The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Airtel Nigeria

  • Aso villa demo day winners commend Airtel

    • As telco awards N3m cash prizes to start-ups

    Three young entrepreneurs who emerged winners in the Aso Villa Demo Day (AVDD), have commended Airtel Nigeria for promoting creativity.

    AVDD is a presidential initiative aimed at promoting entrepreneurship and innovation through the use of technologies.

    Emmanuel Okena, founder of Tracology; Mazi Ukonu founder of Recycle Points and Damilola Olokesusi, founder of Shuttlers were at the telco’s Banana Island, Headquarters in Lagos recently to redeem their cash prizes.

    They were awarded cash prizes of N3m each for creating apps aimed at enhancing service delivery and solving critical societal challenges. Director of Brand & Advertising, Airtel, Mr. Enitan Denloye presented the cash prizes to the winners.

    The three tech entrepreneurs emerged top among the 30 start-ups that featured in the Aso Villa Demo Day finals, a presidential initiative to encourage tech start-up and talented Nigerians in the technological domain.

    Reacting to the telco’s gesture, Mr. Okena said: “The commitment showed by Airtel Nigeria is a huge motivation for us. Their support encourages us to remain focused. The app will boost revenue generation for government and utility companies while ensuring customer service satisfaction.”

    Tracology is a patented process that deploys QR codes to residences serviced by utility/waste management companies registered within their database. This app enables the service providers to quickly verify customers who have paid or not, thereby eliminating challenges associated with verification.

    “We appreciate a corporate body like Airtel Nigeria for being part of the initiative. What Airtel has done will enable us to improve,” Mazi Ukonu founder of Recycle Points said.

    Recycle Points is a waste recycling and social benefit project geared towards creating awareness on the values of waste recycling in addition to providing for the basic social and economic needs of potential recyclers.

    Similarly, Damilola Olokesusi, co-founder of Shuttlers, an app that enables access to comfortable and efficient transport system to and from work, applauded Airtel for showing commitment to start-ups as a way of encouraging them to grow and become sustainable ventures.

    With the Shuttlers app, users can book a seat on preferred route, pay for seat and track the location of their preferred mode of transportation, i.e bus, and receive push notifications on information relating to the service such as arrival and departure times.

    Through various platforms, Airtel Nigeria has demonstrated commitment to creating innovative and credible platforms to empower talented Nigerians.

  • Airtel empowers young entrepreneurs

    Airtel empowers young entrepreneurs

    • Aso Villa Demo Day winners smile home with cash prizes

    Airtel Nigeria has fulfilled its promise to some young entrepreneurs who emerged winners in the Aso Villa Day Demo, a presidential initiative aimed at promoting entrepreneurship and innovation through the use of technologies.

    The three top start-up who emerged winners in the initiative, Emmanuel Okena, Mazi Ukonu, and Damilola Olokesusi, commended the telco for promoting creativity and entrepreneurship in Nigeria.

    They received their cash prize of Three Million Naira each at the telco’s Headquarters at Banana Island, Lagos recently.

  • Nominations open for Airtel touching lives season 3

    Nominations open for Airtel touching lives season 3

    …restates commitment towards less privileged Nigerians.

    Following the remarkable impact and success recorded in the Seasons 1 and 2 of its revolutionary Corporate Social responsibility (CSR) intervention tagged Touching Lives, Airtel Nigeria, has announced the Season 3 in line with its commitment to making sustainable impact on the lives of disadvantaged people, the needy and communities across Nigeria.

    Speaking at the media announcement/unveiling of Season 3 of the life-changing social investment initiative on Thursday, Airtel’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, explained that through Touching Lives, the telecoms firm offered practical relief, succour, hope, opportunities and credible platforms to liberate and empower the underprivileged, disadvantaged and hard to reach persons in the society.

    In his speech, Ogunsanya said: “At Airtel we believe that to be a great company we must first be a good company, and we are very much committed to earning our social license – the love and acceptance of the various communities and people we serve.

    “When we launched the maiden edition of Touching Lives, major stakeholders especially the media wanted to know if the initiative was a one-off and if the launch was just for media exposure and brand building. Our responses haven’t changed – Airtel Nigeria is committed to creating positive impact in the various communities it operates in and we are genuinely inspired to uplift the less privileged around us as well as create prosperity platforms for many Nigerians on a long-term, sustainable basis,” Mr. Ogunsanya said.

    Enumerating how the telco’s multi-million Naira CSR initiative has brought positive changes in the lives of thousands of Nigerians, Ogunsanya stated that through Airtel Touching Lives, the company provided potable water for several starved communities, built maternal and health centres for remote communities, built and renovated schools to provide quality education to the less privileged.

    Ogunsanya, while explaining that Airtel Nigeria is not intending to be the only company touching lives, since there are millions of people it cannot reach for different reasons, called on corporate organizations and individuals to consider ways to complement the initiative.

    His words: “Part of the challenges for us is that we cannot entertain all the entries received. What we can only do is consider the Need, Impact and Affordability of the initiative for 36 people and communities out of several millions. That’s why Airtel is inviting more companies to come on this journey.

    “This initiative gives room for positive pressure from neighbouring communities and government. If we adopt a school and transform it for good, government can take up the surrounding schools. That’s what we are talking about.”

    In a goodwill message, publisher of Business Day Newspaper, Mr. Frank Aigbogun, commended Airtel for giving voice to the voiceless, supporting the down-trodden and bringing smiles to the faces of needy Nigerians, observing that the telecoms firm was not compelled to invest in charity, but inspired purely by love for the less privileged people.

    Similarly, Chief Executive Officer of Brila FM, Dr. Larry Izamoje, who pledged support to propagate the essence and accomplishment of Airtel Touching Lives via Brila FM radio stations across Nigeria, noted that the CSR initiative has become one of the most notable platforms for empowering disadvantaged people to achieve their goals in life.

    Izamoje commended the company for the good initiative while recalling the narratives of how CRS touched and transformed the lives, hopes and aspirations of great sportsmen like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and a few others.

    Recounting how it happened for him, one of the beneficiaries, Mr David Anyaele, Executive Director, Centre for Citizens with disabilities said that the impact of Airtel Touching Lives initiative has helped him know that everyone can touch lives. “It was the Airtel Touching Lives season 1 that made me know that there are over 25million people living with physical challenges like me and I cannot afford to let them remain like that. After Airtel touched my life, I stepped out to also touch the lives of other people. Thanks you Airtel,” he summed.

    As Season 3 takes off, Airtel urged kind-hearted Nigerians to nominate persons, families or communities by calling or sending text messages using the short code 367 on Airtel network. Further information on the initiative and how to nominate can be found on the website. “Nominations can also be sent to airteltouchinglives@ng.airtel.com as well as submitted at any Airtel store nationwide.”

  • Airtel rewards outstanding business partners in Style

    Airtel rewards outstanding business partners in Style

    Telecommunications services provider, Airtel Nigeria, at its annual 2016 Smart Partners’ Awards, honoured its outstanding business partners in grand style.

    In a press statement issued on Tuesday, the telecoms company observed that the recognition is in line with its commitment to reward exceptional business performances and also to motivate and encourage its Trade partners.

    At the colourful awards’ dinner, which held at the prestigious Oriental Hotel, the Airtel trade partners were recognized in different categories in recognition of their outstanding performances.

    Lagos-based A.G Cellular Nig. Ltd and Akwa-Ibom-based Idems Ultimate Ltd., emerged winners of the CEO Excellence Awards, each smiling home with the grand prize of brand new 2017 Ford Explorer SUVs.

    Can’t Stop Nig. Ltd, Alennsor Infinity Nig. Ltd, Hanope-Blitz Nig. Ltd. and Awake Interlink Nig. Ltd. were awarded with N5m worth credit note for being  champions of the Airtel Lagos, North, South and West Regions respectively.

    Managing Director, A.G Cellular Ltd, Mr. Anthony Mutiu and Senior Manager for Idems Ultimate Ltd, Ubong Imoh, received the grand prizes on behalf of their companies.

    Other partners were recognized and rewarded as Best Channel Partners in Data products; Best in Customer Service Delivery and Best Alternative Channel Partners.

    Speaking during the event, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, applauded the partners for their persistence, loyalty and positive impact on the business despite the nation’s current economic situation.

    “Tonight, we are celebrating a winning partnership that works. Every Channel Partner is deserving of recognition and award. At Airtel Nigeria, we are very clear in what our vision is, which is to enrich lives and create prosperity for everyone. We aim to be the best Internet Company in Nigeria that is why we have committed so much resource to our network in the last few years.

    “We urge all our partners to convert this investment into value by bringing more value-adding customers to the network. And I hope that we have been able to add value to the various customers and partners,” he noted.

    President, Lagos State Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mrs. Nike Akande, commended Airtel Nigeria for rewarding its business partners.

    “The best way to get the best out of people is to acknowledge and reward them when they do well. I am confident that this will spur your Business Partners to do more.

    “All the partners of Airtel Nigeria brought their innovation and creativity into the business in Nigeria in spite of the economic situation. And I want to congratulate Airtel for its success as leading telecoms services provider in Nigeria,” She said.

    Airtel brand Ambassadors, Tuface Idibia; comedian Akpororo; The Voice Nigeria finalists, Cornel and Viveeyan, and the Xplicit Dance Group thrilled guests with scintillating performances at the event.

  • Airtel partners Genesis to offer customers free access on naij, jiji.ng

    Airtel partners Genesis to offer customers free access on naij, jiji.ng

    Airtel Nigeria has announced a strategic partnership agreement with Genesis (www.gen.tech), leading global mobile Internet company to provide customers on the telecoms network with an amazing opportunity to access and surf on Naij.com and Jiji.ng for free, without data charges and at an absolutely zero-rate.

    Recall that Naij.com is a digital content website with large downloads of news & an entertainment mobile application in the country with over 17 million unique visitors every month and more than 3 million app downloads.

    Similarly, Jiji.ng is dominating Nigerian marketplace/classifieds destination, attracting over 5 million unique users each month.

    With the partnership, Airtel subscribers can access Naij and Jiji.ng for free via the mobile applications or via naij websites  and jiji.ng

    Commenting on the partnership, Chief Commercial Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Ahmad Mokhles, noted that Airtel Nigeria remains committed to its vision of becoming the preferred network for mobile Internet services, stating that the partnership demonstrates the Telco’s resolve to creating massive empowerment opportunities that will connect Nigerians to their dreams and enable them fulfill their full potential.

    “Airtel is passionate about everything mobile Internet and we are intensely interested in enriching the lives of telecoms consumers by creating opportunities that will help them connect with their friends, loved ones and business associates and also empower them to realize their professional and business goals.

    “Recently, we pioneered the Free Basics innovation with Facebook, a first of its kind in Nigeria. This partnership with Genesis, without a doubt, underscores our commitment to democratizing mobile Internet and creating a more connected society where people will be closer to their dreams,” said Mokhles.

    Bayo Olupohunda, Naij.com editor-in-chief: “In a world where news breaks like the drop of a hat, you will need the fastest medium of getting the news that is important to you at no cost. Naij.com, Nigeria’s number one online news portal understands that times are hard in our country, but we have found the cheapest means of getting the news to your mobile devices. Our once in a lifetime partnership with a leading in Nigeria mobile network, AIRTEL, now makes it possible for you to receive news directly without data charges at an absolutely zero-rate. This is an unbeatable offer that makes Naij.com a proudly Nigerian news media that cares about you.”

    Yuliy Shenfeld, Jiji.ng country manager: “Jiji.ng is a unique marketplace where millions of buyers and sellers transact daily with no fee to post an ad or make a sale. We are thrilled that partnership with AIRTEL gives our users another advantage of using Jiji free of charge on their mobile devices everywhere they go.  The Free data deal with AIRTEL supports our mission to empower the common man across Nigeria with a platform where anyone can find a job, start selling online or get the widest and cheapest range of goods and services across any possible category. Compared to other marketplaces, our buyers have the possibility of searching for the best offers from sellers in their neighborhood online and visit them to transact offline.”

    Unline Naij.com that is a news and entertainment platform, on Jiji.ng you can buy, sell, trade, or find jobs and just about anything from 100 000+ trusted sellers, and advertisers in cars, electronics, fashion, property, jobs etc.

  • Airtel Nigeria wins telecoms company of the year

    Airtel Nigeria wins telecoms company of the year

    Airtel Nigeria, has been named ‘Africa’s Telecommunications Company of the Year.’

    The award was conferred on the Telco over the weekend at the 6th African Business Leadership Forum and Awards 2015, which held at the Hilton London Metropole, United Kingdom.

    Airtel was also honoured with a Special Commendation Award from the US Georgia Legislative Black Caucus at the event.

    Organisers of the awards, the African Leadership Magazine, noted that Airtel emerged the telecommunications company of the Year because of its “immense contribution to the growth of the Telecommunication sector in Nigeria and beyond.”

    “In arriving at the choice of the Airtel Nigeria for this award, the magazine had conducted a survey among our over 480,000 readers comprising 180,000 fans on Facebook, several other thousands on our other platforms including our registered subscribers. In the opinion poll, we asked for their choice of outstanding business leaders and institutions in Africa who should be rewarded for excellence, dedication and business acumen and our different polls nomination shows that you ranked tops in the Telecommunication Category,” the Managing Director of African Leadership Magazine Mr. Ken Giami said while presenting the award to Airtel.

    According to Giami, the award recognises companies who have made a mark in their industry through uncommon customer service, innovative products offering, community impact or technological offering.

    It was also noted that in the last three years, Airtel has literally blazed the trail in the telecoms landscape in Nigeria, leading with innovative, bespoke products and services, significant improvement of its customer services and a revolutionary approach to Corporate Social Responsibility with award-winning CSR programmes such as Adopt-a-School and Touching Lives.

    Airtel Nigeria’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, received the awards at the colourful occasion, which had notable international business magnates and political leaders in attendance among whom were Rep. Dee Hawkins, Haigler Chair, State of Georgia Legislative caucus and Ms. Carol Abel, Governor, Central Bank of Seychelles.

    Mr. Ogunsanya while receiving the award thanked all the critical stakeholders of the company for reposing such a high level of confidence on the Airtel brand and also for their invaluable support.

    “While we relish this glorious recognition, it is very important for us to dedicate this laurel to all our customers in Nigeria and indeed the entire African continent. Our customers are not the only reason why we are in business today, but they are the major reason for all our successes,” he said.

    The African Business Leadership Awards is a prestigious recognition event to reward exceptional practices and outstanding achievers especially in Africa’s private sector. It attracts over 250 businesses and professionals, as it provides a powerful networking opportunity for African businesses and business leaders to link with business leaders from Europe and other parts of the world.

    Past outstanding recipients of the African Leadership awards include, H.E Hifikepunye Pohamba, President of Namibia; H.E. Jakaya Kikwete, President of Tanzania; H.E Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma, President of Sierra Leone; H.E. President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of the Republic of Liberia; H. E John Kufour former President of Ghana and Dr. Joyce Aryee, former CEO of the Ghana Chamber of Mines;

    Others are Cal Bank Limited Ghana, African Development Bank Ghana, First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Liberia Bank for Development and Investment, Dr. Mo Ibrahim, Founder Ibrahim Prize for Leadership; Dr. Donald Kebaruka, President of the African Development Bank Group; Hon. Xavier Luc-Duval, Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Republic of Mauritius; Mr. Mohammed Dewji, CEO METL Group, Tanzania, etc .

     

     

     

  • Mobile firm inaugurates healthcare programmes

    In an effot to reduce infant and maternal deaths in the country, Airtel Nigeria has inaugurated two mobile programmes to increase Nigerians access to healthcare.

    Its chief commercial officer (CCO), Mr Maurice Newa, said two innovations “Dial-a-doctor” and “Mobile midwife” were designed to improve the health status of Nigerians because more people can get medical advice through their mobile phones.

    Newa, who spoke during inauguration of the programme in Lagos, said 40 doctors will be attending to health concerns of expectant mothers, children and men via the mobile network.

    He urged people to subscribe for the application on the network to enable them benefit from the programme, which costs N30 weekly.

    The CCO said people could be advised by a team of doctors on different health issues.

    “Expectant mothers can be guided through pregnancy by using the “mobile midwife” while the “Dial a doctor” can be used by anybody who requires the help of a doctor,” he noted.

    Saving One Million Lives (SOML), Programme Manager, Seyi Ibidapo said the government collaborated with the company to increase access to health services.

    Ibidapo, who represented the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH), said the programme would drive people towards seeking healthcare. “This is not to say that it is replacing hospital consultancy, rather to aid treatment,” she said.

    A General Practitioner (GP), Dr Adegboyega Oke said the initiative would prevent patients from seeing quacks and ensures better health outcome.

    The Mobile Midwife service was made possible by a grant provided by the GSMA Connected Women Programme to Grameen Foundation with technical support provided by VAS2Nets Technologies Ltd.

    Claire Sibthorpe, Director of the GSMA Connected Women Programme, said: “The GSMA Connected Women Programme seeks to accelerate the growth of the female digital economy by working with partners to bring significant socio-economic benefits to women consumers and employees.

  • Flag off of Mobile Number Portability scheme

    Flag off of Mobile Number Portability scheme