The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Globacom

  • Court rules on Glo’s suit against EFCC October 24

    Court rules on Glo’s suit against EFCC October 24

    A Lagos High Court in Igbosere has fixed October 24 for judgment in a suit filed by Globacom Limited against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged threat to arrest its Head of Marketing Department, Ashok Israni.

    Justice A. O. Animahun fixed the date on Thursday after entertaining arguments from the parties on a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by the telecommunications firm.

    Israni and Globacom are first and second applicants, while the EFCC, Dubai-based Emitac Mobile Solutions LLNP and an EFCC operative, Kadiri Thomas, are joined as first, second and third respondents in the suit.

    The suit arose following a petition by Emitac Mobile Solutions to the EFCC, accusing Globacom of refusing to pay it $6,685,312.88 being the balance of the services it rendered to the telecoms outfit.

    Emitac Mobile Solutions claimed that Globacom made it to render the service under false pretence and that there was thus a criminal element to their dispute.

    It said the $6,685,312.88 was the balance of services it rendered for the provision of Blackberry Solutions (BIS), a wireless solution that allowed Glo Mobile users to access communications and information wirelessly.

    The firm claimed further that Globacom’s failure to pay the $6, 685,312.88 caused the windup of its operations in Nigeria.

    The suit, which was slated for hearing on Monday, did not proceed due to a defect on some of the processes filed by the EFCC.

    However, at the commencement of proceedings on Thursday, Globacom’s lawyer, O. Uye, disputed the Dubai firm’s claims.

    Uye argued, among others, that there was nothing criminal in the transaction for the EFCC to investigate.

  • SULEJA STANDS STILL FOR GLO MUSIC SHOW

    IN continuation of its tour of Nigerian cities, Glo Mega Music concert, convened by telecommunications giant, Globacom, last Saturday stormed the city of Suleja in Niger State.

    On the tow were A-list artistes like the king of street patois, Olamide Adedeji, fondly called Baddo by his teeming crowd and Igbo ethno rapper, Chibuzor Azubike known as Phyno.

    Staged at Tommy Hill Station Hotels, Suleja, other music stars who graced the show were Chinedu Okoli, Flavour; Mavin Dynasty’s Hadiza Blell otherwise known as Di’Ja; songstress, Omawumi Megbele and Douglas Jack Agu known widely as Runtown.

    Anchored by Nollywood stars, Mercy Johnson-Okojie and Uche Jombo, the show also had in attendance Nollywood actor, Kanayo O. Kanayo (KOK) as celebrity guest while DJ Neptune worked the jukebox to churn out pulsating beats which the crowd responded merrily to.

    Di’Ja opened the show with tracks from her new album, One Talk occasionally throwing in her old tunes as the audience melted into a resounding karaoke with her. Some of the hit tunes from her included Aww, How can we be friends, Adaobi, Take Kiss and Air.

    Next to hit the stage was Runtown delivering his dancehall rhythms including Fijogbowo, Bend Down Pause, Superwoman and Suddenly.

    Omawumi Megbele was in her element with her beautifully costumed band who injected some Niger Delta vibes into the rather energetic performance.

    Flavour’s athletic frame wowed the crowd came on stage with his ‘Finally, It’s about to go down’ track and in quick succession followed with Cherry Koko and other hit tracks as he punctuated the tunes with his Oyolima (Let’s have fun) call which further heightened the excitement of the crowd.

    On his part, Phyno took the Suleja crowd to another plane with the rendition of his Igbo-laced lyrics. Among his tracks were Financial Woman, E Chop My Money, I Don Suffer, and Fada Fada.

    Olamide wrapped up the night with his Pepper Dem Gang, Shakiti Bobo, Kodurosoke, Konkobilit, Reggae Blues, Don’t Stop, Alowo Majaye, Ori Iya Mi and Dongoyaro tracks.

  • BREAKING: Senate orders arrest of CEOs of Glo, Indomie, CCECC, 27 others

    BREAKING: Senate orders arrest of CEOs of Glo, Indomie, CCECC, 27 others

    The Senate Friday made good its threat to get the chief executive officers of 30 companies arrested for allegedly failing to appear before it.

    The arrest order was issued by the chairman of the Senate Committee on Customs, Excise and Tariff and Marine Transport Hope Uzodinma, at the committee’s meeting in Abuja yesterday.

    The committee accuses the companies including mobile giant Globacom, Crown Flour Mills, British American Tobacco, CCECC, Dana Group, Olam Int. Ltd., Hong Xing Steel Co. Ltd., Visafone, African Wire, Star Comments and Allied Ltd. and Aarti Steel Nig. Ltd of involvement in Nigeria’s loss of  N30 trillion-revenue in the maritime sector.

    Others are Abyem-Diva Int. Ltd., Gagasel Int., Friesland Campina, Etco Nig., Edic Chemicals and Allied Distributors, De United Foods makers of popular Indomie noodles, Don Climax Group, Skill G Nig. Ltd., Premium Seafood and La Rauf Nig. Ltd.

    Also involved are Standard Metallurgical Co. Ltd., Kam Industries, IBG Investment Ltd., Orazulike Trading Co. Ltd., Popular Foods Ltd., A-Kelnal Integrated & Logistics Services, African Industries, African Tiles & Ceramics and ZTE Nigeria.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that only 33 of the 63 firms invited by the Senate Joint Committee on Customs, Excise and Tariff and Marine Transport, handling the investigation honoured the invitation.

    Uzodinma said yesterday that the refusal of the officials to honour the invitation in spite of several reminders was disrespectful to the National Assembly.

    He warned that the 8th Senate would not tolerate such behaviour from anyone or institution, particularly in the present situation involving Federal Government funds.

    He said investigations carried out by the joint committee showed several forms of infractions that have cost the country huge amount of money in revenue loss.

    He said such development in a country currently in recession was a disservice to it.

    “It is no longer going to be business as usual,” he said.

    “We have directed the Nigeria Police to arrest the heads of the firms and bring them before us.

    “If we can suspend our recess as lawmakers to see to the end of this investigation, I see no reason why the firms that have been indicted will not come to defend themselves,” he said.

    The chairman asked the firms that honoured the invitation to go through the documents given to them and return next week for defence.

    The Senate had mandated the joint committee to carry out extensive investigation into alleged N30 trillion revenue leakages in the import and export value chain between 2006 and 2017.

    The committee had already interfaced with commercial banks indicted in the matter as well as relevant government agencies.

    The committee had on Wednesday threatened to issue the arrest warrants; but on Thursday, it said it was extending the appearance till next week.

     

  • LAGOS STANDS STILL FOR GLO LAFFTA FEST

    IT was was a time of fun as telecomounnications giant, Globacom, stormed Victoria Island, Lagos with its Glo Laffta Fest.

    The event which held at Eko Hotels and Suites drew established comedians from across Nigeria and Uganda.

    Also in attendance were up-and-coming comedians.

    Among the audience were distinguished  guests including the Mister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde. Globacom ambassadors such as Funke Akindele, Richard Mofe-Damijo and Adekola Odunlade and songster, Omawumi Megbele, also made celebrity appearances.

    The event was the Lagos leg of Glo Laffta Fest 27-city tour and billed to end in October.

    The show started with DJ XGee dishing out danceable tunes followed by acts from up-and-coming comedians such as Kemex, MC Medical, Koye from Rock City and the duet act named British Pastors, who thrilled the audience with funny jokes.

    This was followed by performances from eight A-list stand-up comedians, Princewill, Frank D Don, Bash d Cash, Arinze Baba, Dan D’Humorous, I go Dye, Gordons and Salvador from Uganda.

    Arinze Baba was a delight with his rhythmic music comedy. And a high point of his performance was when he narrated how Igbo musicians had turned Senator Dino Melayé’s Yoruba song, “Ajekun iya ni o je” which went viral on the internet, into Igbo highlife music, even though they did not understand the meaning of the song. He elicited more laughter and thrill when he performed the song in Igbo, with the support of the Disc Jockey.

    Other cities that will host the show in the weeks ahead include, Makurdi, Ikeja, Ikorodu, Festac, Ajah, Suleja, Ibadan, Kano, Port Harcourt,  Lokoja, and Anyigba.

     

  • Nigerians embrace 9mobile, port in droves to network – Report

    Nigerians embrace 9mobile, port in droves to network – Report

    The Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) monthly porting report released through the regulator’s website on Thursday revealed that subscribers from other networks migrated to the rebranded 9mobile, Nigeria’s fourth largest telecommunication company.

    The NCC’s “Incoming and Outgoing Porting Activities of Mobile Network Operators Report” for the month of May 2017, showed that 9mobile led the other four telecom operators in the Mobile Number Portability (MNP) activities for the month in review.

    NCC revealed that out of the total 39,535 porting activities in May, 19,816 were “Incoming Porting Activities”, while 19,719 were “Outgoing Porting Activities”.

    9mobile recorded the highest incoming porting activity (users leaving other networks to 9mobile) with a massive 15,253 telecom users leaving others to join the rebranded telecom company. Airtel had the second highest incoming porting activity with 2,597 subscriber migrations.

    MTN was third on the incoming porting migration table with 1,245 telecom users while Globacom had the least incoming migration figures on the table.

    The report further showed that 9mobile also excelled on the outgoing porting migration table (users leaving 9mobile to other networks) with only 1,826 subscribers of 9mobile leaving to other networks.

    This means 9mobile recorded the lowest outgoing porting when compared with the other operators. Globacom recorded the second lowest outgoing migration with 4,786 subscribers.

    Airtel recorded 6,540 outgoing migrations while MTN’s outgoing subscriber migration was 6,567, making the network topping the table with the highest telecom users leaving the network.

  • Avenues exist for Nigerian investments in S/Africa, says Envoy

    Avenues exist for Nigerian investments in S/Africa, says Envoy

    The Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa, Amb. Martin Cobham, has called for more Nigerian investments in that country, to enhance the balance of trade between the two countries.

    Cobham told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Pretoria on Monday that the Federal Government should use the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission to open up avenues for more of such investments.

    “Nigeria is a big market; South Africa has the technology, so, the two countries share an inclusive and collaborative desire to work together.

    “The two countries are economic giants. Therefore, there should be joint ventures between Nigerian and South African investors.

    “South Africa has a lot of companies in Nigeria, but there is a dearth of Nigerian companies here,” he said.

    According to Cobham, the next meeting of the Bi-National Commission, should open doors for Nigerian investors to have similar investments and enterprises in South Africa.

    “For a start, we can have Mr Biggs, or a Nigerian bank to cater for the Nigerian community in South Africa. The South African banks have stringent measures,” he said.

    The high commissioner suggested that relevant bodies like the Nigerian Economic Summit Group and the Nigerian-South African Chamber of Commerce, could also be used to open up avenues for such Nigerian investments.

    “To date, only Dangote Cement has a substantive presence in South Africa. Currently, the balance of trade is in favour of South Africa.

    “Beyond the area of investments between the two countries, flights to Nigeria from South Africa are dominated by the South African aviation industry.

    There are 10 weekly flights to Nigeria, seven to Lagos, three to Abuja and none from Nigeria,” he said.

    Cobham also called for collaboration in the aviation sector, to make the two countries jointly own planes to meet the needs of their people.

    The high commissioner said, “we want to see a Nigerian telecommunication giant, like Globacom equally make forays in here.

    “We should also make a case for Nigerian farm produce to come in here without hindrance because we have a sizeable Nigerian population here and they love our native food.

    “There should be more opening of doors in favour of Nigeria in South Africa,” Cobham added.

    Trade between Nigeria and South Africa has increased steadily from N43.6 billion (R.20.6 billion) in 2010 to N1.3 trillion (R.62 billion) in 2015.

    The gradual movement since 2010 could be attributed to Nigeria’s demand for automotive parts. South Africa exports cars, vehicles, structures and parts of structure, uncoated paper and paperboard.

    Nigeria presents a huge market with a population of over 170 million people and vast resources, while South Africa presents the technical know-how in developing industries.

    The South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Lulu Mnguni, recently described Nigeria as one of the countries in Africa currently enjoying a favourable balance of trade with South Africa.

    The high commissioner, who said that there was an increasing number of South African multinational companies in Nigeria, added that there were currently about 120 South African companies in the West African nation.

    Mnguni said that the companies had invested in engineering, ICT, construction, aviation, media, hospitality, banking, retail chain and oil and gas exploration services in Nigeria.

    “South African companies have today become significant players in these sectors of the Nigerian economy since 1999.

    “Nigerian SMEs are dominant in the small business sector in South Africa. Therefore, the two are really complementing each other,” he said.

    The envoy said it was imperative for both countries to close ranks toward the implementation of the 2063 African Union agenda.

    He said strategic partnership is required in pursuance of Africa’s South-South cooperation and in the promotion of a rules-based international system.

  • Senate moves against telecoms over dropped calls

    Senate moves against telecoms over dropped calls

    Worried by the growing cases of mobile telephone dropped calls, the Senate has ordered investigation into causes of the problem, even as it chided the GSM service providers for inefficiency and poor service delivery.

    The Senate also warned the service providers against unsolicited calls and SMS that flood subscribers’ telephone lines on a daily basis, even as it kicked against illegal deductions of airtime for frivolous product subscriptions without the subscribers’ consent.

    At its plenary on Tuesday, the upper legislative chamber mandated its standing committees on Communications and Trade and Investment to investigate the matter.

    It also urged the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the Consumer Protection Council (CPC), Standards Organisation of Nigeria, (SON) and other regulatory agencies to invoke the appropriate sanctions against the service providers.

    Urging the agencies to protect the millions of mobile telephone subscribers in the country, the Senate said the telecom firms must not be allowed flout extant agreements and regulations on consumer protection.

    The lawmakers further urged the relevant regulatory agencies to ensure refund to subscribers for disrupted calls and unsolicited airtime deductions.

    According to the senators, the regulatory agencies should exercise more control regarding the usage of data bundles to ensure regulatory and operational efficiency in service delivery.

    The resolutions were made following a motion sponsored by Senator Andy Uba (Anambra South).

    Presenting the motion, Uba protested the loss of billions of Naira by millions of Nigerian subscribers on a daily basis, as a result of what he described as unwholesome practices by the telecom firms.

    Uba said subscribers not only experience disturbing rate of dropped calls but also get incomprehensible speech and voice quality “that sounds like speaking from the bottom of a fish tank”.

    The lawmaker also expressed worry over congestion on the various networks leading to poor audio reception and poor delivery on the various data bundles.

    The Senate specifically fingered the major network providers like MTN, Airtel, Etisalat and Globacom for expanding their network coverage beyond what their existing infrastructure could conveniently accommodate.
     

  • Globacom promises students fair deal

    Globacom promises students fair deal

    NATIONAL carrier Globacom has reiterated its commitment to giving students a fair deal.

    Receiving executive members of the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) Students’ Union Government (SUG) at the Mike Adenuga Towers on Victoria Island, Lagos, last Thursday the Head of Gloworld Mr Babatunde Alimi, promised that the firm would continue to sell at affordable prices to students.

    He said: “We are passionate about anything that has to do with youths and students, because we believe this generation has enormous potential. And this is why we design our products and programmes around the young generation to cater for the needs of higher institutions students.”

    He said the company’s product, Campus Data Booster, was reloaded to give students multiple data and free airtime on campus. According to Alimi, Campus Data Booster provides a platform for subscribers to enjoy extra data usage on the campus for academic work, research and socialisation.

    “Students and staff on campuses can enjoy this offer when they subscribe to our campus data plan of N200 and above. They will enjoy a reduced burn rate of the data on usage while on campuses. Another juicy feature of the package is that, Campus Booster Data plans can be given to another subscriber on another campus in the country,” he said.

    Alimi said the reduced rate for students showed the firm’s commitment to development and happiness. “We believe youths are the hope for the country’s future,” he said.

    Encouraging the students to take advantage of the network’s 4G LTE service for distance learning, Alimi explained that Globacom’s avant-garde technology could connect students to resource persons and seminar groups around the globe. The technology, he said, also allows students to download audio visual resources that are available online for study.

    The students praised Globacom’s stride in business since its inception, describing the firm as a “Nigeria pride”.

    The SUG president, Dauda Lawal, said: “Many of us are using the network and we are proud to identify with Globacom.”

    Globacom and the students discussed areas of cooperation and exchanged ideas on how the network could improve its services in the polytechnic community.

    Other members of the union’s team included Vice President, Timilehin Akintona, General Secretary, Olutayo Agogo, Public Relations Officer, Dolapo Durojaiye and Treasurer, Wasiu Ologoro, among others.

  • Borrow Me Data will give our subscribers an edge, by Globacom

    Nigeria’s big data company, Globacom has explained that its new data solution, Borrow Me Data, has taken a big load of worry off the chest of its teeming subscribers. According to Globacom’s Head of Usage and Retention, Mr. Sola Arowogbadamu, the challenge of running out of data at inconvenient places and time has been resolved once and for all with the introduction of the product. The company added that the product will give its subscribers an edge in their business and personal lives.

    He said further that Borrow Me Data would guarantee subscribers continuous  instant, efficient broadband internet offered by the Glo 4G. They will also be able to download ultra-high definition videos in seconds as well as other high intensive data applications.

    He said the subscriber can continue his fun by simply  dialling *321#, and following the menu options which will guide him till he loads the real time Data credit.

  • Court grants Bayelsa family request to remove Globacom’s mast

    •Damages awarded against communication firm

    The High Court of Bayelsa State, sitting in Sagbama, has granted the prayers of the Agbereowei family of Bolou-Orua community in Sagbama to repossess their land and dismantle Globacom’s mast, accessories and fence on their property.

    The family, in a suit filed by Miss Justina Agbereowei and Mr. Wednesday Agbereowei (claimants), sued Globacom (defendant) for failing to pay 10-year rents on the land housing its base station.

    The claimants prayed the court, presided over by Justice E. G. Omukoro, to declare that they were entitled to the right of occupancy in and over the parcel of land, measuring approximately 40 feet by 40.5 feet, where the defendant’s base station was located.

    They also prayed the court to declare that the possession of the piece of land, where the Glo base station with code number BLO 001, was built, is their property.

    The claimants asked the court to compel the defendant to remove its communication mast, accessories and fence from the parcel of land.

    They requested for N100 milion as special and general damages they suffered because of the defendant’s failure to pay for the rent for the leased piece of land.

    The claimants urged the court to invoke an order of injunction restraining the defendant from remaining on or in any way interfering with their right of ownership and occupation of the aforesaid parcel of land.

    A copy of the judgment, which was delivered on March 23, showed that Justice Omukoro ruled that he had no difficulty in reaching the conclusion that the declaration sought to the right of occupancy in and over the piece or parcel of land in issue was merited and hereby granted.

    He ordered the defendant (Globacom) to pay N32.5 million, representing N24 million unpaid rents at N3 million per annum from 2008 to 2016 and N8.5 million as damages for distress and hardship caused the claimants.

    Justice Omukoro said: “With respect to the reliefs for possession of the land and removal of the communication mast, accessories and fence thereon in the reliefs, the said structures were put up on the claimants’ land with the understanding and agreement that rents would be paid therefore for an initial period of 10 years at the rate of N3 million per annum.

    “That the representation by the defendant has clearly not been kept except in the breach. In the circumstances, the continued occupation of the claimants land by the defendant has become unjustifiable. It is for this reason I grant the prayers of the claimants for possession and removal of all structures on the land.

    “On relief for special and general damages, the sum of N18 million claimed as arrears of rents at the rate of N3 million per annum for six years from 2008 to 2014 in line with the parole understanding reached with Mr. Apollo as agent of the defendant is granted.”

    The judge also granted N6 million, at the rate of N3 million per annum, for the two years (2015 and 2016) for which rents had further accrued.

    He granted additional general damages of N8 million for the distress, hardship and pain the defendant caused the claimants by holding on to their land and using same for commercial purposes and profits whilst refusing to meet their corresponding obligations to the claimants.

    Justice Omukoro added: “I also make an order of injunction restraining the defendant from any form of interference with the claimants’ rights of ownership and occupation of the aforesaid piece of land.

    “Cost of N500,000 only is awarded against the defendant in favour of the claimants.”