Abiodun Taiwo, Abeokuta
The Nigerian Stock Exchange has put machinery in motion to enlighten medium companies and entrepreneurs in Ogun state on the need for them to get listed on the stock exchange.
NSE also educated investors and company owners on the procedures and benefits inherent in listing of companies and businesses on the Stock Exchange, in a road show programme held in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, canvassed for companies? to get advantages in assessing other means of funding rather than financial institutions
The Nigerian stock Exchange?s team was led by Haruna Jalo-Waziri, Executive Director, Business Development, NSE, in sensitisation programme tagged: ?Southwest Road Show on Alternative Securities Market (ASeM), went round the main business hubs in Ogun state targeting medium-scale businesses for listing.
Speaking at the concluding event held at Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta, Jalo-Waziri, disclosed that the organisation devised ASeM mainly for medium-scale enterprises to avail the benefits and advantages of capital market to the operators of medium-scale enterprises and other businesses that are qualified for listing at the Stock Exchange.
Jalo-Waziri, who was represented by Taba Peterside, General Manager, Listing, Sales and Retention disclosed that ASeM train was moved to Southwest, having successfully completed Southeast edition of Road show, saying that since the launch of Alternative Securities Market (ASeM) in Nigeria, eleven companies, including Omoluabi Savings and Loans have been listed on Stock Market.
He said, ?ASeM was a platform where we want to encourage SMEs to enter the Capital market where they can access long-term capital to grow the businesses and where they can also take advantages of some other benefits. The idea is that we don?t stay in offices in Lagos and talk about this, but we actually go out to where these companies are.
?Last year, we also had a successful road at Southeast as we know we have many businesses concentrated around that axis. So, yesterday we were in Agbara, we know that there is a lot of businesses there, we also know that Ogun state government has been doing a lot to establish and encourage industries in this part of the country.?
?As we were driving from Agbara down here, it was just solid, there is one business, one enterprise or the other.?
?So, today we are in Abeokuta and our aim really is to bring advantages of Capital market to the people of this part of the country. We are really looking at larger end of MSMEs, we are considering more of the medium-scale enterprises in ASeM that is why we have Designated Advisers that will serve as guide to issuers on their responsibilities during the application process and maintaining their status once listed, ?he said.