Engr. Ernest Ndukwe,former  executive vice chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has handed over to Engr. Stephen Bello, executive commissioner and most senior staff of the regulatory agency after completion of his two-term tenure. 
Engr. Bello is to hold forth until the appointment of the substantive EVC of the Commission for five year tenure.
Later at an impromptu farewell organized by the Commission, Engr. Ndukwe announced that the latest statistics has shown that as at March 25, 2010, the number of active subscriber lines in the network has grown to 78.5 Million, something to cheer about the performance of the Commission.
On a day that two different organizations visited Engr. Ndukwe to confer him with awards for his superlative performance at the Commission, he told a management meeting which he convened for the purpose of announcing his glorious exit from the Commission, that he had a meeting with the Acting President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan who did not quite realize that his departure will be that soon. He said that at that meeting, it was agreed that he hands over to the most senior officer of the Commission, hence Engr Bello who joined the Commission in 2000 and rose to become an Executive Commissioner.
While recounting his efforts at making the commission a professional and humane organization, Ndukwe told those whom he must have offended to forgive. “I also want to say that during my term in the NCC it is possible that I might have offended some people, I don’t think I have offended anybody as such, but if I did just know that it is because of the course of my duty.
But later in the day at a farewell cocktail, attended by the Board members, management and staff of the Commission, including the officials of the Digital Bridge Institute, DBI, Engr Ndukwe told his audience amidst prayers, ovations and failing emotions that every staff of the Commission must be proud of the contributions they have made to the success of the organization.
“In year 2000, the number of telephone lines in this country was 400,000 and 25,000 analogue mobile lines. As at 25th of March 2010, we have 78.5 Million lines. So as far as we are concerned as a Commission, we have everything to be proud about.
“People say that we have a larger number of lines because of our population. I wish to remind them that we have always had a large population since 1960, and that after 40 years of independence we had only 400,000 lines to boast about.
So, all of you, one by one,  have made great contributions to what has happened in the industry and I think you should all be very proud of yourselves”, he said.
He advised them be mindful of certain realities. “You should not forget the operating companies because we have not installed a single line. The only thing that has made the difference is that we created the right environment to make it happen.
“And, that is what I am leaving behind with you – That one statement by the regulator can actually drive all the investments out of this country. Any regulator must have this at the back of his mind because once you don’t do the right thing, or you don’t say the right thing and you don’t perform the right way, the industry can be affected and if negatively, you would have lost all the gains you have made.
“So, it is very important that you still maintain the high level of professionalism that this organization is known for. And you maintain high level of integrity which this organization is known for so that the Nigerian Communications Commission will still be regarded as the flagship organization and as a pride to the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”, he said.
He said his prayer is that the Commission continues to grow from strength to strength. “My prayer is that all of you will continue to grow from strength to strength and this organization will continue to tower higher and higher and I wish all of you well and God will bless all of you”.
He also commended the Board of the Commission for the support he received in the course of his duty. “I would not have asked for a better Board. These people have sacrificed all without counting the cost and I think they are worthy of the trust reposed on them and I can only wish them well.
“Luckily, our board does not get dissolved. While the three of us are leaving, another three will come in, but they will meet six people here and will continue in the tradition of the Commission”, he said while commending management and the officials of the DBI who he advised to still consider the continuation of a programmes for training of lower and medium manpower in the current move to make the institute a university.
While responding, Engr Bello told Engr. Ndukwe that the Commission is very appreciative of his efforts and will wish to “thank God for your service in the Commission, the dedication you have put into your job”. .
 “The industry is just a proof, it is a result of your activities and your efforts and your input is very obvious. It can be seen by virtually every Nigerian one way or the other either with telephone in their hands or access to service and the difference that the telecom industry has made to the lives of Nigerians”, he said.
“And so it is with a lot of emotion literally that we have to say goodbye to you because definitely anything that has a beginning has an end but at least one thing we have joy with is that it is ending well, it is ending on a note of joy”, he said.
 “We want to thank God that He kept you alive throughout the ten years, it’s been a great one and just as you have said everybody here has in one way had an influence on you. I believe that we also want to say that if we also have unknowingly offended you that you should also forgive us because nobody is perfect. You yourself are not perfect and that is why we make errors, we too are not perfect and we might have also made errors”, he said.