BY PROVIDENCE OBUH

Chief Executive  Officer (CEO) of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, (NSE) Mr. Oscar Onyema has charged stockbrokers to ensure that they comply with the minimum requirements to operate in the stock market.

Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, he said, “The Exchange expects minimum standards for broker /dealer community who wish to maintain the NSE certificate. Stockbrokers must ensure that they meet the minimum capital requirements and also comply with all operational requirements.

Commenting on investor’ apathy to the market, he said, “Lack of investors’ interest in the market was caused by the loss suffered by the market in 2008 and the reforms in the banking sector”

According to him, “NSE will enhance its education campaign to enlighten investors on opportunities that abound in the market.”  He advised investors to adopt appropriate technique in making investment decisions, saying,
capital market is not a game of chance but a game that is very meticulous to play.

My advice to investors generally is that the capital market is a cyclical market with up and down movement ; that is , a market full of risks. So investors should engage the service of professionals like investment advisers, that will be able to manage their investment in the market. Alternatively, investors can on their own monitor their investment and be able to have good portfolios that will result to risk reduction and improved returns.

He pointed out that the NSE is making attempt to introduce the investor’s clinic where investors will be lectured on how the market works.

He further stated that more guidelines regarding the operation of the market will be made ready in the cause of the year, adding that an automation of the trading platform will be enhanced.

However, Oscar lamented that in 2011 investors’ experienced lots of challenges as their appetite for investment was marred by banking reforms, among others.