Telecom
Ogunsanya, Airtel MD Makes Case for Local Talents Development
Segun Ogunsanya, managing director and chief executive officer, Airtel Nigeria, has urged leaders and people in positions of authority to strive at discovering, nurturing and developing talents, in order to sustain development and growth in Nigeria as well as other African countries.
Ogunsanya stated at the monthly Role Model Forum of the Centre for Values in Leadership (CVL), where in his role as guest speaker, he shared his life story and experience with some young people who were participants at the event.
The Airtel boss said, “If Nigeria and other countries in Africa are to develop; we must start developing our people. For development to be sustainable we must develop African talents,”
He also added that “leaders are created and those who are leaders today must create the next leaders.
As an example, he recalled that when he was CEO of Coca-Cola in Ghana for nine years, he nurtured three CEOs before leaving Ghana.
He shared some of his nuggets of success with the young men and women at the forum, saying they must focus on goals they desire to achieve and watch against being arrogant because there is a thin line between confidence and arrogance.
Speaking further, Ogunsanya inspired the young audience to be prepared and not miss any opportunity to shine in their career. He encouraged them to alwaysensure they are prepared for opportunities that may come their way. As a piece of advice to some of the participants who are employees, the Airtel boss urged them to be result-oriented because employers reward results not efforts.
“So, be focused on what is truly measured, the result. That is the only thing that will guarantee you success. Mark my words; nobody pays for efforts any more. Efforts are important but you are only and truly rewarded for the results you put on the table when you get to certain levels. Of course we talk about values, they are as important as producing results. When you have values just make sure the values lead to the results. The results are the only true measurement of your success,” Ogunsanya said.
Among other points, Ogunsanya also cautioned that youths should avoid distraction because in his words, “there are always many distractions, in any endeavour. Running a business, NGO, family, you must avoid distractions. I call it noise of the market. If you are going to the market to buy onions perhaps, you will see someone selling handset, fruits or oranges. If you are not careful you will buy the oranges and the handset and not have enough to meet your main purpose, which are to buy onions”.
Ogunsanya further advised the participants to ignore prejudice as it could hold one down from making progress; making example of the prejudice that Airtel in an Indian Company.
“Airtel is not an Indian company; it is a multinational company with Indian heritage. It is actually the fourth largest telecom company in the world. Of course the company must be started by someone; Coke was started by an American man. Airtel was started by an Indian man but it has grown beyond its founder. So, once you are clear about what you want to do, don’t let prejudice hold you down,” he urged.
His presentation also briefly narrated his inspiring journey from his Secondary school days at Mayflower, Ikenne, Ogun State to the University of Ife.
Ogunsanya is a Chartered Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from University of Ife, Nigeria. He worked with a consulting firm, Arthur Anderson & Co. in Nigeria, between 1988 to 1992, before joining Coca-Cola.
He gradually transited into senior leadership roles with various bottling operations of Coca-Cola Company across countries in Africa. He rose to become the CEO of operations for Coca-Cola in Kenya and few other African countries before he finally became CEO for NBC Nigeria.
Others who attended the CVL monthly Role Model Forum were popular TV host/ presenter of ‘Moments with Mo’, Mrs Mo Abudu; Director, MacArthur Foundation, Africa Office, Mr. Kole Shettima and former Minister of National Planning and Chairman Petroleum Product Pricing and Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), former Commissioner in Lagos, Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi; Director of Corporate Communications & CSR, Airtel Nigeria, Emeka Oparah; Chief Executive Officer of Blueflower, Chido Nwakanma and Professor Pat Utomi, who is the Founder and CEO of the CVL.
The CVL Role Model Forum is a monthly interactive programme where individuals who have excelled in various field of endeavour share their life experiences and stories with participants in order to impart values, leadership qualities and motivate them towards becoming great leaders.
Technology Company, Globacom, has announced significant reductions in its International Direct Dialing (IDD) rates, making international calls more affordable for its existing and new customers across Nigeria.
Effective August 10, the new rates began applying to over 15 popular international destinations, including United States which will has moved to ₦30 per minute, down from ₦35, United Kingdom is now N350 from ₦400, while India also moved down to ₦40 from N45.
The rates for China, Saudi Arabia and Cameroon however recorded major reduction moving to N75, N300 and ₦700 respectively.
The reduction was also extended to African countries including Benin Republic which goes for ₦650 per minute, Niger Republic ₦750, Ghana ₦500, and Togo ₦650. United Arab Emirates also moved from ₦450 to ₦325, Germany to ₦550, Côte d’Ivoire ₦700, Libya ₦700, while calls to Malawi is now N1,100 from ₦1,200.
Glo aims to provide more value for its customers through these revised rates, encouraging them to make Glo their preferred network for international calls. New IDD bundles will also be introduced, offering frequent international callers even more attractive deals.
Globacom, which remained optimistic that frequent international callers will benefit immensely from the reductions in IDD bundles, enjoined customers to take advantage of the new rates to stay connected with friends and business associates across the globe.
President Bola Tinubu has appointment members into the boards of the Nigerian Communications Commission and the Universal Service Provision Fund, both under the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.
According to the statement, Idris Olorunnimbe was named Chairman of the NCC board, while Dr Aminu Wada will continue as Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, a position he was appointed to in October 2023 and confirmed by the Senate the following month.
Onanuga said Olorunnimbe previously served on the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund Board, where he chaired the Stakeholder and Governance Committee.
Other NCC board members are Abraham Oshidami (Executive Commissioner, Technical Services), Rimini Makama (Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management), Hajia Maryam Bayi, Col Abdulwahab Lawal (retd.), Senator Lekan Mustafa, Chris Okorie, Princess Oforitsenere Emiko, and the board secretary.
The President also approved the board of the USPF, chaired by the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, with Olorunnimbe as Vice Chairman.
Other members are Oshidami, Makama, Aliyu Edogi Aliyu (representative of FMCIDE), Joseph B. Faluyi (representative of the Federal Ministry of Finance), Auwal Mohammed (representative of FMBNP), Uzoma Dozie, Peter Bankole, Abayomi Anthony Okanlawon, Gafar Oluwasegun Quadri, and the USPF secretary.
See the statement below:
PRESIDENT TINUBU APPOINTS BOARD MEMBERS FOR NCC AND USPF
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has constituted the boards of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), both agencies under the supervision of the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.
Idris Olorunnimbe was appointed Chairman of NCC, while Dr Aminu Waida remains its Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer.
President Tinubu appointed Wada to the position in October 2023, and the Senate confirmed the appointment in November 2023.
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Mr. Olorunnimbe previously served on the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) Board, where he chaired the Stakeholder and Governance Committee and drove impactful youth employment and entrepreneurship programmes.
Other members of the board are:
1. Abraham Oshidami – Executive Commissioner, Technical Services
2. Rimini Makama – Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management
3. Hajia Maryam Bayi- Former Director, Human Capital & Administration
4. Col Abdulwahab Lawal (Rtd)
5. Senator Lekan Mustafa
6. Chris Okorie
7. Princess Oforitsenere Emiko
8. Secretary of the Board.
The President also approved the Board of the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), with Dr Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, as Chairman.
Other members are :
1. Idris Olorunimbe – Vice Chairman
2. Abraham Oshidami
3. Rimini Makama
4. Aliyu Edogi Aliyu – (Rep FMCIDE)
5. Joseph B Faluyi – (Rep. of Federal Ministry of Finance)
6. Auwal Mohammed – (Rep. of FMBNP)
7. Uzoma Dozie
8. Peter Bankole
9. Abayomi Anthony Okanlawon
10. Gafar Oluwasegun Quadri and the
11. USPF Secretary
The Federal Government established the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) to facilitate the achievement of national policy goals for universal access and service to information and communication technologies (ICTs) in rural, unserved and underserved areas in Nigeria.
Anambra State ICT Agency has restated its commitment to creating a digitally inclusive environment where Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) can access and benefit from government services without barriers.
Speaking when the Anambra State Disability Rights Commission (ADRC), in partnership with the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) programme, paid an advocacy visit to his office, the Managing Director/CEO of the ICT Agency, Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, underscored the Soludo administration’s determination to make governance work for all, including PWDs.
Mr. Agbata noted that intentional inclusion is a key part of the Governor’s technology-driven vision for the state which is why the commission recently received a wide range of digital tools to enhance their productivity.
“Technology is only truly impactful when it works for everyone, regardless of physical ability.
We are committed to removing digital barriers and making our platforms accessible to all residents of Anambra State,” he said.
CFA also disclosed that the Agency will take immediate steps to appoint a Disability Desk Officer, work with the commission to ensure that all government ICT platforms are designed to meet accessibility standards, and as well as incorporate PWD-friendly features into ongoing upgrades of the SolutionLens feedback platform.
The visit also featured presentations from ADRC’s Head of ICT, Mr. Bonaventure Umeokwonna, who outlined the Commission’s priorities, and RoLAC representatives, who pledged continued support for building capacity and strengthening the policy framework for inclusion.
Mr. Valentine Nwachukwu, Head of Planning, Research and Statistics at the Commission, gave the vote of thanks, commending the ICT Agency’s openness to collaboration.
The Anambra State ICT Agency continues to work closely with ministries, departments, and agencies to deepen digital transformation in the state, ensuring that no segment of society is left behind.
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