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Tag: MTN Nigeria

  • NCC gives out N17m to winners of tennis championship

    NCC gives out N17m to winners of tennis championship

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has given out N17 million to winners of its Tennis Cup 2017 competition.

    The Executive Vice-Chairman, NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, said at the grand finale of the tournament in Lagos that the competition had given the commission satisfaction and fulfillment. The tournament which started in July featured 12 teams.

    Team Civil Defence defeated Muller 4 – 0, to win the NCC’s Tennis Cup 2017 competition, hence, carting the star prize of N7million.

    Team Muller came second, and went home with N5 million, Team Offikwu won the third prize of N3 million, while Team Ndoma-Egba came fourth, winning N2 million cash prize.

    Danbatta represented by the Director, Research and Development, NCC, Mrs Iyabo Sholanke, said that the championship had been dubbed the greatest and biggest addition to Nigeria’s sports since 1960.

    “We are proud to have used this opportunity to engage a number of Nigerian youths in very fruitful and engaging enterprise with a bright future outlook.

    “We are even prouder to have taken quality tennis to different locations in the country and to see the players improving by the day, due to the regular competitions the league offers,’’ he said.

    He said that it was gratifying to note that some young Nigerians who were part of the tennis cup had got scholarships and sponsorships to tennis academies abroad.

    Read also: NCC seeks partnership of advocacy groups on toll-free 622 line

    He said that they would further their studies and their professional tennis careers in those academies.

    “The NCC Tennis Cup is a team tennis competition that is open to all, including the very best male and female tennis players in Nigeria.

    “I am glad that the cream of the best and promising Nigerian male and female players are all participating in the league and that a good number of them are now ranked on the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Tour.

    “These are some of our expectations and we hope that the players will take full advantage of this NCC Tennis League Cup to excel,’’ Danbatta said.

    He said that NCC’s major objective in promoting the competition was to contribute to the overall development of the nation through sports, particularly, tennis.

    According to him, tennis has the potential to engage, motivate, entertain and keep the youth physically fit and mentally focused.

    He said that above all, tennis created opportunities for the players to earn a decent living and a chance to be famous.

     The grand finale featured special tribute to the late Dr Alex Ekwueme, a former Vice- President of Nigeria and special awards to some players of the competition, as sponsored by MTN Nigeria.

    The corporate relations executive, MTN Nigeria, Mr Tobe Okigbo, said that the company’s involvement in the competition was in line the value addition and youth’s talent development agenda of MTN.

    “We like supporting value addition projects. In this case (NCC Tennis Cup competition), we saw that what NCC is doing and it makes a lot of sense to be part of it.

    “We saw it as an opportunity to support ambitious young Nigerians, especially, in developing their skills and talents,’’ Okigbo said.

    The 12 teams that participated are: Team Ofikwu, Team Ndoma-Egba, Team Goshen, Team CBN Fututos, Team Yetade and Team Tech-Vibe.

    Others are Team Civil Defence, Team Kolatari, Team Muller, Team Opti Web, Team VGC Lions and Team Qualifier.

    NAN

  • Brooks+Blake wins 4th consecutive MWA PR laurel

    Brooks+Blake wins 4th consecutive MWA PR laurel

    Perception management outfit, Brooks and Blake Nigeria has won the Marketing World Awards (MWA) as the best Public Relations agency in Nigeria for the fourth year running at the 7th edition held at the Kempinski Ambassador Hotel Accra, Ghana.

    The Awards organised by Instinct Wave media recognises outstanding personalities and organisations in the marketing communication industry in Nigeria and West Africa.

    Speaking at the awards, Group Executive Publisher, Marketing World Magazine Mr. Akin Naphtal commended all nominees at the awards and promised to continue to beam the searchlight of the awards on excellence in the marketing communication field.

    “The Marketing World Award is an annual event held to celebrate and reward organisation and individuals that have delivered superior product values to the market and exhibited excellence in upholding concrete marketing strategies.

    “This year, we have chosen to identify professionalism, diligence, consistency and innovation across West Africa. The process of selection for this award was done by professionals and veterans who have developed certain indices as criteria for selection as obtainable across the world. What we are celebrating today is the can do spirit of Nigerian companies and we are proud we have them in abundance,” Naphtal said.

    In his reaction, the Principal Partner, Brooks and Blake Nigeria Limited, Mr. Sola Fijabi said his organisation is honoured to have won the award for the fourth time in a row.

    “Winning the Marketing World Award for four consecutive years is quite heartwarming. We thank all our clients who believe in us. We have been able to come this far because we are working for them.

    “Our promise is to continue being the company we are, creating new frontiers for excellence in the industry, collaborating with our colleagues to make the industry the pride of everyone, which will in turn continue to engender respect for the profession and the value it brings to the marketing communication practice,” said Fijabi.

    Some of the clients of Brooks+Blake include multinational companies like MTN Nigeria, GlaxoSmithkline Consumer and Pharmaceuticals Nigeria Plc, Unilever Nigeria Plc, and Suntory Food and Beverages.

     

    Also speaking on the recognition, the Executive Director, Brooks and Blake, Taiwo Ogunwumi, reiterated the firm’s commitment to continually maintain its exceptional delivery of service to its clients as a way to uphold the tenets of the award.

     

    “Winning consecutively for four years validates the fact that devotion and immense commitment to the clients’ needs with a clearly defined vision has its incentives. We are delighted with this experience as it indicates that we have been doing our job right and contributing our own little quota to promote the healthy growth of the marketing industry. We dedicate this award to the Brooks and Blake family and all our clients. We are thankful for the trust they put in us and it is because of them that we are constantly recognized for scaling the heights and adding value” Ogunwumi said.
    It would be recalled that Brooks and Blake earlier this year also clinched the Marketing Edge Award for the 2017 PR Agency of the year.

  • Court dismisses suit seeking to compel MTN to pay N1.04trn fine

    A Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday rejected a suit seeking to compel MTN Nigeria Communications Limited to pay into the federation account N1.04trillion, being the fine that was imposed on it by the Nigerian Communications Commission  (NCC).

    Justice Babatunde Quadri, in a judgment yesterday, also refused to issue an order of mandamus to compel NCC to perform its statutory obligation under section 45(1) (a) (b) and (c) of the Nigeria Communications Act, by revoking MTN’s operation licence, pending when it paid the fine.

    The judgment was on a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/448/2016, filed by a member of the House of Representatives, Raphael Igbokwe and Emmanuel Njoku, who said the sued for themselves and on behalf of “Nigerians Against Exploitation By Telecommunications Operators.”

    The plaintiffs had, among others, queried the powers of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the Minister of Communications Technology to reduce the N1.04trillion fine imposed on MTN to N780billion.

    Defendants in the suit were the NCC, MTN, the AGF and the Minister of Communication Technology.

    Justice Quadri upheld preliminary objections filed by the defendants against the suit, to the effect that the suit was statute barred.

    He upheld their contention that 30 days had elapsed before the plaintiffs approached the court to challenge the fine they said was reduced since 2015.

    The judge said the plaintiffs did not fulfil necessary condition precedent to the filling of such suit, and that they failed to exhaust all other remedies that were provided in sections 86, 87 and 88 of the NCC Act and Order 34 of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules.

    He said the plaintiffs ought to have applied for statement of reason from the NCC, request for a review of the decision of the commission within 30 days, and specify reasons why they wanted MTN to be compelled to pay the fine in full.

    Justice Quadri said it was only after the conditions were met that the plaintiffs could apply to court for a judicial review of the decision.

    The plaintiffs, through their lawyer, Okere Kingdom, prayed the court to, among other things, determine the following questions:

    “Whether or not the Hon. Minister of Justice/Attorney General of the Federation and the Minister of Communications Technology have powers to amend, alter, adjust or vary any provisions of a delegated legislation or any other law validly made by the National Assembly, or any rules, regulations and orders validly made by any delegated legislature pursuant to an Act of the National Assembly.

    “Whether or not the National Assembly of Nigeria or any arm of the National Assembly has the constitutional powers to constitute an investigative panel and to summon any government official, to inquire into the circumstances surrounding the alteration, variation and reduction of the fine lawfully imposed on MTN Nigeria Communications Ltd by the NCC, which fine was imposed pursuant to delegated powers conferred on the NCC by an Act of the National Assembly.

    “Whether or not MTN Nigeria Communications Ltd has breached section 146(1) and (2) of the NCC Act and sections 19(1) and 20 (1) and (2) of the NCC (Registration of Telephone Subscribers Regulations) 2011, by intentionally and willfully failing to disconnect and register all unregistered subscribers on its network as stipulated in the Act.”

    Igbokwe stated, in an affidavit, that the House of Representatives had by a motion moved by Hon. Ehiozuwa Johnson captioned ‘need to investigate the payment made by MTN on the fine levied by the NCC’, constituted a committee to investigate issues, circumstances and motives behind “the huge reduction of the N1.04trillion fine imposed on MTN.

    He stated that controversy surrounding the reduction of the fine was a matter of public interest for which Nigerians deserved to know, adding that both Malami and Shittu refused to appear before the House of Representatives investigative committee, “thereby denying Nigerians opportunity to know the said circumstances and rationale leading to the reduction of the fine”.

  • MTN Nigeria, Honeywell Flour Mills, others shine at 9jaSAFE Awards

    MTN Nigeria, Honeywell Flour Mills and Ikeja Electricity Plc were among foremost corporate organisations that flew high at this year’s edition of Occupational Safety, Health and Environment Awards, tagged 9jaSAFE Award 2017.

    At the event that was held at the glamorous Oriental Hotel, Lagos, over thirty awards were handed out in 12 categories.

    Speaking at the event, the Chief Coordinating Officer of 9jaSAFE Award, Femi Da-Silva, said the vision of the award is to recognise and celebrate the outstanding performances and initiative of companies, individuals and institutions towards promoting and raising safety consciousness.

    According to him, 600 organisations and individuals were nominated for the 2017 edition of the award across 36 states of the federation.

    Da-Silva, who is also the managing editor of Safety Record newspaper, noted that over 170 industry professionals attended the maiden edition of the Award Dinner/Gala Night in 2015; and nomination was received from 15 states across the country with 345 nominees from different sectors of the economy in 2016.

    “Tonight, we have gathered to celebrate few organisations in Nigeria that have distinguished themselves in safety practice. We know that safety is important and for us as an organisation, we have committed to promote safety in Nigeria,” Da-Silva stated.

    Following the Guardian Angel Awards, honours were bestowed on minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige; and a member of House of Representatives representing Ikono/Ini Federal constituency area of Akwa Ibom State, Hon. Iboro Asuquo Ekanem.

    Company of the Year Corporate awards was presented to BCL Construction and Civil Engineering and Russelsmith Nigeria Limited.

  • Court orders MTN to pay ex-Nigerian operations manager N4.8billion

    Court orders MTN to pay ex-Nigerian operations manager N4.8billion

    The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), Akure Division, has ordered MTN Nigeria Communications Limited and MTN International, Mauritius, to pay its former Network Group Operations Manager, Mr Paul Odunewu, $13,419,728.54, £10,000 and N2,540,000 (totalling N4, 825,036,735.9) following wrongful termination of employment. Justice Oyejoju Oyewunmi made the order on Wednesday, September 27, 2017 following Odunewu’s suit challenging his 2006 termination and the deprivation of his entitlements including share options valued at $13,144,512.00. MTN Group Limited, South Africa; MTN Nigeria and MTN International, Mauritius were first, second and third defendants in the suit which lasted 10 years from the Lagos State High Court to the NICN. Justice Oyewunmi ordered that the sums be paid by the second and third defendants, “except the issue of costs which is to be paid by all the defendants.

    ” The judge ordered MTN to make the payments within 30 days following which the sums would appreciate at 21 percent interest per annum. In reaching judgment, the court agreed with the submissions of Odunewu’s counsel, Mr Kemi Balogun (SAN) that MTN unfairly imposed a restraint of trade on Odunewu, thus preventing him from working for a period. The judge upheld Mr Balogun’s submission that the evidence showed that Odunewu neither committed any serious, persistent breach of the provisions of the agreement or the company’s code, nor was ever summoned to a disciplinary committee or found guilty of any misconduct or non-performance.

    Justice Oyewunmi observed, among others, that the defendants failed to controvert the testimony of a former MTN Chief Executive Officer, Mr Adrian Wood, regarding the offers made to Odunewu which persuaded him to quit his job in The United Kingdom and join MTN. Odunewu, a UK-based chartered engineer, was employed by MTN Nigeria in 2001. He said MTN pleaded with him to return home from the UK and help the company to develop its telecommunications in Nigeria. He averred that he was promised, among others, a Share Option, a long-term incentive scheme being developed by MTN. Odunewu said when he complained that the Share Option was not contained in his offer letter, MTN persuaded him to accept the job, adding that he would be entitled to the shares after three years.

    Odunewu said he worked at MTN for over four years, and was responsible for the network’s outstanding achievements, which continues till date. The former manager said he was responsible for the company’s pre-paid and post-paid revenue, subscription, voucher management and real-time charging. Odunewu commenced the suit against the defendants in 2007 before the High Court of Lagos State, but in 2012, it was transferred to and began afresh at NICN which had exclusive jurisdiction. Trial commenced on January 29, 2014.

  • MTN sacks 200 workers, 80 contract staff members

    MTN sacks 200 workers, 80 contract staff members

    •To inject fresh blood

    South African telecoms giant, MTN, has sacked 280 of its workers in its Nigeria arm, in a major job cut that is targeting at least, 25 per cent of its 1,8000 workers in the country, a company source confirmed yesterday in Lagos.

    According to the source, some 200 permanent employees and about 80 contract staffers across various cadres, ranging from new graduates to senior managers, were affected in a move the source said is designed to inject fresh blood into the telco’s workforce.

    Many of those sacked spent up to 15 years with the company having joined MTN as it opened its business in Nigeria in 2001.

    Sources said affected workers were given a dismal severance of 75 per cent of their gross monthly income multiplied by the number of years with the company.

    “Given that the company is about 16 years old in Nigeria, the severance package brought pain and discontent among the affected staff.

    “With the payoff structure, senior managers with 15 years of service were left with about N15 million; most of the staff got less than N5 million,” company source explained.

    MTN Nigeria recorded nearly $1 billion in profit in 2016. However, the telecoms firm was heavily fined by the Nigerian government for failing to disconnect 5.2 million unregistered subscribers.

    MTN’sspokesman,FunsoAina, could not be reached for comments yesterday.

    But a source familiar with the latest downsizing said 200 of those affected had earlier agreed to leave the company voluntarily.

    The source said the sackings were as a result of “the changing dynamics of the telecoms industry in recent times”.

    The source said the company introduced the voluntary severance scheme (VSS), to provide a window for one week in April, for persons who have served in MTN for five years and above to take up.

    Those who decided to leave under the VSS were to be paid the equivalent of their three weeks gross salary for every year they worked with MTN.

    “What it means is that if one worked in MTN for five years, one would be paid three weeks of their gross salaries times five,” the source said.

    Eventually, all 280 staff were disengaged under the VSS and paid their benefits, the source said.

    The source added that since revenue from the voice segment of the industry has attained its plateau, the new revenue stream would naturally come from data services. “Younger and tech-savvy Nigerian graduates are going to drive this new initiative designed to take the telco to the next level,” another source familiar with the development added.

  • MTN: Don’t pay above normal price for our recharge cards

    MTN: Don’t pay above normal price for our recharge cards

    MTN Nigeria has urged its customers not to pay more than the amount that is printed on any MTN recharge card.

    MTN’s Public Relations and Protocol Manager, Mr Funso Aina, said in a statement on Friday in Lagos that the company had not increased prices of recharge cards

    “MTN Nigeria hereby use this medium to inform all its subscribers that it has not increased the prices of recharge cards.

    “The cost of recharge cards remain the face value stated on the physical vouchers.

    “Any increment from any quarters across the country on our recharge cards is without our knowledge,” Aina said.

    He said that the telecommunications provider had taken quick steps to ensure compliance on sales of its recharge cards at the stated face value by its trade partners and retailers.

    “While we are working assiduously to resolve claims of illegal increases, we apologise to our customers for any inconvenience this might have caused.

    “Alternatively, we advise our customers to explore other options of purchasing airtime such as MTN Virtual Top Up (VTU), Diamond Yello Account (DYA) or MTN Auto Top-up,” AINA said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the service provider has been sending Short Messaging Service (SMS) to its customers on the purported increase on prices of recharge cards.

    It reads: ‘Dear customer, please do not agree to pay more than the amount that is printed on any MTN recharge card. Remember – what you see is what you pay!’.

     

  • NCC to sanction 13 operators over unsolicited telemarketing

    NCC to sanction 13 operators over unsolicited telemarketing

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Monday said it would sanction 13 telecommunications operators for failing to comply with the  ‘2442 Do Not Disturb (DND)’ directive on unsolicited telemarketing.

    According to a statement signed by the NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Mr Tony Ojobo, the directive was issued on April 20, 2016.

    Ojobo said that the 13 operators included: Airtel Network Ltd., MTN Nigeria, Globacom Nigeria, Smile Communication, Visafone Communications, Ntel, Etisalat, Multi-Links, Starcomms, Danjay Telecoms, Gamjitel Ltd., Megatech Engineering Ltd. and Gicell Wireless.

    According to him, the service providers have been given another one-week ultimatum, from Monday, Nov. 14, 2016, to remedy the situation or face the sanctions enshrined in the directive.

    “Worried by the non-compliance by the operators, occasioned by a deluge of complaints by subscribers across Nigeria, the NCC inaugurated an eight-member committee to look into the matter.

    “After several meetings, including those it held with the network providers, it became necessary to issue the latest ultimatum to redress the menace of incessant unsolicited text messages and phone calls for telemarketing via the various networks,’’ he said.

    Ojobo said the commission had written to the providers on whose networks it had received series of complaints from subscribers regarding the efficacy of DND.

    He said the phrase ‘Network-Generated SMS’ referred to in Part (d) of the directive shall be taken to mean messages and calls, with respect to only information on emergencies.

    According to him, the information on emergencies, include: national security, fire, notifications on network maintenance programmes down times and notification regarding subscribers’ bundle usage and service renewals.

    “Other text messages and voice calls informing subscribers of new products and service offerings are not regarded as ‘Network-Generated’ and, therefore, regarded as “unsolicited marketing messages’’.

    “NCC has therefore, asked these network providers to ensure that information on the Do Not Disturb service should be disseminated after every revenue-generating activity via the End of Call Notification (EOCN).

    “For the period not less than 45 days, within the hours of 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, from the receipt of the latest letter on the subject.

    “The operators are also admonished to deploy this information through all their channels of communications, including websites, social media platforms, billboards, flash messages, text messages, Interactive Voice Response platform, radio jingles, newspapers advertisements and television commercials,’’ he said.

    The director said that this notice served as a pre-enforcement notice, adding that failure to comply with it would attract appropriate sanctions.

    He said the menace of unsolicited text messages had been a nightmare to subscribers.

    Ojobo said that the commission could no longer accept further excuses from network providers.

  • MTN business launches easy accounting for SMEs

    MTN business launches easy accounting for SMEs

    MTN Business has launched its Easy Accounting for SMEs, as part of its commitment towards enabling Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with the right business tools for sustainable growth.

    The Easy Accounting is a bespoke solution that drives smarter operations for SMEs across Nigeria.

    According to the Chief Enterprise Business Officer, Enterprise Business at MTN Nigeria, Lynda Saint-Nwafor, Easy Accounting is an online business management and accounting system for small businesses that is specifically designed for people who may not understand or are having challenges with their accounting processes.

    “You do not need any accounting knowledge to use it. This is another tailor-made solution that helps SMEs run their businesses seamlessly under MTN Cloud Services. It’s easy to understand and use. You capture simple information and the system converts it automatically into accounting entries. It provides everything your accountant needs to produce your financials,” she said.

    On the essence of this new solution in transforming SMEs businesses Saint-Nwafor said “this is a must-have for every smart business as it is specially designed to take away all obstacles and barriers SME owners experience on a daily basis while trying to run their businesses. The solution reaffirms our commitment towards supporting small businesses and our recognition of the critical role they play in every economy.”

    In addition, Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, General Manager, Enterprise Marketing, MTN Nigeria, stated that the new solution provides everything you need in one convenient, easy-to-use system.

    “It helps to manage your contacts, does your quotes and invoices; tracks all your money including any personal money used in the business. It provides simple reports so you can see who you owe and who owes you. It also does your payroll and so much more.”

    Easy Accounting for SMEs has been launched in Kenya and can be purchased either by airtime deduction, credit cards or debit cards, which makes it very easy to purchase.

  • Minister to Senate: I know nothing about MTN funds transfer

    Minister to Senate: I know nothing about MTN funds transfer

    Industry, Trade and Investment Minister Okechukwu Enelamah has dismissed as untrue allegation made in the Senate that he was involved in the transfer of funds from Nigeria by telecom giant MTN.

    He said he has never been in a position to transact any such business for the company.

    Reacting to the allegation, the Director of Press in the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Greyne Anosike said while the minister welcomes whatever investigation the Senate deems proper on the activities of companies operating in the country, it should not that:

    “Dr. Enelamah served as the CEO of Capital Alliance Nigeria Limited (CANL) between 1998 and 2015.  CANL is a wholly owned subsidiary of African Capital Alliance (“ACA”), an Africa focused private equity firm with investments in carefully selected companies within and outside Nigeria, including MTN Nigeria.

    “A fund managed by ACA, alongside other minority shareholders, invested in MTN Nigeria through Celtelecom. Dr. Enelamah was never the “owner” of Celtelecom as alleged by the Senator; neither was he ever a Celtelecom shareholder. Instead he was a director of the company, representing the ACA managed fund.

    “Investors do not have responsibility for remittance of proceeds from the company they are invested in. Therefore, at no time was Dr. Enelamah in a position to transfer funds out of Nigeria on behalf of MTN Nigeria, and at no time did Dr. Enelamah transfer any funds out of Nigeria on behalf of MTN Nigeria. As it relates to Celtelecom’s investment in MTN Nigeria, it is important to note that the entire process for applying for and using CCIs was done by MTN Nigeria.

    “Dr Enelamah resigned all his board positions, including from ACA and Celtelecom, consequent to his appointment as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

    Anosike branded the Senate allegation as without merit and baseless.

    The Senate resolved on Tuesday to probe the allegation made by Senator Dino Melaye that MTN moved $13.9billion out of the country between 2006 and now in violation of banking rules and regulations.

    He claimed that the telecom provider used the minister in repatriating the amount to floated and incorporated offshore Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) in the Cayman Island, Mauritius and British Virgin Island.

    Some of the SPVs he mentioned and their promoters/shareholders  were  Cel Telephone Investment Limited, Port Louis, Mauritius; Dr. Pascal Dozie and Dr. Okechuckwu Elenemah; $20,749,532; Celtel funded shares SPV (which was renamed NISPV Limited in 2008), Port Louis, Mauritius; Dr. Pascal Dozie, Ahmed Dasuki, Gbenga Oyebode, Babatunde Folawiyo and Dr. Okechukwu Elenemah, $2,019,232.

    The Senate mandated its Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions to investigate the matter and report back to it within two weeks.