FMDQ launches GOLD Awards
- recognises contributors to the Nigerian fixed income, currency and derivatives markets
- CBN Governor recognised as FMDQ Game Changer; pledges support for FMDQ in the joint quest to make the Nigerian financial markets ‘GOLD’
As part of the plans to commemorate its Fifth Year Anniversary, FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange (“FMDQ” or the “OTC Exchange”), at a momentous occasion hosted key financial market stakeholders (governments, regulators, Members, issuers, strategic partners, foreign and local investors, media etc.), at the inaugural FMDQ GOLD Awards (the “GOLD Awards”) on November 9, 2018, at the Lagos Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. The GOLD Awards, which brought together domestic and international stakeholders in the Nigerian and global financial markets space, provided a platform to acknowledge and formally recognise the contributions of market participants within the FMDQ markets, whose activities have directly impacted the development of the markets and positively contributed to making them “GOLD” – Globally Competitive, Operationally Excellent, Liquid and Diverse.
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The long-awaited FMDQ GOLD Awards, first in the Nigerian financial markets, played host to the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, who was the Special Guest of Honour, the Deputy Governors of the CBN – Dr. Okwu Joseph Nnanna (also Chairman, Board of Directors, FMDQ), Mrs. Aishah Ahmad and Mr. Adebisi Shonubi -, former and current Board of Directors of FMDQ, the Nigerian financial markets regulators, including the Securities and Exchange Commission, Nigeria (SEC), FMDQ’s Members, and other players in the Nigerian financial markets, such as, issuers, investors, solicitors, media, international stakeholders, franchise promoters and industry experts, captains of the Nigerian financial markets, amongst others.
Welcoming distinguished guests to the GOLD Awards, Dr. Okwu Joseph Nnanna, Chairman, Board of Directors, FMDQ, specially commended the SEC for demonstrating great foresight in registering FMDQ, and commended other market stakeholders for the support given to FMDQ from inception. The Chairman, during his speech stated that, “the inaugural FMDQ GOLD Awards which coincides with the celebration of the fifth anniversary of the OTC Exchange is meant to recognise the stellar contributions of stakeholders and celebrate the emergence of the FMDQ franchise”. He further stated that, “the uncommon contributions FMDQ has made to the growth of the Nigerian financial markets thus far, are directly proportionate to the support FMDQ has received from its world of stakeholders”. Dr. Nnanna, reiterated during his speech, that FMDQ will continue to provide the requisite platform to power growth and foster the deepening of the Nigerian financial markets”.
The CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, during his Keynote Address stated that “FMDQ has proven to be a reliable partner to the Central Bank by providing an efficient platform for financial markets participants in the primary and secondary markets in a bid to ensure sustainable growth and development in the Nigerian financial markets”. He further stated that “FMDQ’s contributions towards the development of a well-functioning and transparent financial system have immensely helped to ensure system liquidity and significantly deepened the Nigerian markets”. The Governor, in his address, appreciated FMDQ’s staunch support to the CBN in stabilising the Nigerian FX markets and operationalising the OTC FX Futures market, and committed that the CBN will continue to support FMDQ in its joint quest to make the financial markets “GOLD”.
The major highlights of the Ceremony were the presentation of the GOLD Awards to the winners of the various categories (Primary, Secondary and Members’ & Clients’ Choice Award Categories), the FMDQ Market Luminary Awards, FMDQ Game Changer Award and Special Recognitions for FMDQ’s Media and Technology Partners, who have all performed creditably in supporting the development of FMDQ’s markets over the past five (5) years, from November 2013. The FMDQ Next Generation Financial Market Empowerment Programme (FMDQ-Next), FMDQ’s flagship corporate responsibility programme, a learning and development initiative aimed at providing financial markets education and promoting financial literacy among the youth (primary, secondary and tertiary students, and fresh graduates) in Nigeria, was also formally launched to the market with the presentation of gifts and certificates to the students of Lagoon Secondary School and Canterbury International School for participating and excelling in the FMDQ-Next Programme held during the FMDQ Anniversary week, November 5 – 9, 2018.
Ms. Kaodi Ugoji, Associate Executive Director, Corporate Development, FMDQ, during the presentation of the GOLD Awards, stated that “FMDQ could not have achieved any of the progress made in its markets over the last five (5) years without the support of all market participants, and therefore the OTC Exchange is excited to have the opportunity, through the FMDQ GOLD Awards, to publicly recognise the contributions of market stakeholders.” She went ahead to congratulate not only the finalists and winners of the GOLD Awards, but also all market participants for their collaboration and support in building the efficient and fast developing fixed income, currency and derivatives markets in Nigeria. Having engaged Ernst & Young Nigeria, a global leader in assurance services, to verify the Awards results in order to enhance credibility of the selection process, the winners of the various Awards were announced during the ceremony, and included the following, amongst others; Largest Corporate Bond Issuer on FMDQ (Lafarge Africa PLC), Largest Sub-national Bond Issuer on FMDQ (Lagos State Government of Nigeria), Most Market-Impacting Issuer (Debt Management Office, Nigeria), Debt Capital Markets Solicitors (Banwo & Ighodalo), FMDQ Member Compliance (Stanbic IBTC Bank PLC), Most Active Corporate in the Foreign Exchange Market (MTN Nigeria Communications Limited), Regulator Market Transformation Initiative Award (SEC – for licencing FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange and FMDQ Clear Limited), Regulator Market Transformation Initiative Award (PenCom – for the Pension Reform Act 2014) and the Primary and Secondary Markets’ Champions Awards – FMDQ Capital Markets Securities Origination (Stanbic IBTC Capital Limited) and FMDQ 1st Lustrum Dealing Member Award (Stanbic IBTC Bank PLC).
Special Recognition Awards were also presented to the media houses who have supported FMDQ’s agenda and mandate through the continued provision of visibility for the FMDQ markets through print (BusinessDay Media Limited), electronic (Channels TV) and online (Proshare Nigeria Limited) channels; as well as the technology providers who have keyed into the FMDQ vision and have partnered with FMDQ to provide bespoke technology solutions for the benefit of the FMDQ markets (Bloomberg and Thomson Reuters). The GOLD Awards further recognised the FMDQ Market Luminary Awardees – four (4) individuals who were founding treasurers and makers of the capital markets and whose foresight and creativity led to the innovation and advancements in the markets today – Mr. Fola Adeola, OFR; Mrs. Funke Osibodu; Mr. Jim Ovia, CON; and Mr. Atedo Peterside, CON, as well as the FMDQ Lustrum Personality, Mr. Jingdong Hua, Vice President and Treasurer, International Finance Corporation. Finally, the FMDQ Game Changer Award, FMDQ’s most coveted award, which recognises an institution and its leader for spearheading an initiative(s) that has had significant impact on almost every stakeholder group/segment in the financial markets; one that has delivered evident market and/or economic development, was presented to the Governor of the Central Bank, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, for the introduction of the much-needed OTC FX Futures Product into the market in 2016, amongst other initiatives.
Ms. Tumi Sekoni, Associate Executive Director, Capital Markets, FMDQ, during her closing remarks, having thanked all the attendees for their presence at the Awards, reiterated that “FMDQ will continue to champion market transforming initiatives in the Nigerian financial markets, and with the collective effort and support of all its stakeholders, will remain resolute in making the markets “GOLD” – Globally Competitive, Operationally Excellent, Liquid and Diverse.