Dr. Eugene Juwah, executive vice chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission, has said that the Nigerian banks have critical roles to play in the broadband vision of the Commission given their unique position in the economy.
Dr. Juwah who spoke when a team from the United Bank for Africa, UBA, led by Mr. Phillips Oduoza, its chief executive officer, paid him a courtesy call in his office in Abuja, said the Commission is evolving a plan to evolve the banks and the various strata of government in the realization of cost effective and affordable broadband services in the country.
He said that the activities of the banks, including the mobile banking services and related solutions, are expected to thrive more under a pervasive broadband infrastructure and expects that the banks will benefit hugely from such a development in the sector.
He said that the banks, therefore, constitute a critical stakeholder in the telecoms business as they facilitate investments in the sector as well as benefit from the services that evolve from the sector.
Mr. Oduoza, said that the bank is very willing to support the Commission in the implementation of all its lofty visions for the industry, adding that, there is a lot of synergy between the banking and the telecom industry. He said that point of convergence between the two will continue to grow as both sectors grow side by side, and even as the telecom industry grows even bigger and multifaceted.
He commended the Federal Government for the appointment of Dr. Juwah at the helm of the Commission given his pedigree and accomplishments in the sector.
Starcomms Supports Boxing Hall of Fame
Starcomms Plc has been commended for sponsoring the 50th independent anniversary edition of the monthly Lagos State Amateur Boxing Association/ Boxing Hall of fame tournament, which took place September 23 and 25, 2010.
“Before now, the popularity of boxing as a sport waned tremendously. But with the vision of those that Governor Babatunde Fashola has put in charge of the game in Lagos and the passion of the chairman, Mr. Wale Edun and sponsors like Starcomms, which has consistently supported the game on a monthly basis, we are beginning to see life in the organisation of the sports,” said Eni-Iyin Rhodes, a boxing fan who was at the event.
The special boxing show of the Lagos State Amateur Boxing Association which was held to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Nigeria’s independence witnessed series of bouts between members of the Repton Boy’s Club of London and the members of the Lagos Amateur Boxing Association,
At the occasion which gathered who-is-who in boxing in Lagos, ace comedian, Gbenga Adeyinka the First, said that it is a great thing for boxing talents to be discovered young and nurtured to become champions. He said that sponsors like Starcomms should be encouraged and emulated because they are making good things happen.
Prince Ademola Adeniji-Adele, Lagos State Commissioner for Sport, who represented governor Raji Fashola at the event commended the efforts of Mr. Wale Edun, the chairman of the Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame, Lagos State Boxing Association and the sponsors of the initiative, saying that he has always been convinced that Edun is the right man for the job.
Describing the event as an opportunity for Nigerians to experience international youth boxing competition, Richard Gill said, marketing director, Starcomms, said that Starcomms is proud to be associated with youth sports development in the country saying that Starcomms will continue to sponsor the Lagos State Boxing Hall of Fame monthly competition.
According to him, “the competition which Starcomms began sponsoring since November 2009, has produced notable young boxing stars who have won the Starcomms overall best boxer prize”. He said that the invitation of the Repton Boys to Nigeria to fight with the Lagos State Amateur Boxing Association boys (LABA Boys) was helpful in the growth and development of the boys to measure up with international standards, which the Lagos boxers were doing admirably. While explaining Starcomms’ reason for involving an international youth boxing organization in the development of the boxing game in Nigeria, he said that it is essential to groom the LABA boys to meet international standard since it is expectation of Starcomms that their sponsorship of the monthly competition will lead the boys to showcasing their talent on the international scene for Nigeria.
He specifically noted that as a company that prides itself in giving value to its customers, Starcomms finds it relevant to bring international value to the development of the boxing career of the LABA boys adding that the skills the LABA Boys displayed at the two days boxing event showed that Starcomms sponsorship of the event was not in vain.