BY NKECHI BAECHE-ESEZOBOR—Consolidated Hallmark Holdings Plc, has reported a robust 47 per cent growth in insurance revenue for the 2025 financial year, alongside a record-breaking dividend payout, despite navigating severe capital market volatility that impacted its bottom line.

Speaking at the group’s 3rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos, Group Chairman Shuaibu Idris disclosed that insurance revenue surged to N43.27 billion in 2025, up from N29.42 billion in the previous fiscal year.

The net insurance service result—reflecting performance after meeting claims, reinsurance obligations, and direct costs—rose sharply by 121 per cent to N6.85 billion, up from N3.10 billion in 2024.

Additionally, non-insurance operations picked up significant momentum, with operating and other non-insurance income jumping 61 per cent from N4.09 billion to N6.59 billion.

The group’s Profit Before Tax (PBT) declined to N8.44 billion from N22.65 billion in 2024. He attributed this drop entirely to a sharp decline in the mark-to-market valuation of the group’s capital market investments.

Cash and cash equivalents nearly doubled, climbing 96 per cent to N7.38 billion while financial assets grew 65 per cent to N45.90 billion.

Total assets expanded by 33 per cent to N75.94 billion, while shareholders’ funds marked a 21 per cent growth.

He noted that the fundamentals of the investment remained strong and hold better prospects for the future,” Idris stated, noting that consistency and diversity served as the group’s strength in a volatile year.

The group’s balance sheet remained highly liquid and well-capitalized:

Following its outstanding performance the board proposed a final dividend of 15 kobo per share. When combined with the 10 kobo interim dividend already distributed, CHH’s total dividend for the year stands at 25 kobo per share.

“This is the highest dividend that we have ever paid,” Idris told shareholders, expressing optimism about maintaining the growth trajectory.

Also, the Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Eddie Efekoha, who’s responding to shareholders questions, confirmed that the financial holding structure is perfectly insulated from recapitalization pressures.

“Our Group does not require additional capital to meet the new regulatory thresholds. We are not compelled to seek mergers or external funding, as our capital base remains strong and sufficient,” Efekoha asserted.

Efekoha noted that businesses and individuals are increasingly turning to dependable financial protection amid macro-economic uncertainties, and added that it achieved its resilience through disciplined underwriting, cost optimization, and rigorous operational processes across its subsidiaries.

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Incumbent Senator representing Plateau Central, Diket Plang, on Thursday led a delegation of aggrieved aspirants of the All Progressives Congress to the party secretariat in Jos, Plateau State, where they formally submitted petitions challenging the conduct and outcome of the recently concluded APC primaries.

The group, which included senatorial, House of Representatives and State Assembly aspirants, called for the nullification of the exercise, describing it as flawed, non-transparent and inconsistent with the party’s electoral guidelines.

Among those who accompanied the senator were Chris Giwa, aspirant for Plateau North Senatorial District; Ephraim Usman Gar; John Tongshinen; Beatrice C.J Dakas; and Komsol Alphonsus Longgap, all of whom are contesting various positions in the 2027 general elections.

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Senator Plang expressed strong dissatisfaction with the primaries, insisting that what transpired fell far below acceptable democratic standards within the party.

“I am a serving senator… we are here in loyalty and obedience to the guidelines of our great party, APC… but for us on this platform, today’s election is the worst,” Plang said.

He alleged widespread irregularities in the conduct of the primaries, including lack of accreditation, absence of party agents during voting, and manipulation of results.

Plang also accused some unnamed party officials of allocating votes rather than conducting credible elections, citing his own case where he claimed 1,423 votes were assigned to him without a proper electoral process.

“That is a total blackmail. That is unacceptable. And this cannot be tolerated,” he said.

According to him, in several constituencies across Plateau State, elections were either not conducted or were abruptly discontinued, yet results later surfaced from unclear sources.

The senator further argued that direct primaries, as provided for in the party’s guidelines, were meant to ensure broad participation of registered members, but alleged that the process was instead compromised by administrative irregularities.

He maintained that the aggrieved aspirants remain loyal to the APC and its leadership but insisted that justice must be served through the party’s appeal mechanism.

“We remain loyal to the party, but whatever has been done should be nullified and proper guidelines must be followed,” he added.

Other aspirants who submitted petitions at the secretariat echoed similar concerns, calling for a review of the exercise and fresh primaries in affected areas.

The petitioners also urged the party’s appeal committee to intervene and restore confidence in the internal democratic process of the APC in Plateau State.