Business
JUST IN: FG Orders Companies to begin Sustainability Reporting 2024
Companies involved in the climate change fight have been asked to begin disclosure of financial accounts starting from January 1, 2024.
According to the Federal Government, this initiative which is in line with the International Sustainability Standards Board is to promote transparency and accountability of financial information to investors.
The Executive Secretary of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, Shuaibu Ahmed, made this known on Wednesday during the inauguration of the Adoption Readiness Working Group in Abuja.
The early adoption of the policy was part of recommendations made during the COP 27 Climate Change Conference held last year in Egypt.
Ahmed noted that the latest development followed an explosion in the burden of non-financial reporting requirements on companies.
Speaking during his address, Ahmed said, “I am very delighted to welcome you all to this programme today which could not have come at a more auspicious time other than now when the primary users of general purpose financial statements (i.e. investors, lenders, creditors and other stakeholders) globally are calling for more transparent, comparable and verifiable sustainability-related financial information to help them assess an entity’s enterprise value.
“We are now in a world where reliable sustainability information is becoming as important as financial information. The focus on Financial Statements is a viable way to an integrated approach to financial information, Environmental, social and governance or Sustainability information and broader non-financial information.”
He added that with the issuance of two sustainability standards; General Requirements for Disclosure of Sustainability-related Financial Information and Climate-Related Disclosures, investors will be knowledgeable about risks and opportunities facing an entity to inform their decisions on providing resources.
Earlier in her address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Trade and Investment, Evelyn Ngige, commended the forward-thinking ambition of the agency and urged to ensure adequate implementation of the policy when passed.
The perm sec represented by the Director, Policy, Planning, Research and Statistics, Alhaji Baba Gana Alkali, said, “There is a global understanding that the implementation of IFRS S1 & S2 will enhance corporate reporting and unlock capital, especially to emerging markets like Nigeria. Therefore, I implore all of you to work tirelessly to ensure that these standards are appropriately implemented.”
Business
Johnson & Johnson Willing To Pay $5.5bn To End Baby Powder Lawsuits Against The Company
The proposed settlement encompasses approximately 76,000 claims, including those consolidated in federal court in New Jersey and related cases in state courts, representing nearly all outstanding talc-related allegations against the company.
Johnson & Johnson has announced a provisional settlement of an estimated $5.5 billion to resolve tens of thousands of lawsuits alleging its talc-based products, including baby powder, caused ovarian cancer.
The proposed settlement encompasses approximately 76,000 claims, including those consolidated in federal court in New Jersey and related cases in state courts, representing nearly all outstanding talc-related allegations against the company.
J&J had previously settled the majority of cases asserting that its talc contained asbestos and led to mesothelioma
The landmark agreement could bring an end to a contentious legal battle that has plagued the pharmaceutical giant for a decade.
The Independent UK reported yesterday. Plaintiff law firms confirmed the deal, describing it as a positive resolution following the protracted court proceedings.
For the agreement to become final, it requires acceptance from 95 per cent of the ovarian cancer claimants across state or federal jurisdictions.
Erik Haas, J&J’s Vice President of Litigation, maintained that the claims were “meritless” but stated the company was willing to settle to achieve “closure.”
Business
FG Availing ₦3.6bn to 200,000 Tailors Nationwide
Dr Afiz Ogun, Director-General of the ITF, announced the approval during the nationwide screening of applicants for the 2026 edition of the SUPA Programme in Abuja.
Image credit: Bella Naija
The Federal Government has launched a ₦3.6 billion funding to support about 200,000 tailors under the Industrial Training Fund’s (ITF) Skill Up Artisans (SUPA) Programme.
Dr Afiz Ogun, Director-General of the ITF, announced the approval during the nationwide screening of applicants for the 2026 edition of the SUPA Programme in Abuja.
He said that the screening is designed to ensure only genuine artisans benefit.
Applicants are assessed on documentation, practical skills, commitment to the trade and readiness for further training.
The programme, launched in 2024, aims to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on foreign artisans by equipping local professionals with modern technical and entrepreneurial skills.
Under a new business incubation model, beneficiaries will receive industrial-grade sewing machines, specialised tailoring equipment, business signboards, mentorship and technical support.
The ITF dropped its previous practice of distributing starter packs after discovering that many beneficiaries sold the equipment instead of using it to build businesses.
Business
Naira Exchange Rates To Foreign Currencies Wednesday, July 29
BLACK MARKET RATES
US DOLLAR (USD) Buy ₦1,405 Sell ₦1,415
GREAT BRITISH POUND (GBP) Buy ₦1,900 Sell: ₦1,930
EURO (EUR) Buy ₦1,585 Sell ₦1,610
CANADIAN DOLLAR (CAD) Buy ₦1,020 Sell ₦1,080
SOUTH AFRICAN RAND (ZAR) Buy ₦75 Sell ₦90
UAE DIRHAM Buy ₦350 Sell ₦370 CHINESE YUAN Buy ₦190 Sell ₦205
GHANA CEDI (GHS) Buy ₦95 Sell ₦110
WEST AFRICAN CFA Buy ₦2, 300 Sell ₦2, 400
CENTRAL AFRICAN CFA Buy ₦2,150 Sell 2,250
AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR Buy ₦800 Sell ₦900
Commercial Bank Exchange Rates
Sterling Bank
Currency Buy Sell
USD / NGN ₦1350.00 ₦1385.00
GBP / NGN ₦1774.08 ₦1861.62
EUR / NGN ₦1514.63 ₦1595.45
ZAR / NGN ₦80.34 ₦84.76
Official CBN Exchange Rates
US DOLLAR (USD) ₦1,365.43
GREAT BRITISH POUND (GBP) ₦1,816.05
EURO (EUR) ₦1,552.88
SWISS FRANC (CHF) ₦1,667.11
JAPANESE YEN (JPN) ₦8.33
CHINESE YUAN (CNY) ₦201. 66
WEST AFRICAN CFA (XOF) ₦2. 36
WEST AFRICAN UNIT ACCOUNT (WAUA) ₦1,847.10
SAUDI RIYAL (SAR) ₦363.74
SOUTH AFRICAN RAND (ZAR) ₦81.54
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