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MTN Nigeria Shines at SABRE Awards Africa with Five Certificates of Excellence
In acknowledgment of its accomplishments in harnessing public relations and communication to foster public-private partnerships and shared value in Nigeria, MTN Nigeria has received five Certificates of Excellence at the 2023 SABRE Africa awards.
![](https://www.nigeriacommunicationsweek.com.ng/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/MTN-Nigeria-2-300x200.jpg)
L-R: Dr Omoniyi Ibietan, Head of Media, Nigerian Communications Commission; Lakinbofa Goodluck, PR Manager, MTN Nigeria; Njideka Akabogu, Regional Manager East Africa, ID Africa (BHM Holdings); Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, President, African Public Relations Association at the SABRE Africa Awards in Lusaka, Zambia on May 19, 2023.
The ICT company received nominations at the awards for its services and innovations over the past year in categories including Company of the Year; Corporate Image; Corporate Social Responsibility and; Special Event/Sponsorship and CEO of the Year.
MTN’s growth is evident in its revenue which has doubled from N1 trillion in 2018 to N2 trillion at the end of the financial year in 2022 with its strongest growth achieved in 2021 and 2022 at 22.9 percent and 21.6 percent respectively.
In December 2021, MTN Nigeria became the first Nigerian company to make its public offer of 575 million sales in shares accessible to retail investors through a unique digital platform, Primary Offer. Similarly, the company partnered with the Nigerian government to rehabilitate the Enugu-Onitsha 110-kilometre expressway under the 10-year Road Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme (RITC). In 2022, the company also launched the Media Innovation Programme in partnership with Pan-Atlantic University to upskill media practitioners in Nigeria.
These initiatives, with efficient public and private stakeholder engagement and communication support by Public Relations and Communications company BHM, culminated in MTN Nigeria and its leadership becoming recipients of the 2023 SABRE Africa Company of the Year and CEO of the Year certificates.
MTN Nigeria’s recent rebranding to a technological company offering a bouquet of digital services has attracted widespread commendation in recent times, and its excellent achievements in the technology space were also rewarded with its recognition as having a great Corporate Image.
The recognition was bolstered by the technology company’s successful acquisition of the 5G spectrum and the launch of the advanced 5G network in different parts of Nigeria in 2022. If properly harnessed, the 5G network is predicted to deliver $13.2 trillion in global economic value by 2035 and can generate 22.3 million jobs in the 5G global value chain alone within the same period. The advanced network has the potential to boost Nigeria’s socio-economic ecosystem, particularly by improving access to essential services such as finance, health, and education.
MTN was also recognised as an organisation with an impactful Corporate Social Responsibility for its innovative Y’ellopreneur, which is distinctive for its ambition to bridge the gender gap in Nigeria’s employment and entrepreneurship landscape. In its debut phase, at least 500 women entrepreneurs were able to build capacity, with 101 receiving funding worth N2 million for their respective businesses under the empowerment programme.
MTN’s contribution to the development of grassroots football in Nigeria and its partnership with the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) as the Official Communications Partner earned it a Certificate of Excellence in the Special Event/Sponsorship category.
Over the past two decades, MTN has demonstrated its commitment to elevating Nigeria’s standing in world football by collaborating with the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) and investing in various football camps and scholarship programs to develop young footballing talents in the country. The most recent of such transformative programmes by the ICT company was the establishment of the NPFL/La Liga U-15 tournament in 2022 to identify and train the best young football talents in Nigeria.
In a related event, Funso Aina, MTN Nigeria’s senior manager, external relations, became the first African to win the “Innovator of the Year” award in the brands’ category at the 2023 SABRE IN2 Awards.
Speaking on the SABRE recognition, Tobechukwu Okigbo, Chief Corporate Services Officer, MTN Nigeria, said, “We are deeply honoured to have been recognised across multiple categories at the SABRE Africa awards. These accolades are a testament to the hard work and dedication of the team and the contributions of all our partners towards our success.
At MTN, we remain committed to delivering innovative and impactful solutions that enhance the lives of communities where we operate. These certificates are a clear validation of our efforts and we will continue to strive towards excellence in all that we do.”
Effective PR and communication strategies are critical in driving brand awareness, facilitating partnerships, and expanding market share. Due to its increased adoption and its potential to impact brand growth, the global public relations market size is expected to grow to $133 billion in 2027 at a CAGR of 5.7%.
The 2023 SABRE Africa awards ceremony was held in Lusaka, Zambia, as part of the 2023 African Public Relations Association (APRA) Conference. The annual event, organised by PRovoke Media, celebrates public relations and communication excellence in Africa, particularly in the areas of branding, reputation, and engagement.
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FG Unveils Committee to Advance Risk Management in Nigeria
To bolster Nigeria’s approach to risk management, the Federal Government has inaugurated a new committee dedicated to evaluating and addressing various national risks.
The announcement was made by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank of Industry, Dr. Olasupo Olusi, during the Chartered Risk Management Institute (CRMI) annual conference held in Lagos on Thursday.
Dr. Olusi, who was honoured with an honorary fellowship at the event, revealed that the committee is tasked with presenting its findings to the presidency within four weeks. The initiative reflects the government’s commitment to enhancing risk management practices and mitigating potential financial and operational vulnerabilities.
The CRMI conference also featured the presentation of its inaugural Honorary Fellowship Awards. This year’s honorees included- Dr. Kadir Obafemi Hamzat, Deputy Governor of Lagos State; Dr. Olayemi Cardoso, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN); Dr. Zaccheus Adedeji, Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS); Dr. Emomotimi Agama, Director General of the Meteorological Agency (NiMet); and Dr. Lamido Yuguda, Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Additional awards were given to Dr. Adaora Umeoji, Group Managing Director of Zenith Bank; Dr. Roosevelt Ogbonna, Managing Director/CEO of Access Bank; and Dr. Nneka Oyeali-Ikpe, Managing Director/CEO of Fidelity Bank.
A significant highlight of the conference was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to form the Federation of African Risk Management Associations (FARMA). The MOU was endorsed by representatives from South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Morocco, Senegal, Benin Republic, and Kenya.
Dr. Olusi praised President Bola Tinubu for his support, stating, “President Tinubu understands the critical importance of effective risk management for our economy and has charged us with improving our approach to credit risks. We are expected to report our progress within the next four weeks.”
Dr. Ezekiel Oseni, President and Chairman of Council at CRMI, provided an update on legislative developments, noting that the Institute is sponsoring a risk management bill currently under review in the National Assembly.
The bill, which has passed its first reading, aims to establish mandatory risk management functions across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
Dr. Oseni highlighted the importance of governmental support for these initiatives, stating, “Our efforts are vital for enhancing economic resilience, and it is crucial that the government continues to back these initiatives.”
He also called on African governments, the African Union, and multilateral organizations like AfDB and Afrexim to support the newly established FARMA.
“We commend the efforts of those working towards establishing a rating agency for Africa and call for broader support for this significant initiative,” Dr. Oseni added.
Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, Deputy Governor of Lagos State, delivered a keynote address emphasizing the need for comprehensive risk management from a governance perspective.
He highlighted the impact of insecurity and technological advancements on societal stability and economic growth.
“Insecurity has caused significant turmoil and displacement, requiring decisive government action to ensure safety and uphold sovereign integrity,” Dr. Hamzat noted.
He also stressed the importance of legislating for data protection and addressing the risks associated with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics.
Dr. Hamzat concluded by acknowledging the role of the CRMI in advancing transparency and accountability through risk management education and practices.
The conference marked a pivotal moment for Nigeria’s approach to risk management, underscoring both national and regional commitments to enhancing risk assessment and response mechanisms.
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Afrexim Bank Boosts Africa’s Creative Industry with Launch of “One Drum” EP
Afrexim Bank’s Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) programme has launched the highly anticipated “One Drum” EP, a collaborative music project that brings together top artists from Africa and the diaspora.
This innovative initiative aims to promote Africa’s creative economy, drive economic growth, and solidify the continent’s position as a global creative hub.
The “One Drum” EP is a strategic initiative to unlock Africa’s creative potential, promote cultural exchange, and drive economic growth. With its global appeal and innovative sound, the EP is poised to resonate with audiences worldwide, further establishing Africa as a key player in the global creative economy.
Afreximbank, having recognised the relevance and opportunities provided by the creative economy as a key driver for development and job creation, established the Creative Africa Nexus programme (CANEX) to support the development of Africa’s Creative and Cultural Industries and address some of the challenges faced by this economy, through the provision of access to finance, capacity building, trade, investment and export promotion, access to new market opportunities, digital solutions, and policy advocacy to fast-track the scaling of Africa’s creative sectors within the global economy.
The “One Drum” EP is a masterpiece of global musical collaboration, celebrating the vibrancy, resilience, and diversity of African music while embracing global influences.
Featured artistes on the One Drum EP include Flavour (Nigeria), Olodum (Brazil), Oskido (South Africa) Commissioner Gordon Williams (USA), Sofiya Nzau (Kenya), Stephen Marley, YG Marley, and Jo Mersa Marley (Jamaica), The Scorpion Kings (South Africa) as well as Tman Xpress, X-Wise, Phila Dloz (South Africa)i, and Olodum (Brazil).
One Drum is more than just music; it’s a celebration of the cultural bonds that unite Africa and its diaspora, shaped by our shared history and the enduring legacy of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade. The EP resonates with rhythms that have traveled across continents— from the global sounds of Afrobeats and Amapiano, to the vibrant drums of Brazil to the soul-stirring Reggae of the Caribbean.
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Ibom Air Expands Fleet Operations, takes Delivery of Second Airbus
Ibom Air has announced receipt of second Air bus A220-300 in fulfillment of plans to increase fleet operations in Akwa Ibom state. In a statement signed by Mrs Aniekan Essienette, the Manager, Marketing and Communication and made available to Journalists in Uyo, the Airbus arrived Nigeria through Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos on 10 August 2024 .
It also stated that the shareholder being Akwa Ibom state government formally received the consignment on Tuesday at Victor Attah International Airport , Uyo amidst pomp and pageantry.
Essienette explained that the acquisition of the second Airbus aligns with Ibom Air’s strategic goal of rapidly increasing capacity and expanding its route network.
The statement reads in parts : “The Airbus A220-300, celebrated for its fuel efficiency, environmental sustainability, and passenger comfort, will enable Ibom Air to increase flight frequencies on existing routes and expand to new destinations.
“While giving his welcome remark, the Chairman of Ibom Air, Pastor Imoabasi Jacob, saluted the resilience and doggedness of Ibom Air’s management and the strong support of the state governor Pastor Umo Eno.”
She said Pastor Umo Eno in his remarks on arrival of the Airbus has expressed his enthusiasm for the development of the Airline .
“The arrival of our second Airbus A220 reiterates the state’s unwavering commitment to advancing our aviation sector. This addition aligns with our strategic vision for Ibom Air and supports the economic growth and development of Akwa Ibom State by enhancing air travel and connectivity, creating job opportunities, and boosting tourism.”
Essienette disclosed that bom Air’s Chief Executive Officer , Mr. Mfon Udom, emphasized the significance of the addition to the fleet to operations of the Airline
“We are thrilled to welcome our second wholly owned Airbus A220. This aircraft will significantly boost our capacity in response to the growing service demand.
“A special thanks to the Nigerian financial institutions who continue to partner with Ibom Air, especially Fidelity Bank and Union Bank.
“We appreciate the tremendous support shown to us by our valued customers recently as we bore through flight disruption. We are committed to delivering remarkable improvements moving forward.”
She maintained that Ibom Air as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Akwa Ibom State Government is dedicated to setting the benchmark as the airline of choice for passengers.
“The airline focuses on schedule reliability, on-time departures, and outstanding service. Ibom Air’s fleet comprises seven aircraft: five Bombardier CRJ 900s and two Airbus A220-300s. It serves six domestic destinations in Nigeria and Accra, Ghana.” She said.
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