Afriq Group CEO, Staff graduates of Certified Cryptocurrency Compliance Specialist 3Cs

The A&D Forensic Institute has awarded staff members of the Afriq Group of Companies the Certified Cryptocurrency Compliance Specialist (CCCS) certification after they successfully completed the required training. The ceremony, held in Abuja from November 4 to 8, 2024, marked a significant milestone for Afriq Group’s dedication to compliance and security in the cryptocurrency sector.

Notably, Afriq Group of Companies is the first Cryptocurrency company in Africa to train over 12 staff members as Certified Cryptocurrency Compliance Specialist.

During the event, Mr. Jesam Michael, CEO of Afriq Group, expressed his gratitude to the A&D Forensic Institute for their in-depth training. He acknowledged that previously, the company focused mainly on trading and profit-making in the crypto space but had now realized the value of knowledge and compliance. “We were mainly focused on making money, but A&D has helped us see the importance of a knowledge base in the crypto space,” Mr. Jesam Michael said.

A highlight of the training week was the introduction of Mrs. Faith E., Afriq Group’s new Cryptocurrency Consultant, who visited the staff on the fourth day. The CEO described her as a mentor and guide for the company’s growth. Mrs. Faith, a seasoned expert in cryptocurrency since 2016, emphasized the importance of education in the evolving technological space. She noted, “People often view technology as magic, but anything lasting over a decade is no longer a trick; it is innovation.” Mrs. Faith stressed that staying educated is essential for Afriq Group to protect its reputation and thrive within the global community, especially given the challenges of operating in a sensitive and risky sector.

She also highlighted how this training would elevate the staff’s capabilities and open new career paths for them. “This training benefits you as individuals first, making you certified specialists, which is recognized internationally,” she said. Mrs. Faith urged the participants to make the most of their knowledge and continue learning to strengthen Afriq Group’s position in the market.

After completing their certification exams, the staff received their CCCS certificates. Mr. Martin, CEO of Farm Trading, joined the ceremony to present the certification to Mr. Jesam Michael as a newly certified Cryptocurrency Investigator. In his remarks, Mr. Martin praised the achievement as a positive step for compliance in the industry and emphasized the balance between business operations and regulatory standards. “Work closely with management, document processes, and follow rules carefully. This way, your role as compliance officers can drive success without jeopardizing business integrity,” he advised.

The event concluded with renewed excitement and a sense of purpose among the staff, who now hold specialized expertise in cryptocurrency compliance. Mr. Jesam Michael reminded everyone to continue their dedication, noting that their work would be under the scrutiny of experts like Mrs. Faith to ensure excellence and adherence to best practices.

FirstBank Host Fintech Summit 6.0, Launches Fintech Innovators Pitch Programme

Lagos, Nigeria – November 6. FirstBank, the premier West African financial institution and financial inclusion service provider is excited to announce its 6th annual Fintech Summit, themed “Banking on Partnerships,” scheduled to hold on November 13 and 14, 2024. This year’s edition will bring together renowned subject matter experts, innovators, and industry leaders from around the world to explore the latest trends and advancements in financial technology.

Since its inception in 2016, the FirstBank Fintech Summit has established itself as a premier event, attracting top subject matter experts in digital innovation from Nigeria and around the globe. While the Summit transitioned online in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s event will be hosted as a hybrid affair, enabling participants from around the world to engage with renowned speakers and insightful discussion.

A key highlight of this year’s summit is the launch of the Fintech Innovators Pitch Programme, designed to empower early-stage fintech startups and cultivate innovation within the financial services ecosystem. Selected startups will benefit from intensive training and mentorship, culminating in an opportunity to pitch their groundbreaking solutions to FirstBank, prominent investors, and industry experts.  Winning Startups will receive essential support from FirstBank to propel their products to market, including strategic guidance, resources, and access to a vast network.

The FirstBank Fintech Summit 6.0 promises a dynamic lineup of sessions and invaluable networking opportunities, positioning it as a must-attend gathering for industry leaders and innovators. The two-day Summit will feature expert keynote addresses and panel discussions, regulatory roundtable, investor roundtable, fireside chats and masterclasses.

Emmanuel Daniel, the founder of TAB Global—a research, publication, and consulting firm known for platforms like The Asian Banker, Wealth and Society, The Banking Academy, and TAB Insights—will be a key speaker at the upcoming event. He will be joined by Olusegun Alebiosu, the Managing Director and CEO of FirstBank Group, along with a lineup of distinguished guest speakers and panellists which include Dr. (Mrs) Markie Idowu, GMD/CEO of Xpress Payment Solutions Limited; ’DeRemi Atanda, Managing Director of Remita; Tomilola Majekodunmi, Co-Founder and CEO of Bankly; Obi Emetarom, Co-Founder and CEO of ZONE; Oladipo Alabede, Regional Managing Director, West Africa (Acquiring) Network International; Obianuju Odukwe, VP of Digital & API Ecosystems at Interswitch Group; Ashley Immanuel, Co-Founder and COO of SemiColon; Chijioke Dozie, Co-Founder of Carbon; Yewande Sulaiman, Managing and Product Consultant at ProduqtEdge.

With its hybrid format, participants from around the world can access the same quality of discussions and speakers. To register for the Fintech Summit, interested participants can click on https://fintech.firstbanknigeria.com/#/?lang=en

Speaking on the Summit, the CEO FirstBank Group, Olusegun Alebiosu said “This year’s summit provides a platform to unite industry leaders, innovators, regulators, and thought leaders to explore how collaboration and partnerships can shape the future of financial services and technology. As FirstBank continues to lead in innovation, this event presents another unique opportunity to engage with key stakeholders and deepen our understanding of emerging trends in the Fintech landscape emphasizing our role not only as a participant but also as a leading and preferred partner in the Fintech domain.”

The FirstBank Fintech Summit is one of the initiatives that the Bank has established to drive innovation and foster growth in the financial technology sector. By bringing together thought leaders and disruptors in the field, the Summit serves as a catalyst for transformative ideas and collaboration.

NNPC Ltd Disclaims Video of Adulterated Fuel Sold in Bottles, Jerrycans

The attention of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has been drawn to the video clip of someone pouring a dark liquid which he claims to be Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) purportedly bought from an NNPC Retail outlet at Keffi Flyover, and wishes to state as follows:

That we have carried out spot checks at all our outlets and found this claim to be false. The product was not, and could not have been bought from any NNPC Retail outlet as the company does not dispense petroleum products into bottles or jerrycans as displayed in the video.

That NNPC Retail Ltd does not deal in adulterated products as it adheres to rigorous standards and quality control measures at every stage in its operations to ensure that only high quality, safe, and reliable petroleum products are available at its stations nationwide.

That members of the public should discountenance the spurious claims made in the video and be wary of selfish and unpatriotic elements pushing such narrative as they do not mean well for the country.

That we take pride in maintaining accurate pump integrity with regular inspection and calibration to ensure consistency across our stations nationwide.

Olufemi O. Soneye
Chief Corporate Communications Officer
NNPC Ltd.
Abuja.