Seplat Energy Plc has emerged winner of the Best in Sustainability Reporting Award at the maiden Corporate Reporting Award, organised by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and NGX Regulation Ltd (NGX RegCo).

The recognition was announced at the ICAN/NGX RegCo Awards ceremony held in Lagos. It was a platform to recognise the top 30 most capitalised companies listed on the Nigerian Exchange Ltd (NGX) for the 2022 financial reporting year.

The awards underscored ICAN and NGX RegCo’s shared commitment to fostering transparency, accountability, and international best practices within the private sector. The evaluation criteria included financial reporting, corporate governance, and sustainability reporting.

Speaking at the ceremony, the president of ICAN, Dr. Innocent Okwuosa, lauded NGX RegCo for ensuring better disclosures and reporting among listed companies.

Okwuosa noted that corporate reporting over time had evolved, as there was a shift from a primary focus on financial reporting to the increasing request to incorporate social and environmental disclosures. He stated that the latter had evolved and had been differently propagated, including but not limited to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) disclosures and late sustainability disclosures.

The ICAN boss explained that good corporate reporting must reflect the best elements of corporate governance, financial reporting, and sustainability reporting, adding that the maiden edition of the award is limited to 30 companies listed on the NGX for ease of administration but will be extended to all the listed companies in the future.

The CEO of NGX RegCo, Mr. Olufemi Shobanjo, in his address said that transparency is one of the key drivers of any economy. Shobanjo stated that transparency ensures full disclosure of information by entities and that such information is easily accessible to members of the public to make informed decisions.

The award was received by the CFO-Designate, Seplat Energy Plc, Mrs. Eleanor Adaralegbe, and the Director, External Affairs & Social Performance, Mrs. Chioma Afe.

In 2021, Seplat Energy unveiled a new corporate strategy based upon two ambitions, to Build a sustainable business and Deliver energy transition. Clearly each of these has sustainability at its heart, and each is made up of three pillars in which Seplat Energy defines its business strategy in terms of specific initiatives that promote sustainability across our business activities. “Now, for Seplat Energy, sustainability is embedded at all levels and across all operations”, Adaralegbe said whilst commending ICAN and NGX RegCo for the recognition and sustained display of professionalism.

Analysis by Nigerian NewsDirect of last week’s Friday trading has shown that the Nigerian stock market lost N17 billion at the close of trading on Friday.

This is as the All-Share Index (ASI) declined to 98,125.73 from 98,233.76 at the close of the previous trading day.

The loss was largely attributed to a value dip in Transcorp Hotel, NEM Insurance, and UPDC stocks.

The three companies shed 9.72 percent, 9.63 percent, and 9.57 percent each to close at N92.00, N8.45, and N4.25 from the initial N101.90, N9.35 and N4.70 per share respectively.

On the positive, PZ, Julius Berger, and Sterling Bank led other gainers with 9.92 percent, 9.53 percent, and 6.67 percent growth in share price to close at N21.60, N79.30, and N4.48 from the previous N19.65, N72.40, and N4.20 per share.

In terms of value, Airtel Africa recorded the highest value for the day trading stocks worth N4.25 billion in 39 deals followed by SEPLAT which traded equities worth N2.3 billion in 113 deals.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) has admitted additional 402,082,657 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each per share of Cadbury Nigeria Plc on its platform.

This was contained in the NGX’s weekly report seen by Nigerian NewsDirect.

According to the report, the additional shares listed on NGX arose from Cadbury’s conversion of N7,036,446,501.26 intercompany loan to equity.

The statement read, “Trading Licence Holders are hereby notified that additional 402,082,657 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each per share of Cadbury Nigeria Plc (Cadbury or the Company) were on Thursday, 16 May 2024, listed on the Daily Official List of Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX).”

The additional shares listed on NGX arose from Cadbury’s Conversion of N7,036,446,501.26 Intercompany Loan to Equity.

With this listing of the additional 402,082,657 ordinary shares, the total issued and fully paid-up shares of Cadbury has now increased from 1,878,201,962 to 2,280,284,619 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each.”

Dangote Cement has been honoured with the top prize at the inaugural Corporate Reporting Award, jointly organized by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and NGX Regulation Limited.

The leading cement manufacturer received the Platinum award for excelling across all three reporting categories, showcasing exemplary reporting practices that comprehensively address all relevant aspects of corporate reporting. According to the organisers, the scoring criteria involved a combination of average scoring and assessments from individual judges.

In addition to the Platinum award, Dangote Cement also clinched the Best in Class Award for Excellence in Corporate Governance, surpassing other nominees such as Access Holdings, Airtel Africa, ETI, MTN Nigeria, SEPLAT Energy, and Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc. Airtel Africa and Seplat Energy were recognized for Financial Reporting and Sustainability Reporting, earning Gold and Silver awards respectively in the overall category.

Edward Imoedemhe, the Company Secretary/General Counsel of Dangote Cement Plc, expressed gratitude for the recognition, emphasizing the company’s dedication to corporate reporting standards. He said that the awards will serve as motivation to continually elevate performance in this area.

“We are grateful to the organisers for this honour which is a testament to our commitment to corporate reporting and best practice. We will continue to raise the bar,” he assured.

Olufemi Shobanjo, CEO of NGX Regulation Limited, highlighted the significance of the award in promoting transparency and accountability among listed companies, anticipating a positive ripple effect on both listed and private companies in Nigeria.

ICAN’s 59th President, Innocent Okwuosa, underscored the importance of corporate reporting excellence in attracting capital flows to the market. He emphasized the role of transparency in fostering investor confidence and reiterated ICAN’s commitment to promoting accountability and transparency in the private sector.

“It is generally agreed that capitals will flow to markets that foster greater transparency and this effort is aimed at this. It also re-enforces the public interest mandate of ICAN in extending accountability and transparency to the private sector,” he said.

The maiden Corporate Reporting Award recognized the top 30 most capitalized companies listed on the Nigerian Exchange Limited for the 2022 financial reporting year.