Business
NGX Commends BUA Foods at Virtual Facts Behind the Listing
By Edozie Obasi-Eze
In keeping with its practice of intimating stakeholders with details of notable transactions such as these, Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX)hosted the management of BUA Foods Plc to a virtual Facts Behind the Listing and Closing Gong Ceremony on Tuesday.
Chief Executive Officer, NGX, Temi Popoola, commended BUA Foods on the bold step to join its subsidiary company, BUA Cement, as a publicity listed company on The Exchange.
In his words, “The listing of BUA Foods Plc on The Exchange reaffirms the confidence that leading Nigerian corporates have in NGX as the partner of choice for raising capital and enabling sustainable growth and development.
“I must commend the efforts made by the Management of BUA Foods towards this listing and the roles played by all the professional parties to this transaction including; Stanbic IBTC Capital Limited, Rand Merchant Bank Nigeria Limited, UCML Capital Limited, APT Securities Limited and CardinalStone Securities Limited.
“At NGX, this milestone transaction is in line with our strategic objectives to improve listings and enhance investors’ participation in our market.”
He pointed out that the NGX was well positioned to serve the domestic and global markets. “As a multi-asset Exchange, NGX is strategically positioned to be the preferred listing and investment destination connecting Nigeria, Africa and the world.
I must, therefore, encourage capital market players and enthusiasts at home and abroad to pay closer attention to the plethora of opportunities available in our market both to list securities and make the most of their investments,” Popoola added.
In the same vein, Chairman, BUA Group Plc, Abdul Samad Rabiu, represented by Group Executive Director, BUA Foods Plc, Kabiru Rabiu stated, “Today for us is very historic and we are excited to begin the year with the listing. The population of Nigeria is over 200 million and our food production capacity is still not enough to meet current demands.
“However, with the listing of our food business on the NGX, there is high hope for Nigeria in terms of building capacity for food sufficiency.”
Rabiu highlighted that his company was poised to explore the global market. “We are, therefore, positioning our brand to take advantage of export opportunities through our strategically located plants from which foreign exchange can be generated both for the company and economy.”
On other advantages of the listing, he noted that “As a listed company, BUA Group has benefitted first-hand from NGX’s efforts to chart a path for the sustainable development of the Nigerian economy.”
It was gathered that the listing of BUA Foods’ shares added N720Bn to the market capitalization of NGX, further boosting liquidity in the Nigerian capital market and providing opportunities for wealth creation.
Admission of BUA Foods’ shares on the Main Board of The Exchange was on Wednesday, 5 January 2022.
Business
Bitcoin Hits Record High Of $91,705
Bitcoin surpassed the $91,000 mark for the first time on Wednesday, continuing its postelection momentum as traders digested the latest U.S. inflation data.
The cryptocurrency climbed over 2% in trading, reaching a high of $91,705.
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The surge came after the October Consumer Price Index (CPI) report showed prices increased by 0.2%, bringing the annual inflation rate to 2.6%, a result that was largely in line with analysts’ expectations.
The steady inflation data fueled investor confidence in assets like Bitcoin, which is often viewed as a hedge against inflation due to its limited supply.
Bitcoin’s recent rally has coincided with a broader uptick in risk assets since the U.S. presidential election.
Investors seem optimistic that fiscal policies under the new administration could drive further growth in the crypto market, though some remain cautious about inflationary pressures.
Other major cryptocurrencies followed Bitcoin’s upward trajectory.
Ether and Solana both saw gains of around 1%.
Dogecoin, meanwhile, soared by 8%, building on its postelection boost.
The meme-inspired token has seen increased attention following the news that Tesla CEO Elon Musk played a role in President-elect Donald Trump’s campaign and has join his administration,
Analysts say that this shift could continue as inflation and fiscal policy debates evolve in the months ahead.
Business
How Oil Cabals Crippled Govt Refineries, Now Scheming Against Dangote Refinery – Pastor Adeboye
The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has urged Nigerians to pray for divine intervention in the face of efforts by unscrupulous oil marketers to thwart the operations of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, following the previous sabotage of Nigeria’s four state-owned refineries.
The respected clergyman made the call for nationwide prayers during the November 2024 Abuja Special Holy Ghost Service themed ‘Total Restoration’, in Nigeria’s capital city.
Though Pastor Adeboye did not explicitly name the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, many read his remarks to have echoed ongoing attempts by oil marketers to prevent the refinery from functioning as it was designed to.
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With the Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos based Dangote Refinery about the only facility currently refining petrol in Nigeria, many read Pastor Adeboye’s comments to reflect the dispute between the refinery and oil marketers, who seek to continue importing refined products.
Pastor Adeboye reminded the congregation that it was God who raised Aliko Dangote to establish a refinery after years of failed attempts to revive Nigeria’s four public refineries, which had consumed billions of Naira with little result.
He questioned the persistence of fuel imports despite Nigeria’s status as a major crude oil producer.
“Are we under a curse?” he asked. “We have four refineries, we poured all kinds of money into them, none of them is working. But God raised someone to build a refinery that works. He is not my relative, he is not from my village. He is not even a Christian, but he is a Nigerian who says, ‘Why should my people suffer when I have the means to build a refinery that can work?’ Now he is refining petrol, and some people want to stop him from selling it, so they can keep importing.”
Pastor Adeboye also pointed out the damage caused by the fuel subsidy, describing it as a significant drain on Nigeria’s resources, contributing to the country’s mounting debts and corruption.
He stressed that when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced the end of the subsidy in 2023, Nigerians largely welcomed the decision, but oil marketers, who benefitted from the subsidy regime, were furious.
The marketers, according to the renowned pastor, appear to have gone into alliances with some International Oil Companies (IOCs) and other powerful interests to obstruct the Dangote Petroleum Refinery. This includes restricting access to crude oil, forcing Dangote to import crude from countries like the United States, among others.
He called for prayer for the total restoration of the country, noting that the Nigerian people are suffering the consequences, as the prices of essential goods have soared, pushing many items beyond the reach of ordinary citizens. “The masses are the ones suffering because these marketers, who are bent on keeping imports alive, already have more money than they can ever spend,” he said.
Despite the Dangote Petroleum Refinery’s capacity to meet Nigeria’s entire demand for petroleum products – and even to export surplus fuel – oil marketers continue to pressurise the government to allow ongoing petrol imports. This has placed additional strain on the Naira, which has continued to depreciate.
Recall that the Crude Oil Refineries Owners Association of Nigeria (CORAN) had urged the government to protect local refineries from unfair competition posed by importers and international petroleum traders, in line with provisions in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
Business
Petrol Prices To Drop As IPMAN, Dangote Strike Supply Deal
In a major development for Nigeria’s oil market, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has secured an agreement with Dangote Petroleum Refinery to begin lifting petroleum products, directly, for distribution in the domestic market.
This agreement aims to stabilize and potentially lower pump prices for consumers by ensuring a consistent supply of refined products like Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and Dual-Purpose Kerosene (DPK) directly from the refinery.
Announcing the deal, IPMAN’s National President, Abubakar Garima, highlighted the economic benefits of this collaboration. “The new arrangement with Dangote Refinery will ensure a steady and ceaseless supply of PMS products all over Nigeria at an affordable rate,” Garima stated at a press briefing in Abuja.
This move is expected to reduce the influence of middlemen, cut costs, and enhance price stability in the oil sector, a vital aspect of Nigeria’s economy.
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The agreement follows recent challenges faced by IPMAN, which, despite paying a substantial sum of N40 billion to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), struggled to source refined products. In response, Dangote officials had previously remarked that though the refinery held ample stock, marketers had yet to make adequate payments. However, Garima’s remarks reflect optimism that this direct deal will foster smoother operations.
Energy expert Kelvin Emmanuel has suggested the deal could significantly reduce overheads for IPMAN, potentially eliminating certain financing and margin costs previously incurred through NNPCL, bringing down the overall cost per metric tonne of petroleum.
Additionally, IPMAN’s support for the Federal Government’s Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) initiative signals a shift towards diversifying energy sources. The association has called on its members to prepare for CNG infrastructure at their stations, anticipating that CNG will play a vital role in rejuvenating Nigeria’s energy landscape.
With this new arrangement, IPMAN and Dangote aim not only to enhance petroleum accessibility but also to contribute to economic growth and job creation. Garima also emphasized the importance of IPMAN members backing this deal, aligning with the government’s broader goals for energy stability and affordability, especially as Nigeria seeks to lessen its reliance on imports.