Barely seven months it launched in Lagos, Smile Communications Nigeria Limited has taken bold step towards enhancing education in Nigeria through information communication technology (ICT) by connecting 50 public schools, 25 each in Lagos State and Ibadan (Oyo State) to the internet.

With 4G LTE, Smile said that it delivers affordable, high-quality and easy-to-use broadband internet access and communications services to its customers.

While presenting to the media Mrs. Alero Ladipo as the new chief marketing officer, the Company also said that it gives free 30gigbyte of internet bundles to each of the public schools; will replicate same gesture in Port Harcourt and increase the subscription as the needs arise.

According to Mr. Kenneth Esenwah, general manager, Sales and Distribution at Smile, the corporate social responsibility was driven by Irene Charnley, Smile group CEO urge to give back to the society in a measure that will address challenges associated with e-learning.

He hinted that the process reflects the key agenda of Dr. (Mrs) Omobola Johnson’s led Ministry of Communication to connect schools, government institutions, businesses, homes and individuals tagged, “connected Nigeria”.

“We are out to pursue the course for e-learning in Nigeria and internet penetration. We have other plans in the offing which we will inform the public at the due date. For now, we shall continue to partner with the States to ensure the schools already connected are not starved of internet subscription. Our CEO has demonstrated her passion for this project too,” he said.

The Company has already launched services in Lagos, Ibadan, Abuja and Port Harcourt and hopes to establish its presence in 13 cities before the end of 2014, while targeting 60 cities in 2015.

On the processes of selecting the benefiting schools, Mr. Gbolahan Thomas, senior manager, legal and regulatory at the Company, said they approached the State Governments for schools already equipped with basic infrastructure like laboratories.

Similarly, Mrs. Alero Ladipo, new chief marketing officer at Smile Communications Nigeria Limited, expressed delight for being part of the teams that possesses enough spectrums to turn around customer experience as regards internet usage in the country.

According to her, she was attracted to the sourced for the best technology available in order to create the innovative solutions required to provide world-class, yet cost-effective, communications services across Africa, after it was found in 2007.

She said, “I am delighted that Smile’s vision is encapsulated by its value statement: ‘Everything is possible when done with Humanity, Humility, Integrity and Inspiration’”.

Ladipo added that the statement puts in a nutshell the Company’s approach to every aspect of the services, “every service and product we offer and how we deal with our customers, partners and our staff”.

The new CMO also hinted that “Smile On” conversation continues, although the Company will review the process to accommodate more SMEs.

Ladipo promises to bring her experiences to bear in driving Smile’s marketing and communication strategies and ensure that customer experience rates high.

She pleaded with Smile’s customers not to hastate in contacting customer care officer via 08004444444 for prompt response to their complaints.

Before her appointment, Ladipo had worked as head, marketing and communications strategy at Union Bank of Nigeria Plc; Marketing & Communications Manager at Stanbic IBTC Bank; Group Communications Manager at The Standard Bank; Marketing Associate at Vic Lawrence & Associates; Research Asst at Nigerian Institute on International Affairs and Research Asst at WIPO.

She holds Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Law, University of Northumbira, Newcastle; Master of Laws (LLM) International Trade; University of Essex, Colchester and Bachelor of Law from the Nigerian Law School.

As technology improved, Smile evolved to focus on mobile broadband internet using 4G LTE technology, and it was with great pride that we launched Africa’s first 4G LTE broadband internet service in Tanzania, in March 2012.

Smile’s Tanzanian customers experience 4G LTE broadband internet service in Dar es Salaam and Arusha, with Dodoma and Mwanza receiving coverage in early 2014.

Nigerians living in Ibadan and Lagos already enjoy the country’s fastest and most reliable 4G LTE broadband internet service, brought to them by Smile.

Abuja and Port Harcourt followed in early 2014.

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