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First Bank: Controversy Trails Multi-billion Naira Shares Deal

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There seems to be uncertainty around the share sales and purchase deal between Oba Otudeko, Hassan Odukale on one hand and Femi Otedola on the other in First HoldCo, the parent company of First Bank.

The deal delivered an unprecedented quantum of the financial group’s shares to Otedola, the current Group Chairman of First Holdco, from the shareholdings of Odukale and Otudeko, the two immediate past chairmen of the group.

Also the deal ramped up Otedola’s holdings in the Group to an unprecedented level of 40%, the largest in the history of the bank and also largest single shareholdings amongst the tier-1 banks in Nigeria.

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However, when Vanguard contacted the Nigerian Exchange Limited, the Spokesperson, Clifford Akpolo, said: ”I am not aware of these transactions as the NGX Reg has not notified the NGX.”

The NGX trading rules required that a sale or purchase of shares up to 5% must be notified to the NGX Reg. The deal covered about 25% of the bank’s total shareholding.

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Similarly, First Bank’ s spokesperson, Mr. Ismail Omamegbe, did not respond to a text message sent to him, nor responded to calls in respect of the deal.

But sources in the bank indicated that the deal was executed off-trading floor and in connection with the long-drawn battle between the current board of the bank group and the two former board chairs who opted to surrender their shares for the bank to drop legal proceedings against them.

READ ALSO:FirstBank Changes Names Of UK, Africa Subsidiaries

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The deal, executed through 17 negotiated trades at ?31 per share, involved the transfer of 10.43 billion units of FBN Holdings shares and is estimated to be worth over ?324 billion.

The acquisition, confirmed by trading data and capital market sources, marks a turning point in the ownership structure of one of Nigeria’s oldest and most prominent financial institutions.

The buyer in all 17 deals was First Securities Ltd, while the sellers included CardinalStone Securities, Meristem Stockbrokers, Renaissance Capital, Regency Asset Management, Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers, United Capital Securities, and First Securities Ltd (acting as both buyer and seller in select trades).
(VANGUARD)

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Again, Dangote Refinery Hikes Fuel Price

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Dangote Refinery has increased the ex-depot price of petrol by N75, bringing the price up to N1,350 per litre from the previous price of N1,275.

This is the first fuel increase by the Refinery in the month of May.

READ ALSO:JUST IN: Dangote Refinery Reduces Petrol Price

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This latest development is coming seven days after the refinery raised its ex-depot price from N1,200 to N1,275 per litre.

Recall that the refinery on April 29 increased the ex-depot price of petrol by N75.

 

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Why We Sited Our Multi-Billion Naira Automobile Firm Branch in Benin – Skyewise Group CEO

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Dr. Elvis Abuyere, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Skyewise Group, an automobile firm, has explained the reason for establishing a branch of the company in Benin City, the Edo State capital, describing the ancient city as “a growing economy full of enormous potential for vibrant youth.”

He added that the company considers Edo State one of the most interesting states, noting that the decision aligns with its long-term vision.

Abuyere, who spoke in Benin on Monday while taking journalists on a tour of the new automobile facility, said:
We started very small — from Abuja to Lagos and now Benin. It is a joy and privilege for us to have completed this amazing regional office with Skyewise Group.”

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According to him, beyond the automobile business, Skyewise Group is in Benin to invest in real estate, logistics, youth empowerment, and credit management. “Aand also to lend our support to what the Edo State Government is doing, knowing the fact that there is an agenda,” he added.

The young CEO urged youths in Nigeria, particularly those in Edo State, to embrace entrepreneurship, stressing that “we believe it is the future of Africa,” especially Nigeria.

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He said Nigeria stands as the giant of Africa and that its youth must take bold steps in the entrepreneurship landscape.

According to Abuyere, to ensure Edo youths actualise their entrepreneurial potential, the company has prepared soft loans to help them start businesses, adding that Skyewise Group is not limited to automobile operations.

READ ALSO:Senatorial Seat: Ogbakha-Edo Warns Against Imposition Of Candidates In Edo South

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He said: “More importantly to us is youth empowerment. We want our youth to be empowered, and this is where the Skyewise Foundation comes in.

“We believe the future of Africa is entrepreneurship, and that future lies in the hands of the young people of Nigeria. We want to empower them to stand the test of time, build something meaningful, and reduce unemployment and insecurity in our land.

“I believe we need to begin taking bold steps by refining the mindset of our young people. We need to give them a sense of belonging and direction.

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“We have been addressing the liquidity gap in society by providing microloans to support businesses in our environment and in Benin City.”

When asked why he chose Benin City for the multi-billion naira automobile firm, Abuyere noted: “I think this is the first automobile showroom in Edo State where you can see a car lifted from the ground floor to the first floor and beyond.”

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JUST IN: Nigerian Filling Stations Reduce Fuel Price After Hike

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Nigerian filling stations reduced their Premium Motor Spirit price on Saturday, barely 24 hours after the hike.

Checks by DAILY POST showed that Ranoil, Empire Energy, and other filling stations in Abuja adjusted their petrol pumps to N1,365 and N1,375 per litre respectively, down from N1,440 per litre on Friday.

This means that petroleum marketers dropped their fuel price by N65 and N75 per litre. DAILY POST reports that the move was to attract patronage from customers.

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Recall that three days ago, Nigerian filling stations had raised their petrol pump price to between N1,365 and N1,440 nationwide after Dangote Refinery and depot owners increased ex-depot prices to around N1,275 and N1,290 per litre.

According to DAILY POST, while the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and MRS Bovas filling stations raised their petrol price to around N1,365 per litre, others adjusted theirs above N1,440 per litre.

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READ ALSO:Drivers Protest Fuel Increase, Raise Fares in Benin

However, with the latest fuel price reduction by Ranoil and Empire Energy, the majority of filling station outlets now dispense petrol between N1,365 and N1,375 per litre.

This development comes as the ripple effect of crude oil prices continues to impact Nigeria’s domestic fuel price.

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Brent and West Texas Intermediate crude rose to $114 and $105 per barrel before dropping to $108 and $101 after the filing of this report.

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