Nigeria To Host 2019 African Netpreneurs Conference

Nigeria will host the 2019 African Netpreneurs Conference between Tuesday, October 22, and Thursday, October 24.

The African Netpreneurs Conference is a gathering of elite digital business professionals hosted by the American Internet Business School.

Themed “Maximizing Business Profits In The Global Marketplace”, the three-day conference will hold at the prestigious Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Business executives and digital business experts from the USA, Europe, and Africa confirmed to train at the workshop include Victory Akpomedaye, Founder/CEO, Supreme Web Solutions. Akpomedaye is also a specialist in Affiliate Marketing and Product Creation. He is also acknowledged as one of the Top Affiliate Marketers and Digital Product Launchers out of Africa, with multiple 6-figure launches already to his credit in 2019.

Also storming the conference is Ifiok Nkem, President/CEO, Snapilabs Limited. Nkem is also a reputed web consultant, author, and prolific digital product creator. As one of the most sought after web consultants in Africa, Nkem has been involved in over 700 projects and has consulted for high net worth individuals, businesses and corporations including the governments of Nigeria and Angola.

Another seasoned professional who will also be training at the event is Mayowa Owolabi, the CEO of GTEXT Media Group and Investment Limited, an organisation reputed for Digital Marketing Consultancy. GTEXT Media Group and Investment Limited is one of the leading firms in Nigeria with a record of excellence in areas of digital marketing, website design, bulk SMS, e-commerce, and real estate.

Segun Ogundele, President/CEO, FastPlus Innovation is one of Nigeria’s Finest Top Internet Marketers with over 10years of experience in online marketing. He will also be at the conference. A highly respected Internet Marketer, Speaker, Author, and I.T Consultant he has empowered over 20,000 Africans within nine years.

Ogunlede also takes credit for also being a software creator, a product launcher and Affiliate Marketer with over 10 Software launches including OmniEngine, FB Engagr, Shoplez, RankFlux, EzyAgency, EzyStore & EcomSuite to mention a few.

Other trainers who will storm the event are Adetunji Gbolagade, Stephen Akintayo, Mrs. Bisi Akintayo, and Patrick Enyum.

The 2019 African Netpreneurs Conference though open to all is purpose-built for Entrepreneurs, Business Consultants, Internet Marketers, Corporate Executives, Brand Managers, Professional Freelancers, Advertising Agencies, Politicians and Government Agencies, Churches and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO).

Training focus areas include Winning Strategies For Maximizing The Internet For Your Business, Achieving Your Financial Dreams in E-commerce and Mini-Importation, Leveraging The Power Of Affiliate Networks To Multiply Your Sales And Increase Profits, Proximity Marketing Dor Local Businesses In The New Digital Economy among others.

The American Internet Business School, host of the conference is an online learning school that specializes in providing training and education for people on how to do business on the internet.

Dr. Ope Banwo, founder of the school has organized many Internet Business Empowerment Workshops, Digital Works Initiatives, Bootcamps and Training Programs for thousands of youths all over the world in the last seven years.

He is currently the Chief Executive, Netpreneur Success Academy, and CEO at American Internet Business School where people are taught how to set up their internet business for profit.

For more information visit:http:NetpreneursConference.com

FIDELITY BANK TO GIVE OUT N120M IN GAIM PROMO

BUSINESS

FIDELITY BANK TO GIVE OUT N120M IN GAIM PROMO

Photo: Heritage Bank MD, Ifie Sekibo’s Business Visit Bauchi State Governor

Senator Bala Mohammed, Governor Bauchi State (2nd left); Ifie Sekibo, MD/CEO of Heritage Bank Plc (3rd left); Commissioner for Agriculture, Samaila Burga and Commissioner for Finance, Nura Manu Soro, during the bank’s business call to the Bauchi State Governor on developmental project partnership with the bank, yesterday.

L-R: Senator Bala Mohammed, Governor Bauchi State (3rd left); Ifie Sekibo, MD/CEO of Heritage Bank Plc (4th left); Accountant General of the State, Dr Abubaka Saidu; Commissioner for Agriculture, Samaila Burga; Commissioner for Finance, Nura Manu Soro; Regional Executive, Abuja & North, Heritage Bank, George Oko-Oboh and Commissioner for Special Duties, Turaki Manga, during a business call to the Bauchi State Governor on developmental project partnership with the bank, yesterday.

L-R: Ifie Sekibo, MD/CEO of Heritage Bank Plc; Senator Bala Mohammed, Governor Bauchi State and Commissioner for Agriculture, Samaila Burga, during the bank’s business call to the Bauchi State Governor on developmental project partnership with the bank, yesterday.

FIRSTBANK PARTNERS WITH JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT NIGERIA (JAN) TO HOST NATIONAL STUDENT ENTREPRENEURSHIP COMPETITION

Junior Achievement Nigeria’s (JAN) annual flagship event, National Company of the Year Competition (NCOY) will be taking place Thursday, 3rd October 2019. With the theme “Activating Disruptors”, this annual event brings the JA Company Program winners of our Regional Competitions together to compete for the National Company of the Year Award sponsored by First Bank of Nigeria Limited. The winners will represent Nigeria against fellow JA Africa companies for the title of 2019 JA Africa Company of the Year set to hold in Ghana.

At NCOY, JA student companies present the results of their enterprise before a panel of independent judges. Participants must present the business achievements as a whole and each team member’s contribution. For a team to win this award, it is not sufficient just to run a financially successful JA company or create an exciting product/service. They must also demonstrate an understanding of why the company performed as it did. Judges also look for evidence of innovation in all aspects of a company’s operations. Students also present an Annual Report and host a Trade booth display.

The competition will be judged by Awuneba Ajumogobia, Non-Executive Director, UACN Property Development Company; Eloho Gihan-Mbelu, CEO, Endeavor Nigeria; Kehinde Olateru, CEO, Crenet TechLabs; Ibukun Akinola, Co-founder, Piggyvest.

According to JAN’s Executive Director, Mrs. Simi Nwogugu; “The National Company of the Year Competition 2019 is an opportunity for us to showcase the depth of potential that lies within these young minds and Junior Achievement Nigeria’s role in grooming the next generation of leading entrepreneurs. We thank First Bank of Nigeria Limited for sponsoring the NCOY competition for three consecutive years, a partnership we are pleased to reckon with, whilst contributing to the continued growth and development of the country. This is a call-to-action for corporate stakeholders, teachers, youths, entrepreneurs and all who support the cause of empowering youths to becoming not just leaders, but conscientious leaders leading a vibrant economy.”

Expressing her delight on FirstBank’s support and participation in the activities of Junior Achievement Nigeria, especially its National Company of the Year (NCOY), the Group Head, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Folake Ani- Mumuney said” We are pleased to identify with JA Nigeria, especially on its giant strides at encouraging entrepreneurship amongst secondary school students in the country. With innovation and invention being essential at promoting opportunities for growth and development in the fast-changing world, the NCOY remains a platform to strengthen the intellectual development of young people in the society”.

About Junior Achievement Nigeria

Junior Achievement Nigeria (JAN) is part of Junior Achievement Worldwide (JAWW), the world’s largest and fastest-growing non-profit economic education organization with a 120-country network. Since inception in 1999, JAN has reached over 970,000 students in over 20,000 classrooms in all the 36 states across the country and the FCT through over 4000 volunteers. As part of a global network, JAN is able to leverage resources and expertise to deliver localized cutting-edge experiential programs built on JAWW’s three pillars of work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy, to in- and out-of-school youth ages 5 to 27 free of charge.

Heritage Bank MD says credible ID Magt. will foster access to credit

MD/CEO, Heritage Bank, Mr Ifie Sekibo , has stressed the need for the federal government to work towards creating a credible and strong identity management towards expanding access to credit in the country.

Sekibo noting that while the Bank Verification Number (BVN) has been able to create a form of identification in the country, it has not been able to address some of the issues around identity management in the country. Speaking at the 2019 Annual Conference of Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria (FICAN) at the weekend, the Heritage Bank MD noted that the ability of individuals to relocate from one place to another without notifying anyone was a major issue in access to credit.

Represented by divisional head, Strategy and Business Solutions, Mr Segun Akanji, Sekibo said the dearth of effective and standard identity management infrastructure made access to credit for the SMEs in Nigeria tough as banks only see unmitigated risks.

“I am talking about identity management challenge. That is the biggest collateral to lending and that is what is missing in this economy. The day banks can verify where you live, everybody will get loan with ease, because you cannot run away,” he stated. He explained that “the problem is this, I don’t know where you live.

The address of the company is not where you live. And you can wake up in FESTAC today, but tomorrow you move to Ajangbadi or Victoria Island. You don’t have to tell me. And that is a huge problem for banks.

“People take a loan from banks and change accommodation, run away to Ibadan and you cannot find them. That must change. But how do you do that? It is very simple. You lose all the benefits that is allocated to you as a person, the day you relocate like that, you are as good as dead.

“Like when you live abroad, once you misbehave with your identity, you cannot bank, your credit goes bad, you cannot go to hospital and everything else goes bad and you cannot do anything. So, you have a responsibility to yourself and the country that supports you to report yourself.

“There is no value in our identity management as we have it. So, it is not just about banks, it is about the holistic structure where there is no value to the person that each of us will represent. ”He gave instances about developed economies such as the US where if one changes accommodation, they must notify all relevant institutions that they deal with because of the inherent value in the system.

“Just like they do abroad, when you are changing accommodation, you will be the one going to your bank, hospital, everywhere, you will dedicate a day in a week until you go around to everyone and inform them of the address change,” he said.

“Why? There is value to where you live. That’s where your mail, pension, cheque comes. Everything attached to you comes to that address. So, there is value. We need to get to that and then no one will be needing collateral to get some minimum amount to do business.”

Sekibo also observed that although the banks had pushed the government to some form of identity management system through the bank verification number, BVN, it has not been enough to solve the problem of the identity constraining lending in the country.

“You can argue that the banks have driven the government to some identity management system through the BVN, but the problem is that the infrastructure that will keep everybody in the homes where they live and not just change is non-existent,” he said.

Public Statement: Fidelity Bank Clarify Issue

Our attention has been drawn to the planned disruption of service and social media attacks on the Bank by a few outsourced staff who were recently recalled by their employers. The move, which is the handiwork of the outsourced staff who were on secondment to the Bank as Note Counters, is aimed at casting the Bank in bad light.

Their employers have confirmed to the Bank that their recall was conducted in line with their existing contracts and according to extant labour laws.

As a responsible financial institution, operating in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank is guided by the laws of the land. Whilst we are not against the right to lawful assembly, the planned actions directed at Fidelity Bank, by these misguided individuals, are clearly unwarranted and misdirected. We urge the public to disregard the falsehood and claims being circulated by them in the public domain.

Thank you.

Charles Aigbe

Divisional Head, Brand and Communications

FIRSTBANK TARGETS 500,000 AGENTS TO BOOST FINANCIAL INCLUSION

With a view to enhance financial inclusion across the country, First Bank of Nigeria Limited has announced its drive to get up to 500,000 operators on board its agent banking platform. This was disclosed at the opening ceremony of the 12th Annual Conference of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) by FirstBank’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan, who also served as the Chairman of the CIBN 2019 Conference Consultative Committee. The event was held in Abuja on 24 – 25 September 2019.

The CIBN conference themed: “the future of the Nigerian banking industry – 360^o” had Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria as the Special Guest of Honour.

In his remarks, the Bank’s CEO said FirstBank would support all efforts to ensure effective financial inclusion in Nigeria.

According to Adeduntan “we have a very ambitious plan to appoint about 500,000 agents across the nook and cranny of our country and to ensure that banking facilities and services are made available to all Nigerians.”

He noted that the banking sector in Nigeria remained the primary partner to the government with regards to economic growth and development in the country. “If we do not utilise those opportunities and mainstream them properly, the country and the entire economy will be left behind,” Adeduntan stated.

In 2017, FirstBank launched its agent banking network; ‘Firstmonie Agent’, described as its ‘Human ATM’. The Firstmonie Agents are empowered to extend access to finance to all Nigerians, regardless of where they may be across the country. The Firstmonie Agents complement the Bank’s effort at reducing the unbanked in the country, whilst providing a handful of the Bank’s bespoke financial services, including; account opening; cash deposit; airtime purchase; bills payment; withdrawals and money transfer.

According to the Bank, FirstMonie Agents are usually owners of small businesses within communities with limited or no banking penetration. The Bank has an Agent Banking strength of over 31,000 Agents, spread across 98% of the country’s 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs).

Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria (middle); Dr. Adesola Adeduntan, Chief Executive Officer, First Bank of Nigeria Limited (right); Dr Uche Olowu, President, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (second right); Otunba Debola Osibogun, Non-Executive Director, FBN Holdings Plc and former President, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (third left); Mr. Abdullahi Ibrahim, Executive Director, Public Sector, First Bank of Nigeria Limited (second left); and Folake Ani-Mumuney, Group Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications, First Bank of Nigeria Limited (left) at the CIBN 12th Annual Banking and Finance Conference held in Abuja

Tomi Somefun Led Unity Bank Engulf in Multi-Million Naira ATM Fraud

The Maiduguri Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, September 26, 2019 arraigned one Adam Kaka Adam before Justice Ibrahim Jauro of the Yobe State High Court, Damaturu, on one-count charge, bordering on criminal misappropriation to the tune of N11, 657, 500.00 (Eleven Million Six Hundred and Fifty-seven Thousand Five Hundred Naira).

Adam was a former Service Manager, in charge of Vault Room and Automated Teller Machine (ATM) in Unity Bank Plc, Damaturu Branch, Yobe State. Trouble started for him when the EFCC received a petition against him from his employer (Unity Bank Plc), alleging criminal misappropriation of the said sum, meant to be fed the ATMs of the branch which he is alleged to have dishonestly converted to his personal use.

The charge reads: “That you, Adam Kaka Adam, while being the Branch Service Manager with Unity Bank Plc, Damaturu, Yobe State, in charge of the Vault Room and Automated Teller Machines (ATM), sometime in 2017 at Damaturu, Yobe State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court and in such capacity dishonestly took the sum of N11, 657, 500.00 (Eleven Million Six Hundred and Fifty Seven Thousand Five Hundred Naira) only, being the property of Unity Bank Plc without its consent and with intention of permanently depriving it of the said sum and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Sections 286(1) and 287 of the Penal Code Law, Laws of Yobe State of Nigeria respectively.”

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge. Following his plea, prosecution counsel Khalid Sanusi prayed the court for a trial date and for the defendant to be remanded in prison custody.

Justice Jauro admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N1million with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the matter to October 15, 2019, for the commencement of trial.

Adam Kaka Adam, Unity Bank Manager who allegedly stole money

AFFC lauds Heritage Bank on youth, entertainment devt

African Freestyle Football (AFFC) Championship 2019 in collaboration with World Freestyle Football Association (WFFA) have commended Heritage Bank Plc for its pivotal role in enhancing youth development and engendering the Nigeria’s entertainment space on the world’s stage.

The 2019 African Freestyle Football Championship ended on a high note, with defending champion Abdul Titi Kone of Cote d’Ivoire emerging as the African Champion once again. This event marked the 2nd edition of the African Championship and the 3rd annual edition of the Nigerian Championship hosted by Feet ‘n’ Tricks International Limited. The final was a repeat of the 2018 championship, as Kone again defeated Egypt’s Yousef Mohamad just as he did in last year’s final while Ashley Mhkize of South Africa placed third.

In the female category, Evelyn Okafor (Nigeria), Hadhara Charles (Tanzania) and Augustina Unamba (Nigeria) placed first, second and third respectively.

This year’s edition accommodated at least 30 African countries that participated at the championship.

The Chairman of AFFC, Valentine Ozigbo, who commended bank for being at the forefront of promoting freestyle football for the past two years, said Heritage Bank is “always very innovative and supportive to the cause of entertainment and youth development.

According to him, these achievements would have been impossible without the extensive support of the official bankers (Heritage Bank) for the championship for two years running.

Speaking further, Ozigbo hinted, “since inception, Feet ‘n’ Tricks has been committed to promoting freestyle football talent to stardom and we haven’t relented. Through this platform, we have seen talented freestylers get a head start in life, travel to exciting places and represent our beloved continent doing what they know how to do best.”

The MD/CEO, Heritage Bank, Ifie Sekibo, said the bank has strong desire towards developing and positioning youths to become world-class citizens equipped and ready to be absorbed into an increasing competitive professional skills and endeavours.

Sekibo, who was represented by an Executive Director, Jude Monye advised the youths who were participants to adopt strong positive character to enable them take advantage of the platform being presented to them.

“One of the reasons why we chose, as an organization, to support the freestyle championship is to enhance youth development in sport and entertainment, which will empower them play vital roles in the socio-economic development of the country and help curb the high level of unemployment,” he stressed.

According to Sekibo, the drive to support youths seeks to create, preserve and transfer wealth across generations.
It is against the backdrop of the competition that Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Amaju Pinnick, promised to give more support to the entertaining part of football.

“We need to encourage this entertaining part of football because what they are doing here is great. Freestyle is quite interesting, and I am happy with what I have seen so far.

“With this project, a goal has been achieved. I also want more ladies to come out and do freestyle football because it is highly entertaining and competitive.

“I will see to how we can give more support to freestyle football in the future,”he said.

Congratulating the Feet n Tricks team, Daniel Wood, Co-founder and Head of Global Partnerships, World Freestyle Football Association (WFFA) said, “Feet n Tricks have proven that they can produce world class events and we are so excited to be extending our partnership. We are fully committed to creating opportunities for young people and this event is to be the focus point for our sport in the continent of Africa.”

L-R: Dan Akpovwe, Publisher, Abuja Inquirer; Valentine Ozigbo, Chairman of Feet n Tricks Limited; Jude Monye, Executive Director, Heritage Bank Plc and Oluwafunmi Aloku, Head, Product Strategy and Business Solutions, Heritage Bank, during the 3rd edition of African Freestyle Football Competition 2019 in Lagos.

L-R: Erlend Fagerli, Multiple World Champion, Freestyle Football (AFFC Judge); Valentine Ozigbo, Chairman of Feet ‘n’ Tricks Limited; Jude Monye, Executive Director, Heritage Bank Plc; Philip Gertsson, Sweden-based Norwegian-Filipino Football Freestyle (AFFC Judge) and Laura Biondo, first female freestyle to establish a Guinness World Record (AFFC Judge), during the 3rd edition of African Freestyle Football Competition 2019 in Lagos.

FED GOVT, ACCESS BANK LIST N30.3B BONDS

The Federal Government has listed its latest issuances under the Federal Government of Nigeria Savings Bonds (FGNSB) on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). The Federal Government listed two new issues totalling N295.94 million.

The listing of the sovereign bonds came a day after top-tier bank, Access Bank Plc, listed a corporate bond valued at N30 billion.

The new listings by the government included a two-year N91.11 million 11.15 per cent series 60 bond, which is expected to mature in September 2021 and a three-year N204.83 million 12.15 per cent bond due to mature in September 2022.

Access Bank listed a N30 billion seven-year 15.5 per cent fixed rate subordinated unsecured bond, which is due to mature in 2026.

The Federal Government had, in March 2017, introduced the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) Savings Bond (FGNSB) to woo retail investors to the sovereign debt market and deepen capital formation. The minimum subscription was fixed at N5,000 while the maximum was pegged at N50 million. With a fixed quarterly interest payment of above 13 per cent, the FGNSB offers guaranteed return.