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VFD Group Seeks Commercial Banking Licence

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The VFD Group Plc has stated that it will intensify its quest to obtain a commercial banking licence from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) before the end of 2023.

In addition, it said it is on the verge of establishing a global remittance business that would allow it expand its offering within the foreign exchange and currency exchange business.

It also stated that it would refocus its VFD Microfinance Bank to a full digital banking entity that would offer diverse innovative financial solutions to its esteemed customers.

These were disclosed yesterday by the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the VFD Group, Mr. Nonso Okpala, during the group’s fifth Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Lagos.

Okpala said: “While we are yet to conclude our plans of acquiring a commercial bank license and an insurance company, we are well placed to achieve these way ahead of the timeframe of 2023.

“Our application for a commercial banking license remains in the works and at an advanced stage. We are in constant engagement with the regulatory authorities, and we would provide update to all stakeholders as we make progress.

“Learning from the past 12 months, it is instructive that we refocus our customer facing businesses to become dynamic, leveraging technology to create omni-channel experience that will meet our customers’ needs while allowing us to be lean and efficient.

“Hence, our micro-finance bank will begin the transition to a full digital entity offering diverse innovative financial solutions to our esteemed customers.”

He said the group’s “conversations with a UK-based remittance company are at an advanced stage and we hope to conclude this in the second quarter of 2021.”

The group managing director said the group delivered on all key financial indicators in 2020 to validate its strategic direction.

Okpala said the major factors that contributed to the performance were the group’s investment income from its Eurobond portfolio, interest income from lending activities, earnings from other subsidiaries and foreign exchange valuation gain.

He said: “We did quite well this year largely from our treasury activities as well as income from subsidiary companies. The dividend was our way of expressing appreciation to our shareholders for their support.”

The Chairman of the VFD Group Plc, Mr. Olatunde Busari (SAN) declared that the group has set aside dividend of N1.014 billion to reward its shareholders with the payment of a dividend of N8.51k per share for 2020 financial year that ended on December 31, 2020, compared to N3.30 it paid in 2019.

Busari said gross earnings grew by 97 per cent to N6.7 billion in 2020, as against the N3.4 billion earned in 2019, while the group’s profit before tax grew year-on-year by 173 per cent to close at N4.1 billion in 2020 compared to N1.5 billion it recorded in 2019.

He also said the group’s total asset grew by 85 per cent to close at N81.7 billion within the year under review, as against the N44.2 billion recorded in the preceding year.

Busari, however, summed up the group’s business experience in 2020 as, “Navigating a very uncertain world,” saying that the group’s vision in 2021 was to become a commercially viable proprietary investment company with global influence by focusing on building positive and socially conscious ecosystem.

Busari said: “We have delivered yet again other record levels of revenue and profit. Year 2020 has been a tough year but fortunately we are able to wade through the tide as you know that we have multiple investments in the Nigerian financial sector and were able to declare dividend of N8.51 per share. The shareholders are happy that the company did very well and I commend the management of my company.”

The VFD’s Group Financial Controller, Mr. Folajimi Adeleye, attributed the success the group recorded in 2020 to activities that fetched it interest revenues. “But we also did a lot of treasury activities. We maintain a positive outlook for 2021 even though we expect it to be tough and we are going to focus more on risk management.”

A shareholder, Ms. Karem Abah, said that she was amazed that the group could pay us N8.51 dividend per share considering the challenges businesses faced in 2020, adding: “I am really happy and impressed with the result.”


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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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