The Shareholders’ Association, Ibadan zone, has urged the Federal Government and regulators to create an enabling environment for its members and as well protect their interests in the capital market.

Its Zonal Chairman, Mr Eric Akinduro, made the plea on Tuesday at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and celebration of 30th anniversary of the association in Ibadan.

Akinduro said the government and regulators should create an enabling environment for shareholders to be happy with their money and not to look at what they can get from them.

“When they are happy, you get something from them willingly. Make policies that will ensure that shareholders enjoy their investments.

“Some shareholders are not having their interest protected, particularly when it comes to policies and unclaimed dividends.

“Recently, some of the shareholders were not getting their money from the companies that moved from the public market to private business.

“They have been finding it difficult to get their money because such money has been moved from the registrars to the regulators.

“When such monies were with the registrars, within one week you can get your money, but today when you talk to the regulators it is story upon story,” he said.

According to Akinduro, looking down the memory lane, the association has done so much in the last 30 years in terms of impacting the Nigerian capital market and the shareholders.

The zonal chairman said the association had been doing well and would continue to sustain and build on the good works done in terms of training and educating its members.

“We educate our members regularly; as of today, none of our members can say that they do not have knowledge about the capital market, particularly when it comes to investment.

“Also, at companies’ AGM, we make our views known to them, that shareholders are very important and without them there is no company.

“We are trying to let them know how to manage our money very well, so that there would be good returns on our investment at the end of the time.

“The companies have not been doing too well, but we believe as the economy gets better, the shareholders will continue to enjoy more returns on their investment,” Akinduro said.

In an interview, Mr Gilberth Ayoola, the General Secretary of the association, said the association would continue to make impacts as many programmes were being put in place to make the association relevant in the midst of shareholders associations.

He said: “Though, the government and regulators are trying, but more is still desired of them in making sure that all unclaimed dividends are worked toward those who have issues on unclaimed dividends are resolved.

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“Regulations should be human friendly, especially in terms of charges and penalties being charged to some of these companies.

“Training and roundtable with corporate bodies to ensure that things go on as expected in the capital market,” Ayoola said.

Also, the pioneer Secretary of the association, Mr Oladimeji Dosumu, enjoined Nigerians to keep investing in spite of the current situation, saying the capital market is dynamic.

“People should try and put money into it as they grow with time,” Dosumu said.

Also, Dr Olabisi Odebunmi, a medical practitioner and a member of the association, during health talk at the event, urged people to go for regular medical checks and good nutrition.

“People who are 40 years and above should do regular check up, eat more fruits and vegetables and drink lots of water,” Odebunmi said.

NAN reports that the Ibadan Zone of Shareholders’ Association comprises Ekiti, Kwara, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo.

(NAN)