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Contributory Pension Assets Hit N13.42tn

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Pension assets under the Contributory Pension Scheme rose by N1.11tn in 2021, latest figures obtained from the National Pension Commission revealed.

PenCom, in its unaudited reports on pension funds industry portfolio, said the pension assets rose to N13.42tn on December 31, 2021 from N12.31tn at the end of 2020.

The reports showed that N8.77tn was invested in Federal Government’s securities, N943.34bn in corporate debt securities, N2.01tn in local money market securities, and N120.73bn in mutual funds.

PenCom said N915.31bn was invested in domestic ordinary shares while N122.49bn was invested in foreign ordinary shares.

The commission had said recently in a statement that it organised a retreat on the review of the Pension Reform Act 2014 in Abuja in January.

It said the retreat aimed to identify salient issues to be reviewed in the PRA 2014 as a prelude to advancing legislative action on the bill.

“It is expected that the National Assembly would subsequently organise a public hearing in order to provide an avenue for stakeholders to formally make input into the proposed amendments,” PenCom said.

It said the PRA 2014 was enacted following a review of the initial Pension Reform Act of 2004, which introduced legal and institutional frameworks of the CPS and established the commission to regulate and supervise all pension matters in Nigeria.

Aisha Dahir-Umar, the Director-General, PenCom, said the PRA 2014 codified one of the most important socioeconomic reform initiatives of the Federal Government, leading to a pension industry that has accumulated pension assets in excess of N13tn invested in various aspects of the Nigerian economy.

According to her, the review is a consequence to some implementation challenges encountered with certain sections of the Act not long after its enactment in July 2014.

This is in addition to persistent calls from stakeholders for the amendment of some sections of the Act, which resulted in several legislative initiatives through the sponsorship of bills for amendment of the PRA 2014 by the National Assembly.

PenCom said as the regulator of the pension industry, it decided to coordinate and harmonise the various efforts in order to achieve a more comprehensive and constructive exercise for the review of the PRA 2014.


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Stanbic IBTC Insurance Launches Education Endowment Plan

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Stanbic IBTC Insurance, a subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Holdings, has launched Education Endowment Insurance  Plan, an offering that empowers parents and guardians to secure the academic future of their children or wards.

Targeting young adults,  the underwriting firm said the Education Endowment Plan encouraged parents and guardians to adopt a long-term strategy for investing in the educational future of their children through the launch.

The company aims to raise awareness about the importance of investing in education.

It said by opting for the Stanbic IBTC Education Endowment Plan, parents could benefit from a comprehensive investment solution that safeguards their children’s academic journey.

At the media launch of the product in Lagos, the Chief Executive  Officer Stanbic IBTC Insurance,  Akinjide Orimolade, explained that the Education Endowment Plan offered families a strong financial safety net.

“This product ensures the protection of their children’s education, regardless of life’s uncertainties; providing reassurance and confidence. By making strategic investments today, parents can secure access to education for their children, enabling them to realise their full potential and pursue their aspirations.

“We are proud to launch the Education Endowment Plan campaign, an insurance product that aligns with our commitment to empowering parents in Nigeria to attain financial security for the education of their children,” he stated.


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Gambaryan, Binance Exec Fights for his Life, Freedom as Health Deteriorates in Jail

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The health of Tigran Gambaryan, Binance executive remains uncertain one month and one week after Justice Emeka Nwite ordered the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) to transfer him to a capable medical facility for treatment.

Gambaryan, Binance Exec Fights for his Life, Freedom as Health Deteriorates in Jail

Gambaryan is Binance’s head of crime compliance.

His family said, “He has had double pneumonia and malaria whilst in prison” and reports said he Gambaryan’s health remains in grave danger.

In addition, the first witness from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) was cross-examined on Monday, resulting in the adjournment of the money laundering trial against Binance and two executives until July 5.

The court is still aware that, despite repeated court orders, the prison where Gambaryan is being kept has not produced his medical documents from his single hospital visit, which occurred a month ago.

According to his family members, Gambaryan’s health is declining.

Justice Nwite again ordered that the reports be sent to Gambaryan’s counsel by Friday.

Gambaryan’s family spokesperson said that “Tigran’s health continues to deteriorate in detention, and he complained of numbness in his foot as well as back pain[…] He has had double pneumonia and malaria whilst in prison.” His wife added that: As I have stated many times before and as the evidence in court is showing, Tigran has never been a decision-maker at Binance, and there is no justification for his continued detention […] It is time for the Nigerian authorities to do the right thing and release my innocent husband.

The defense’s extensive questioning of a representative of SEC to refute allegations that Binance had engaged in the unlicensed offer and sale of securities has led to the recent dispute regarding Gambaryan’s health.

Gambaryan, the crypto exchange’s head of financial crime compliance, has been detained in Nigeria since February and is currently being held in Kuje prison.

The Binance exec is being held alongside members of the terrorist organization Boko Haram.

Nadeem Anjarwalla, another executive who is also accused of money laundering, has since fled.

 

 

 

 

 

 


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Mauritania Cuts Internet Services Amid Election Protests

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Internet services were restricted in several areas across Mauritania yesterday, including the capital Nouakchott, following the outbreak of protests rejecting the presidential election results.

According to eyewitnesses, the internet services of mobile phones were cut off in certain Mauritanian cities, while remaining functional on the landline services.

The Mauritanian authorities and telecommunications companies are yet to comment on the issue.

On Monday, several cities across Mauritania, including Nouakchott, saw protests by supporters of candidate and human rights activist Biram Ould Dah Abeid, who came second in the results of the presidential elections.

He rejected the election results, and called it an “electoral coup.”

The National Independent Electoral Commission on Monday said incumbent Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani won the presidential election with 56.12% of the vote, while Biram Ould Dah Abeid came in second with 22.10%.

On Saturday, Mauritanians cast their ballots to choose a new president among seven candidates.

The northern African country has experienced several coups between 1978 and 2008, with 2019 marking the first peaceful power transfer between elected presidents since its independence from France in 1960.


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