Activities at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Tuesday closed on an upward trend with the market indices appreciating by 0.43 per cent after weeks of equity prices depreciation. The market capitalisation rose by N50 billion or 0.43 per cent to close at N11.653 trillion compared with N11.603 trillion achieved on Monday following price gains by blue chip equities. Also, the All-Share Index which opened at 34,151.81 points appreciated by 146.83 points or 0.43 per cent to close at 34,298.64 points.

Some capital market operators have expressed fears that the ongoing national energy crisis if not checked would paralyse activities at the Nigerian capital market. They told newsmen on Tuesday in Lagos that the energy crisis had already affected the level of activities in the nation’s bourse. Mr Emeka Madubuike, President, Association of Stockbroking Houses of Nigeria (ASHON), lamented that the level of activities in the market had dropped drastically because of the energy crisis.

The Nigerian Army in conjunction with the British Army is strategising on a 20-year Development Plan to improve the service, Maj.-Gen. Letam Wiwa, Director, Military Intelligence, has said. Wiwa, who is the Chairman of the Committee set up to work out the development strategy, said this at a two-day seminar in Abuja. He said the seminar was the offshoot of the series of meeting held by the committee to work out the development plan for the Nigerian Army.

OUTGOING Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal has said his absence after he is sworn in as the Governor of Sokoto state will not lead to any form of constitutional crisis.

Suspected Fulani herdsmen killed at least 23 people in central Nigeria, the latest clash in a long-running battle with farming communities in the restive region, police said Tuesday. “There was an attack by unknown gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen on three villages in Logo local government area, (Benue) state,” said police spokesman Austin Ezeani, referring to Saturday’s violence.

A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the more than 50 operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to immediately vacate the Lagos residence of the senator-elect for Ogun East Senatorial District, Mr Buruji Kashamu. Justice Ibrahim Buba in a ruling on Tuesday also barred any move to arrest Kashamu pending the ruling on a fundamental enforcement action which he filed before Justice Okon Abang of the same court.

The suffering of depositors of Savannah Bank is aptly reflected in the email received from one of our readers, Izuchukwu Emmanuel. “Please I was very optimistic to read your repor , when I saw the headline on your firm’s online page. Please I want to know if there is any hope that the bank will to re-open for business. My late dad had an account with the bank and my mum is suffering from financial burdens since the demise of my dad. Please keep me informed if there is any. Thanks.”

The Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, on behalf of the National Working Committee (NWC) congratulates Dr. Bello Haliru Mohammed on his emergence as the Acting Chairman of the PDP Board Of Trustees (BoT).

We therefore suggest that the incoming administration should appoint a steering committee to revisit some policies taken by Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, and Financial Regulatory Council, FRC with a view to reversing some and strengthen the market with formidable recommendations by experts drawn from stakeholders.”

Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, Tuesday, presented the staff of office to the new Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Adewale Shotobi.