BY PETER EGWUATU
FORMER Governor of Kwara State , Bukola Saraki, has called on Communication and petroleum firms to take advantage of opportunities presented by the capital market and ensure that they are listed on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE.

Speakin in Abuja at a ceremony to mark 50 years of capital market regulation in Nigeria, Saraki said  there are other firms oerating in Nigeria that are adequately qualified for listing on the Exchnage

He also used the opportunity to commend the leadership of  the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for their effort to promote the Nigerian Capital Market.

He said  there is need for Nigeria to develop adequately the agricultural sector, adding that import can be drastically reduced by developing the agricultural sector.

Earlier, the Governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu, pledged to offer free land to investor’s in the education sector.

Speaking during the  ceremony, the Director-General of SEC, Arunma Oteh said  the commission is alive to its mandate of capital market regulation and development.

Oteh said  “We are building a world class capital market that is deep, dynamic, effectively enforced, protects the everyday investor, rewards correct behavior and is able to adapt and evolve with global economic developments”.

Oteh added “We are building a market that is the first choice for capital sourcing by business and government, a market that is safe and profitable to both retail and institutional investors.

“We are pursuing this goal by continually raising the standards of our regulatory environment, revitalising our enforcement programmes and, introducing new products, enhancing our processes with cutting-edge technology and investing in new strategies for investor education.”