Business Eye

For some government officials and politicians, the scorecard presented by President Goodluck Jonathan in his national broadcast did not come as a surprise. But for most Nigerians, the achievements and accomplishments contained in the broadcast were quite surprising. No wonder, the officials kept the records to their chest and away from the prying eyes of the media.                 The claim that the Federal Government generated N6.6 trillion worth of investment commitments in one year is quite commendable and the President attributed this success story to the new National Draft Trade Policy which he said was the first ever in decades…

It is not always the case that an obvious answer to a nagging problem is perceived by many as one, until someone, perhaps out of a deed reflection over the matter, draws everyone else’s attention to the point.  Sometimes it is a minor issue, or an overlooked point, that has the potential to turn the table and do the magic in the quest for a solution.                 This is the case with the recent and timely admonition by the Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka, to the effect that Nigeria should return to the old and creative regional rivalry in the country…

The recent Investor’s forum organized by the Ogun state government is certainly an example of what can happen when institutions or organizations commit themselves to think thoroughly and draw up strategies to confront problems. While many states are currently struggling to cope with the financial burdens and other challenges they are faced with, the truth of the matter is that a little effort to look inward and identify the potential that abound there is the greatest thing they need. The other thing needed is the political will to follow through whatever decision is reached.                 Clearly therefore, for the states…

Despite the downturn experienced in the Nigerian stock market over the last one and half years, there are still positive signals that recovery is imminent in the nation’s equities market. The 25 percent increase in the inflow of foreign portfolio investment into the country in 2011 is due largely to the positive fundamentals of listed companies and the current under-valuation of many of the stocks. Figures released recently by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) showed that Nigeria recorded N478.6 billion, up from N382.1 billion realized in 2010.                 According to SEC, foreign interest in the market grew with over…

A laudable example of a public-private partnership was demonstrated in November in Rivers State when a three-day investment forum with the theme ‘’Change That Works ‘’ was packaged and financed by the private sector and hosted by the Rivers State Government. What is unique about the forum is that it was funded through corporate sponsorships and delegates participation fees.  The organizers of the forum were indigenes of Rivers State, who share the same vision with the state government on elevating Rivers State and its environs into a secure commercial hub that will help stimulate economic activity in the South-South geo-political…