Ogun State Land Scare! Government Blackmails Estate Developers, Land Owners

Volume II, Issue 20

Last Monday, 8 June, 2009, the Ogun State Bureau of Lands and Survey, under the insignia of the State Government, had caused the publication of what it described as a “Final Warning” ostensibly directing the attention of individuals and corporate bodies to activities of estate developers and promoters in about 14 locations in the state where real estate development seems to be intense. The Bureau of Lands and Survey described the activities of the estate developers as illegal.

The second of such publication in two weeks, the last of the same half page public notice, did get the attention of the target population it was intended for; a hail of panic seized the community of estate developers and subscribers to the former virgin lands belonging to Ogun State but which have found new attraction in value because of their proximity to Lagos State. As affected estate developers became restless, so were subscribers, they became distressed. (Read More)

BGL still upset with underwriting AIT, Honeywell public offers

It is just as well that the Securities and Exchange Commission has decided to adopt the recommendation of the Oladotun Sulaiman’s Nigeria Capital Market Reform Committee on the reversal of compulsory underwriting of public offerings.

BGL Securities Limited, one of Nigeria’s lead issuing houses and brokerage firms, is said to still be smarting from the downside effect of underwriting two public offerings last year. BGL Securities was part of the underwriters of the public offering of Daar Communications and Honeywell.

Others –

Losses, Debts Force Sale of Zain

Transcorp To Lose Hilton Hotel, Abuja

INVESTMENT EXPERT SAYS BANKS EXPANSION TO OTHER AFRICAN COUNTRIES IS ANOTHER RAT-RACE

An investment expert, Mr. Jide Ogunleye, has questioned the rationale of Nigerian banks newly found fervor for expanding their operations into African countries with low economic generation capacity. Ogunleye, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Denaro Capitals, said the acquisition and establishment of Nigerian banking brands in countries in West and East Africa lacks appropriate investment judgment.

“I believe that the establishment or acquisition of Nigerian bank brands in these countries is simply an ego tripping by most of Nigerian banks that want to join in the feel of internationalizing their operations. It’s like another rat race to determine which of the banks can boast of establishing its brand outside the country.” Ogunleye said.

“But sincerely, I don’t think it makes investment sense to spend so much money to construct a bank branch in a country where the Gross Domestic Product is not up to that of Lagos State. This is beside the fact that most of the citizens of these countries have been shown by reports to prefer their own banks. I can tell you that a new branch in any urban centre in Nigeria will yield better returns for the banking brand than those outposts they are establishing in the other countries.”

“I am not saying that there is something generically wrong with establishing branches in other countries, but in the case of most Nigerian banks, I feel the choice of those countries do not make a good investment decision. I do not know how the Nigerian bank brands want to take on the indigenous financial institutions in those countries with their solitary single branch. This is beside the regulatory hurdles and fees they have to pay to get the branches established.

“Now, if the argument is to serve the needs of Nigerians resident in those countries, we would need to know the population of Nigerians in the countries, and I can tell you that with the exception of neighbouring Benin Republic and to a little extent, Ghana, the population of Nigerian residents in these countries does not provide for a flourishing bank branch.

“If a Nigerian bank opens a branch in London, South Africa or in the United States of America I think that would be understandable because of the obvious dynamics available in these countries. The population of resident Nigerians are not only appreciable but given the natural inclination for Nigerians to identify with their home brands when they are in the diaspora one can easily conclude that such branches in these countries would be beneficial to shareholders of the banks and Nigerians in those countries.” Ogunleye argued.

ELUMELU NAMED AN “EMERGING TITAN”

Coming on the heels of the recent conferment of the African Banker of the Year Award on the Group Managing Director/ CEO, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Mr. Tony Elumelu, he has added another laurel to his kitty again. This time, he has been conferred with the award of “Emerging Titans” in Nigeria by Vivante Media Enterprises Limited; promoted by the Dr. Pat Utomi.

Elumelu was honored alongside other notable Nigerian including the Chairman of The National Communications Commission, Mr. Ernest Ndukwe and former Nigerian High Commissioner to The United Kingdom, Dr. Christopher Kolade, at the Expo Center, Eko Hotel, Lagos .

Professor Pat Utomi, Chairman of Vivante, said Elumelu was chosen in recognition of his immense contribution to economic development as he epitomizes the face of a the new Nigerian.   According to him, “the likes of Tony Elumelu are champions of nation building. It is our duty to recognize and celebrate them.”

Deputy Director of Marketing and Corporate Relations, UBA Plc, Mr. Martins Anyanwu received the award on behalf of Mr. Elumelu describing the UBA helmsman as not only nationalist but afro-centric in outlook. Under the leadership of Mr. Elumelu he said UBA has consolidated its leadership status in the Nigerian Banking Industry and is sure footed in its regional expansion drive.  With presence in 11 African countries, UBA plans to extend to another eight before the end of the next financial year he said.

Tony Elumelu has been gaining increasing recognition as one of the leading and widely influential corporate leaders in Africa since he conceived and managed the merger of legacy Standard Trust Bank Plc and UBA Plc in 2005, a union that has grown to the largest financial services group in West, Central and East Africa .