This is as the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) achieved a new record of 100,000 marked sustained bargain hunting in Dangote Cement Plc propelled the all-share index (ASI) to rise by three percent.

ASI rose by 2,954.14 points, representing a gain of three percent, to close at 101,571.11 points.

Similarly, the overall market capitalization value gained N1.617 trillion to close at N55.584 trillion.

Year-to-date, the domestic market has returned 35.84 percent surpassing inflationary levels in the country and outperforming other indices in the African, European, and Middle Eastern markets as tracked by Bloomberg.

The total value of stocks traded by investors was N8.04 trillion, a 51 percent drop from the value traded in the previous day.

Analysts have envisioned another positive market breadth today, while sector performance remains mixed.” Investor sentiment, as measured by market breadth, closed positive as 35 stocks gained, while 32 lost.

Wapic Insurance recorded the highest price gain of 10 per cent to close at 88 kobo, per share. BUA Cement followed with a gain of 9.98 percent to close at N179.65, while Japaul Gold & Ventures rose by 9.91 percent to close at N2.55 kobo.

However, University Press appreciated by 9.82 percent to close at N3.69 kobo, while Tripple Gee & Company rose by 9.69 percent to close at N2.83 kobo.

On the other hand, NEM Insurance led the losers’ chart by 10 percent to close at N7.20 kobo.

Cadbury Nigeria followed with a decline of 9.96 percent to close at N23.50 kobo, while The Initiates Plc (TIP) declined by 9.92 percent to close at N2.27 kobo.

Also on the NGX, May & Baker Nigeria shed 9.89 percent to close at N6.65 kobo, while McNichols lost 9.88 percent to close at N1.46 kobo.

However, the total volume of trade decreased by 34.65 per cent to 488.491 million units, valued at N8.037 billion, and exchanged in 12,080 deals.

Transactions in the shares of Transnational Corporation (Transcorp) topped the activity chart with 95.109 million shares valued at N1.588 billion.

Universal Insurance followed with 45.629 million shares worth N18.601 million, while Unity Bank traded 27.343 million shares valued at N74.12 million.

Jaiz Bank traded 26.962 million shares valued at N76.917 million, while Japaul Gold & Ventures transacted 25.324 million shares worth N64.312 million, according to the NGX.

The report titled ‘Building a Sustainable Future, Scaling Impact’, provides viable insights on how the Group has been impactfully and transformatively driving food self-sufficiency in Nigeria while developing local content.

The Group’s latest report describes its performance in relation to stated sustainability goals for the 2021/22 reporting period. FMN established its sustainability activities and commitments utilizing four key strategic pillars called FMN ‘Tropos’ – Governance, Social, Financial, and Environmental factors.

On the Group’s Governance commitment, the leadership of the Company entrenched adherence to best practices and principles.  In respect of its social commitment, the Company was very mindful of the Group’s impact in the areas of diversity and inclusion, labor and working conditions, occupational health & safety, and customer health & safety.

FMN’s Financial Commitments address the economic value created for local communities across Nigeria and progressively across the continent while the organization’s environmental commitment highlights the Group activities in actively reducing the negative impacts of its operations on the environment.

Key environmental elements like Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, water consumption, land use &ecological sensitivity, and Solid waste were duly analyzed and reported.

Highlights of FMN 2021/2022 Sustainability

• As a responsible organization that is committed to sustainable development, FMN has developed and implemented a comprehensive sustainability strategy that is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and core ESG domains of Governance, Planet, People, and Prosperity as well as the Nigeria Exchange Group’s (NGX) Sustainability Disclosure Guidelines.

• Over the last 3 years, the Group has recorded increases in its economic value generated, distributed, and retained, an attribute that increased from N706.7 billion in FY 21 to N1.108 trillion in FY 22.

• The Group’s investment in developing local content through procurement and backward integration continues to increase. During the reporting year, the total amount paid to suppliers rose from N552.5 billion in 2021 to N649.9 billion.

• During the reporting year, FMN partnered with World Connect in funding the education and empowerment of students across different states in Nigeria. Various students received grants for a variety of entrepreneurship and vocational skills.

• Following FMN’s effective supply chain strategies, the Group received the Sustainability, Enterprise, and Responsibility Awards (SERAS) for the best company in supply chain management during the 20/21 Financial year.

• The Group recycled 2,068 MT and 780 MT of packaging materials across its, Morpack Lagos and Kano offices respectively and as a testament to its commitment to environmental compliance, 6 sites within the Group renewed their Environmental Audit Reports (EAR) during the financial year.

• During the reporting year, FMN obtained ISO 27001 Information Security Management System (ISMS) certification making the Group the First indigenous FMCG organization in Nigeria to have obtained the certification.

• In a customer satisfaction survey carried out in FY 21/22 on the quality of our flour products, 97% of FMN’s customers were satisfied with the quality of the products, with 80% rating the products either as excellent or as very good.

• FMN did not receive any fine or penalty for noncompliance with established product safety and quality regulations and standards agency within the reporting year.

• The group through FMAN (Flour Milling Association of Nigeria) recorded a significant increase of 251% in the number of wheat farmers during the financial year, and a new record for the highest yield of wheat from a female farmer was also recorded.

• There was the continuous expansion of operational sites and capacity to support the development of Nigeria’s food and agro-allied sector and foster shared value creation.

• Also, responsible Farm-To-Table practices highlighted the Group’s investment in product quality and process innovation.

Commenting on the Report, Mr. Boye Olusanya, the Group’s Managing Director, said: “Our consistency in developing the Group’s sustainability report is a testament to our commitment toward running a transparent and people driven business. As we create value for our stakeholders and investors, it has become a key imperative for now and in the future to deepen our commitment toward local content development as we understand that sustainable growth is driven by the principle of self-sufficiency and sustenance”.

Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc conducts its business operations in a way that guarantees the sustainability of the natural ecosystems while preserving them for the benefit of the present and future generations.

No doubt digital technology is redefining manufacturing, distribution and retailing which in turn reflects on our day-to-day living.

There have been and will continue to be shifts in the way several sectors of the economy operate as the rising emergence of B2C and B2B e-Commerce platforms in Nigeria typifies how digital technology is driving the marketplace.

After the Industrial Revolution of the 18th century, Technology Revolution energised by information and communication technology or digital technology, is another big wave that has had an unmatched impact on the world’s social and economic landscape in the 21st century.

At present, e-Commerce is helping manufacturers, distributors and the retail segment of the Nigerian economy to reach their customers faster, deepen market penetration and reach remote locations more easily.

Adewale Opaleye, CEO of Alerzo, a B2B e-Commerce platform, said his company’s mission is to empower the nation’s $100 million worth retail segment through digital products by equipping them to run as profitable and sustainable businesses.

To this end, the role of tech-driven B2B e-Commerce platforms is especially profound in their support for manufacturers, distributors and retailers by enabling efficient Factory-to-Retail distribution for food and consumer goods companies, thereby helping to bridge disruptions in the supply chain.

Manufacturers and business owners no longer have to wait for customers to walk to the shelf or market stall to buy products, as they are daily meeting buyers and prospective users of their goods and services on the digital space, providing them convenience and uptaking positive user experience.

Through working with fintech companies, payment solutions and financial services providers, B2B e-Commerce companies impact on the national economy by deepening financial inclusion and bridging the gap for the unserved and underserved.