CEO’S REMARKS AT THE AWARD CEREMONY OF THE 2015 NSE ESSAY
COMPETITION
BY OSCAR N. ONYEMA, OON NSE CEO
Protocol
 The Director General, Securities Exchange Commission, ably represented by
Mr. Obi Adindu, Head of Market Development.
 Distinguished Council Members of the Nigerian Stock Exchange
 CEO, Access Bank, Mr. Herbert Wigwe
 CEO, Zenith Bank, Mr. Peter Amangbo
 Representatives of the Stockbroking Community
 Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, Teachers, Principals, Boys and girls
On behalf of the Council and the Executive Management of The Nigerian Stock
Exchange, I would like to warmly welcome you to the 2015 NSE Essay Competition
Award Ceremony. I would especially like to welcome our distinguished students,
teachers, schools and their families who are the real reason we are here this
morning.
The Nigerian Stock Exchange services the largest economy in Africa, and is
championing the development of Africa’s financial markets. Our vision is to become
the leading exchange in Africa that competes favourably in the global market place
leveraging the values of transparency, ethical dealings, integrity and professionalism.
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The Exchange recognizes its crucial role in supporting economic growth by ensuring
an efficient and sustainable capital market. Two years ago, we unveiled a Corporate
Social Responsibility strategy premised on four thematic areas of:
1. Community: Make positive contributions to the communities where we live
and work;
2. Workplace: Foster a qualitative work environment that facilitate diversity,
wellbeing and harness the talent and skills of our people;
3. Market Place: Promote market-based approach to Environmental, Social and
Governance (ESG) imperatives amongst stakeholders;
4. Environment: Focus on reducing the Exchange’s environmental impact.
In this regard, the Exchange has achieved considerable results and important
milestones, including; the launch of our Corporate Governance Rating System CGRS,
production of NSE Sustainability report, setting-up workplace recycling at our head
office, hosting the annual NSE Corporate Challenge to raise funds for cancer
prevention, and treatment and organising massive financial literacy programmes
across Nigeria.
I am also pleased to announce that we are signatories to the Sustainable Stock
Exchange Initiatives, Global Reporting Initiative and United Nations Global Compact.
These modest accomplishments have received local and international recognitions
such as the “Best Initiative in support of SMEs and the Millennium Development
Goals” by Africa Investor (2014) and “Best Corporate Social Responsibility Company”
by African Business Awards (2015).
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Now to the reason we are here today: Boosting Financial Inclusion in Nigeria by
Enhancing Investor Education and Financial Literacy: The Exchange is taking the lead
in championing financial literacy and inclusion in Nigeria. Through 200 free capacity
building workshops aimed to enhance investor understanding of the basics of
investing, approximately 16,000 retail investors from the grassroots can now make
better investment decisions.
We are particularly elated at being able to support and foster sound financial literacy
amongst our youth. Since it began in year 2000, the annual NSE Essay Competition
has inspired over 20,000 young people in over 7,000 secondary schools across
Nigeria to showcase what they have learned about financial and capital markets.
This year, we have been truly impressed by the quality of entries, pedigree of schools
and the diversity in the submissions. We believe that the impact of this initiative is
commendable as we continue to record high levels of participation, increased
interest and awareness of the dynamics of the stock market.
Let me congratulate everyone who participated in the competition. I would like to
personally thank each one of you for your hard work. Seeing young intelligent
individuals like you gives us hope that we can be competitive as a nation. I hope to
see some of you take up roles in the capital market and other financial institutions in
no distant future. The reality is that Nigeria needs all of your contributions to be great
again; so be focused and be the best that you can be. To us, you are all winners!
Congratulations!
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I believe we should also recognize and give credit to the schools, teachers and
guardians for their support and efforts towards promoting this initiative. To your
credit, we received 4,200 entries compared to 1,700 in 2014. This represents 147
percent increase in the participation level.
To all the students and finalists here today, the real task lies with you to continue to
strive for greater success. As we recognize the top 3 winners today, we celebrate
everyone as you all have become advocates of The Exchange. We are also counting
on you to carry on the torch of excellence.
Let me end by thanking our partners: Access Bank, Zenith Bank, Central Securities
Clearing System and Dangote Foundation. We value your contributions to this
initiative and look forward to an even greater support in 2016. I would also like to
specially recognize and show appreciation to the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers
who assisted in the grading and assessment of the essays. May I emphasize that
through your contributions, we have been able to touch lives, inspire learning and
enhance capacity development amongst Nigerian students.
Once again, I thank you all for coming and hope that the impact of this day will be
felt in years to come.
Oscar N. Onyema, OON
Chief Executive Officer
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