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Tag: Etisalat

  • Etisalat unveils e-learning app

    Etisalat Nigeria has launched an improved version of its e-learning application (app), Cliqlite world, as part of efforts to revamp the education sector in Nigeria.

    Speaking at the launch of the app in Lagos, its Chief Executive Officer, Matthew Willsher, said the Cliqlite portal can now be accessed by parents, children and schools across the federation.

    This, he said, is a significant improvement on its previous limitation to the Cliqlite tablet alone.

    “Education is so much more than just syllabuses. It is an attitude- attitude to learn, the motivation, among others. That is why as a company, we believe in the importance of education. We believe in making learning fun, because in this age, the old fashioned way is not going to work. It is obvious that children love games and electronic devices. So today, we are launching the cliqlite portal, an application that gives pupils, parents and educationists access to education services everywhere in the country. This is enabling a further transformation in education,” he said.

    He noted that the app, which is for children from eight to 15 years, gives them access to textbooks in all subjects, educational games, prepared syllabuses and other materials from kindergarten level, through primary, junior and senior secondary levels, as approved by the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC).

    Its Manager, Team Segment, Mrs Ife Oyeyipo, who engaged representatives from about 20 schools present, with parents, educationists and invited guests in the workings of the app, said it can be used to give children quality education in an interactive, exciting way.

  • Minister lauds Etisalat’s commitment to SMEs

    Minister lauds Etisalat’s commitment to SMEs

    The Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Hajiya Aisha Abubakar, has commended Etisalat Nigeria for its commitment to the growth and development of small and medium scale enterprises in Nigeria.

    The Minister who spoke in Abuja at the flag-off of the 2016 edition of Market Access Forum, organised by the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) of the Pan Atlantic University in partnership with Etisalat Nigeria, applauded the telecom company for being at the forefront of promoting initiatives that support growing businesses as one of the key drivers of Nigerian economic prosperity.

    Abubakar said Market Access Forum, is a platform that has inspired many aspiring entrepreneurs, and provided a credible platform for learning and collaboration amongst Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in Nigeria.

    She added: “the time to support SMEs in Nigeria could not have been more auspicious than now that the Federal Government of Nigeria is consciously making efforts to diversify from an oil economy. Certainly, this is a good omen for small and growing businesses which constitute over 95% of the Nigerian economy.”

    Director, Enterprise Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, Eric Uwaoma represented by Bidemi Ladipo speaking at the event, reiterated Etisalat’s commitment to the growth of SMEs in Nigeria by continuously offering start-ups opportunities that can make them increase their capacity. “We have supported Market Access Forum for about four years, and we will continue to offer our support. Etisalat supports initiatives like Market Access because we think it is important to show small and growing businesses how they can attain healthy growth the same way Etisalat attained its record growth. That is why we have supported initiatives like Market Access where entrepreneurs can network, and learn the secrets to run their businesses efficiently,” he said.

    Ladipo added that one of the key insights drawn from the partnership with the Enterprise Development Centre is the knowledge that the lack of capacity is one of the key challenges SMEs face in Nigeria apart from funding. According to him, “Many entrepreneurs in Nigeria do not understand how to run a business properly. As part of our intervention to help solve the challenges, Etisalat has been involved in different initiatives; one of them is Market Access which we have taken to different parts of the country.

  • Etisalat takes career counselling to Epe

    Etisalat has taken its career counselling programme for secondary school students to Epe, Lagos. Etisalat Career Counselling is a one-day session for junior and senior secondary school pupils held in partnership with Leadership Empowerment and Resource Network, (LEARN), a not-for-profit Organisation.

    Director, Regulatory & CSR, Etisalat Nigeria, Ikenna Ikeme explained that the platform enabled Etisalat employees to fulfil a desire to give back to society, appreciate volunteering time and employ their skills in providing career counselling and mentorship to students.

    “Career counselling scheme brings fulfilment to us at Etisalat because it enables us to demonstrate our passion for corporate social responsibility (CSR), through both internal and external platforms. We are aware that students need appropriate direction towards making compatible and fulfilling career choices, because a wrong career move will likely have serious negative long-term effects. Since 2010, our observation during Career Counselling is that whatever the personas and backgrounds of these students, one thing remains consistent – the eagerness to learn and participate. This is very significant for us,” he said.

    Ikeme further said over 7000 students have benefited from the initiative which was designed to appropriately guide students of secondary schools in the junior and senior levels, towards making sound, positive and fulfilling career decisions which will provide long-term benefits to them, their families, organisations, and ultimately the nation.

  • Etisalat seeks more publishers for €15,000 African literary prize

    Etisalat seeks more publishers for €15,000 African literary prize

    Etisalat Nigeria has urged more African publishers to enter for its $15,000 pan-African literary prize.

    The call was made in Lagos by its Chief Executive Officer, Mr Matthew Willsher, at a briefing to call for entries for this year’s edition and unveil the judges for the contest.

    The 2015 edition of the prize was won by Democratic Republic of Congo’s Fiston Mwanza Mujila with his first novel, Tram 83.

    The prize, Willsher said, “holds great benefits for the writer and the publisher”.

    Not only does it  come with a cash prize of €15,000, the winner will take part in a fellowship at the prestigious University of East Anglia, United Kingdom, under the mentorship of Prof Giles Foden, the award-winning author of The Last King of England, according to Willsher.

    “The prize also incorporates an award for Flash Fiction – an online-based competition for non-published African writers of short stories. We really value your support and hopes that it continues to increase this year as it has in the previous year,” Willsher urged the publishers.

    The briefing was attended by two of the prize patrons – renowned literary icon, Prof Kole Omotoso and awards-winning author, Dele Olojede -Nigeria’s award-winning writer/scholar Helon Habila and the media.

    This year’s panel, Willsher also announced, is to be chaired by Habila, and has South African writer and activist Elinor Sisulu and Ivorian writer, Edwige Rene Dro as members.

    He added: “We are delighted to champion the cause for celebrating the richness and strength of African literature. Etisalat Prize for Literature is about discovering and bringing to the world stage the many creative talents Africa boasts of.”

    Only books by debutant writers published not later than 24 months before submission, Willsher said, will qualify for entry. “They must also be by registered publishing houses not less than six years as incorporated publishers with registered ISBN Number or the equivalent, and who must have published a minimum of six authors. All entries should be accompanied by seven copies of the book entered along with an acceptance of our publicity terms. A publisher may submit a maximum of three books. The rules and guidelines for entry are available at prize.etisalat.com.ng.”

    Meanwhile, Habila decried that African literature is under-appreciated globally, observing that although African literature has come a long way from Things Fall Apart  in writing and publishing, more  has to be done in correcting the notion and improving the continent’s literature. “The prize is a timely correction from Etisalat. I’ve always been a champion of African literature; and this is an opportunity for me to do that,” he said.

    The briefing held at the Wheatbaker Hotel.

     

  • Etisalat mulls mobile hub for UNN

    Head of Youth Segment, Etisalat, Olayiwola Onafowokan said the telco is considering the establishment of a mobile hub in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) to boost end user experience of the students.

    Speaking during a customer forum session as part of the Etisalat Cliqfest campus tour held at the university campus, he expressed gratitude to the students for their love for the telco, adding that Etisalat was in the process of releasing more innovative products and services that will cater to their needs.

    He said: “We have thought through the process of establishing a hub in your school and we will begin talks with the school authorities so that you can experience our unique services up close and personal. When this hub is set up, you will be able to make purchases, resolve any network issues and source for any form of telecommunication services. More importantly, you will also experience quality customer service that we provide all over the country.”

  • How to achieve financial inclusion, by Etisalat chief

    Etisalat has identified four enabling factors that would facilitate the attainment of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN’s) goal of Financial Inclusion through digital banking.

    Noting that digital transactions have continued to grow since 2014 hitting a daily transaction of N80 billion, its Director, Digital Business, Adia Sowho said for digital financial services to grow in the country, there must be network interoperability, the right technology platform, healthy agent/merchant network and product variety.

    For best practice in digital financial services, Sowho said there must be standards for money exchange across operators, agents and products; there should be distribution network that accepts and processes clients’ transactions and range of products that address the key pain points and creates value in the community.

    Speaking at this year’s eWorld Forum in partnership with Etisalat Nigeria, she said stakeholders, including regulators, telecos and banks, will need to evolve to stay relevant.      According to her, the regulator needs to intervene to foster the right conditions for collaboration in the digital financial services ecosystem; telcos would have to continue to provide the right tools, such as smartphones and mobile broadband network that radically changes how customers expect to interact with financial services.

    The banks also need a new client-centric and digital mindset to increase customer base and deposits while reducing cost to acquire and serve.

    The future of digital financial services, which includes digital banking, digital wallet and digital commerce, is imminent and this could only be achieved through new partnership models driven by customer and merchant needs.

    To achieve the goal of the new digital age, telcos assets which include technology platforms, distribution channels, support services, mobile tools, security platforms and customer insight are core enablers.

    Noting that the internet, mobile devices are radically changing how customers interact, Sowho however said not all providers are at the same stage of digital transformation and not all will proceed along the same path at the same pace but the direction is clear.

    According to her the transition to a fully digital financial services inclusion which includes integrating and controlling cost in Multichannel setting will not be easy but incumbent providers and traditional intermediaries must upgrade to stay relevant or lose out new financial tech companies.

    It is her view that successful providers will be those who develop a client-centric and digital mind set capable of responding to changes in the market environment, delivering solutions closely tailored to customer needs.

    In achieving the much desired digital financial inclusion, a network of distribution, both in the demand and supply chain, is key to driving penetration and active usage amongst the unbanked and under banked.

    She noted that there were challenges such as poor investment in agent networks, lack of all-inclusive solution for the financial excluded and lack of education and awareness, lack of unified identity database and reliable existing channels, impacting financial inclusion

    Sowho argues that some of the ways that banks who are looking to new models to build customer trust, improve access and reduce cost must embrace is by narrowing the access gap to financial services, digitizing cash into electronic value and by covering a full spectrum of services. They would have to extended banking through Digital Channels, simplify and accelerate financial services and save costs through branchless banking.

    Some of the metrics that define Financial Inclusion include Ease of access to financial products and services, bringing about a broad range of financial Service, making cost of provision affordable, services are designed to need, delivered in fair and transparent manner and are widely accepted.

    According to her some of the drivers for Financial Inclusion include policies on consumer protection, financial literacy, mobile money, cashless policy, agency banking and policies that enable people to seek redress when there is unfair treatment and take informed decisions on what and how to use financial services and reduces risk of carrying physical money.

  • ASA HEADLINES ETISALAT PRIZE FOR LITERATURE FINALE

    AWARD-WINNING Nigerian singer and songwriter, Bukola Elemide aka Asa has been slated to thrill dignitaries and  a select audience at the Grand Finale of the third edition of the Etisalat Prize for Literature holding today, March 19, at the Intercontinental Hotel in Lagos. This year’s award ceremony, according to the organisers, will embody the theme Representing the Diversity of African Voices by showcasing the richness of Africa and how our diversity converges into one unique voice of the continent.

    The three books vying for the Prize include: Tram 83 by Fiston Mwanza Mujila, The Story of Anna P, as Told by Herself written by Penny Busetto and What Will People Say? By Rehana Rossouw.

    Chief Executive Officer of Etisalat Nigeria, Matthew Willsher said Asa’s performance is targeted at creating a wholesome and entertaining experience that celebrates the growth and depth of Africa’s literary community.

    The Etisalat Prize for Literature is the first ever pan-African prize to celebrate first time writers of published fiction novels on the continent. The Prize will bring together high profile writers, book critics and academics from across the continent and beyond to identify new writers of African descent.

    Asa, who has a number of internationally recognized albums and chart-topping singles to her credit, will perform her most popular hits as well as tracks from her latest album Bed of Stone, to select high profile guests made up of top government officials, writers, book critics and academics from across Africa.

  • GDP: FG will encourage MTN, Etisalat, others – Minister

    GDP: FG will encourage MTN, Etisalat, others – Minister

    • seeks more collaboration on employment generation

    The Federal Government of Nigeria has commended MTN Nigeria on its impressive contributions to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) since its inception in 2004.

    Speaking during his working visit to the Head Office of MTN Nigeria on Monday, the Honourable Minister for Communication, Barrister Adebayo Shittu, said that the federal government will do everything possible to encourage and develop innovative ideas from MTN Nigeria and indeed other telecommunication companies in the country.

    “As a matter of fact, as a person, I consider MTN as first and foremost a Nigerian company. Nigerian company in the sense that it is a company registered in Nigeria like any other company. In fact, the government appreciates the contributions MTN Nigeria is making to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), generating employment and putting smiles on the faces of Nigerians,” Shittu said.

    Speaking on the level of investment by MTN Nigeria, the Minister said: “MTN has made a lot of strides, pioneering efforts if I may say in regards to investment and in liberating Nigerians. As it were, time was when if you have to phone a relation, you will go to NITEL, queue up and pay through your nose for a minute or two. But with the coming of MTN and GSM, things have been wonderful.

    “There is no doubt over the last couple of months that we have had issues; those issues are normal in relationships like this. I want to assure you that the Nigerian government has nothing personal against MTN” while reassuring earlier that “my motivation for visiting companies is to do everything I can to give motivation and encouragement to companies operating in Nigeria.”

    It would be recalled that MTN Nigeria recently paid a sum N50billion to the Nigeria government in good faith with regards to the fine on the company by NCC. The company upon payment of the amount reiterated its commitment to the Nigeria government and assured of conducting its business within the parameters of the laws and regulations guiding its operations.

    The Company also reiterated its commitment to national security and human capital development as it places an unquantifiable premium on lives of Nigerians with its reinvigorated effort at complying with the SIM registration exercise.

    Stressing the value MTN has contributed, the Minister said: “I believe that MTN appreciates the fact that Nigerians love MTN. More than half of people who patronize GSM operations in Nigeria are your customers and I think that is an appreciation which must be acknowledged.”

    However, the Minister has promised to work in tandem with MTN Nigeria and other telecommunication companies in Nigeria to address challenges faced in the industry.

    “Am aware of deficiencies in broadband and some of the challenges you have mentioned. I want to assure you that we will do our best to collaborate with you to identify those things you can do very quickly and take all the needed steps to remedy the situation,” the Minister assured.

  • Visafone: Court strikes out Etisalat’s suit against MTN

    The Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday struck out a suit filed by Etisalat against MTN.

    The plaintiff challenged MTN’s use of the 800megahertz (MHZ) spectrum following its acquisition of Visafone.

    Etisalat said it considered the action necessary to prevent MTN’s use of the spectrum as it would entrench the defendant’s dominance in the data services market.

    The plaintiff said the use of the 800MHz spectrum to deploy broadband services ahead of its competitors, particularly those who prior to MTNs purchase of Visafone, held similar spectrum bands as MTN, would be to other telecos disadvantage.

    Justice Ibrahim Buba struck out the suit on the ground that the court lacks jurisdiction to entertain it.

    He held that the court cannot interfere with NCC’s regulatory duties.

  • Etisalat sues MTN over Visafone acquisition

    Etisalat sues MTN over Visafone acquisition

    Etisalat Nigeria has sued MTN Nigeria and Visafone Ltd, challenging MTN’s use of the 800megahertz (MHZ) spectrum following the acquisition of Visafone.

    MTN sued the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) over the imposition of N780billion fine on it by the regulator for harbouring some 5.2million pre-registered subscriber identity module (SIM) cards on its network in violation of extant rules.

    Etisalat said it considered the action necessary to prevent the use of the spectrum by MTN at this time, as it will entrench the dominance of MTN in the retail data services market.

    “You will recall that MTN Nigeria was declared dominant by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in 2013 and remains dominant in the wholesale leased line and retail voice markets.

    “The use of the 800MHz spectrum to deploy broadband services ahead of its competitors, particularly those who prior to MTNs purchase of Visafone, held similar spectrum bands as MTN, will further entrench MTN’s dominance in the Nigerian telecommunications sector,” Etisalat said in a statement confirmed by its Head of Media, Chineze Amanfo, yesterday.

    The telco said it had, in addition to the legal action and in line with Sec tion 86 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, engaged the NCC to understand the basis of its decision to approve the acquisition. “As you are aware, the matter is already in court as such, we are restrained from commenting further on the matter,” the telco added.