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Tag: Airtel

  • UBA Hosts Airtel MD in Quarterly Business Series, Calls for Registration of Business, SMEs Owners

    In its continuous attempt to support the growth and sustainability of small and medium scale businesses in Nigeria and Africa, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc will be hosting the UBA Business Series on Tuesday, June 30, 2020.

    The UBA Business Series, which is held quarterly, is a capacity building initiative where leading business leaders share insights on best business practices on how entrepreneurs can build a sustainable business empire especially in the challenging business environment in Africa.

    In this edition, which will be held via Microsoft Teams, UBA will host the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Network, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, who will give tips to business leaders and participants on ways to ensure their businesses survive especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The open event will be held virtually starting at 2pm WAT on Tuesday, June 30, 2020 and interested participants can register via http://bit.ly/UBA-Business-Series-Registration

    Ogunsanya will be speaking on the topic: ‘Strategies and competencies for adjusting to a Post COVID-19 Business Environment’, and will aim to equip business owners with the important and essential strategies on how to recover and rebuild their business concerns following losses incurred due to the pandemic which took the world by storm, thus forcing many businesses to re-examine their models and strategies in line with the new normal.

    UBA’s Group Head, Consumer and Retail Banking, Jude Anele, said that far beyond banking services, UBA is interested in ensuring that customers and entrepreneurs run businesses that can stand the test of time, adding that the Business Series, which is hosted quarterly, will assist to arm business leaders with all the knowledge and experience required to take their businesses to the next level.

    He said, “Even in this period of the pandemic, it is interesting to note that some businesses are still making it big. How? you will ask, these are some of the questions we will address in our seminar on Tuesday. We have a business leader who is experienced in every sense of the word and is willing to share insight with others on ways to grow their business and put it on firm footing as we try to move beyond this pandemic. I will advise everyone to tune in, even if you do not have a business, it is an opportunity to learn something new.”

    UBA’s Group Head, Marketing & Customer Experience, Michelle Nwoga, said that the business seminar is open to all business owners and leaders across Nigeria. She explained that it is a capacity building programme which aims to assist participants to gain practical knowledge and insights to help their businesses thrive.

    Nwoga explained that the UBA Business Series has previously hosted renowned business leaders like Mr Haresh Keswani, MD/CEO Artee Group (Spar) who pioneered the second wave of retail revolution in Nigeria through the birth of Park n Shop.

    Segun Ogunsanya, MD/CEO Airtel Networks Limited, is an Engineer and a Chartered Accountant by profession with over 27 years’ experience garnered across multiple geographies, organizations and diverse sectors such as telecoms, consulting, Banking and Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG). He joined Airtel Nigeria in 2012 and he has repositioned the company to become profitable and the second largest telecommunications company by revenue and serving over 50 million customers.

  • Copyright infringement: Court orders NUC, Airtel to pay N703m to media company

    Copyright infringement: Court orders NUC, Airtel to pay N703m to media company

    A Fededal High Court in Abuja has awarded the sum of N703 million as damages against the National Univiersities Commission, NUC and Zain Nigeria Ltd (now Airtel) for infringing on the copyright of a media company, TV Xtra Production.

    In his judgement on Wednesday, Justice Inyang Ekwo held that actions of the defendants, clearly breached the copyright of the plaintiff.

    TV Xtra Production’s CEO and General Editor Arise News, Christian Ojorovwu Ogodo, who designed and registered the quiz programme, ‘University Challenge’ with the National Copyrights Commission, was surprised to see the programme being aired on TVs by NUC and Zain four weeks after he made the presentation to the NUC.

    Zain Nigeria in its defence contended that TV Xtra is not the original owner of the programme, explaining that the idea was picked from a similar programme, the British Universities Challenge.

    But Justice Ekwo ruled that the defendants misunderstood the case of plaintiff who is seeking remedy for his work not in any other part of the world, but registered in Nigeria and which existed at the time it was aired in Nigeria. He added that airing the programme on AIT and NTA without the permission of the author violated sections 2(a) (1), 6 (1) (a) (1) and 8 of the Copyrights Act.

    “The law is that a work in Nigeria is the exclusive right of the owner to control the reproduction of the work in any material form and making adaptations of the work going by Section 6(1) (a) (1) and 8 of the Copyright Act”, the judge said.
    “I find that the case of the plaintiff succeeds on the merit I make an order entering judgement on the terms of the claims”, he said.
    TV Xtra brought the copyright infringement suit on December 18, 2009 demanding the sum of N500 million as special damages for the infringement.
    It is also demanded N200 million as general damages for airing the programme titled: ‘Zain African Challenge’ in Nigerian televisions which infringed its rights. It also demanded the sum of N3 million as cost of the suit.

    TV Xtra Production also demanded an order of the court compelling the NUC which is the first defendant in the suit, to endorse and approve the programme called ‘University Challenge’.

    The firm also wants the court to issue a perpetual injunction restraining Zain Nigeria from “producing, airing, marketing or exercising any right in respect of the programme called ‘Zain African Challenge’”.

  • Airtel commits over N1.9B to fight against COVID-19

    Leading telecommunications services provider, Airtel Nigeria, has announced a commitment of over N1.9B towards the fight against COVID-19 in Nigeria.

    Providing a breakdown of the pledged sum, Airtel said N200m will go towards provision of an Isolation Center or any required Medical Facility agreed with the appropriate Health Authority in the Country, another N120m towards provision of over 100,000 N95 Respirator Masks for Health Workers across the Country.

    It is also offering free Short Message Services (SMS) to customers across all networks worth over N1B as well as free data for customers to access educational and health sites worth about N500m. The sites include those of Federal Ministry of Health and Nigeria Center for Disease Control on COVID-19.

    The Company has earlier commenced a multi-million-naira educational awareness campaign to sensitize Nigerians on steps to take to prevent spread of the virus. Airtel added that it is also committing about N100m to support the NCDC, Port Health Services and the 36 States, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on provision of toll-free lines to help in the fight against COVID-19 and to connect the NCDC’s offices nationwide with Broadband services.

    Our Employees are not left out. They have voluntarily contributed N20m to be donated to Lagos State Government during the week for provision of food items to needy families during this crisis.

    Commenting on the efforts of the organization to join well-meaning Nigerians and corporate entities to stop the spread of COVID-19, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Airtel Nigeria, Segun Ogunsanya, said Airtel is deeply connected with the feelings of every Nigerian at this time and it is inspired to act and continue to go the extra-mile to ensure a stop to the spread of the deadly Coronavirus.

    “As a key stakeholder in Nigeria, we are committed to supporting government at every level in stopping the spread of COVID-19. We will continue to intensify our efforts and support as we leverage our technology and network to bring relief and succor to Nigerians at this trying time. We have an obligation to support our communities in fighting this virus and I have no doubt in my mind that we will succeed.” he said.

    Airtel had since commenced the educational awareness campaign, which include rendering Public Service Announcements in local languages including Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo. The nationwide awareness campaign went live on Tuesday, 24th March 2020 and has been heavy on both traditional and social media and across radio, billboard, press, phones/devices and digital media.

    Acknowledging Airtel’s donations to the Port Health Services, Dr. Morenike Alex-Okoh, the Director of Nigeria’s Port Health Services commended Airtel Nigeria for pledging its support immediately the request was made and indeed fulfilling the promise within a short space of time.

    “We are inspired by the show of corporate social responsibility by Airtel and look forward to similar support from other organizations not only to the Port Health Services but to the overall effort to fight the Coronavirus pandemic,” she commented.

    Airtel has also partnered with leading e-learning platforms to offer data-free access to their sites, empowering young Nigerians to benefit from quality education during the COVID-19 period.

    These leading e-learning platforms include Oyo State Government’s e-learning portal and services; ULesson, a leading e-learning platform offering lessons for SS1-SS3 in the STEM subjects of Mathematics, Physics, Biology and Chemistry) and Myschool.ng, a leading exam preparation platform for SSCE, JAMB, NECO.

    Others are PASS.NG, a leading exam preparation platform for SSCE, JAMB, NECO, Common Entrance, ICAN, JSCE, N-Power) and Screenclass, an emerging learning platform offering tutorials in key subjects for Junior & Senior Secondary School, Common Entrance.

    Airtel has also assured that its priority during this COVID-19 period will be the wellbeing and safety of all its employees, customers, their family as well as every Nigerian.

    “At this point, we know that our first priority must be you and your family’s health and well-being, and we hope you stay safe and healthy. At the same time, our hearts go out to those at the front line: medical staff and caregivers who put themselves at risk to do all it takes to serve others.

    “In much the same way, we at Airtel also accept that we provide an essential service – keeping our customers and the country connected. Therefore, we are doing everything we can to keep our employees and partners safe as they connect you with your businesses and loved ones. We know there is a great responsibility on us as connectivity providers, to do what it takes to keep you connected during this crisis” said Ogunsanya, Airtel Nigeria’s Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director.

  • COVID-19: Subscribers ask MTN, Glo, Airtel, others to slash tariffs to enhance info flow

    COVID-19: Subscribers ask MTN, Glo, Airtel, others to slash tariffs to enhance info flow

    Some consumers, under the aegis of Association of Telephone, Cable TV and Internet Subscribers (ATCIS), have called on telecommunications companies in the country to reduce tariffs for voice, data and other services.

    The consumers said this had become imperative due to current challenges and disruption triggered by Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) as well as the need to ease information flow.

    Speaking on their behalf, the National President of the ATCIS, Sina Bilesanmi, made the call in a statement in Lagos on Monday.

    Bilesanmi urged telecom operators to be patriotic and not exploit the challenges caused by the global pandemic as an opportunity to make more money off their subscribers.

    He explained that people and business organisations had now resorted to remote operations, as they now contend with movement restrictions.

    Bilesanmi added that everyone had been left with voice calls, Short Message Service (SMS) and data services to keep up with daily business trends, social realities and information flow regarding COVID-19.

    “With self-isolation and Federal Government’s lockdown to contain the spread of the virus, these measures will naturally lead to changes in consumers’ behaviours.

    “These changes are reflected in the upsurge in the usage of collaborative tools to communicate, to do business and work from home as well as e-learning starting from primary, secondary to tertiary institutions.

    “However, the situation at hand is a very delicate one and the only way we can have a breakthrough is by prioritising patriotism above personal gains and gratifications.

    “Everyone is caught almost unprepared by COVID-19, forcing us to abandon our places of work to performing our duties at home,” Bilesanmi said.

    He noted that no one would be able to work remotely, unless there is access to telecommunications services for voice and data.

    Bilesanmi said that the period might appear as a good time for Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to make more money as rate of spending on voice and data multiplies.

    He, however, urged the operators not to see the period as an opportunity to increase profit margin.

    “Our telecoms service providers, especially MTN, Glo, Airtel, 9Mobile and others, should see this time as an opportunity for them to further exhibit their value as responsible corporate citizens by slashing tariffs.

    “At this point, people rely on data or telecoms services generally to obtain necessary information about the pandemic, especially regarding prevention tips and necessary steps to take in the event of suspected cases.

    “Affordable access, undoubtedly, will connect the people to responders, including police, fire service, health workers, among others.

    “We, therefore, call on the operators to support the fight against the deadly virus by cutting tariffs or create special bundles for subscribers to lessen the negative economic impacts of COVID-19 on individuals,” he said.

    Bilesanmi also called for collaboration between the customers and telecoms operators, saying that if the virus must be defeated, access to telecoms services must not only be available but also affordable.

  • Drop calls: Airtel seeks inclusion of Telecoms infrastructure on CNI as vandalisations increase

    Airtel Nigeria has blamed the rising rate of telecoms drop calls on infrastructure vandalism and insurgency across networks, calling on the federal government to urgently deal with the menace of vandalism, insecurity and insurgency in order to address the current spate of dropped calls experienced by most telecommunications subscribers.

    The telecoms company made the call yesterday in Lagos, while addressing journalists about its travails in providing telecoms services to Nigerians.

    The Director of Corporate Communications and CSR, Airtel Nigeria, Emeka Oparah, noted that the declaration of telecoms infrastructure as Critical National Infrastructure by the government would go a long way in helping to safeguard telecoms infrastructure as Airtel alone recorded 1,022 cases of fibre cuts between July 2019 and February 11, 2020.

    According to him, 405 cases of the fibre cuts were as a result of road rehabilitation activities by construction workers, while 617 cases were due to vandalism.

    Oparah pleaded government to come to the aid of telecoms operators as these activities have resulted in dropped calls, poor network quality, network congestion and poor user experience for telecommunications subscribers across the country.

    He also urged the federal and state governments to hasten the approval process for right of way for fibre deployment as well as quicken the Environmental Impact Analysis (EIA) approval process, noting that these actions would help solve the problem of network congestion and network failure.

    Vice President, Network Operations, Airtel Nigeria, Dr. Adedoyin Adeola, explained that telecoms installations across the country were repeatedly vandalised, stolen, bombed and destroyed, thus creating myriad of problems for the network operators as well as the telecommunication consumers.

    “Telecoms operators are plagued with so many problems, ranging from security issues to illegal signal boosters. While a network provider is working hard to restore a fibre cut due to vandalism or activities of road construction workers, it also has to deal with illegal signal boosters, which interfere with network quality and operated by unlicensed operators.

    “Then, all operators would have to wait endlessly for right of way approvals, EIA approvals and other approvals. Also, telecoms installations are huge targets for thieves who cart away inverter batteries, generators, diesels in addition to other daily and long standing problems of multiple taxation, community issues, among others,” he said.

    Adeola also highlighted the efforts telcos are making to remedy the situation despite the harsh operating climate, stating that steps are being taken to improve surveillance across telecoms fibre routes; proactively engage with construction companies and communities; and enlisting the support of security agencies to access sites/telecoms infrastructure in flash points or troubled areas, among many others.

    He called on the government to urgently declare fibre routes as critical National Assets, contain the security challenges country-wide and improve public power availability and quality.

  • Airtel Nigeria partners Lagos State to Host Greater 2020 Festival

    Leading telecommunications services provider, Airtel Nigeria, has partnered with the Lagos State Government to host one of the biggest End of Year Festival dubbed the Greater 2020, a carnival that will hold across five locations in Lagos and feature some of the biggest Nigerian artistes including Olamide, Fireboy, Zlatan and D.J Spinal, among others

    Themed ‘Simply Unforgettable,’ the Carnival will open to the public on the 25th of December across five locations, namely: Agege stadium, Ikorodu Town Hall, Recreational Place Youth Centre, Epe; Badagry Grammar School, Badagry and the Eko Atlantic, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    On the 31st of December, 2019, the Greater Lagos 2020 End of Year Festival will climax with simultaneous concerts across the five locations, creating huge platforms for thousands of Lagosians to party into the New Year, 2020.

    says it is excited to partner with the Lagos State Government on the Greater 2020 initiative as the platform will provide an opportunity to excite, delight and reward telecommunications consumers across Lagos in a fun-filled and electrifying atmosphere, adding that the Airtel brand is always alive and committed to connecting Lagosians to everything they love and cherish.

    Commenting on the initiative, the Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts & Culture, Mrs. Olufunke Adebolu said: “Greater Lagos 2020 is targeted at showing Nigerians home and abroad how Lagos has evolved in the last decade and the opportunities available to investors regardless of their race or nationality.”

    In his submission, popular artiste, Olamide, noted that the Greater Lagos 2020 is an event that better positions this city and everyone who wants to achieve anything worthwhile in this city should support it.”

    The Greater Lagos 2020 Festival will offer opportunities for Lagosians to connect with many big brands that will showcase their products, services and innovation, across the five locations.

  • Airtel gets NCC approval to reject calls from Glo subscribers

    Due to the failure of Globacom to settle its interconnect debts to Airtel, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has granted Airtel Networks Limited an approval to partially disconnect Globacom from its network.

    The partial disconnection will make it impossible for Glo subscribers to make calls to Airtel network but the arrangement is set up that can however, receive calls from the network.

    The disconnection is to take effect from Monday, October 28, 2019.

    Airtel would not be the first telecommunication company to accuse Globacom of not fulfilling its end of the bargain as MTN had earlier in the year laid the same claim and threatened to cut off the network but saw an intervention of the industry’s regulator, the NCC.

    Telcos settle interconnect bills through clearing houses approved and licensed by the NCC. The bills are generated from charges for calls from a particular network that terminate on another network.

    In a statement released by the NCC’s through its Director of Public Affairs, Mr Henry Nkemadu, dated October 18, it was disclosed that Glo mobile was notified of the application and was given opportunity to comment and state its case.

    “The Commission having examined the application and circumstances surrounding the indebtedness determined that the affected operator does not have sufficient reason for non-payment of interconnect charges,” the statement read.

    “All subscribers are, therefore, requested to take notice that the Commission has approved the partial disconnection of Glo mobile by Airtel in accordance with Section 100 of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 and the Guidelines and Procedure for Granting Approval to disconnect Telecommunication Operators,” it added.

    At the expiration of 10 days from the date of the notice, subscribers on the network of Globacom will no longer be able to make calls to Airtel but they will be able to receive calls. The partial disconnection, however, will allow in-bound calls to the Glo mobile network.

  • BREAKING: Ijaw youths begin shutting down of MTN, Glo, Airtel masts in Bayelsa

    Ijaw youths have made good their threat to shut down masts belonging to MTN, Glo, Airtel and other telecommunication companies in Bayelsa State.
    The picketing was following issues bordering on complaints by the youths that the companies excluded indigenes from quick-win contracts especially the supply of diesel to their facilities.
    Details shortly…

  • Forfeiture Claim on Airtel Shares False, Misleading – Ecobank subsidiary

    O&O Networks Limited, Special purpose vehicle owned by the Ecobank Group says contrary to certain media reports, there is no forfeiture order of the Federal High Court of Nigeria in its proceedings that is directed against Ecobank Transnational Incorporate (ETI) or Ecobank Nigeria Limited. O&O Networks Limited is defending long-standing proceedings in the Federal High Court relating to its ownership of shares in Airtel Networks Limited that were once owned by it.

    The company which is a special purpose vehicle previously owned by Oceanic Bank, formed part of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated’s (ETI) in 2011 after the acquisition of Oceanic Bank. Legal proceedings were first initiated against O&O Networks Ltd in December 2006 by Broad Communications Ltd (“plaintiff”), in the Federal High Court of Nigeria.

    A statement released by O&O Networks, pointed out that there is no forfeiture order of the Federal High Court of Nigeria in these proceedings that is directed against ETI or Ecobank Nigeria Limited.

    According to the statement, there have been no material legal developments in the plaintiff’s substantive claim for monetary compensation since 2017, though a trial date on the substantive merits was recently fixed for May 28, 2019.

    The statement reads: “Contrary to certain press reports, there is no forfeiture order of the Federal High Court of Nigeria in these proceedings that is directed against ETI or Ecobank Nigeria Limited, and neither ETI nor Ecobank Nigeria Limited has made or is required by law to make any payment to the Federal High Court of Nigeria in relation to this long-standing litigation. There have been no material legal developments in the plaintiff’s substantive claim for monetary compensation since 2017.

    “In 2006, the plaintiff’s claim was grounded on an alleged right of first refusal over shares in Airtel Networks Limited that O&O Networks owned. The plaintiff claimed ownership of the Airtel shares based on its right of first refusal. In 2017, the plaintiff amended its claim to seek monetary compensation of USD equivalent of Naira 10 billion (approximately US$28 million) in place of its claim of ownership of the Airtel share.

    ” Since the matter was filed in 2006, it has not proceeded to trial on the substantive merits of the claim to date though a trial date on the substantive merits was recently fixed for May 28, 2019

    “In August 2018, O & O Networks sold its shares in Airtel Networks Limited for Naira 22.5 billion (approximately US$62.5 million) with the permission of the Federal High Court on 7 June 2018 and subsequently in September 2018, the plaintiff filed an interlocutory application requesting the Federal High Court of Nigeria to grant an order directing O&O Networks to place Naira 22.5 billion (approximately US$62 million) – the entire proceeds of the sale of the Airtel shares and an amount which is significantly in excess of the plaintiff’s total monetary claim – into an escrow account in the name of the Chief Registrar of the court, pending the final determination of the substantive claim. The Federal High Court of Nigeria granted the plaintiff’s interlocutory application on 7 March, 2019.

    “O&O Networks has filed a notice of appeal and an application for stay of execution to this ruling. O&O Network’s appeal to the interlocutory order is currently pending, and it intends to prosecute the appeal vigorously.

    “O & O Networks Limited believes the substantive claim of the plaintiff is without merit and will continue to vigorously defend all proceedings – interlocutory and substantive – in relation to the plaintiff’s long-standing claim.”

  • Airtel Nigeria Named ‘Brand of the Year 2018’ by Leadership Newspaper

    Leading telecommunications services provider, Airtel Nigeria, has been named ‘Brand of the Year 2018’ by the Board of Editors of one of Nigeria’s foremost newspapers, Leadership Newspaper.

    The well-respected editors, in a citation, said Airtel was deserving of the honour because it has demonstrated intense interest and commitment to supporting laudable causes through its Corporate Social Investment initiatives just as it has also produced some of the best advertisements and value offerings in the industry and the market.

    “Leveraging on its award-wining Touching Lives programme, Adopt-a-School initiative and Employee Volunteer Scheme, Airtel has invested massively, within the past years, to assist many communities as well as uplift hundreds of underprivileged people across Nigeria.

    “It’s various CSR initiatives have directly impacted thousands of people as well as millions of Nigerians indirectly.”
    Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar; Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade and Chairman of Leadership Group, Sam Nda-Isaiah presented the award to Airtel Nigeria’s Regional Operations Director, North West Region, Muhammad Bashir and Erhumu Bayagbon, Head: Public Relations, Airtel Nigeria, at a colourful ceremony, which held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, today (7/2/19).

    In his acceptance speech, Airtel Nigeria’s Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Segun Ogunsanya who was represented by Muhammad Bashir, Regional Operations Director, North-West, expressed profound appreciation to the Board of Editors of Leadership Newspaper for creating an independent and highly credible platform to reward excellence.

    “Airtel is pleased with this award, especially as it is coming from a well-respected and leading newspaper in Nigeria. Indeed, this recognition bears eloquent testimony to the dedication and hard work of all my colleagues and I must thank them for always choosing to go the extra mile.

    “Most importantly, this award is for all our customers across the country. We are being recognized today because millions of telecoms consumers have not just chosen Airtel but have demonstrated strong loyalty to our brand.”

    He further assured that Airtel will remain relentless in its passion to “creating amazing experiences and innovative value offerings for all our stakeholders. We are also committed to touching more lives and also building communities as well as uplifting underprivileged Nigerians.”

    The Leadership Award and Conference is an annual event put in place by LEADERSHIP Group Limited to celebrate those it acknowledges as having distinguished themselves in the public and private sectors in the previous year. The theme of this year’s conference was ‘Multiparty Democracy, Stability and Peaceful Elections: Connecting The Dots’.

    Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States (US), Justice Sylvanus Nsofor and statesman and seasoned administrator, Alhaji Ahmed Joda were among dignitaries, who attended the Conference and Awards.