News
21st Century Technologies Partners Digital Encode for PCI DSS 3.2 Certification
By Ugo Onwuaso
21st Century Technologies Limited has achieved the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS 3.2) certification, the most thorough global payment-card security standard within the industry.
The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is a set of requirements designed to ensure companies that process, store or transmit credit/debit card information, maintain a secure environment thereby guaranteeing the protection of cardholder data throughout the transaction process.
The standard also facilitates the broad adoption of consistent data security measures globally.
The organization met the twelve stringent different security requirements required to achieve the PCI-DSS compliance which led to the award of a level 1 PCI certificate after extensive audit by a leading Qualified Security Assessor (QSA) Panacea, in partnership with its local partners Digital Encode – an award winning Cyber security, Governance, Risk and Compliance advisory firm.
Oluseyi Akindeinde, chief technical officer, Digital Encode, explained that, the level 1 PCI certification is the highest rank available from the major credit card providers (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover and JCB) and this is only given to third-party providers who meet the Council’s stringent – and audited – credit/debit card transaction security protocols to protect customers’ personal transaction data.
He noted that the award of this certificate is a strong indicator that 21st century technologies Ltd consistently has its customers’ interest at the core of its business operations and is committed to securing customer information as well as maintaining a safe and secure environment for customer data.
Wale Obadare, chief operating officer, Digital Encode, said that the company’s unique methodology is rooted in the concept that a company should run its IT organization as a business. “Throughout the well-defined process, Digital Encode translates strategic business objectives into sound, achievable technology solutions. This approach ensures that the technology never obscures the business goals. This has been demonstrated in the audit process leading to 21st Century Technologies PCI DSS 3.2 certification,” he said.
He added; “Aside PCI DSS audit for organizations, we provide ISO 27001 compliance and pre-certification audit services. The ISO 27001 standard provides a structured framework for the implementation of an Information Security Management System (ISMS) within your organization. Our team consists of experienced ISO 27001-certified lead auditors and implementation experts, with the right blend of technical and business process know how, thus providing a balanced approach to the entire exercise. Our focus is always on the triad of People, Processes, and Technology.”
Adedapo Segun, chief financial officer (CFO), Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), has explained why there is a missing sum of N210 trillion in the company’s audited financial statement spanning from 2017 to 2023.
According to Segun, the missing funds are cash calls requested by joint venture (JV) partners and settlement to the JVs.
He spokeat a session of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts chaired by Aliyu Wadada.
Segun was responding to an alarm raised by the committee over missing N210 trillion in NNPCL’s audited financial statement.
Recall that Wadada issued a one-week ultimatum to NNPCL to account for the missing N210 trillion.
Reacting, Segun said, “The N103 trillion and N107 trillion are made up of joint venture cash calls that have been requested by the JV operators and JV cash call payments made by NNPCL, which are yet to be reconciled because governance procedures were not done at that time.
“That is why you see the description reflecting those two items would be washed out because they are two sides of the same transaction, which is the cash calls by JV partners and the settlement by NNPCL.”
However, Habu Sadeik, a financial analyst, in a post on X on Thursday, said Segun’s response was unsatisfactory.
Saidik faulted NNPCL’s response about the fund discrepancies, noting that something is not right with the audited financial statement.
“Forget about the senators’ lack of knowledge.
“The CFO’s response is not satisfactory. Are you saying that cash calls worth hundreds of trillions are just appearing on your FS only in 2024 without 31 disclosure?
“If it’s a cash call, why hasn’t the disclosure said so?
“Which cash call is over 100 trillion?
“Something is definitely not right, and I hope they retrospectively correct that FS.
“Someone somewhere did a chef’s work,” he wrote on X.
PalmPay, Nigeria’s leading fintech company, has partnered with Globacom to launch the second edition of the “Recharge and Win Bonanza” campaign. The promotion, which runs from June 19th to August 8th, 2025, offers Nigerians the chance to win amazing prizes when they purchase Glo airtime and data via the PalmPay app.
According to a joint statement by PalmPay and Globacom, “A weekly live raffle draw will be held and streamed on PalmPay’s official social media channels throughout the campaign. Customers who make Glo transactions through the PalmPay app will be eligible to win prizes, including the iPhone 15 Pro, Infinix Hot 40, and other exciting items”.
To participate, interested customers can log onto http://bit.ly/PalmPaySms .
The statement added that all transaction above N500 gives participants an extra shot at winning, adding that daily social media challenges will also offer participants a chance to win cash prizes.
Additionally, PalmPay users can enjoy up to 6% cashback when they buy Glo airtime and data through the PalmPay app. As an added bonus, customers who have not subscribed to a Glo data plan in the last 90 days will receive a 100% bonus on their recharge during the campaign period.
Wayne Ruppel, Head of Billers at PalmPay Limited expressed excitement about the partnership, stating that, “This collaboration is a major step in our mission to deliver MORE – more support, more rewards, and more innovation to our customers.
Partnering with Glo, a leader in the telecommunications sector, is a testament to our shared commitment to improving everyday experiences for all Nigerians. We are excited to reward our users and encourage everyone to take full advantage of this exciting opportunity.
Globacom also expressed delight at creating additional value for its subscribers through unique customer-appreciation schemes.
“Our partnership with PalmPay on the “Recharge and Win Bonanza perfectly underscores our commitment to delivering exceptional value and experiences. Over the years, we have always sought innovative ways to enrich the lives of our customers. We, therefore, enjoin our subscribers to utilize the opportunity provided by the bonanza and enjoy the many benefits it offers”, the company stated.
PalmPay and Glo will collaborate throughout the campaign period to deliver exceptional customer experience, reward loyalty, and reinforce their shared mission to make digital transactions more accessible, rewarding, and secure for millions of Nigerians.
News
UK Reaffirms 99% Duty-Free Access for Nigerian Exports Under Developing Countries Trading Scheme
United Kingdom has reiterated its long-term commitment to strengthening economic ties with Nigeria, confirming that 99% of Nigerian goods will continue to enjoy duty-free access to the UK market under the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS).
Dr. Richard Montgomery, British High Commissioner to Nigeria
The announcement reinforces the UK’s intention to bolster sustainable trade with Nigeria, boost export competitiveness, and promote inclusive economic growth across both nations. Introduced in June 2023, the DCTS is designed to reduce tariffs and simplify export rules for developing economies. It currently benefits 37 African countries, with Nigeria being a key player.
Nigerian exporters are set to gain substantial advantages from the scheme, which allows over 3,000 products—ranging from cocoa, plantain, and shrimp to processed items like cocoa paste, palm oil, and cotton garments—to enter the UK duty-free or with reduced tariffs. This shift supports value addition in Nigeria’s export ecosystem, encouraging the move from raw to processed exports.
British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery, said: > “Nigeria stands at the heart of the UK’s global trade ambitions. This isn’t just about improved market access—it’s about building a fairer, freer global trading system that supports economic growth and job creation, both in developing countries and in the UK.”
He further noted that through the UK-Nigeria Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP), the UK continues to work closely with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) to tackle export challenges and maximise opportunities under the scheme.
The DCTS aligns with broader UK efforts to expand trade relations across the globe, complementing recent agreements with nations such as India and the United States.
How and Why N210 Trillion is Missing in NNPCL – CFO
Ghana’s Economy Shows Signs of Revival, Fueled by a Surging Cedi
IHS Nigeria, United Nations Global Compact Host High-Level Dialogue on Sustainability and Greener Business Practices in Nigeria
Tarana, Microsoft Enhance Africa’s Broadband Connectivity
Mobile Industry Emissions Down 8%, But Pace Must Double to Hit Net Zero
Telecom2 days agoALTON Clarifies on Migration to End-User Billing for USSD Services
E-Financial2 days agoNigerian Stock Market Suffers ₦183 Billion Loss Amid Profit-Taking
News2 days agoDStv Rewards Loyal Customers with Free Package Upgrades
Telecom2 days agoLagos Future Conference 2025: Stakeholders Call for Digital Responsibility and Grassroots Innovation
General News2 days agoAfrican Parliamentarians Seek Answers from Telcos on Quality of Service
News1 day agoLasaco Assurance to Invest in Technologies, Systems to Deliver Value to Clients
E-Financial2 days agoSEC Working on Stablecoin Regulation Framework
News2 days agoFCCPC Orders Air Peace to Appear Over Alleged Refund Violations