Otedola Takes Over 40 Percent of FirstHoldco in Forced Exit of Otudeko GTCO Emerges as first listed financial Institution on NGX to cross N100 per share Nume Ekeghe and Kayode Tokede A total of N324.47 billion value for
10.47 billion units of shares in offmarket block trading on First Holdco Plc shares, took place on the floor of
the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) yesterday in a mega deal linked to Mr Femi Otedola, who increased his
current 15 percent holdings to about 40 percent, giving him total control of Nigeria’s oldest bank which has
so far punched below its potential. Oba Otudeko, the erstwhile Chairman of FirstHoldco, was
forced to sell off over 20 percent Continued on page 9
Inflation Declines to 22.22% Amid Moderation in Food, Energy Prices... Page 6 Thursday 17 July, 2025 Vol 30. No 11057. Price: N400
www.thisdaylive.com TR
UT H
& RE A S O
N
Akpoti-Uduaghan to NASS Clerk: Your Interpretation of Court’s Judgment Wrong... Page 26
Shettima: Buhari’s Death is Loss to Africa Xi Jinping: the Chinese lost a dear friend FEC holds special session for Buhari today
Deji Elumoye, Chuks Okocha, Michael Olugbode, Onyebuchi Ezigbo, Linus Aleke in Abuja, Segun Awofadeji in Gombe
Vice President Kashim Shettima has described the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari as a major loss, not only to the family of Buhari, the people of Daura, and
Katsina State, but also to the country and the entire African continent. Similarly, Chinese President, Xi Jinping, while mourning Buhari, said the Chinese people had lost
a dear friend. The Federal Executive Council (FEC) would hold a special session for the late Buhari today. The session initially scheduled for
Tuesday was postponed by President Bola Tinubu to allow members of FEC, including himself, Shettima, and ministers attend the burial of the ex-president on the same day
in Daura, Katsina State. Presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, in a post on his verified X Continued on page 9
Ahead of 2027, Atiku Quits PDP, Fully Aligns with Coalition ADC Cites irreconcilable differences, deviation from party’s founding principles Describes his decision as heartbreaking We won’t miss him, Makinde reacts Keyamo slams ex-vice president for leaving his party at a time Nigerians are mourning Buhari
Story on page 9
THREE-DAY PRAYER FOR THE LATE PRESIDENT...
L-R: Former Vice President of Nigeria (1999–2007), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; Former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai; and Governor of Katsina State, Mr. Dikko Umar Radda, at the third-day prayer for the late former President, Muhammadu Buhari, in Daura, Katsina… on Monday