Invest early, invest long term- Agama tells cadets

Graduating Cadets of the Nigerian Defence Academy have been urged to explore the various investment opportunities available in the capital market to create wealth. 

Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission Dr. Emomotimi Agama stated this at the 23rd Convocation Lecture in honour of graduating cadets of 72 Regular Course and Post graduate students held in Kaduna, Wednesday. 

Agama charged the Cadets to define what they want to achieve financially both short and long term, visualise their ideal future and align their financial strategy accordingly.

He said, “Public servants, traditionally reliant on fixed salaries and pensions, can achieve economic prosperity by strategically engaging with the capital market. Capital markets, comprising stock exchanges, bond markets, and alternative investments, offer opportunities for wealth creation, passive income, and financial security. However, participation requires financial literacy.  

Agama said securities also enable issuers to access a larger pool of investors, saying that for instance, without a developed securities market, a person with extra savings might only be able to keep their money in a bank deposit, even if they are willing to take on more risk for a higher return.

In his address, the NDA Commandant Major General A. K Ibrahim said one of the reasons why officer have issues at retirement is poor management of resources during their active service life. 

He said, “The reason we are having this lecture today is because of the value we place on investment and empowerment issues for the military. One of the reasons we have issues after retirement is due to lack of investments and management of the little resources we have.

Major Gen. Ibrahim therefore expressed the hope that with the enlightenment, officers and men will be in better position to manage their resources and create wealth for their families.