The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Etisalat

  • Etisalat backs Lagos Photo Festival

    Etisalat Nigeria, a leading telecommunications company, has announced its readiness to partner with the organisers of the annual Lagos Photo Festival towards staging this year’s edition tagged “Staging Reality, Documenting Fiction”.

    Speaking at a press briefing held at the African Artist Foundation, Ikoyi, Lagos to kick-off the event, Enitan Denloye, Director, Brands and Communications, Etisalat Nigeria, said that the company was committed to supporting the arts, promoting excellence, nurturing talents and providing a platform for people to express themselves and communicate their ideas.

    According to him, Lagos Photo is the first photography festival in Nigeria that uses the power of photography to bring stories that capture individual experiences and identities from all over the world.  “We are delighted to have another opportunity to support creativity in Nigeria. Etisalat sees this platform as an identification of the growing arts and culture industry in Nigeria and our partnership with Lagos Photo re-inforces our commitment to celebrating our culture and creative talents. We are reiterating our commitment to keeping our customers connected to unique experiences that connect with their lifestyle,” he said.

    Also, the Director, Lagos Photo Foundation, Wunika  Mukan, disclosed that the 2014 Lagos Photo Festival would examine contemporary photographers working in Africa who toe the line between photography and truth, by incorporating conceptual practices that expand traditional photographic approaches and techniques.

    The theme of this year’s event, according to Mukan, will also explore “how photographers imagine different futures and charter fictive worlds using photography as a catalyst to explore the changing realities of Africa today.”

  • Etisalat opens entries for Innovation Prize

    Etisalat opens entries for Innovation Prize

    Etisalat has announced call for entries for this year’s edition of its Pan-African Prize for Innovation introduced in 2012 to reward the most innovative mobile broadband product, idea or service that positively impacts on African mobile users and demonstrate a valuable socio-economic benefit to customers.

    Its Chief Executive Officer, Matthew Willsher, said: “At our core, the Etisalat business is developing innovative initiatives, products and services to expose Nigeria and Africa in general to the opportunities that abound with broadband. “Etisalat recognises the importance of broadband in healthcare, education, business, security beyond communication through voice and data and the Pan-African Prize for innovation is designed to reward corporate organisations; small and growing businesses as well as individuals developing advanced mobile broadband solutions and platforms in Africa.”

    Meanwhile, the firm has announced the official launch of the iPhone 5s with 12-month warranty and a trade-in offer that will allow its customers exchange their iPhone 5s devices for the yet to be released iPhone 6.

    Its Director, Retail Sales, Charles Ogunwuyi, described the partnership as a demonstration of the company’s commitment to providing customers with world class telecommunication services

    According to the telco, Prize for Innovation is awarded in two categories, the most innovative product/service and most innovative (not commercially available) idea with cash rewards of $25,000 and $10,000 respectively.

    The award will be one of the major attractions at the 17th Annual Africa Com Conference and awards gala dinner scheduled to take place in Cape Town, South Africa in November.

  • Etisalat introduces cliqlite to children

    Etisalat introduces cliqlite to children

    Etisalat Nigeria has unveiled a new product called cliqlite to enhance children’s knowledge.

    The Chief Commercial Officer and Acting CEO of Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Matthew Willsher, said: “Etisalat is driven by a sustained commitment to enriching customer experience. Innovation remains part of our DNA and we believe technology has the potential to revolutionise learning.”

    He said further that while children have an insatiable appetite for technology and innovation, worldwide a significant number of online users are under 18.

    “Etisalat has taken it as responsibility to equip them with the right tools to successfully harness and hone their burgeoning potential.

    “It is on this etho that we present our younger customers with Cliqlite, our new educational tool which will no doubt pave new ways of learning,” he said.

    The Director, Consumer Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, Oluwole Rawa, noted Cliqlite was especially designed for parents and children.

  • Etisalat grows subscriber base to 19.3m

    Etisalat grows subscriber base to 19.3m

    Etisalat Nigeria said it has grown its subscriber base from 16million to 19.3million.

    Its Acting Chief Executive Officer and Chief Commercial Officer, Matthew Willsher, spoke yesterday during what the telco tagged, ‘Etisalat MNP Testimonials,’ in Lagos.

    He said the firm benefited immensely from the Mobile Number Portability (MNP) introduced by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in April, last year, adding that it allowed dissatisfied subscribers of other networks to port into its network.

    Willsher said over 45 per cent of those who engaged in the MNP scheme,  ported into the telco’s network.

    When the firm began operations over five ago, he said there were doubts as to the necessity or otherwise of a fourth Global Service for Mobile (GSM) communication carrier, adding that the coming of the telco to the scene redefined service provision to customers.

    “MNP is one of the greatest things the NCC has done for the industry, because it has provided the subscribers the freedom to choose,” he said, adding that it provided opportunity for customers to dump their inefficient service providers.

    Willsher identified lack of education and awareness about MNP as factors that  inhibited its embrace by many subscribers, adding that a lot still needed to be done to improve on these.

    On steps taken by the management to guarantee efficient service delivery to customers, he said the firm has been working with famous Chinese telecoms equipment vendors, such as Huawei AND ZTE to ensure that customers keep getting value for their money.

    He said the NCC has  commended the telco for meeting key performance indicators (KPIs), promising that the telco will not rest on its oars investing on latest technology to improve on service quality.

    Willsher added that pursuant to steeping up its game in the sector, the firm’s 2,800 kilometre (Km) optic fibre cable (OFC) it is laying will soon be completed. He said the level of the deficit in infrastructure in the country and particularly, the telecoms sector, could only be bridged through constant investment.

    “There is huge demand for infrastructure in the country with about 167 million people. We need to invest more and we are doing that. It will only take years to fill the gap. There is a lot more to be done to meet the demands of the telecommunications sector,” he said.

    Etisalat started operation in the country after three other operators were already on the turf. While its competitors enjoyed incentives such as zero duty on importation of equipment into the country and tax holidays, the firm did not.

    When the NCC imposed fines on the three other GSM operators and barred them from adding new subscribers, Etisalat was spared because it met the regulator’s KPIs.

  • ETISALAT NIGERIAN IDOL: Top six contestants celebrate Nigeria

    ETISALAT NIGERIAN IDOL: Top six contestants celebrate Nigeria

    IT was, undoubtedly, a very exciting moment, last weekend, when the top six contestants in the ongoing Etisalat- sponsored Nigeria Idol Season 4 sang to the pleasure of not just the studio audience, the judges and the viewers, but also in praise of Nigeria at the Dream Studio, Lagos.

    As the contestants were keeping the show on a high level, one of Nigeria’s finest Hip hop acts, Sheyi Shay, also joined the judges’ table at the weekend, thereby increasing the fun in the studio.

    Interestingly, the Nigerian Idol show stage saw excellent performances in two different rounds from the top six contestants, Beebee Bassey, Elvis Jay, Xolani, Eye-D, Antwon and Evelle, who emerged after Jesse Jay and Lisa’s eviction at the last result show. The six contestants thrilled the audience to different Nigerian Hip hop songs by Don Jazzy, D’banj, Tuface, P-Square, Frank Edward, Kcee, Davido, Majek Fashek and Asa.

    However, the two contestants who got a standing ovation and thumbs up of the judges as well as the studio audience were Xolani, who performed ‘Send Down the Rain’ by Majek Fashek and Evelle, who was crowned Queen of the night by Dede, after her two performances of Asa’s ‘Be my man’ and Kcee’s ‘Limpopo’

    Speaking after the show, Manager, Youth Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, Idiare Atimomo, said he was impressed with the progress the show had recorded. He said: “I am happy with the progress of the show.  This has given us another reason why we should continue to support the youth. Nigerian Idol show represents the biggest music platform for young Nigerians who desire to become the next big star in music. At Etisalat, we will continue to support Nigeria’s immensely talented youths.”

    In just five years of operations, Etisalat Nigeria has become a major industry player with a growing subscriber base of 19 million in a highly competitive market. Its portfolio of voice and data-centric products include easy starter, easycliq, easybusiness and easyblaze, all tailor-made to meet the needs of its customers.

  • Nigerian Idol: Miss Oge, Nyro Love evicted

    Nigerian Idol: Miss Oge, Nyro Love evicted

    AS if the shocking results from last week’s eviction were not enough, the judges in the ongoing Nigerian Idol music competition sponsored by Etisalat were greatly surprised, as the results turned against some of their favourites, including Miss Oge, Nyro Love and Antwon.

    Miss Oge and Nyro Love were announced as the second set of contestants to be evicted from the top 12 in the competition, which is in its fourth season.

    After using their one and only lifeline to save Antwon, who was going to be sacked from the competition during last week’s eviction show, the judges cannot save any other contestant for the current season of the competition.

    The votes have so far been unpredictable and the judges have often pleaded with the public to vote objectively. However, they have literally been hit by surprises, as the best candidates usually get the lowest number of votes.

    Nneka Egbuna, the only female judge, was speechless over the outcome of the results. It was also a similar experience for Darey Art-Alade, who simply expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the evicted contestants and encouraged the other contestants still in the competition to strive to impress, adding that the voting public would obviously be expecting more as the contest progresses.

    “All remaining contestants must be battle-ready and perform with the knowledge that the voting public will decide who will remain in the competition,” Darey said.

    As she took her exit, Oge said: “Music is something I have always wanted to do and I will fight to sing even after Nigerian Idol. As a shy person, it took a lot of fighting to get here and I won’t stop fighting to achieve my dreams.”

  • Etisalat, FBN Insurance launch Sure4Life

    Etisalat, FBN Insurance launch Sure4Life

    FBN Insurance Limited and Etisalat have introduced ‘Sure4Life”, an airtime-based insurance product designed to increase penetration and consumer access to affordable insurance products via the mobile phone.

    Director, Business Segment at Etisalat Nigeria, Lucas Dada, who spoke at the launch, said the product will help drive availability and access to agood number of  uninsured Nigerians.

    In addition, it will provide Etisalat customers with one month free life insurance cover between May and July, this year, he said.

    Dada noted that the partnership would bring inexpensive and easy  reach to insurance products to the benefit of Etisalat’s growing prepaid and post-paid customers.

    He said: “Sure4Life is an innovative product which takes away all the challenges that may be associated with taking an insurance policy and allows Etisalat subscribers to access and maintain insurance coverage with ease. It is in line with our reputation as the most innovative telecommunications company to provide such life-changing products to our customers.

    “The plan is optional and open to all registered Etisalat subscribers that are between 18 and 80.”

    Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Val Ojumah  of the underwriting firm said the initiative will help correct the inaccurate perception that insurance is only for the rich and reduce the complexities and paperwork often associated with insurance. The initiative also supports our aspiration to bring the benefits of insurance to Nigerians who otherwise would have remained uninsured.

    He explained that with a monthly insurance premium of N100 monthly, registered Etisalat subscribers will have the benefit of a flat of N100, 000 payable to the beneficiary in case of death of the policy holder and a maximum of N10, 000 for medical expenses in the event of an accident.

    Death benefit per life shall be limited to N200, 000, maximum of two Etisalat registered numbers, whereas the medical expenses benefit per any one life shall be limited to N20, 000, maximum of two Etisalat registered numbers, he said.

  • Etisalat gets 3.15b euro loan to buy Vivendi Maroc’s stake

    Emirates Telecommunications Corporation,  ETISALAT, known to be the most valuable listed company in the United Arab Emirates, signed a 3.15 billion-euro, about ($4.36 billion) deal with 17 banks to fund its acquisition of Vivendi SA (VIV)’s stake in Maroc Telecom. The funding includes a 12-month bridge loan of 2.1 billion euros priced at 45 basis points above the Euro interbank offered rate, rising to 60 basis points above Euribor after six months, the company said yesterday in a statement. Etisalat, which has a market value of 90 billion dirhams, also signed a three-year 1.05 billion euros loan priced at 87 basis points above Euribor. Telecommunications companies in the Middle East are expanding abroad as domestic growth slows. Etisalat agreed in November to buy Vivendi’s 53 per cent stake in Maroc Telecom, Morocco’s biggest wireless carrier, for about 4.2 billion euros. The deal, which will be completed at the end of May, according to Serkan Okandan, Etisalat’s chief financial officer, will increase the company’s presence in Africa beyond its Egypt and Nigeria’s units.

  • Etisalat unveils automated voucher, data purchase options

    Etisalat unveils automated voucher, data purchase options

    IN its quest to provide convenience in airtime top-up for its subscribers, Etisalat, has announced the introduction of Automated Recharge (Instant and Mandate options) to enable customers recharge their phones or buy data electronically no matter where they are or what time of the day it is.

    The Automated Recharge Mandate service allows Etisalat subscribers who have bank accounts and are registered on the internet banking platform to leave an instruction with their banks for their Etisalat line or lines to be credited with the desired amount of airtime on specific dates or once a certain airtime-credit level is reached.

    Director, Business Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, Lucas Dada, explained that these offerings have the backing of the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) to ensure safety.

    He highlighted that customers can access these services simply by logging on to their online banking platform and selecting Etisalat on the NIBSS e-BillsPay in the Payment or Bill Payment section.

    Shedding more light on the foregoing, Executive Director, Business Development of NIBSS, Mrs. Christabel Onyejekwe said, ”This service rides on the eBillsPay service which is powered by the INSTANT PAYMENT platform provided by NIBSS which all Nigerian Banks are already connected to. This service ensures smooth and seamless payment from subscribers’ account in any Nigerian bank with no Payment Card required.”

     

  • Nigerian Idol Season 4: Etisalat unveils top 12 contestants

    Nigerian Idol Season 4: Etisalat unveils top 12 contestants

    After the initial auditions in five cities across Nigeria, an exercise that eventually threw up the top 30 Nigerian youths who struggled to be Nigeria’s next big super star, Nigerian Idol season 4 sponsored by Etisalat has finally announced its top 12 contestants.

    The 12 contestants, who were unveiled at an event last Saturday in Lagos, will be housed for another eight weeks to show their musical prowess before the esteemed judges and audience, as they battle for the top prize of N7.5 million, a Galaxy Tab, a Blackberry, an iPod and a brand new SUV car.

    This year’s top 12 contestants are: Zibili Evelyn, Lisa Omoregebe, Elvis Ejiro, Paul Enoma, Odugbemi Idown Sarah, Ogechukwu Okafor, Obed Emmanuel Ogbonna, Ese Idowu, Ese Nyerhovoo, Anthony Akpan, Beebee Bassey and Jesse Okonkwo.

    Speaking at the event, the Director, Brands & Communication, Etisalat Nigeria, Enitan Denloye said: “The concept of unveiling the Top 12 contestants is to formally showcase the talents that the viewers have selected to move to the gala show. We are happy to witness another high point in this season. As we have promised, this season will be more interesting and it will once again empower another set of Nigerian youths, in line with our brand commitment of youth empowerment and development.”

    Also, the Chief Executive Officer, Optima Group, Rotimi Pedro, who took the audience on the journey so far while appreciating the continued support of Etisalat, said: “I must confess that I appreciate the effort of our sponsor, Etisalat in the last four years. We appreciate their investment in this show right from the beginning and we believe that they will continue to do more.

    “Before getting to the top 12 stage, the show has gone through series of stages, starting from the auditioning to the top-100 stage and gradually to the top-30 stage. At the top 30 stage, the contestants were divided into three groups of 10. Nine contestants were selected by the viewers at home through their votes, while the remaining three contestants were the judges’ choice through the wild card show. At this stage, the decision as to who stays or leaves will be fully determined by the audience.”

    Interestingly, the judges shared their joy on the success the show had recorded so far. Nneka, who spoke on behalf of the judges, said: “We are all happy for the choice made and we are confident that the 12 finalists will not disappoint us as we move on.”