Business and Economy
NGX rates Fidelity Bank highest on corporate governance*
idelity Bank Plc complies with the highest corporate governance standards as the leading commercial bank adheres promptly to all full disclosure requirements and global best practices. adsbygoogle || []).push({});
Fidelity Bank is awarded CG+, the highest rank under the Corporate Governance Rating System (CGRS), which screens quoted companies against prescribed best practices and standards.
A review of the latest compliance report showed that Fidelity Bank sustains its highest-ranking rating of CG+, with shareholders and market pundits commending the high corporate standards of the bank.
Head, Listings Regulation Department, NGX Regulation (NGXRegco), Mr. Godstime Iwenekhai, explained that the CGRS was designed to strengthen the governance structures of listed companies and provide a valid basis for discerning investors to differentiate between listed companies on the basis of their compliance with acceptable standards of corporate governance.
“In our view, corporate governance promotes ethical business practices, transparency and fair competition,” Iwenekhai said.
He pointed out that the special character combination “CG+” underlined compliance with best practices and highest corporate governance standards, which entitle the rated companies to special privileges at the stock market.
Corporate governance compliance at the stock market includes prompt submission of detailed operational results from period to period as required by the market rules, full disclosures of all material and regulated information and accurate rendition of reports and accounts.
Also, compliance includes ensuring that the company’s shares are not encumbered in a way that impinges on free float or number of shares available to the general investing public for efficient price discovery, compliance with all investor-protection safeguards in communication with shareholders and organizing statutory meetings as required among others.
The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) noted that the compliance tracker was aimed at maintaining market integrity and protecting the investors, noting that listed companies are required to adhere to high disclosure standards.
“Financial information which is periodic disclosure and on-going material events disclosure should be released to NGX in a timely manner to enable it efficiently perform its function of maintaining an orderly market,” NGX stated, referencing some of the criteria for its corporate governance rating.
Market experts and shareholders agreed that corporate governance compliance is a major factor in deciding on investing in a public and the safety of such investment.
Managing Director, Arthur Steven Asset Management, Mr. Olatunde Amolegbe, said corporate governance compliance rating is “extremely important” as it indicates to the investing public the quality of compliance of a company to listing requirements.
“As you know, stock prices are driven primarily by available information and the NGX has a minimum level of disclosure expected of quoted companies. This disclosure helps the public make qualitative decisions as to the state or performance of the companies they are seeking to invest in. These markers are therefore the initial indicators as to whether the companies are meeting their disclosures and other regulatory obligations or not,” Amolegbe, a former president of Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), said.
Managing Director, APT Securities & Funds, Mallam Garba Kurfi, said the corporate governance rating “shows the extent companies are in compliance with corporate governance”.
“High rating means very good in doing the right thing timely while low rating discourages foreign investors from investing in such companies,” Kurfi, a leading market operator and member of the board of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), said.
Managing Director, HighCap Securities, Mr David Adonri, noted that “CG+ means excellent corporate governance rating”.
“When a company is organised and upholds good corporate governance, the benefit to stakeholders is maximized,” Adonri said.
Investors said its high corporate governance was one of the compelling reasons they chose to invest in Fidelity Bank.
President, Association for the Advancement of Rights of Nigerian Shareholders (AARNS), Dr. Faruk Umar said Fidelity Bank has a very good corporate governance structure that reassures investors of the safety of their investments.
According to him, while the bank has a good succession plan, the calibre of the independent non-executive directors on the board gives shareholders strong confidence of the kind of board oversight they will be expecting.
National Coordinator, Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN), Mr. Moses Igbrude, said Fidelity Bank’s impressive performance over the years had been built on good corporate governance.
“My appeal to the board is to continue to imbibe good corporate governance in order to sustain this growth,” Igbrude said.
National Coordinator, Pragmatic Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Mrs. Bisi Bakare, said Fidelity Bank has created a “very excellent impression” in the minds of shareholders.
According to her, the bank has continually showcased exemplary leadership with continuous impressive results, with successive growths over the past five years.
“Fidelity Bank is a very good bank that shareholders are very happy with their investments and we have never regretted buying into Fidelity Bank,” Bakare said.
National Coordinator, Progressive Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Mr. Boniface Okezie said good corporate governance was the cornerstone of Fidelity Bank’s sustained growth and impressive returns over the years.
“Fidelity Bank remains one of the best stocks that investors should look forward to investing in for better returns. I’m very optimistic about the bank’s healthy strong assets. With its good corporate governance and excellent customers’ service, there is every reason to hope for a more promising future,” Okezie said.
The NGX tags defaulting companies for poor corporate governance and also applies various monetary and non-monetary sanctions, including fines ranging between N100,000 to N100 million, partial or full suspension of trading, naming and shaming with a red alert tag and compulsory delisting in extreme cases.
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Nupe Natives Of Lokoja Flags Off Cooperative Union To Facilitate Development
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Nupe Natives of Lokoja, has flagged off its CAMPDAVID MULTIPURPOSE COOPERATIVE UNION LIMITED registered with the Kogi State government, aimed at facilitating the development of the community of the native Nupe of Lokoja and her entire residents. adsbygoogle || []).push({}); googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js">
Twelve other Cooperative Societies are registered to operate under the umbrella union which was launched in Lokoja over the weekend.
The Etsu Lokoja and Chairman, Lokoja Native Traditional Council, His Royal Highness, Emmanuel Akamisoko Dauda Shelika – Nyamkpa IV, performed the flag off ceremony during the first General Meeting of Nupe Natives of Lokoja in 2026, organized to showcase their culture and had interactions on how to attract development to their community.
The Royal Father in his speech, said that the Cooperative Union and its other sub-societies would no doubt facilitate people’s zeal to embark on self-help development that would impact on their living standards.
According to the traditional ruler “The newly registered cooperative societies would serve as veritable tools with which our people could utilize to generate funds to enable them embark on self-help projects such as drilling of motorized boreholes for portable water supply, rural electrification and health clinics amongst others.
“The need to complement government’s efforts in the provision of basic infrastructure for improved living conditions of citizens cannot be over emphasized, hence our desire as a people to do the needful”
The Etsu Lokoja used the occasion to call on the younger generation of the community to embrace skills acquisition of vocational enterprises such tailoring, welding, fabrication, carpentry, plumbing, hair dressing and farming among others for self-reliance.
He also disclosed his community’s planned programmes for this new year to include; facilitating of Summer Studies, Medical Outreaches for the less privileged, cultural and political summits.
He commended Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi state for his passion to carry everybody along in his development programmes irrespective of political, ethnic and religious differences.
He reiterated the loyalty of his people to the present administration in Kogi state and assured that the tempo would be sustained.
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Business and Economy
Kogi To Domesticate New Nigeria’s Tax Act, 2025
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The Kogi State Government has expressed readiness to domesticate the new Nigeria’s Tax Act 2025 for implementation by the State Internal Revenue Service (KGIRS). adsbygoogle || []).push({});
The Special Adviser to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo on Internal Revenue Generation, Nasir Rahman Ichanyi gave the hint while speaking at the second tranche of the critical stakeholders engagement on better understanding of the key provisions in the new tax law organised by the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service in Lokoja on Wednesday.
Ichanyi said that participants for the sensitization engagement were drawn from ministries, departments and agencies in view of their advantage position as technocrats that would play vital role in full implementation of the new tax law as from January, 2026.
He said that the sensitization programme is aimed at strengthening tax administration and promoting voluntary compliance to the new law.
The Special Adviser commended Governr Usman Ahmed Ododo for his visionary leadership and steadfast support in ensuring the effective domestication and implementation of progressive federal fiscal policies.
“His Excellency’s commitment to good governance and economic reforms continues to enhance fiscal discipline and sustainable development in the state”
He also praised the management and staff of KGIRS for their professionalism, dedication, and proactive engagement with stakeholders.
” This sensitization exercise reflects their resolve to ensure clarity, transparency, and inclusiveness in the implementation of the new tax framework.
“The 2025 Tax Acts, that will be domesticated by Kogi State, is distinguished by its simplicity, clarity, and taxpayer-friendly provisions
” It harmonizes tax obligations, removes incidences of multiple taxation, and provides clear guidelines that make compliance easier for taxpayers. The law also embraces technology-driven processes that improve efficiency, reduce human interference, and promote accountability.
“Furthermore, the domesticated tax Acts will offers significant benefits to taxpayers by reducing compliance costs, ensuring fairness and equity, and fostering a more predictable and business-friendly tax environment. Ultimately, it strengthens the trust between government and taxpayers and ensures that revenues generated translate into improved public services and infrastructural development across the state.
” I urge all MDAs and stakeholders to support the effective implementation of the 2025 Tax Acts that will be domesticated in Kogi State and to serve as ambassadors of compliance within their respective institutions. Together, we can build a robust and sustainable revenue system that will drive inclusive growth and development for Kogi State.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Executive Chairman of the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service, Alhaji Sule Salihu Enehe urged citizens to embrace the new Nigeria’s Tax Act in view of its enormous benefits.
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Business and Economy
KGIRS Sensitizes Stakeholders On Implementation Of New Nigeria Tax Act, 2025
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
As the new Nigeria’s Tax Act 2025, becomes operational come January, 2026, the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KGIRS) on Tuesday, commenced Stakeholders’ Engagement towards full implementation of the law. adsbygoogle || []).push({}); com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js">
Speaking at the one day Sensitization Programme held at the Lugard House, Lokoja, the Executive Chairman of the KGIRS, Alhaji Sule Salihu Enehe, said that the commencement of the Nigeria’s Tax Act, January next year, is in line with the Federal Government’s tax reform policy aimed at boosting tax administration.
“The Stakeholders’ Engagement is targeted at ensuring better understanding of the Nigeria Tax Act ahead of its full implementation January next year”
He explained that the operation of multiple tax administration law was condensed into one now called “Nigeria Tax Act 2025” to enhance transparency and efficiency in the system.
He also explained that the new law was put in place to avoid the problem of double taxation and duplication in the system.
Alhaji Enehe therefore, urged taxable citizens and critical stakeholders in tax administration sector to embrace the new law in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s tax reform policy which he said would go a long way in stabilising the nation’s dwindling economy.
The Special Adviser to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo on revenue generation, Dr. Nasir Rahman Ichanyi, in his speech, commended KGIRS for organising the Stakeholders’ Engagement Forum which has provided avenue for robust dialogue and collaboration for comprehensive understanding of the Nigeria Tax Act 2025.
He described the Stakeholders’ Engagement as timely and proactive measures put in place by KGIRS to achieve the desired success in the implementation of the new law.
Dr. Ichanyi promised that Kogi State Government would not relent in support of President Tinubu’s tax reform policy which he said would enhance the nation’s economy.
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