Richard Okundia

Thank you all for the warm birthday wishes that brightened my special day.
Your kind words were a feast of joy to my heart, reminiscent of Proverbs 16:24: "Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones."
I am truly blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful friends and family.
Here’s to another year of shared moments and cherished memories.

Today, as I celebrate another year of life, I find myself reflecting on the journey that has brought me here. From the vibrant energy youthfulness, through the milestones of growth and learning, to standing before my peers as a peace ambassador, each moment has been a step on the path of continuous personal and professional development. This birthday is not just about adding another year, but about embracing the experiences that have shaped me and looking forward to those that will define my future. Here's to embracing every challenge, every opportunity, and every moment of growth. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of my story. Let's raise a toast to the past, celebrate the present, and anticipate a future brimming with possibilities.

A woman's happiness can lift a man to great heights, making him feel valued beyond measure, akin to the wise builder of a house in Proverbs 14:1. In contrast, her anger can have the opposite effect, leaving him feeling as diminished as a house in ruins.

Here is a list of classic Edo movie titles compiled by Richard Okundia:

1. Oguọmwọndia
2. Evhakọe
3. Ọhẹn Ọsa
4. Aduzẹ
5. Odumakiti
6. Izagodo
7. Uzẹdu
8. Isoken
9. Aimiuwa
10. Ikuẹmiti
11. Ọkaegbe
12. Agbọnzikilọ
13. Ikuomasẹ
14. Arubá
15. Izigan
16. Oghẹ
17. Olakpa
18. Osọgan
19. Osegbe
20. Adesuwa
21. Nuwamu
22. Nẹtẹtẹ
23. Osaibuẹku
24. Idalaho
25. Iziẹngbe
26. Esohe
27. Igodo
28. Iyore
29. Erinmwinde
30. Ọvbiye

This list showcases a diverse range of themes and stories in Edo cinema.
VisitEdo , Edolanguageculturalschool Canada

MTN Nigeria vs Airtel: a fascinating dynamic.
While MTN seems to concede, Airtel is poised to lead.
As an MTN investor, I'm concerned that Airtel's 5G may shift the balance.
Your thoughts?

Briclinks Africa Plc Acquires MVNO License, Eyeing Innovative Opportunities in the Telecom Space

Briclinks Africa Plc has announced the acquisition of a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) Tier 2 License, a move that will position the company to tap into the rapidly evolving and innovative MVNO market.

The license, granted by the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) on May 1, 2023, enables Briclinks Africa Plc to operate alongside established Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) such as MTN, AIRTEL, GLO, and 9MOBILE, leveraging their existing infrastructure. This is in line with a growing trend among MVNOs globally to focus on specific market segments and offer differentiated services based on the unique needs of these segments.

"Briclinks Africa Plc will now be able to better serve our shareholders and the general public by taking advantage of the innovative opportunities in the MVNO space," Olushola Oguntimehin, Company Secretary of Briclinks Africa Plc said in a press release.

The announcement also included a change of trade name for the company, from BRICNET to BTEL. This rebranding comes at a time when MVNOs worldwide are embracing innovation and transformation in response to increased competition and price pressures. Companies in the space are differentiating themselves based on their value proposition and cost structure, often through digital transformation initiatives that make them more flexible and customer-centric.

Briclinks Africa Plc is well-positioned to leverage new technologies like e-SIMs, Network Function Virtualization (NFV), Software Defined Networks (SDN), Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning, blockchain, and edge computing. These technologies are expanding opportunities for MVNOs to offer innovative services and improve their operations.

The rollout of 5G also presents a significant opportunity. With 5G enabling network slicing, MVNOs can offer services tailored to specific verticals by bundling connectivity needs with cloud services and AI/big data solutions.

Briclinks Africa Plc's move into the MVNO sector also has potential societal benefits. By making mobile services more accessible, MVNOs can improve lives and societies, particularly through IoT-centric services that address global climate and environmental issues and enable connected agriculture, smarter transportation, improved healthcare, and smart cities.

With this acquisition of the MVNO license, Briclinks Africa Plc is poised to drive innovation in Nigeria's telecommunications sector, offering more choices and services to consumers and contributing to the Nigeria's digital economy.

Today's bullish market at the bourse is unprecedented. It seems that FPIs are flocking in anticipation of the remarkable influence expected from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, especially in terms of forex stability.

MUCH RESPECT TO WHOEVER WROTE THIS ARTICLE

It is a mistake to think time is going..

Time is not going.

Time is here until the world ends. It is you that is going.

You don’t waste time. Time is infinite.

You waste yourself.

You are finite. It is you that grows old and die.

Time doesn’t.

So make better use of yourself before you expire.

And one of the worst things to do with time is comparing yourself to others.

A cow eats grass and gets fat but if dog eats grass, it will die.

Never compare yourself with others.

Run your race!

What works for one person may be that which will kill you.

Focus on the gifts and talents God gave you and don’t be envious of the blessings He gave another.

You have a unique potential, build on it.

Both Lion and Shark are professional hunters, BUT:

A Lion cannot hunt in the Ocean and a Shark cannot hunt in the jungle.

That a Lion cannot hunt in the ocean doesn't make him useless and that a Shark cannot hunt in the jungle doesn't also make him useless both have their own territory where they can do well.

If a rose smells better than tomatoes, It doesn't mean the rose can make a better stew.

Don't try to compare yourself to others!

You also have your own strength, look for it and build on it.

All animals that exist, were in Noah's ark.

A snail is one of those animals.

If God could wait long enough for snails to enter Noah's ark; His door of Grace won't close till you reach your expected position in life.

Never look down on yourself, keep looking up!

Remember that Broken crayons still colour.

Keep on pushing, you never can tell how close you are to your goal...!

God bless you!

Join us for a toe-tapping, hip-swinging journey of dance where we learn if our professor can really do the Twist, the Macarena, and the Zanku all at once!
Time to dance with my father when academia meets the dancefloor.
It's the cha-cha-cha meets Ph.D.!

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As we celebrate NYSC's 50th anniversary, I find myself reminiscing about my tenure as the president of both Servicom CDS group and National Peer Group Educator Programme on Financial Inclusion.
In this captivating photo, yours truly can be seen addressing a gathering of corps members on the importance of financial prudence and strategies to outsmart scammers.

It's disheartening to witness the continued loss of funds by graduates and non-graduates alike to fraudulent schemes and Ponzi schemes that promise high returns.
We must continue to educate ourselves and others on the dangers of such fraudulent activities and promote financial literacy as a means of protecting ourselves and our hard-earned money.

Presco Plc, a major player in the Nigerian palm oil industry, has announced a delay in filing its audited and unaudited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022, and the first quarter of 2023. The company made this known in a corporate disclosure released by its Company Secretary, Patrick Uwadia Esq., to the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) and the investing public on May 8, 2023.

According to the disclosure, the delay in filing the financial statements was due to the need to consolidate the financial statements of Presco Plc and its recently acquired subsidiary, Siat Nigeria Limited (SNL). However, the board has assessed the status of work on the conclusion of the group's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022, and the unaudited consolidated financial statements of the group for the first quarter of 2023, and expects to upload them on or before May 25, 2023, and May 26, 2023, respectively.

Presco Plc also stated that its closed period, which restricts insiders from transacting in the shares of the company, began on January 1, 2023, and will continue until 24 hours after the release of the audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022, and the unaudited financial statements for the first quarter of 2023, to the public. During this period, no director, employee, person discharging managerial responsibility, advisers, consultants of the company, and their connected persons may directly or indirectly deal in the shares of the company.

Presco Plc is a leading Nigerian agro-industrial company engaged in the cultivation of oil palm and processing of crude palm oil for local and international markets. The company is a subsidiary of Siat Group, a multinational agro-industrial conglomerate with operations in Africa, Europe, and Asia.

How Efficient is the Nigerian Stock Market?
The Efficient Market Hypothesis (EMH) is a theory that suggests that all available information about a stock is already reflected in its market price, making it impossible to consistently beat the market by analyzing past trends or information. In other words, EMH suggests that it is not possible to outperform the market by using information that is already publicly available. The theory is based on the idea that stock markets are efficient, meaning that prices fully reflect all available information at any given time.

In the Nigerian stock market, the EMH is also believed to hold true to some extent. Market participants, including analysts and investors, actively seek out and analyze publicly available information to make informed investment decisions. As a result, stock prices in the Nigerian market generally reflect all available information at any given time.

However, it is worth noting that the Nigerian stock market has experienced periods of volatility and inefficiency in recent years, which can be attributed to a number of factors such as political instability, economic recession, and regulatory issues. For example, in 2018, the Nigerian stock market experienced a significant sell-off due to concerns about political risk and the impact of falling oil prices on the economy. The market also experienced a sharp decline in early 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and global market turmoil.

Despite these challenges, the Nigerian stock market remains an important platform for investors to access the country's growing economy and participate in its long-term growth potential.
While the EMH may hold true to some extent, investors should still conduct their own due diligence and carefully evaluate individual companies and market trends before making investment decisions.

Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc has announced its Notice of Annual General Meeting, to be held at the Lagos Marriott Hotel, 122 Joel Ogunnaike Street, Ikeja GRA, Lagos State, on Thursday, 25th May 2023 at 11.00 am. The meeting will be held to transact both ordinary and special business.

According to the Notice, the Company will present its audited financial statements for the financial year ended 31 December 2022, together with reports from the Directors, Auditors, and Audit Committee. Shareholders will also be asked to declare a dividend and elect or re-elect Directors, as well as authorize the Directors to fix the remuneration of the Auditors.

In accordance with Section 282 of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020, the Company has received special notices for the re-election of Mr. Hubert Fabri, who is 71 years old, and Mr. Peter Eguasa, who is 72 years old, as Directors of the Company. The meeting will also elect members of the Audit Committee and disclose the remuneration of Managers.

The meeting will also transact special business, including fixing the remuneration of the Directors.

Shareholders who are unable to attend the meeting in person are entitled to appoint a proxy to attend and vote on their behalf. Proxy forms must be deposited at the office of the Company’s Registrar, Cardinalstone Registrars Ltd, not later than 48 hours before the time of the meeting. The register of members and transfer books of the Company will be closed from Tuesday 25th April to Friday 28th April 2023, to enable the Registrar to prepare for the payment of any dividends.

The Board of Directors has recommended a final dividend of N12.00 per 50 kobo ordinary share for approval by shareholders. If approved at the meeting, the dividend will be paid via e-mandate on Thursday, 25th May 2023, to shareholders whose names appear in the register of members at the close of business on Monday 24th April 2023.

By staying the course and exercising patience, persistence, and discipline, the stock market has the potential to reward investors, as demonstrated by my personal experience with Okomu oil company where I nearly recouped my initial investment in just one year.

BUA Foods' investor call is tommorow 4th May 2023. The company reported stellar financial performance for the year 2022, and has begin the the current year on a strong note.
Do well to join the Call.

Buying the dip and systematic investment purchase are two different investment strategies that can be employed in the Nigerian equities market. Here's a comparative analysis of both:

Buying the Dip:

Buying the dip is a strategy where an investor purchases stocks when the market experiences a temporary decline or correction. The idea behind this strategy is to take advantage of the market's temporary weakness and buy stocks at a lower price before they recover. This strategy requires timing the market, which can be challenging as it is difficult to predict when a stock or the market will hit bottom.

Pros:

It can lead to significant gains if the market rebounds.It allows investors to buy stocks at a lower price.

Cons:

It requires timing the market, which is difficult to do.It can lead to significant losses if the market continues to decline.It can be risky if investors do not have the discipline to stick to their strategy.

Systematic Investment Purchase:
Systematic investment purchase is a strategy where an investor purchases stocks at fixed intervals, regardless of the market's performance. The idea behind this strategy is to average out the cost of purchasing stocks over time, reducing the impact of market volatility.

Pros:

It is a disciplined approach to investing.It allows investors to average out the cost of purchasing stocks over time.It can lead to significant gains in the long run.

Cons:

It does not take advantage of temporary market weakness.It can take longer to see significant gains.It can be less exciting for investors who prefer to take a more active role in their investments.

Conclusion:

Both buying the dip and systematic investment purchase are viable investment strategies in the Nigerian equities market. However, buying the dip is a more short-term strategy that requires timing the market, while systematic investment purchase is a more long-term strategy that requires a disciplined approach to investing. Ultimately, the best strategy for an investor will depend on their investment goals, risk tolerance, and investment timeline.

Dividend stocks have historically outperformed the major indices in the Nigerian market with less volatility due to the two sources of return they provide: regular income from dividend payments and capital appreciation of the stock price. This has been demonstrated in numerous studies and is a commonly accepted principle among informed investors.

Oil palm, poultry processing, retail, energy most active sectors in Edo in last two years – Investment Office

The Edo State Investment Promotion Office has said the most active sectors that have attracted local and foreign iinvestments into the state in the last two years are oil palm, poultry processing and retail sectors.

This was disclosed by the Managing Director, Edo State Investment Promotion Office (ESIPO)-Ease of Doing Business Secretariat, Mr. Kelvin Uwaibi, in a recent chat with journalists, in Benin City

According to him, “Between 2021 and 2022, there are investments in the agriculture, food processing and energy sectors. Some of the companies that have made substantial investments include Persianas Group, which is building the Benin City Mall, on Sapele Road.

“There is also Amo Farm Poultry Processing Plant located at Obayantor, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area (LGA) of Edo State. Fayus Oil Palm Company and Prime Agro Seed and other companies from Asia.

“In the energy space, Ossiomo Power Plant in Ologbo has expanded and then we have two new refineries – one at Ologbo, Ikpoba Okha GRA and the other at Egbokor, in Orhionmwon LGA.”

Uwaibi noted that the investments have ensured that the state remains a good destination for those looking to expand their businesses in Nigeria, citing the availability of steady power supply from Ossiomo Power as a good incentive.

The recent acquisition of a significant interest in Transcorp Plc by activist investor Femi Otedola reminds us of the evolving investment climate in Nigeria. Besides Otedola, there have been other activist investors in Nigeria, and this article discusses their roles in forcing corporate reforms in Nigeria.

An activist investor refers to an individual or group of investors who acquire a significant stake in a company and use that position to influence the company's management and operations to achieve certain goals.

Some notable activist investors in Nigeria include:

Alhaji Dahiru Mangal - In 2017, he acquired a significant stake in Oando Plc , an oil and gas company, and called for an independent audit of the company's finances and operations. Mangal is the founder and chairman of Max Air, a Nigerian airline, and has been involved in the oil and gas industry, real estate, and other sectors.

Neil Brown and Yariv Cohen - Founders of Sahelian Energy, a private equity firm that has invested in several Nigerian energy companies and has advocated for reforms in energy sector. One of Sahelian Energy's most notable investments was its acquisition of a majority stake in Kano Electricity Distribution Plc (KEDCO ), one of the 11 power distribution companies in 2019.

Arla Foods - The Danish dairy company invested in a Nigerian dairy company, PROMASIDOR, in 2015 and has been working with the company to improve the quality and safety of its products. Arla Foods has a significant presence in Nigeria, where it operates as a joint venture with the Dangote Industries. The joint venture, known as Dano Milk Nigeria, produces and markets a range of dairy products in Nigeria, including milk, yogurt, and cheese.

Stephen Schwarzman of Blackstone Group - In 2019, the US private equity firm acquired a stake in Wakanow, a Nigerian travel company, and has since been working with the company to expand its operations and improve its financial performance.

Tiger Global Management - In 2014, the US hedge fund invested in IROKOtv , an online video streaming platform, and has since been working with the company to expand its reach and improve its user experience. The company is also heavily invested in Bamboo Investment, Flutterwave INC., Kuda Bank and Paystack .

Eric Idiahi of verod capital management, a private equity firm that has invested in several Nigerian companies and has been involved in corporate restructuring and governance reforms. The firm has invested in a range of businesses in Nigeria, including Daystar Power, Green Energy & Biofuels, and AXA Mansard Pensions, among others. Verod Capital's investments in Nigeria reflect the firm's focus on supporting the growth and development of innovative and sustainable businesses across a range of sectors, and its goal of supporting economic growth and job creation.

Hurley Doddy of Emerging Capital Partners (ECP) is a private equity firm that invests in businesses across Africa to provide capital, strategic guidance, and operational support in various sectors, such as financial services, healthcare, consumer goods, and infrastructure. ECP has invested in companies such as Interswitch Group, Axxela Group, Eko Hospitals, and Chisco Transport, among others. The firm has a strong track record of investing in high-growth companies in Nigeria and helping them achieve their full potential.

Umaru Modibbo of Actis Partners, a private equity firm that has invested in several Nigerian companies and has been involved in corporate restructuring and governance reforms. The firm has invested in Nigeria in various sectors such as energy, financial services, real estate, and healthcare. Actis partners with local businesses to create value and achieve sustainable growth. The firm's notable investments include Azura Power, Afriland Properties, Access Bank, and Keystone Bank. Actis' investments in Nigeria have helped boost economic development and create employment opportunities. Overall, Actis has a strong track record of investing in sustainable businesses across emerging markets.

Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR) - In 2018, the US private equity firm invested in Afriflora, a Nigerian flower company, and has since been working with the company to improve its operations and expand its business.

Tony Elumelu of Heirs Holdings - A Nigerian investment company that has invested in several Nigerian companies and has been involved in corporate restructuring and governance reforms.
The company's investment portfolio includes businesses across various sectors, such as financial services, energy, real estate, hospitality, and healthcare. Notable investments made by Heirs Holdings in Nigeria include UBA Group, Transcorp, and Heirs Insurance. The company's investment approach involves taking significant stakes in businesses and partnering with management teams to create value and achieve long-term growth. Heirs Holdings is committed to investing in African businesses and driving economic development across the continent, with a strong track record of investing in high-growth businesses in Nigeria and beyond.

Sanlam Nigeria - In 2018, the South African investment firm acquired a 75% stake in FBN Insurance, a Nigerian insurance company, and has since pushed for the company to improve its corporate governance practices.

Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) - Established in 2010 to address the issue of non-performing loans in the Nigerian banking sector, AMCON has taken over several Nigerian banks and has been involved in corporate restructuring and governance reforms.

Are there other activist investors that deserve a mention?

What are the Contributions of the Privatisation Efforts of Bureau of Public Enterprises to the Nigerian Stock Market Development?

Privatisation has had significant contributions to the Nigerian Stock Exchange.
According to data from the Nigerian Stock Exchange, the total value of shares traded in the market increased from ₦132.8 billion in 2000 to ₦1.15 trillion in 2019, largely due to the listing of privatized companies. Some of the major privatized companies that have been listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange include MTN Nigeria, Airtel Africa, Dangote Cement, Transcorp Hotels, Seplat, Geregu Power Plant Plc, among others. These companies have contributed significantly to the growth of the Nigerian Stock Market and have attracted significant foreign investment into the country.

Procurement fraud appears to be rampant in Nigeria, with higher magnitudes of cases reported in government-owned establishments. However, publicly listed companies have also had their fair share of this corporate scam. Here are a few examples that time has revealed to us:

MTN Communication Nigeria Plc: In 2016, MTN Nigeria was fined $5.2 billion by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for failing to disconnect unregistered SIM cards on its network. The company was also accused of engaging in procurement fraud, allegedly awarding contracts to unregistered companies.

Oando Plc: In 2018, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of Nigeria launched an investigation into Oando Plc, one of Nigeria's largest publicly listed companies, over allegations of financial misconduct, including procurement fraud. The investigation led to the suspension of the company's shares on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. Recently, Oando has had to deal with a myriad of litigations due to its purported delisting at a value far below what shareholders paid.

Nigerian Breweries Plc: In 2019, Nigerian Breweries Plc, the largest brewery in Nigeria and a subsidiary of Heineken, was accused of engaging in procurement fraud. It was alleged that the company had awarded contracts worth millions of dollars to unqualified firms and individuals.

Access Bank Plc: In 2020, Access Bank Plc, one of Nigeria's largest banks, was accused of engaging in procurement fraud. The allegations were made by a whistleblower who claimed that the bank had awarded contracts to companies owned by its directors and executives.

Are there others I fail to mention?

You don't need a mountain of cash to successfully build wealth in Nigeria stock market.

Most online brokerage houses have done away with minimum deposit requirements and commission fees.

That means any amount of money -- even Ñ100 -- can be the perfect amount to put to work right now.

Hello everyone!

I wanted to take a moment to apologize for my absence over the past few months. Life has been busy, but I am committed to providing you with valuable information and insights on alternative investments and other related topics.

First and foremost, I want to thank you all for your continued support and followership. It means a lot to me that so many of you find value in the content that I share.

Now, on to the topic I love to talk about: alternative investments.
With traditional investment options like stocks and bonds being subject to market volatility, more and more investors are turning to alternative investments as a way to diversify their portfolios and potentially generate higher returns.

Some examples of alternative investments include real estate, commodities, and private equity. These types of investments can provide unique benefits, such as exposure to different markets and asset classes, the potential for long-term growth, and the ability to hedge against inflation.

Of course, as with any investment, there are risks to consider. Alternative investments can be illiquid, meaning they may be difficult to sell quickly if needed. They can also be more complex than traditional investments, requiring a deeper understanding of the market and potential risks.

That said, for those willing to do their research and carefully evaluate their options, alternative investments can be a valuable addition to a well-diversified portfolio.

I hope this post has provided some valuable information on alternative investments, and I promise to be more consistent with my content going forward. Thank you again for your support, and please let me know via Comment or WhatsApp if you have any questions or comments on this topic or any others you'd like me to cover in the future.

Happy Birthday to me.
Grateful to God for a new year.

9 Psychology Books Every Businessperson Should Read Learning the secrets of the mind will make you a better professional.

What's the most promising trend that makes you When Tesla was $50 per share...

100 units was valued at $5,000

Today, Tesla is $1,060 per share

That same 100 units would now be worth $106,000

It's up to you what you make do with that information.