outlook report.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Economist and Director of Research & Development at NESG, Dr. Olusegun Omisakin, highlighted the need for more efficient policy implementation to unlock Nigeria’s economic potential.
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“We believe at the optimal level, if we embark on more efficient policy reforms, the Nigerian economy has the potential, the GDP to end up at 5.5 per cent, and we believe that this is achievable,” Omisakin stated.
More to follow……….
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced the release of the Nigerian Foreign Exchange (FX) Code, a set of guidelines designed to promote ethical conduct among authorized dealers in the country’s FX market.
In a statement, the apex bank disclosed that the official launch of the Code would take place on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at the CBN Head Office Auditorium in Abuja.
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“The Central Bank of Nigeria has approved the release of the Nigerian Foreign Exchange (FX) Code as a guideline to the banking industry to promote the ethical conduct of authorised dealers in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market,” the statement read.
The introduction of the FX Code is expected to enhance transparency, accountability, and professionalism within Nigeria’s foreign exchange ecosystem, aligning it with global best practices.
The event is anticipated to attract key stakeholders in the financial and banking sectors, as well as representatives from authorized FX-dealing institutions across the country.
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