Hope and expectations have greeted the commencement of drilling, this week, in the Joint Development Zone (JDZ), an exclusive economic area in the Gulf of Guinea, shared by Nigeria and Sao Tome and Principe.

However, Binitie who was reacting to the call for the cancellation of the result of the last weekend House of Assembly re-run election in Akoko Edo, told Vanguard in Benin City that it was laughable that the PDP would be calling for the cancellation of the election which according to him was the freest ever conducted in the state.

Oil prices rose to around $73 a barrel on Friday, lifted by slightly better GDP and jobs data out of the United States, although still rangebound over the week. U.S. crude for October CLc1 gained 32 cents to $72.87 a barrel by 1221 GMT.

Diamond Bank Plc has announced a N24.62 billion provision for bad loans, including loans emanating from margin activities, in its 2009 financial year.

The ‘Hot Corper’ programme , a collaborative talent development programme for youth corps members initiated by Orange Academy and sponsored by Skye Bank Plc, has developed a web site for the community of participants.

Investors in the British stock market, which hit a 10-month high this week, will this week look forward to the Group of 20 finance ministers’ meeting in London amid a dearth of company results.

European equities rallied Friday, boosted by some better-than-expected company news and data showing that the British recession was not as deep as expected in the second quarter, analysts said.

Afribank’s boss lists debt recovery, others as key priority areas

Oil prices edged higher Friday amid resurgent demand in Asia and positive economic data in the United States and Europe that supported hopes the global economy is pulling out of recession.

The dollar traded mainly higher Friday as currency traders turned more cautious in the face of a struggling stock market and mixed economic news.

TO reduce tension and conflicts in the Niger Delta, the Federal Government has been urged to come up with confidence building measures that would address challenges confronting the region.

Cost of funds in the interbank money market went down by 30 per cent following the inflow of N250 billion from excess crude revenue and Agriculture Credit fund

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Plc has produced and launched about 250,000 Verve Automated Teller Machine (ATM) debit cards for use by its customers

Banks treasurers under the aegis of have decided to commence retail trading of bonds on the stock exchange.

Growing imports of cheap Argentine biodiesel into Europe are replacing U.S. imports hit by European Union anti-dumping duties in March, Swiss-German biodiesel producer Biopetrol (B2I.DE: Quote) said on Thursday.