Report attributes decline in Nigeria’s PMI to COVID-19

    The recently released April version of the Stanbic IBTC Bank’s Nigeria Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) has said that the decline in activities in the private sector is due to disruptions caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.   According to the report, the Nigeria PMI headline sank to 37.1 index points in April 2020 compared to 53.8 index points recorded in March. New orders, output and employment witnessed sharp falls as prices rise amid supply chain disruption.   The Nigeria PMI report reflects economic indicators gotten from monthly surveys…

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COVID-19: Dangote foundation engages 54gene laboratory in Kano

    The Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF), a philanthropic endeavor of Aliko Dangote,  has contracted 54Gene, a molecular diagnostics company specialised in research, and diagnostics, to immediately set up a 400 test/day capacity laboratory in Kano State.   54Gene is accredited by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and has already set up labs in Lagos and in Ogun states.   The lab, which was inaugurated on May 3 in Kano, will start with a testing capacity of 400 tests a day, increasing to 1,000 tests a day by…

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Health workers’ N11bn insurance cover complementary

    Stakeholders in the insurance industry have reiterated that the N11 billion insurance benefit provided for frontline health workers fighting Covid-19 as part of their support is a complement to existing policies the workers already have.   This is coming following concerns by some observers who think the cover is not big enough for the frontline workers.   The newly appointed Commissioner for Insurance, Mr Sunday Olorundare Thomas, who made this known to journalists in a statement, said the health workers had an existing policy, Group Life Insurance Policy…

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Stakeholders welcome appointment of Thomas as Commissioner for Insurance

    Shareholders, insurance practitioners and other stakeholders have welcomed the appointment of Sunday Thomas as the Commissioner for Insurance.   They lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for giving the insurance industry a commissioner who understands the feelings of all stakeholders and is determined to take the sector to lofty heights.   The Coordinator Emeritus, Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN), Sir Sunny Nwosu, congratulated Thomas for his appointment, stressing that what impressed him most about the appointment is Thomas’ knowledge of the workings of the industry.   He applauded Thomas…

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Demand for sesame to fetch Nigeria N465.3bn

    Despite the negative impact of the coronavirus pandemic in the global market, demand for black sesame seed produced in Nigeria is expected to be on the increase in the Asian market because of its medicinal value.   It was learnt that Nigeria, which accounts for 12.22 per cent of the global production and the second largest producer after Sudan in Africa, has the capacity to produce 550,000 metric tonnes valued at N465.3billion ($990million).   However, since the outbreak of COVID-19, some export containers are yet to be processed…

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 COVID-19: MTN rues drop in voice revenue

  Data income rises to N74bn   Nigeria’s largest telecommunications operator, MTN, has expressed worry over a decline in its voice revenue as subscribers made fewer calls in the first quarter of this year.   The telco blamed this on the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, noting that subscribers’ earning capacity had reduced.   The company, however, recorded a sharp increase in data usage over the same period as the pandemic forced many to work from home using data.   The telco’s data revenue jumped by 59.2 per cent to…

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Access Bank not sacking 75% employees

    Access Bank Plc yesterday denied reports that it planned to sack 75 per cent of its workforce and as well close more than 300 branches.   The bank, in a statement signed by Mr Sunday Ekwochi, its Company Secretary, and obtained from the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) website, described the news as malicious and a distraction from the genuine and compassionate plan to protect its staff and help keep jobs in the unfolding macroeconomic environment.   It said the closure of a bank branch was an action that…

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NSE opens week positive with N36bn gain

    The equities market closed yesterday on a positive note to commence weekly trading activities on the upswing after the market also closed green last Friday.   The market performance indices, NSE ASI, appreciated by 0.30 per cent with market breadth closing negative with 15 gainers as against 19 losers.   The upswing, according to market watchers, was driven by bargain hunting activities on the back of undervalued stocks following renewed appetite in anticipation of share appreciation.   Consequently, the All-Share Index grew by 68. 85 basis points or…

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Lockdown: FirstBank commends customers’ support

    FirstBank Nigeria Ltd has expressed its appreciation to the public – especially its customers – for their continued patronage of its services during the coronavirus ( COVID -19) lockdown.   This is even as the lender has assured the public that stringent measures have been implemented to ensure its branches and locations across the country operate in line with the health and safety guidelines issued by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC to mitigate the spread of Coronavirus.   Expressing the bank’s delight at welcoming customers to…

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Forex: Naira sustains recovery against dollar  

    The naira yesterday continued its recovery against the dollar on the parallel market after slumping to N460 to the greenback about two weeks ago.   As the Federal Government’s partial lifting of the COVID-19 lockdown in Lagos State, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja commenced on Monday, the naira further appreciated to N430/$1 from N450 per dollar last Friday.   Analysts attribute the local currency’s recovery to the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) approval of Nigeria’s $3.4billion loan request, as well as the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) announcement…

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