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2022: Dangote Industries Wins FMDQ Largest Corporate Lodgment Award  

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Dangote ‘no longer’ richest investor on NGX, as Abdul Samad Rabiu leads in the latest ranking

2022: Dangote Industries Wins FMDQ Largest Corporate Lodgment Award

 

As Dangote Cement named Most Trusted Brand of the Year

 

In a blaze of honour, the Pan-African conglomerate, Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) and its Africa’s leading cement manufacturer subsidiary, Dangote Cement Plc were adjudged the Largest Corporate Bond lodgment on FMDQ in gold category and the 2022 Most Trusted Brand of the Year respectively.

On the back of the Largest Corporate Bond lodgment on FMDQ award came another recognition with the Dangote Group named as the Most Outstanding Conglomerate in Environmental Sustainability.

The cement giant came tops in the stock market for its unprecedented N116 billion Series 2 Bond issuance back in May this year.

The FMDQ Gold Awards recognises excellence in Fixed Income, Currencies and Derivatives market. It also recognises demonstrated resilience and agility of the Nigerian financial markets participants and acknowledges the valuable efforts of the stakeholders and their participation in the FMDQ markets and across the financial market. It is also given to the corporate entity for the highest total bonds value admitted on FMDQ Depository.

During the annual Most Trusted Brand Award, organised by leading research firm Brand Health Ltd, Dangote Cement was chosen as the most trusted cement brand in a survey of 13,000 consumers.

The Chief Executive Officer, Brand Health Ltd, Emman Udowoima commended Dangote Cement for the achievement, describing it as a brand of trust and choice indeed. According to him “four out of ten consumers who took part in the study voted Dangote Cement as the Most Trusted Cement Brand in Nigeria. The popularity and the confidence in the brand is overwhelming as its closest rival scored just 12% while Dangote scored 41%.”

Other cement brands with substantial mentions scored between 3% and 8%. Some of the elements of the survey include questions like ‘the brand that you feel most confident in, the brand that offers you what you want, the brand that offers highest quality, the brand that is distinctive, and the brand you would recommend to your friends and relatives.

Udowoima stated that about 13,000 respondents participated in the 2022 survey and were interviewed across 12 states in Nigeria including the Federal Capital Territory. The States are: Lagos, Oyo, Enugu, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Plateau, Adamawa, Borno, Kaduna and Kano and the respondents were drawn from both urban and rural communities.

The survey, he said, used quantitative method to elicit responses from the consumers, and also focused on such demographics as gender – Male 50%, Female 50%; Social Class: AB 15%, C1 C2 40%, DE 45%; Age: 18-25, 30%, 26-35, 30%, 36-50, 25%, 51+ 15%.

He explained that “The Most Trusted Brands (MTB)” Awards was instituted in 2010 to reward brands that keep promises to the consumers. The award is an enabler for brands to do more for consumers, knowing full well that consumers either reward or punish brands according to their experiences.

The Dangote Industries Limited also received the award of the Most Outstanding Conglomerate in Environmental Sustainability. The award was given by the Environmental Sustainability Conference, Expo and Awards (ECOSEA) initiated by Brand Communicator, a frontline brands and marketing publication.

Joshua Ajayi, the convener of the conference and awards said, “corporate sustainability practices evolved rapidly in the country’s business space, from just being a cosmetic charity activity into organised sustainability needs built into a vision with specific goals.”

The award, which took place during the celebration of the organisation’s World Environment Day recently also gathered the best sustainability players to discuss various issues in sustainability during the conference themed Only One Earth: Building a Safer Environment.

Dangote Industries, a fully diversified conglomerate with annual group turnover of US$4billion has invested heavily in building a sustainable business which cuts across Cement, Sugar, Salt, Petroleum, Fertiliser and food.

Anthony Chiejina, the Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer at Dangote Industries thanked the organisers, describing the awards as another milestone in the Dangote Group’s business trajectory. He said it is a testament to the strategic business model being executed by the manufacturing giant, which is aimed at rejuvenating Nigeria’s economy and engendering developmental growth of Africa.

He expressed the assurance that the Dangote Group would not relent in its commitment to Africa’s development, adding that, “we will continue to impact lives positively through production of goods that meet the peoples’ need.”

Sahara weekly online is published by First Sahara weekly international. contact saharaweekly@yahoo.com

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Adron Homes Celebrates Eid-al-Fitr, Wishes Nigerians Peace and Prosperity

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Adron Homes Celebrates Eid-al-Fitr, Wishes Nigerians Peace and Prosperity

 

Adron Homes and Properties extends warm greetings to the Muslim community across Nigeria and beyond as we celebrate the joyous occasion of Eid-al-Fitr.

As we mark the end of Ramadan, a season of faith, sacrifice, and devotion, we reflect on the values of unity, gratitude, and generosity that define this celebration. The blessings of fasting and prayers bring peace, progress, and abundance to our beloved nation, and we pray for continued harmony, stability, and prosperity for Nigeria and its people.

At Adron Homes, this season is also a time to express our heartfelt appreciation to our esteemed customers. Your trust, loyalty, and commitment to choosing Adron Homes as your partner in the journey to homeownership mean everything to us. Your belief in our vision inspires us to continue providing affordable, luxurious, and accessible housing solutions, making homeownership a reality for all.

As you celebrate Eid with your loved ones, may your homes be filled with peace, joy, and countless blessings. We remain dedicated to building vibrant communities where families can thrive and create lasting memories.

Eid Mubarak! Thank you for being part of the Adron Homes family.

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FRESH: GTCO Plc Releases 2024 Full Year Audited Results…..…Pays Shareholders Record Dividend of N8.03k for 2024 Financial Year

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FRESH: GTCO Plc Releases 2024 Full Year Audited Results…..…Pays Shareholders Record Dividend of N8.03k for 2024 Financial Year

Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (“GTCO” or the “Group”) has released its Audited Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2024, to the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) and London Stock Exchange (LSE).

The Group reported profit before tax of ₦1.266trilion, representing an increase of 107.8% over ₦609.3billion recorded in the corresponding year ended December 2023. This performance reflects not just strong earnings but also the quality and sustainability of our earnings, underpinned by a well-diversified revenue base, robust risk management practice, and disciplined capital management.

The Group recorded growth across all financial and non-financial metrics, and continues to maintain a well-structured, healthy, and diversified balance sheet. The Group’s loan book (net) increased by 12.3% from ₦2.48trillion in December 2023 to ₦2.79trillion in December 2024, while deposit liabilities grew by 37.8% from ₦7.55trillion to ₦10.40trillion during the same period. Total assets and shareholders’ funds closed at ₦14.8trillion and ₦2.7trillion, respectively. Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) remained very robust and strong, closing at 39.3%, likewise, asset quality was sustained as evidenced by IFRS 9 Stage 3 Loans which closed at 3.5% at Bank Level and 5.2% at Group in December 2024 (2023: Bank, 2.5%; Group, 4.2%) and cost of risk (COR) closed at 4.9% from 4.5% in December 2023.

Commenting on the results, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO Plc), Mr. Segun Agbaje, said; “Our strong performance for 2024 underscores the resilience and depth of our business, driven by a well-diversified earnings base across our banking and non-banking subsidiaries, all of which are P&L positive. Our capacity to generate sustainable high-quality earnings, maintain strong asset quality, and drive cost efficiencies reflects the soundness of our long-term strategy and disciplined execution. We have also prudently provided for all our forbearance loans, well ahead of the June 2025 timeline, whilst fully accruing for the windfall tax, further strengthening our balance sheet and enhancing financial resilience.

He further added; “The total dividend of N8.03k for the 2024 FYE is underpinned by the quality of our earnings and is in line with our long tradition of increasing dividend pay-out year-on year. Looking ahead, we remain committed to building a Financial Services Group that thrives on innovation, operational efficiency, and sustainable profitability. We will continue to deepen our relationships with customers, leverage technology to deliver cutting-edge financial solutions, and accelerate the growth of all our business verticals—Banking, Funds Management, Pension, and Payments—to unlock new opportunities and create more value for our shareholders.”

Overall, the Group continues to post one of the best metrics in the Nigerian Financial Services industry in terms of key financial ratios i.e., Pre-Tax Return on Equity (ROAE) of 60.5%, Pre-Tax Return on Assets (ROAA) of 10.3%, Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) of 39.3% and Cost to Income ratio of 24.1%.

Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO Plc) is a leading financial services group with operations across Africa and the United Kingdom. Renowned for its strong corporate governance, innovative financial solutions, and customer-centric approach, GTCO Plc provides a wide range of banking and non-banking services, including payments, funds management, and pension fund administration. The Group is committed to delivering long-term value to stakeholders while driving growth and development across its markets.

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Court Crushes Fraud Allegations Against Zinox Boss, Labels Case ‘Campaign of Persecution’

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Court Crushes Fraud Allegations Against Zinox Boss, Labels Case ‘Campaign of Persecution’

 

In a dramatic courtroom turn, Justice Akpan Okon Ebong of the FCT High Court has once again cleared billionaire tech magnate Leo Stan Ekeh, Chairman of Zinox Technologies, alongside his wife Chioma Ekeh and 11 others, dismissing the ₦162 million fraud allegations filed against them as a “gross abuse of court process.”

The high-profile suit was spearheaded by renowned human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), who purportedly acted on the authority of a fiat granted by Nigeria’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi. The case alleged fraudulent diversion of funds linked to a laptop supply contract with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), on behalf of Benjamin Joseph, CEO of Citadel Oracle Concept Limited.

However, Justice Ebong delivered a scathing rebuke, highlighting that the case had already been exhaustively investigated by multiple courts and law enforcement agencies, all of which found the allegations unsubstantiated.

“One intriguing aspect of this matter is that none of the law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation of the nominal complainant’s (Mr. Joseph) numerous petitions has found merit in any of his allegations against the defendants,” Justice Ebong remarked, sharply critiquing the persistence of the plaintiff. The judge added, “When called upon before Senchi J. (Justice Danlami Z. Senchi) to prove his said allegations to the court, he failed to turn up in court. One then wonders on what premise he wants to maintain this campaign of persecution against the defendants.”

In his certified ruling dated March 20, 2025, Justice Ebong unequivocally stated:
“It is my conclusion based on the foregoing that this charge (No. FCT/HC/CR/985/2024, Federal Republic of Nigeria v Leo Stan Ekeh and 12 ORS) constitutes a gross abuse of court process and is liable to dismissal. I accordingly hereby dismiss it.”

Defense lawyer Chris Eze Ozims welcomed the ruling, noting, “This judgment aligns with previous court decisions, reaffirming that these allegations are baseless.”

Chief defense counsel Matthew Burkaa (SAN) went further, describing the verdict as a “victory for integrity and the rule of law.”

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