Shareholders applauds Cadbury Nigeria’s turnaround performance, declares N302 million dividend

 

Following the turnaround witnessed by Cadbury Nigeria Plc in the financial year ended December 31, 2017, in which the company erased the losses it recorded in 2016, shareholders of the company commended the board of directors for N302 million dividend declared.
Some shareholders who spoke at the company’s 53rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos commented on the company performance during the year under consideration noted that, the positive result for the year 2017 is commendable.
They urged the company to reduce its cost of finance, royalties among others, stressing that the board of directors and management need to focus on their area of strength in the fast moving consumer goods market, in order to carve out a niche for themselves.
On the issue of product diversification, the shareholders believed that it will go a long way in boosting the top and bottom line of the company financial position, particularly now they are in profit.
Responding to shareholders concerns, Chairman of Cadbury Nigeria, Atedo Peterside said all their suggestions and concerns are noted, while he explained that they are working on the issue of products diversification which they are keeping to their chest because of competitors in the market. He assured shareholders that the company plans to pay higher dividend as profits improves.
For 2018, he said the company is focusing on key priorities areas which includes, sustain focus on quality, drive improvements in productivity and reinforce operational efficiencies to maximize their competitive advantage. Also to drive growth ahead of competition to increase market share within their product categories and sustain aggressive route to market initiatives.
Highlight of the 2017 yearend financial performance shows that revenue grew by 10 percent from N29,979 billion in 2016 to N33,079 billion in 2017. Profit for the period was up by 200 percent from loss position of N296,403 million in 2016 to profit of N299,998 million in 2017. The shareholding structure shows that Mondelez International has a majority equity interest of 74.97 percent in Cadbury Nigeria through its holding in Cadbury Schweppes Overseas Limited. The remaining 25.03 percent equity ownership is held by a diverse group of Nigerian individuals and institutional shareholders.