By Peter Egwuatu

The Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, CIS has taken its sensitisation programme to members of the Nigerian Armed Forces on Nigerian capital market activities. The team was led by the Head, Research & Technical Mr. Arinze Nwobu. In his statement, HRT mentioned that CIS is the only professional body responsible for training and regulating practice and conduct of stockbroking in Nigeria.

He explained that the institute also conduct examination for prospective professional students who are interested in practising in the securities and investment industry.

According to him, the capital market is a segment of the financial system which deals with medium to long term funds. The funds are channelled from the surplus end to deficit end for productive purpose, project expansion and development.

He stated further that the capital market is very critical to the development of the nation and that research has shown that any country or nation which does not maximize the instrumentality of the capital market will not develop optimally. Most developed nations as use the mechanism of the capital market especially on bond market.

Nwobu acknowledged that the Nigerian capital market has come a long way even though it is still emerging, but very optimistic as all stakeholders are working hard to see that we really emerge so that the capital market will be contributing more meaningfully to the development of the economy.

He informed the audience that Securities and Investment profession is an esoteric and prestigious profession with sophisticated underlying concept and principles that sometimes can be difficult but not meant to terrify anybody. He said that operating in the capital market is lucrative because opportunities are increasing daily especially with globalization which has eliminated the geographical barriers with a growing equity culture.

He further stated that there are two categories of professional examination in which one can explore the securities and investment industry namely CIS professional examination and the CIS professional diploma in Securities and Investment. The CIS professional diploma in securities and investment gives the pedestal to move to the main professional examination.

CIS and other stakeholders have been trying to propagate the ideals of capital market and impress it on the government to begin to maximally explore the instrumentality of the capital market so that Nigeria will attain great economic heights and inclusive growth.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Commandant Col, Adio A. Adekoya Nigeria Army School of Finance, Arankan Barracks Apapa Lagos advised the accounting students to broaden their knowledge more on securities and investment to get the fundamentals and principles of any business valuation.

He appreciated the CIS for finding the school worthy of collaboration and hoped that it collaboration will give more opportunities to both current and graduated students to broaden their knowledge as well .The Deputy Commandant was accompanied by LT. Col. II Adamu, Registrar and Lt. Col. EK Jona, HOD Accounting Nigeria Army School of Finance, Arankan Barracks Apapa Lagos.