NSE tasks youths on investment decision

As part of efforts to deepen the Nigeria Capital Market (NCM), its management has encouraged youths to cultivate the habit of investing in stocks and other long-term investment windows available in the market.  

L – R: Pai Gamde, Head, Human Resources, The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE); Oladipo James, Head, Corporate Communications, Afrinvest West Africa and Bola Adeeko, Head, Corporate Services Division, NSE at the Investors’ Clinic for Youths at The Exchange in Lagos…….recently

Themed: ‘Securing Your Tomorrow, Today’, the NSE hosted its fourth quarter Investors’ Clinic, which targeted over 100 youths.

The investors’ clinic, according the NSE, was a free and open financial literacy and inclusion programmes to educate Nigerian youths on the culture of investment in the capital and money markets.

According to the Head, Corporate Services Division, NSE, Mr. Bola Adeeko, he stated that the NSE was “committed to building a financially literate generation and will continue to commit resources to implement a variety of programmes that will enable young people imbue the requisite skills and knowledge that will help them navigate the future through smart investing .”

The event commenced with opening remarks by Bola Adeeko and then Abimbola Babalola, Head of Market Surveillance gave an introductory lecture on the evolution of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

This was followed by insightful presentations by an array of seasoned professionals such as Chukwuka Monye, Director General, Delta State Economic Summit Group who spoke on Understanding Capital Market Basics; Nimi Akinkugbe, CEO, Bestman Games discussed, Personal Financial Management while Adetola Fasuyi, Group Head, Asset Management, Sterling Capital Limited presented on Understanding Your Investment Choices. Mr. Oladapo James, Head, Corporate Communications, Afrinvest gave a step by step approach on using its online portal to access and monitor an investment portfolio.

Speaking on their experience at the investors’ clinic, Miss Damilola Obafemi an applicant said “I’ve always heard that the stock exchange is relevant to the Nigeria and the economy. Being here today is an opportunity for me to get information that will allow me to participate in the market”.

Mr. Kayode Awokoya, an applicant and a participant, also said “It is a very well organized event basically for the youths, and I think being here is an opportunity for me to take away skills and knowledge on investment opportunities available for youth in the country” while Michael Adewunmi from Portfolio Adversory Limited, a stockbroking firm, said “I got the information about this event from the Nigerian Stock Exchange’s website. I’m here to acquire knowledge about the market and to apply and disseminate such information to people who need it”.

In closing, Pai Gamde, Head, Human Resources at The NSE reiterated that “It is imperative that this financial literacy clinic hits home. With the startling statistics that 47 percent of our 29.4 million youths within the ages of 18 and 25 years are financially excluded and they have no access to financial services either formally or informally. As a responsible organization, we will continue to play our part in deploying financial literacy programmes that will develop our youths to become sound leaders of tomorrow.”