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MAN Calls For Civility In Operations By Government’s Agencies

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Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), has called for civility by the EFCC and the other operatives of the government agencies, when demanding documents from existing domestic investors in the country, rather than armed invasion.

The Association made the call, while reacting to the recent invasion of the Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) headquarters by dozens of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operatives.

Segun Ajayi-Kadir,  it’s Director-General, noted that the fact that the Federal Government is currently actively engaged in activities aimed at attracting foreign investors should dictate a more circumspect and civil way to make enquiries and secure documents from existing/domestic operators.

” We  received the news with great shock. We also understand that about 50 other companies are also been investigated, probably with a likelihood of receiving the same ill treatment.
Not that any company is above investigation, but it is about the appropriateness of the method and the sheer brigandage we saw on display.

… this news has gone around the world and many, including would be investors, would be taken aback and anxiously awaiting how the story will end.

It is whether it will take an armed invasion by dozens of security operatives to get documents from a well-structured and clearly identifiable company like DIL.

What we understand is that it is part of EFCC’s ongoing investigation into forex allocations in the country.

We believe it is within the remit of EFCC to do so. But the question is: what is the wisdom in security operatives swooping on the headquarters of a leading African conglomerates only to demand for documents relating to allocation of foreign exchange to the Group in the last 10 years?
Is it that the company refused to respond to a request to present those documents?

Are those documents only available with DIL and not in the Central Bank or the relevant commercial banks? Was there a possibility of armed resistance, if the EFCC operatives had come unarmed and devoid of the gestapo style invasion?

Why hurt the corporate image and disrupt the business operations of the company?

There is no doubt that this news has gone around the world and many, including would be investors, would be taken aback and anxiously awaiting how the story will end.

This may not be the best way to show that Nigeria is committed to good corporate governance.

Because of the status of DIL within the Nigerian economy, Africa and the world, the outcome of this rather unfortunate incident may have great impact on how we are perceived as respecters of the right of business entities.

Government agencies should exercise restraints and be mindful of the wider implications of their actions on our fragile business environment.

I think it is important for the EFCC to take steps to clear the air on the negative interpretation being adduced to this action.

This is necessary to reassure existing business concerns and encourage would be investors.”

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Business

CBN approves Union Bank, Titan merger

The bank has assured customers that there will be no disruption to existing services, account details will remain unchanged, and customers will continue to access a full suite of products and services seamlessly.

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The Central Bank of Nigeria has approved the merger of Union Bank of Nigeria with Titan Trust Bank Limited,.

This is disclosed in a statement from the bank’s Chief Brand and Marketing Officer, Olufunmilayo Aluko.

Under the terms of the merger, Union Bank has fully absorbed Titan Trust Bank’s operations and assets.

The new institution will continue to operate under the Union Bank brand, while Titan Trust Bank ceases to exist as a separate entity.

With an expanded footprint of over 293 service centres and 937 ATMs nationwide, supported by strengthened digital channels, Union Bank is poised to deliver enhanced value across retail, SME and corporate segments.

Union Bank’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Yetunde Oni, described the development as “a pivotal moment in our 108-year journey and a launchpad for delivering greater value to our customers.

By blending stability with innovation, we are better positioned to meet the evolving needs of Nigerians and to be their most trusted financial partner.”

The Chairman of the Board of Directors, Bayo Adeleke, added: “This is a new era of growth, collaboration, and shared prosperity. By bringing together the strengths of both institutions, we are committed to creating lasting value for our customers, shareholders, and communities while advancing Nigeria’s financial inclusion agenda.”

The bank has assured customers that there will be no disruption to existing services, account details will remain unchanged, and customers will continue to access a full suite of products and services seamlessly, with an accelerated push towards enhanced digital solutions.

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We are under attack – NNPCL GCEO, Ojulari

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Bayo Ojulari, Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), has announced that he and his management team are currently under serious threat.

Ojulari said his offense is the reforms he has introduced in the oil and gas sector in line with the mandate given to him by President Bola Tinubu to turn around the moribund refinery.

He raised this alarm on Thursday, lamenting that some powerful elements are plotting to remove him from the seat.

The NNPCL boss raised the alarm when he received the delegation of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, led by its President, Comrade Festus Osifo, at the company’s headquarters, Abuja.

Details shortly…

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Business

Govt, stakeholders to explore industrial policy at W’Africa Manufacturing summit

The collaboration will take centre stage at the West Africa Industrialisation, Manufacturing & Trade Summit & Exhibition 2025, scheduled for October 2025, in Lagos.

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•The Minister of State for Industry, John Enoh

The Federal Government has committed to exploring strategies for implementing the new National Industrial Policy to scale industries and transform West Africa’s economic future, alongside manufacturing stakeholders at an upcoming summit.

The collaboration will take centre stage at the West Africa Industrialisation, Manufacturing & Trade Summit & Exhibition 2025, scheduled for October 2025, in Lagos.

The Minister of State for Industry, John Enoh, at a press conference on Wednesday in Lagos, declared that Nigeria will build its industrial policy on past executive orders targeted at promoting local content, but with a stronger push through the Nigeria First policy.

He said, “The previous administrations have tried to enable industrial growth by coming up with various executive orders.

Those include Executive Orders Three and Five, which were targeted at matters about public procurement and giving priority to Nigerian-made goods.

With the announcement of the Nigeria First policy, what becomes of it will be a function of what this administration does.”

Enoh noted that the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment would follow up on the policy with a nationwide campaign to promote patronage of Nigerian goods and services.

He explained, “The hope is that in the next few months, we’re going to start a national campaign on buying made-in-Nigeria goods and services to follow up the presidential pronouncement of the Nigeria First policy.

We found out that the country could earn about N3tn more in the short term if we can run a successful campaign that can also shift the attitudes of Nigerians.

(The Punch)

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