L-R: Suresh K. Makhijani, Counsellor, High Commission of India, Mr. K. Purushothaman, Regional Director, TN & Kerala and Dr JImson Olufuye, ITAN President during the just concluded IT CEO summit 2010 held recently in Lagos.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
P&G, SFH battle cholera in Nigeria with PUR water purifier
Safe Water for Nigerian Children, a collaborative project of leading consumer goods company, Procter & Gamble and renowned NGO, Society for Family Health (SFH) is donating 48,000 sachets of PUR, P&G’s not-for-profit purifier of water providing 480,000 litres of safe drinking water to the people of Borno, Gombe, Taraba, Yobe and Adamawa states in response to the cholera outbreak in these states.
According to the Minister of Health, Prof. Christian Onyebuchi Chukwu over 7,000 cases of cholera infection has been recorded in all the affected states since June when the alarm of the first outbreak was raised.
P&G and SFH made their donations of PUR purifier of water to the state Ministries of Health and plans to do the same in other states affected by the deadly epidemic.
Reacting to the donation, in Borno state, the Honorable Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Kazim Shettima said “cholera has become a recurring decimal in Borno state due to the lack of safe drinking water in some parts of the state. We are deeply grateful to Procter and Gamble for taking it upon themselves to make provisions for safe drinking water for the affected victims with this donation of PUR.”
Since January, 2008, the ‘Safe Water for Nigerian Children’ project has provided over 20 million litres of safe drinking water in semi-urban and rural communities in Nigeria through the use of P&G’s PUR Purifier of Water®. This project is a part of P&G Children’s' Safe Drinking Water (CSDW) program, the flagship of its corporate social responsibility platform, Live, Learn & Thrive that helps children in need around the world.
According to Manoj Kumar, the Managing Director, P&G West Africa, “We are pleased to partner with Society for Family Health to help improve people’s lives in communities affected by this health crisis - that’s our purpose as a company. While PUR is certainly not the only solution, it plays an important role in preventing the spread of the disease by providing safe drinking water to people in these communities.”
PUR, which was developed jointly by Procter & Gamble and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has been shown to reduce diarrhea illness by an average 50 per cent in controlled health intervention studies.
PUR has been used to help respond to several emergency relief situations, including the Tsunami in Asia, hurricanes in the Caribbean, floods in the Philippines and Bangladesh, the Myanmar Cyclone disaster and recently the Haiti disaster
P&G’s corporate social responsibility platform: Live, Learn and Thrive (LLT). LLT focuses on the development of children between ages 0-13 by ensuring a healthy start for children (Live), providing access to places and tools to learn (Learn), and providing access to programs that build self-esteem, empowerment and interpersonal/social skills (Thrive).
According to the Minister of Health, Prof. Christian Onyebuchi Chukwu over 7,000 cases of cholera infection has been recorded in all the affected states since June when the alarm of the first outbreak was raised.
P&G and SFH made their donations of PUR purifier of water to the state Ministries of Health and plans to do the same in other states affected by the deadly epidemic.
Reacting to the donation, in Borno state, the Honorable Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Kazim Shettima said “cholera has become a recurring decimal in Borno state due to the lack of safe drinking water in some parts of the state. We are deeply grateful to Procter and Gamble for taking it upon themselves to make provisions for safe drinking water for the affected victims with this donation of PUR.”
Since January, 2008, the ‘Safe Water for Nigerian Children’ project has provided over 20 million litres of safe drinking water in semi-urban and rural communities in Nigeria through the use of P&G’s PUR Purifier of Water®. This project is a part of P&G Children’s' Safe Drinking Water (CSDW) program, the flagship of its corporate social responsibility platform, Live, Learn & Thrive that helps children in need around the world.
According to Manoj Kumar, the Managing Director, P&G West Africa, “We are pleased to partner with Society for Family Health to help improve people’s lives in communities affected by this health crisis - that’s our purpose as a company. While PUR is certainly not the only solution, it plays an important role in preventing the spread of the disease by providing safe drinking water to people in these communities.”
PUR, which was developed jointly by Procter & Gamble and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has been shown to reduce diarrhea illness by an average 50 per cent in controlled health intervention studies.
PUR has been used to help respond to several emergency relief situations, including the Tsunami in Asia, hurricanes in the Caribbean, floods in the Philippines and Bangladesh, the Myanmar Cyclone disaster and recently the Haiti disaster
P&G’s corporate social responsibility platform: Live, Learn and Thrive (LLT). LLT focuses on the development of children between ages 0-13 by ensuring a healthy start for children (Live), providing access to places and tools to learn (Learn), and providing access to programs that build self-esteem, empowerment and interpersonal/social skills (Thrive).
STARCOMMS CUSTOMERS TO ENJOY BETTER SIGNALS AS THE COMPANY EXPANDS NETWORK
In its continuous bid to give customers better and superior experience, Starcomms Plc has expanded its network by deploying more cell sites on air in diverse locations across the country. This new step will boost the quality of service that customers enjoy on the Starcomms network.
Cell sites are responsible for the transmission of radio waves, to which calls are converted, from one cell phone or data device to another phone or data device on the same network or on other networks. Where there are enough cell sites to cover a wide area, the range of each is set to ensure that there is enough overlap for "handover" to and from others.
The size of a site depends on the area of coverage that’s needed and the number of calls that are made in that area. Increasing the number of sites implies that Starcomms has the capacity to accept and transmit more number of calls as well as cover a wider geographical range, giving out clearer signals.
With the new network expansion drive, customers of Starcomms can now begin to enjoy the best Quality of Service in places like Lagos, Enugu, Jos, Bauchi, Umuahia and Onitsha where many of the new sites have become operational. This means that call interruptions or “dropped calls’, are now a thing of the past on Starcomms network.
The chief Commercial Officer of Starcomms, Tushar Maheshwari said: “Telecommunications customers that preferred Starcomms network are increasing in number by the hour. This has put us on our toes. More sites often imply not just better coverage but also a better quality of service.
For instance, for us to provide services that will delight customers in areas where mobile phones used on our network are numerous and where there is more demand on us to deliver fast data services we need more sites.
That is why in keeping with our commitment to our teeming customers, we began this network expansion project. Our intention is to raise technological bar at all times with the sole purpose of attaining maximum efficiency for our customers all over the country.”
Starcomms has in recent times been delighting its customers with various innovations and enhanced services. Recently, before the ongoing network expansion activities of the company, it launched the Internet Protocol Call Centre, a state-of-the art customer service tool for better interactions with its customers.
Starcomms’ IPCC comes with a multilingual Interactive Voice Record service (IVR), which offers customers services in five languages: English, Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo and pidgin. This allows Starcomms’ voice customers anywhere in the country to have the option of asking questions in any of the languages.
Such questions may include balance inquiries, tariff inquiry, tariff charge for roaming customers, dash me credit together with Caller Ring Back Tune (CRBT). The dedicated lines allow customers to directly enter into the self-care portal to get the help as they may require.
“We are aware of the need to be proactive in our line of business because we know that technological advancement is most pronounced in it. So as our customers increase, their needs are definitely increasing. So we meet them in their large numbers and at the very point of their needs,” said Meheshwari.
Cell sites are responsible for the transmission of radio waves, to which calls are converted, from one cell phone or data device to another phone or data device on the same network or on other networks. Where there are enough cell sites to cover a wide area, the range of each is set to ensure that there is enough overlap for "handover" to and from others.
The size of a site depends on the area of coverage that’s needed and the number of calls that are made in that area. Increasing the number of sites implies that Starcomms has the capacity to accept and transmit more number of calls as well as cover a wider geographical range, giving out clearer signals.
With the new network expansion drive, customers of Starcomms can now begin to enjoy the best Quality of Service in places like Lagos, Enugu, Jos, Bauchi, Umuahia and Onitsha where many of the new sites have become operational. This means that call interruptions or “dropped calls’, are now a thing of the past on Starcomms network.
The chief Commercial Officer of Starcomms, Tushar Maheshwari said: “Telecommunications customers that preferred Starcomms network are increasing in number by the hour. This has put us on our toes. More sites often imply not just better coverage but also a better quality of service.
For instance, for us to provide services that will delight customers in areas where mobile phones used on our network are numerous and where there is more demand on us to deliver fast data services we need more sites.
That is why in keeping with our commitment to our teeming customers, we began this network expansion project. Our intention is to raise technological bar at all times with the sole purpose of attaining maximum efficiency for our customers all over the country.”
Starcomms has in recent times been delighting its customers with various innovations and enhanced services. Recently, before the ongoing network expansion activities of the company, it launched the Internet Protocol Call Centre, a state-of-the art customer service tool for better interactions with its customers.
Starcomms’ IPCC comes with a multilingual Interactive Voice Record service (IVR), which offers customers services in five languages: English, Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo and pidgin. This allows Starcomms’ voice customers anywhere in the country to have the option of asking questions in any of the languages.
Such questions may include balance inquiries, tariff inquiry, tariff charge for roaming customers, dash me credit together with Caller Ring Back Tune (CRBT). The dedicated lines allow customers to directly enter into the self-care portal to get the help as they may require.
“We are aware of the need to be proactive in our line of business because we know that technological advancement is most pronounced in it. So as our customers increase, their needs are definitely increasing. So we meet them in their large numbers and at the very point of their needs,” said Meheshwari.
Friday, September 24, 2010
American Businessman rates Nigerian IT market high
Senior Vice President and Chief Sales Officer for Aviat Networks, Michael Pangia has rated the Nigerian Market as one of the company’s most important markets outside the USA. Speaking at a media forum in Lagos, Pangia, who was on a working visit to Nigeria disclosed that the country’s position as a very important market for the network solution company was viewed based on its growth opportunities, prospects and financial bottom-line.He further stated that whereas in most other countries, the company faces pressure, its Nigeria operation presents opportunities to do end-to-end services. The company which recently rebranded from its former identity as Harris Stratex Networks, changed its management team in Nigeria with Olawale Osimosu as its new Country Manager and Sales Director, was also recognized by Voice&Data magazine as India’s leading WiMAX equipment provider with an estimated 70 percent market share, thereby maintaining its leadership position from the previous year. With the present combination of a new identity as well as new management, the company is convinced that the new brand will serve more as an advantage than challenge in an ever-competitive market like Nigeria.According to Pangia, the new name represents the company’s new vision as well as its focus area, which includes working with the customer to improve their business. He noted that since the name change, the company has evolved from being just a microwave equipment supplier to going into end-to-end solution provision for WIMAX infrastructure. He further affirmed that the management change will further strengthen the company’s market and continued focus on improved service delivery.While noting that the entire management team in Nigeria is local, he disclosed that Aviat has been embarking on aggressive training for its local staff to enable them meet international standards and pilot the affairs of its Nigerian operations without expatriate interference. In describing the current expertise of Aviat Networks in Nigeria at the moment, Olawale Osimosu said the company has partnered with not only GSM service providers, but also CDMA operators to deliver quality services, and has different forms of contractual agreement with all mobile operators in Nigeria.“We are not just selling boxes in Nigeria, we advice customers and show them which way to go. We work with OEMs to give the operators good service,” Osimosu said. This is based on the realization that a lot of operators still make the mistake of wrong decisions in the industry. Unfortunately, many operators still run the risk of “one size fits all” solutions that are often expensive and inflexible in the long run, leading to an inability to grow the existing network footprint and keep up with new service requirements. This approach also often includes “hidden cost” components due to discounted bundling provided by larger systems integrators.It was disclosed that the Aviat Networks’ 4G network solution includes best-of-breed elements such as re-validated tightly integrated components, a future-proof architecture and a powerful network management system, including field-proven and highly efficient IP backhaul. “We help our customers at every stage of their network deployment – from business planning, alignment and network design and optimization to deployment to network maintenance and end-to-end managed services. Our 4G network solution delivers an integrated and customized wireless network that allows you to quickly and economically seize new market opportunities” he concluded.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Visafone unviels customer poll services
In its unwavering commitment to ensuring excellent customer service delivery and responsiveness to customers, Visafone has introduced an opinion poll methodology tagged; Net Promoter Score (NPS).
The Visafone NPS aims to measuring market performance and customers’ views about its products and services. It identifies its core competitive areas and assesses alignment with customer perception to satisfy an increasing crop of customers from all walks of life.
Mrs. Lynda Amechi, Visafone’s Head of Customer Care, described the initiative as a laudable one that provides Visafone a firm platform to sample public opinion by researching customer knowledge, perception, and attitude/intentions with reference to Visafone’s products and services.
“For example, “questions like- How likely is it that you would recommend Visafone to a friend or colleague?” would be asked and responses obtained on a scale. An index developed therefrom would then be used in evaluating our services and brand advocacy by customers,” Amechi said
According to Amechi, the ongoing evaluation aids the continuous drive for improved customer experience, and therefore the popularity and relevance of the Visafone brand.
The Visafone NPS aims to measuring market performance and customers’ views about its products and services. It identifies its core competitive areas and assesses alignment with customer perception to satisfy an increasing crop of customers from all walks of life.
Mrs. Lynda Amechi, Visafone’s Head of Customer Care, described the initiative as a laudable one that provides Visafone a firm platform to sample public opinion by researching customer knowledge, perception, and attitude/intentions with reference to Visafone’s products and services.
“For example, “questions like- How likely is it that you would recommend Visafone to a friend or colleague?” would be asked and responses obtained on a scale. An index developed therefrom would then be used in evaluating our services and brand advocacy by customers,” Amechi said
According to Amechi, the ongoing evaluation aids the continuous drive for improved customer experience, and therefore the popularity and relevance of the Visafone brand.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
STARCOMMS INTRODUCES STARVALUE PHONE
Driven by the passion to keep adding value to the telephone life of its teeming customers, Starcomms Plc, Nigeria’s innovative and multiple award winning telecommunications company has introduced a new StarValue CDMA sleek phone into the market. The new handset from Huawei branded StarValue comes with a slim and stylish look and feel, featuring a user-friendly interface for everyday use. It combines style with high performance, supports multiple functionalities and allows for the storage of contacts and text messages on the User Identity Module (UIM) card or in the phone memory, at a very affordable price of N1,999. According to the Chief Commercial Officer of Starcomms, Mr. Tushar Maheshwari, some exciting features of the phone that makes it worth having include the ability of its user to send and receive group SMS, preset SMS templates and store up to 1000 messages in the phone memory adding that the memory is shared by Inbox, Outbox, and Drafts. He further stated that the StarValue phone makes it easy for messages to be copied and exchanged between the phone memory and the User Identity Module (UIM) card. . The phone, which he said appeals to the taste of all mobile telephone services users has an audio recorder function which allows for playback, and deletion of audio clips, or setting an audio clip as the ring-tone adding that there are built-in 32-chord polyphonic ring-tones that enable users to enjoy wonderful music while using the handset The battery of the StarValue phone has a standby time of 200–250 hours power that comes with a five hours talk time and a light weight of 85 grams that makes it easy to carry as well as a good LCD display that gives clear image of characters. It will be recalled that Starcomms also recently introduced the Qiblah phone into the market, the phone which is targeted at the Muslim customers of Starcomms comes with an indicator setting that point to Mecca and comes complete with a compass and prayer time alarm functions.
The Qiblah indicator uses an inbuilt longitude and latitude orientation or city references that, when used in comparison to the magnetic north, indicates the direction of the Qiblah so that the Muslim can, from any place he is, know in what direction to face and pray.
A winner of several awards, including the prestigious Superbrand status, Starcomms is the first telecom company to introduce international roaming from CDMA to GSM phone.
The Qiblah indicator uses an inbuilt longitude and latitude orientation or city references that, when used in comparison to the magnetic north, indicates the direction of the Qiblah so that the Muslim can, from any place he is, know in what direction to face and pray.
A winner of several awards, including the prestigious Superbrand status, Starcomms is the first telecom company to introduce international roaming from CDMA to GSM phone.
STARCOMMS INTRODUCES STAR-ZONE FOR LOWER TARIFF IN SOME CITIES
Starcomms Plc, the only telecommunications firm listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, has in its quest to add value and also provide innovative and excellent service introduced a new package that will enable its customers in some cities make calls at reduced rates.
Known as the Star-Zone, the package offers Starcomms customers in Benin-City, Owerri, Uyo, Warri, Katsina, Enugu, Ogbomosho, Nnewi and Awka the opportunity to enjoy lower tariff.
Customers in these Star-Zone Cities stands the chance of enjoying on-net calls for N4 per minute during peak and off-peak period, for an initial period of Three months.
According to the Chief Commercial Officer of Starcomms, Mr. Tushar Maheshwari, once a customer leaves the affected cities he/she will no longer enjoy the benefit of the Star-Zone plan.
He also said that the Star-zone rate will not be applicable to those on Telemax, VPN or post paid.
Describing the new package as another of Starcomms response towards adding value to the life of its customers, he said that Starcomms has a robust range of services geared towards giving its customers value and optimized talk time adding that as “a Nigerian company, Starcomms is determined to continue giving its customers innovative packages”.
Mr. Maheshwari further stated that Starcomms innovative packages always comes with unique features that easily distinguish it as the brand of choice saying that the launch of various Value added services such as Inspirational SMS, listen to the Koran and the bible etc service attest to Starcomms desire to continue to exceed the expectations of its customers.
The Inspirational SMS is an inspirational service that provides Starcomms customers with a motivational guide while also offering them the opportunity to win fabulous airtime vouchers. To enjoy this service, a customer is expected to text the word WIN to a short code 33234 and instantly he/she receives an SMS with a number and inspirational quote.
If the number has 9 in it, he/she stands the chance of winning an instant airtime. Already over 7000 winners have emerged, winning airtime worth N2500 while at the same time enjoying the services of the motivational guide.
Speaking further on the services of Starcomms, he said, “Beyond making it easy for our customers to talk, Starcomms is committed to providing quality, cutting-edge and affordable telecommunications services. The services that we make available to our customers are generally tailored towards making their lives easier and better. It is a commitment that we hold very dear in our relationship with them.”
Known as the Star-Zone, the package offers Starcomms customers in Benin-City, Owerri, Uyo, Warri, Katsina, Enugu, Ogbomosho, Nnewi and Awka the opportunity to enjoy lower tariff.
Customers in these Star-Zone Cities stands the chance of enjoying on-net calls for N4 per minute during peak and off-peak period, for an initial period of Three months.
According to the Chief Commercial Officer of Starcomms, Mr. Tushar Maheshwari, once a customer leaves the affected cities he/she will no longer enjoy the benefit of the Star-Zone plan.
He also said that the Star-zone rate will not be applicable to those on Telemax, VPN or post paid.
Describing the new package as another of Starcomms response towards adding value to the life of its customers, he said that Starcomms has a robust range of services geared towards giving its customers value and optimized talk time adding that as “a Nigerian company, Starcomms is determined to continue giving its customers innovative packages”.
Mr. Maheshwari further stated that Starcomms innovative packages always comes with unique features that easily distinguish it as the brand of choice saying that the launch of various Value added services such as Inspirational SMS, listen to the Koran and the bible etc service attest to Starcomms desire to continue to exceed the expectations of its customers.
The Inspirational SMS is an inspirational service that provides Starcomms customers with a motivational guide while also offering them the opportunity to win fabulous airtime vouchers. To enjoy this service, a customer is expected to text the word WIN to a short code 33234 and instantly he/she receives an SMS with a number and inspirational quote.
If the number has 9 in it, he/she stands the chance of winning an instant airtime. Already over 7000 winners have emerged, winning airtime worth N2500 while at the same time enjoying the services of the motivational guide.
Speaking further on the services of Starcomms, he said, “Beyond making it easy for our customers to talk, Starcomms is committed to providing quality, cutting-edge and affordable telecommunications services. The services that we make available to our customers are generally tailored towards making their lives easier and better. It is a commitment that we hold very dear in our relationship with them.”
Monday, September 13, 2010
NCC boss declares support for Internet Exchange Point
Nigeria’s efforts to keep local Internet traffic local received a boost recently in Abuja when the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Dr. Eugene Juwah, declared that his administration will increase the support given by the Commission to the Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria, IXPN, to ensure its tangible success.
Dr. Juwah who spoke during the presentation of the status report of the organization to the Commission by its board and management, led by its Chairman, Mr. Chima Onyekwere, said the key roles being played by this private public partnership is critical to Nigeria’s emancipation in the global Internet arena.
He therefore stated that the Commission will improve on its funding of the organization to ensure that the objectives of keeping the local Internet traffic localized within the country is fully realized. The NCC boss also advised the board and management of the company (limited by guarantee) to ensure it entrenches an attractive business proposition and good corporate that will attract the participation of all the key operators in the industry, and ensure delivery on its mandate.
IXPN which commenced operations with initial funding from the Commission was formed to interconnect all Internet Service Providers, Private Telecom Operators, and higher institutions in Nigeria was set up to ensure that Internet users in Nigeria do not have to hit the global Internet resource outside of the country on the touch of the button when each nation has developed exchange points to reduce cost of intercontinental Internet traffic and also enable additional applications within the country.
Chairman of the Company, Mr. Chima Onyekwere, informed the NCC management that 22 Internet Service Providers, ISPs, including the two of the big GSM operators, MTN and Zain, have connected to the Internet Exchange of IXPN located in Lagos. Mr. Onyekwere also said that IXPN has also received support from Nigeria Information Development Agency, NITDA, to set up additional exchange points in Abuja and Kano while efforts have reached advanced stage for the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to fund several exchange points that will interconnect financial institutions across the country.
Managing Director/CEO of IXPN, Mr. Muhammed Rudman, listed some of the current initiatives of the company to include the successful launch of the Lagos Higher Education Connectivity Project (Eko Konnect) initiated by the University of Lagos in partnership with IXPN and Datasphere Solutions. The aim of this project, he said, is to facilitate and support connectivity between all higher institutions in Lagos including the universities, polytechnics, colleges of education and research institutions.
Our strategy is to position us as the center of gravity to all the HEIs in Nigeria and thereby giving us the opportunity to be the hub for West and Central African Research Educational Network in the near future", he said.
Dr. Juwah who spoke during the presentation of the status report of the organization to the Commission by its board and management, led by its Chairman, Mr. Chima Onyekwere, said the key roles being played by this private public partnership is critical to Nigeria’s emancipation in the global Internet arena.
He therefore stated that the Commission will improve on its funding of the organization to ensure that the objectives of keeping the local Internet traffic localized within the country is fully realized. The NCC boss also advised the board and management of the company (limited by guarantee) to ensure it entrenches an attractive business proposition and good corporate that will attract the participation of all the key operators in the industry, and ensure delivery on its mandate.
IXPN which commenced operations with initial funding from the Commission was formed to interconnect all Internet Service Providers, Private Telecom Operators, and higher institutions in Nigeria was set up to ensure that Internet users in Nigeria do not have to hit the global Internet resource outside of the country on the touch of the button when each nation has developed exchange points to reduce cost of intercontinental Internet traffic and also enable additional applications within the country.
Chairman of the Company, Mr. Chima Onyekwere, informed the NCC management that 22 Internet Service Providers, ISPs, including the two of the big GSM operators, MTN and Zain, have connected to the Internet Exchange of IXPN located in Lagos. Mr. Onyekwere also said that IXPN has also received support from Nigeria Information Development Agency, NITDA, to set up additional exchange points in Abuja and Kano while efforts have reached advanced stage for the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to fund several exchange points that will interconnect financial institutions across the country.
Managing Director/CEO of IXPN, Mr. Muhammed Rudman, listed some of the current initiatives of the company to include the successful launch of the Lagos Higher Education Connectivity Project (Eko Konnect) initiated by the University of Lagos in partnership with IXPN and Datasphere Solutions. The aim of this project, he said, is to facilitate and support connectivity between all higher institutions in Lagos including the universities, polytechnics, colleges of education and research institutions.
Our strategy is to position us as the center of gravity to all the HEIs in Nigeria and thereby giving us the opportunity to be the hub for West and Central African Research Educational Network in the near future", he said.
PICTURE CAPTION
LEFT-RIGHT: Adedeji Adeleye, Training Specialist, Customer Care; Aderike Ajitena, customer of Zain Nigeria and Uzoamaka Oyeka of Loyalty & Retention Unit, Zain Nigeria during the Zain Customer Forum on Prevalent Telecoms Fraud.
LEFT-RIGHT: Adedeji Adeleye, Training Specialist, Customer Care; Aderike Ajitena, customer of Zain Nigeria and Uzoamaka Oyeka of Loyalty & Retention Unit, Zain Nigeria during the Zain Customer Forum on Prevalent Telecoms Fraud.
Caregivers, Community leaders Hail P&G for Building Futures
Caregivers and community leaders have been commending Procter & Gamble West Africa for the impact that its corporate social responsibility programme, Building Futures, is having on the children of the orphanages. The company, in partnership with Sponsor-a-child, a not-for-profit concern has commissioned two out of the five resource centres donated under the platform of Building Futures to orphanages around the country.
Caregivers praised P&G for the gesture of the company as the impact of the resource centres extend beyond the walls of the orphanages to children in their home communities that do not have regular access to similar facilities.
At the commissioning of the Learn and play centre, for the FOMWAN Orphanage set up by the Federation of Muslim Women’s Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN) community leaders commended the initiative which according to them went beyond just donating food and supplies to the children to keep their body alive but also help the children to grow and become anything they want to become in life.
The leader of the Oyo state chapter of FOMWAN Hajia Sururat Oyero, said that the benefits of the resource centre and the playground facilities are enormous and cannot be quantified. She said that the centre will stimulate the children to learning in early life as well as make them develop into Nigerians of great worth.
“He who gives knowledge has given it all; and for this we are very grateful to Procter and Gamble and Sponsor-a-Child for the wonderful impact they are having on the lives of Nigerians,” she said.
The Baale of Bodija community in Ibadan said that companies like P&G are more desirable in the community than some oil companies who will rather devastate the environment people live in than put anything back for the people in the community to benefit.
Before the Ibadan commissioning, the company had donated similar facilities to Citadel of Grace Mission orphanage In Igando Lagos State. The supervisor Citadel of Grace Orphanage, Christie Iyile, who was full of praise for the duo of P&G and Sponsor-a-child said that the children of the orphanage will for ever be grateful to the company.
Apart from the donations to orphanages, the company also sponsored the National Doctors Volunteer Programme of Sponsor-a-child in which a number of final year students of the College of Medicine, University of Lagos signed up to affect the lives of the underprivileged in any area of their posting during their house jobs or during their national youth service.
As volunteers in the programme, enrolled doctors are expected to participate actively in empowering care givers in orphanages through health educations; pro bono medical services for the underprivileged; and email based medical consultations. The next set of volunteers will focus on training care givers in various parts of the country with the Local Champion manuals prepared by Sponsor-A-Child.
Speaking at a programme presentation by Sponsor- a-Child, which was held at the old Great Hall of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi Araba, Lagos, the dean of the College of Medicine, Professor Adefule Ositelu enjoined the students to give full support to the programmes of Sponsor-a-Child and their sponsors noting that a lot of money is being misdirected by the rich in the country today.
“Therefore if some people are spending their money for the cause of the less privileged, they should be supported,” she said.
Caregivers praised P&G for the gesture of the company as the impact of the resource centres extend beyond the walls of the orphanages to children in their home communities that do not have regular access to similar facilities.
At the commissioning of the Learn and play centre, for the FOMWAN Orphanage set up by the Federation of Muslim Women’s Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN) community leaders commended the initiative which according to them went beyond just donating food and supplies to the children to keep their body alive but also help the children to grow and become anything they want to become in life.
The leader of the Oyo state chapter of FOMWAN Hajia Sururat Oyero, said that the benefits of the resource centre and the playground facilities are enormous and cannot be quantified. She said that the centre will stimulate the children to learning in early life as well as make them develop into Nigerians of great worth.
“He who gives knowledge has given it all; and for this we are very grateful to Procter and Gamble and Sponsor-a-Child for the wonderful impact they are having on the lives of Nigerians,” she said.
The Baale of Bodija community in Ibadan said that companies like P&G are more desirable in the community than some oil companies who will rather devastate the environment people live in than put anything back for the people in the community to benefit.
Before the Ibadan commissioning, the company had donated similar facilities to Citadel of Grace Mission orphanage In Igando Lagos State. The supervisor Citadel of Grace Orphanage, Christie Iyile, who was full of praise for the duo of P&G and Sponsor-a-child said that the children of the orphanage will for ever be grateful to the company.
Apart from the donations to orphanages, the company also sponsored the National Doctors Volunteer Programme of Sponsor-a-child in which a number of final year students of the College of Medicine, University of Lagos signed up to affect the lives of the underprivileged in any area of their posting during their house jobs or during their national youth service.
As volunteers in the programme, enrolled doctors are expected to participate actively in empowering care givers in orphanages through health educations; pro bono medical services for the underprivileged; and email based medical consultations. The next set of volunteers will focus on training care givers in various parts of the country with the Local Champion manuals prepared by Sponsor-A-Child.
Speaking at a programme presentation by Sponsor- a-Child, which was held at the old Great Hall of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi Araba, Lagos, the dean of the College of Medicine, Professor Adefule Ositelu enjoined the students to give full support to the programmes of Sponsor-a-Child and their sponsors noting that a lot of money is being misdirected by the rich in the country today.
“Therefore if some people are spending their money for the cause of the less privileged, they should be supported,” she said.
Odigbo Community Rejoices as Guinness Commissions Water of Life Project
It was like a carnival when the Guinness Water of Life project was commissioned in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State on Wednesday, August 25, 2010. The commissioning ceremony was attended by a mammoth crowd from Odigbo community, neighbouring towns and villages as well as traditional rulers from these towns.
Also present at the commissioning were state government functionaries.
The people through their traditional ruler, Oba Daniel Akinloye expressed gratitude to Guinness Nigeria Plc for commissioning a mini waterworks to the community.
The Executive Governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, who was represented by the Commissioner for Adult Education and Vocational Studies, Mrs. Florence Kehinde Momoh, commended Guinness Nigeria for the gesture.
While calling on other corporate organizations to emulate Guinness Nigeria, the commissioner, who is also an Odigbo indigene, described the projects as a good example of public-private sector collaboration in the development of the rural communities of the state.
The Lisa of Odigbo, High Chief Godwin Akindileni: said “It is like magic. Guinness knew what was bothering us and responded to the needs of the people in this area. The Odigbo community is happy over this project. We hear banks declaring billions as profits all over the whole place without touching people’s lives in any way, Before now, you could not count up to ten boreholes in the town, there was serious stress for people whenever they seek to get potable water, but with this project, Guinness has done a great thing for this town and it is marvelous in our eyes. “
Unveiling the project, the representative of the Managing Director, Guinness Nigeria, Mr. Rory McMillan said “Providing potable water to communities in Nigeria is an integral part of our corporate citizenship agenda. This is because access to safe water has become a global concern with statistics of about 1 billion people globally living with no or poor access to potable water. Of this figure, 400 million live in Africa, Nigeria inclusive,”
He said the company had completed water projects in 11 other states in Nigeria. They include Anambra, Oyo, Ogun, Niger, Nassarawa, Abia, Rivers, Lagos, Edo, Benue and Imo states. All these efforts are a part of the demonstration of good corporate citizenship to which Diageo, the parent company of Guinness, is committed to through its Water of Life programme, which aims to provide water to one million Africans annually till 2015.
The Odigbo project is made up of boreholes, overhead storage tank, a water treatment machine, a distribution network and a standby power generating set.
Also speaking at the occasion, the Orunja of Odigbo kingdom, Oba Daniel Osebayo Adetula Akinloye commended the company and promised that the Kingdom will provide land for any development project that Guinness Nigeria Plc or any other corporate organisation will desire to embark upon in the town in the future.
“I express my heartfelt gratitude to Guinness Nigeria Plc and its efficient and very generous management.” he said
Furthermore, the Chairman of Odigbo Local Government Council, Dr. Moses Akinjiyan promised that the project will be well maintained and properly managed to make Guinness proud of Odigbo people. He also used the opportunity to reiterate to the people of the community, the need to own the project and use it properly so as to encourage increased involvement of private sector organizations in developing the communities.
Also present at the commissioning were state government functionaries.
The people through their traditional ruler, Oba Daniel Akinloye expressed gratitude to Guinness Nigeria Plc for commissioning a mini waterworks to the community.
The Executive Governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, who was represented by the Commissioner for Adult Education and Vocational Studies, Mrs. Florence Kehinde Momoh, commended Guinness Nigeria for the gesture.
While calling on other corporate organizations to emulate Guinness Nigeria, the commissioner, who is also an Odigbo indigene, described the projects as a good example of public-private sector collaboration in the development of the rural communities of the state.
The Lisa of Odigbo, High Chief Godwin Akindileni: said “It is like magic. Guinness knew what was bothering us and responded to the needs of the people in this area. The Odigbo community is happy over this project. We hear banks declaring billions as profits all over the whole place without touching people’s lives in any way, Before now, you could not count up to ten boreholes in the town, there was serious stress for people whenever they seek to get potable water, but with this project, Guinness has done a great thing for this town and it is marvelous in our eyes. “
Unveiling the project, the representative of the Managing Director, Guinness Nigeria, Mr. Rory McMillan said “Providing potable water to communities in Nigeria is an integral part of our corporate citizenship agenda. This is because access to safe water has become a global concern with statistics of about 1 billion people globally living with no or poor access to potable water. Of this figure, 400 million live in Africa, Nigeria inclusive,”
He said the company had completed water projects in 11 other states in Nigeria. They include Anambra, Oyo, Ogun, Niger, Nassarawa, Abia, Rivers, Lagos, Edo, Benue and Imo states. All these efforts are a part of the demonstration of good corporate citizenship to which Diageo, the parent company of Guinness, is committed to through its Water of Life programme, which aims to provide water to one million Africans annually till 2015.
The Odigbo project is made up of boreholes, overhead storage tank, a water treatment machine, a distribution network and a standby power generating set.
Also speaking at the occasion, the Orunja of Odigbo kingdom, Oba Daniel Osebayo Adetula Akinloye commended the company and promised that the Kingdom will provide land for any development project that Guinness Nigeria Plc or any other corporate organisation will desire to embark upon in the town in the future.
“I express my heartfelt gratitude to Guinness Nigeria Plc and its efficient and very generous management.” he said
Furthermore, the Chairman of Odigbo Local Government Council, Dr. Moses Akinjiyan promised that the project will be well maintained and properly managed to make Guinness proud of Odigbo people. He also used the opportunity to reiterate to the people of the community, the need to own the project and use it properly so as to encourage increased involvement of private sector organizations in developing the communities.
PICTURE CAPTION
LEFT-RIGHT: Mr. Rory Macmillan, Director of Sales, Guinness Nigeria Plc., Chief Godwin Akindileni, the Lisa of Odigbo, Oba Daniel Osebayo Akinloye, the Orunja of Odigbo and Mrs. Florence Kehinde Momoh, the Ondo State Commissioner for Adult Education and Vocational Studies at the handing over of the key to the mini waterworks donated by Guinness to the Odigbo community in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State on August 25, 2010 Wednesday
STARCOMMS, QUBAIN SHINE AT TOP CELEBRITIES AWARDS
Starcomms Plc., Nigeria’s highly innovative telecommunications company reaffirmed its leadership in its area of operations at the weekend, having been voted by the Nigerian public as the CDMA company of the year in the well attended Top Celebrities Achievers Award.
At the award ceremony, which rallied who-is-who in the various sectors of the Nigerian economy, the chief executive officer of Starcomms, Maher Qubain was also named the Telecommunications Personality of the year.
According to the organizers of the event, Starcomms Plc has proved to the world that the best can come out of Nigeria. Starcomms, the first Nigerian telecommunication company to be quoted on the Nigerian stock exchange has been achieving many feats in the country and has been taking many bold steps as a CDMA company in recent times.
One major achievement of the company mentioned, is its recent offering of roaming services to its customers so that wherever they go in the world they can be reached on their Starcomms mobile phones. This service, which used to be offered all over the world only by GSM companies makes Starcomms the first CDMA company in the world to offer inter-standard roaming facility.
The huge investments of Starcomms in the Internet Protocol Contact Centre, was also taken note of by the award organizers. The IPCC allows easy interactions between Starcomms and its customers in five languages and helps customers to pull through any challenge that they may have with their phones.
Starcomms was also praised for being the first CDMA company to latch on to Main One Cable, the new undersea optic fiber cable, linking Nigeria and the rest of West Africa to Europe. This will enable the company to maintain its leadership in the provision of internet access in the country.
The company’s managing director, Maher Qubain was lauded for his dexterity at striking a balance among the growth of the company, the interest of the shareholders and pleasing the customers.
“Qubain has sustained the business of Starcomms in situations where many CDMA companies were floundering. The company under Qubain continues to grow in subscriber base in the face of all business challenges,” noted the award organizers.
In a response to this recognition, the CEO of Starcomms, Maher Qubain expressed his appreciation to the organizers of the awards, noting that his achievements and those of Starcomms are not without the unwavering supports of the customers and staff of the company.
“We received the Top Celebrities Achievers Award with much appreciation and a high sense of responsibility. We consider it a nudge from the organizers for us to continue to work harder at remaining ahead in all our undertakings,” Qubain said.
At the award ceremony, which rallied who-is-who in the various sectors of the Nigerian economy, the chief executive officer of Starcomms, Maher Qubain was also named the Telecommunications Personality of the year.
According to the organizers of the event, Starcomms Plc has proved to the world that the best can come out of Nigeria. Starcomms, the first Nigerian telecommunication company to be quoted on the Nigerian stock exchange has been achieving many feats in the country and has been taking many bold steps as a CDMA company in recent times.
One major achievement of the company mentioned, is its recent offering of roaming services to its customers so that wherever they go in the world they can be reached on their Starcomms mobile phones. This service, which used to be offered all over the world only by GSM companies makes Starcomms the first CDMA company in the world to offer inter-standard roaming facility.
The huge investments of Starcomms in the Internet Protocol Contact Centre, was also taken note of by the award organizers. The IPCC allows easy interactions between Starcomms and its customers in five languages and helps customers to pull through any challenge that they may have with their phones.
Starcomms was also praised for being the first CDMA company to latch on to Main One Cable, the new undersea optic fiber cable, linking Nigeria and the rest of West Africa to Europe. This will enable the company to maintain its leadership in the provision of internet access in the country.
The company’s managing director, Maher Qubain was lauded for his dexterity at striking a balance among the growth of the company, the interest of the shareholders and pleasing the customers.
“Qubain has sustained the business of Starcomms in situations where many CDMA companies were floundering. The company under Qubain continues to grow in subscriber base in the face of all business challenges,” noted the award organizers.
In a response to this recognition, the CEO of Starcomms, Maher Qubain expressed his appreciation to the organizers of the awards, noting that his achievements and those of Starcomms are not without the unwavering supports of the customers and staff of the company.
“We received the Top Celebrities Achievers Award with much appreciation and a high sense of responsibility. We consider it a nudge from the organizers for us to continue to work harder at remaining ahead in all our undertakings,” Qubain said.
PICTURE CAPTION
LEFT-RIGHT: Vipul Parmar, Manager-Customer Service, Starcomms Plc and Trino Guzman, Head - Engineering Department, holding the plaques of the Telecom personality of the Year, won by Starcomms MD Maher Qubain and CDMA company of the year won by Starcomms Plc at the Top Celebrity Achievers Awards held at 10-degrees Event Centre on Sunday, August 29,2010 with Alex Ikidi, Enterprise Business Executive of Starcomms
LEFT-RIGHT: Vipul Parmar, Manager-Customer Service, Starcomms Plc and Trino Guzman, Head - Engineering Department, holding the plaques of the Telecom personality of the Year, won by Starcomms MD Maher Qubain and CDMA company of the year won by Starcomms Plc at the Top Celebrity Achievers Awards held at 10-degrees Event Centre on Sunday, August 29,2010 with Alex Ikidi, Enterprise Business Executive of Starcomms
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
INSPIRATIONAL SMS: OVER 40,000 STARCOMMS CUSTOMERS WIN AIRTIME.
Winners have begun to emerge in the Inspirational SMS Service introduced by Starcomms Plc., the only telecommunications company listed on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. Over 40000 customers who subscribe to the service have won airtime worth up to N2, 500. Starcomms Plc, the country’s leading CDMA operator had introduced the Inspirational SMS service meant to offer motivational guide to its customers and promising that beyond the benefit of the service, every customer who subscribes to the service stands the chance of winning fabulous instant airtime vouchers. According to the Chief Commercial Officer of Starcomms, Mr. Tushar Maheshwari, there are still opportunities for everyone to win fabulous airtime vouchers saying that all a customer needs to do is to text the word WIN to 33234.
He further stated that notwithstanding the fabulous airtime, which Starcomms is giving out in appreciation of the patronage by its customers, the Inspirational SMS service will provide daily quotes that will inspire starcomms’ customers to live a fulfilling life. Maheshwari therefore encouraged customers of Starcomms to take advantage of the service to store more of such quotes in their phones for future reference. Adding that Starcomms is not weary of introducing value added services that will better the life of its customers. According to the chief Commercial Officer, inspirational quotes are the nuggets that have made most people to become outstanding in their career today stressing that it is the concern of Starcomms that its customers become successful in their life’s endeavour while at same time enjoying the good services that Starcomms offer as a first class telecommunications company. To enjoy this service, a customer is expected to text the word WIN to a short code 33234 and instantly he/she receives an SMS with a number and inspirational quote. If the number has 9 in it, he/she wins an instant airtime, Mr. Maheshwari stated. He added that if the customer receives one 9 in the number he/she wins N100 worth of airtime, if he/she receives two he/she wins N250, and if he/she receives three he/she wins N500 worth of airtime, while four and five 9’s gives the customer N1000 and N2500 worth of airtime respectively.
He noted that the customer would receive the quote, together with the PIN number for the airtime voucher won in the same SMS, which costs N10
He further stated that notwithstanding the fabulous airtime, which Starcomms is giving out in appreciation of the patronage by its customers, the Inspirational SMS service will provide daily quotes that will inspire starcomms’ customers to live a fulfilling life. Maheshwari therefore encouraged customers of Starcomms to take advantage of the service to store more of such quotes in their phones for future reference. Adding that Starcomms is not weary of introducing value added services that will better the life of its customers. According to the chief Commercial Officer, inspirational quotes are the nuggets that have made most people to become outstanding in their career today stressing that it is the concern of Starcomms that its customers become successful in their life’s endeavour while at same time enjoying the good services that Starcomms offer as a first class telecommunications company. To enjoy this service, a customer is expected to text the word WIN to a short code 33234 and instantly he/she receives an SMS with a number and inspirational quote. If the number has 9 in it, he/she wins an instant airtime, Mr. Maheshwari stated. He added that if the customer receives one 9 in the number he/she wins N100 worth of airtime, if he/she receives two he/she wins N250, and if he/she receives three he/she wins N500 worth of airtime, while four and five 9’s gives the customer N1000 and N2500 worth of airtime respectively.
He noted that the customer would receive the quote, together with the PIN number for the airtime voucher won in the same SMS, which costs N10
Thursday, September 2, 2010
FROM RIGHT-LEFT: Charles Igbinidu, Managing Director, TPT International received the Public Relations Company of the Year award at the Top Celebrities Achievers Awards from award presenter, Thelma Ozy Smith and Ikenna Nwosu facilitator, Real Sector Policy Commission of the National Economic Summit Group, at 10-degrees Event Centre on Sunday August 29, 2010.
Business stakeholders rise for Glo 1
The business community in Lagos on Tuesday had a feel of the magical possibilities of the Glo 1 international submarine cable as Globacom hosted them to a forum as part of pre-launch activities for the facility.
The company said the forum which took place at Eko Hotel & Suits, Victoria Island was organised to present to business stakeholders the unique offers available on the Glo 1 facility as well as the limitless opportunities and huge benefits the facility offers for businesses, governments, institutions and individuals.
A statement from the Marketing Communications Department of Globacom indicated that similar forums will be held in Port Harcourt on September 2 and Abuja on September 9.
Speaking at the Lagos event, Group Chief Operating Officer of the company, Mohamed Jameel, said, Glo 1 which will commence commercial services shortly will avail customers an excellent communication network and a cost-effective voice, data, video and e-commerce services across Africa, Europe and the rest of the world.
He explained that the facility will boost business activities from information technology to banking, oil and gas, manufacturing and commerce by offering world-class long distance voice, video and data communication services.
Captains of industries, diplomats, ICT experts, banking and media executives were among those who attended the forum. They included Director, Trade and Investment, British Deputy High Commission, Peter Stephenson; Managing Director Equitorial Trust Bank, Gbolahan Folayan; Group Managing Director of Telnet, Gbenga Odujinrin; Managing Director of CFAO Technologies, Mamadou Bal, and Chief Finance Officer, Dangote Cement, Wole Adeleke. Chief commercial officer, Visafone, Uche Ojo; Group Executive Vice President and CTO, Netcom, Yen Choi, Chief Finance Officer, ABBNG Limited, Adedayo Olowoniyi; Chief Finance Officer, Mobitel, Amaebi Fiderikumo; VP, Sales, Gilat Satcom Jide Ogunbanjo; Gobal Supply Chain Manager, Ranbaxy Nigeria Limited, Kailash Kumar Gaggar; Managing Director, Direct on PC, Anurag Garg; CMO, Cyberspace Network, Sabat Anant, and Executive CTO, Multilinks, Emmanuel Kehinde, also attended the event.
Others are Head, IT Shared Services, Access Bank, Nelson Madu; Head, Netwroks & Telecoms, Spring Bank, Akinlo Jeremy, Divisional Head, Corporate Banking, Afribank, Ndubuisi Osakwe; Head, CIB IT, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Akeem Adesina; Divisional Head, IT, FinBank, Gabriel Obaji; Group Head, IT Operations, Diamond Bank, Steve Obiago; Head, IT Strategy, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Bashir Gidado, and Head, Treasury Division, Fidelity, Chineze Osakwe.
Also in attendance were Network Administrator, MRS Group, Azubuike Teddy Obiora; Head, Database Administration, SPDC, Ola Owolabi; Country Manager, Oil, Gas and Petrochemicals, Mott Macdonald, Stephen Sams; Infrastructure Manager, Oando, Segun Oladele; Senior General Program Manager, Alcatel-Lucent, Peter Schubert, and Seni Williams of Tara Systems. From the media were MD/EIC, Financial Standard, Bola Onanuga, ED, Operations, Champion, Samuel Ibemere, MD, Sun Newspapers, Tony Onyima, GM/COO, Inspiration FM, Wale Ewedemi, GM, Galaxy TV, Kolawole Akintoba and publisher of Technology Times, Sina Badaru.
The company said the forum which took place at Eko Hotel & Suits, Victoria Island was organised to present to business stakeholders the unique offers available on the Glo 1 facility as well as the limitless opportunities and huge benefits the facility offers for businesses, governments, institutions and individuals.
A statement from the Marketing Communications Department of Globacom indicated that similar forums will be held in Port Harcourt on September 2 and Abuja on September 9.
Speaking at the Lagos event, Group Chief Operating Officer of the company, Mohamed Jameel, said, Glo 1 which will commence commercial services shortly will avail customers an excellent communication network and a cost-effective voice, data, video and e-commerce services across Africa, Europe and the rest of the world.
He explained that the facility will boost business activities from information technology to banking, oil and gas, manufacturing and commerce by offering world-class long distance voice, video and data communication services.
Captains of industries, diplomats, ICT experts, banking and media executives were among those who attended the forum. They included Director, Trade and Investment, British Deputy High Commission, Peter Stephenson; Managing Director Equitorial Trust Bank, Gbolahan Folayan; Group Managing Director of Telnet, Gbenga Odujinrin; Managing Director of CFAO Technologies, Mamadou Bal, and Chief Finance Officer, Dangote Cement, Wole Adeleke. Chief commercial officer, Visafone, Uche Ojo; Group Executive Vice President and CTO, Netcom, Yen Choi, Chief Finance Officer, ABBNG Limited, Adedayo Olowoniyi; Chief Finance Officer, Mobitel, Amaebi Fiderikumo; VP, Sales, Gilat Satcom Jide Ogunbanjo; Gobal Supply Chain Manager, Ranbaxy Nigeria Limited, Kailash Kumar Gaggar; Managing Director, Direct on PC, Anurag Garg; CMO, Cyberspace Network, Sabat Anant, and Executive CTO, Multilinks, Emmanuel Kehinde, also attended the event.
Others are Head, IT Shared Services, Access Bank, Nelson Madu; Head, Netwroks & Telecoms, Spring Bank, Akinlo Jeremy, Divisional Head, Corporate Banking, Afribank, Ndubuisi Osakwe; Head, CIB IT, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Akeem Adesina; Divisional Head, IT, FinBank, Gabriel Obaji; Group Head, IT Operations, Diamond Bank, Steve Obiago; Head, IT Strategy, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Bashir Gidado, and Head, Treasury Division, Fidelity, Chineze Osakwe.
Also in attendance were Network Administrator, MRS Group, Azubuike Teddy Obiora; Head, Database Administration, SPDC, Ola Owolabi; Country Manager, Oil, Gas and Petrochemicals, Mott Macdonald, Stephen Sams; Infrastructure Manager, Oando, Segun Oladele; Senior General Program Manager, Alcatel-Lucent, Peter Schubert, and Seni Williams of Tara Systems. From the media were MD/EIC, Financial Standard, Bola Onanuga, ED, Operations, Champion, Samuel Ibemere, MD, Sun Newspapers, Tony Onyima, GM/COO, Inspiration FM, Wale Ewedemi, GM, Galaxy TV, Kolawole Akintoba and publisher of Technology Times, Sina Badaru.
FROM RIGHT-LEFT: Adetokunbo Modupe, Group Chairman, On and One Event Ltd., Franklin Amudo, Senior Activations Manager and Sola Oyekanmi, Group Client Service Director at the Top Celebrities Achievers Awards ceremony held on Sunday, September 29, 2010 at 10-degrees Event centre, where On and One Event Limited. won the Event Company of the Year award.
PRIZE WINNERS PRAISE STARCOMMS FOR FAIRNESS IN HISENSE PROMO
The first three winners of Hisense LCD television sets in the ongoing Starcomms Hisense C1110 Chat phone promotions have praised Starcomms Plc. for fairness and transparency in the draws that led to their victory in the exercise.
Daramola Aruwaji, a contract staff at the Ojo campus of the Lagos State University, Michael Fidelis Anyanwu, a businessman residing in Aba, Abia State and Fehintola Olulana, a tour operator in Lagos were at the headquarters of Starcomms Plc on Victoria Island to receive their prizes.
At the presentation of the prizes at the weekend, Daramola Aruwaji was elated to receive his 42 inches Hisense LCD television set from Mr. Tushar Maheshwari, the Chief Commercial Officer of Starcomms.
“I believe I am a very lucky man. It was not the thought of winning that prompted me to buy the phone. The sales girls just brought the phones to the Staff Club at LASU where I was that day and it happened that I needed a sleek and attractive phone. So I bought one. Since then I have been browsing with it. I have been chatting with it and I have even checked out Post UME results for people through it. And now I have this giant TV to show for all this benefits. This is an incredible activity. Starcomms is telling the truth,” Aruwaji said.
For Anyanwu from Aba, who got a 32 inches TV set, the story was different. He said: “I am not new to Starcomms. I used all the ranges of Starcomms products for my calls and for my Internet because of the reliable service that we get from them in Abia. I have always participated in all Starcomms promo religiously but I had never been lucky to win any prize.
In fact I had gone to Starcomms office in Aba on one occasion to hala that I have always participated in promos but never won anything. So when I was called from Lagos last week that I won a TV set, I did not believe at first. But here I am. Starcomms is faithful to us customers. They are believable!”
Olulana, a tour operator in Lagos was presented with the third prize, a 26-inch LCD TV that she won in the draws. She said that when the call came to her that she won a television set it was with mixed feelings that she received it.
“I have been using Starcomms for five years. The Starcomms phone I was using got damaged and I wanted to change it for the same brand that I had used for many years. But fortunately the shop I went to had ran out of stock of that one so the sales people showed me this Hisense, which I liked. I was very skeptical when they said that I had won a TV set because I have heard of all kinds of scam that people fall prey to in Lagos, so I was defensive. Now on getting here I found that it is real. It is a wonderful promotion,” she said.
The promotion on the Starcomms Hisense C1110, called Chatphone, is still ongoing for all who buy it and activates their line. They have a chance to win LCD TV sets ranging in size from 26 inches to 42 inches. The phone comes with exciting features, especially internet connection that allows users to link up with their contacts on popular social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Hi5, Skype, Yahoo messenger and other internet services on the go and with ease.
Tushar Maheshwari, the Chief Commercial Officer of Starcomms told the prize winners that Starcomms will always look for ways to add value to the lives of its customers.
“The Chatphone promotion is a way of allowing some of our customers to experience Hisense in many ways. It is our practice to always offer our customers top of the range products so that their experience with Starcomms will be world standard. We are happy that the winners of the Hisense TV sets appreciate it. As the promo continues, we will not relent in giving out the best of services to them,” Maheshwari said.
Daramola Aruwaji, a contract staff at the Ojo campus of the Lagos State University, Michael Fidelis Anyanwu, a businessman residing in Aba, Abia State and Fehintola Olulana, a tour operator in Lagos were at the headquarters of Starcomms Plc on Victoria Island to receive their prizes.
At the presentation of the prizes at the weekend, Daramola Aruwaji was elated to receive his 42 inches Hisense LCD television set from Mr. Tushar Maheshwari, the Chief Commercial Officer of Starcomms.
“I believe I am a very lucky man. It was not the thought of winning that prompted me to buy the phone. The sales girls just brought the phones to the Staff Club at LASU where I was that day and it happened that I needed a sleek and attractive phone. So I bought one. Since then I have been browsing with it. I have been chatting with it and I have even checked out Post UME results for people through it. And now I have this giant TV to show for all this benefits. This is an incredible activity. Starcomms is telling the truth,” Aruwaji said.
For Anyanwu from Aba, who got a 32 inches TV set, the story was different. He said: “I am not new to Starcomms. I used all the ranges of Starcomms products for my calls and for my Internet because of the reliable service that we get from them in Abia. I have always participated in all Starcomms promo religiously but I had never been lucky to win any prize.
In fact I had gone to Starcomms office in Aba on one occasion to hala that I have always participated in promos but never won anything. So when I was called from Lagos last week that I won a TV set, I did not believe at first. But here I am. Starcomms is faithful to us customers. They are believable!”
Olulana, a tour operator in Lagos was presented with the third prize, a 26-inch LCD TV that she won in the draws. She said that when the call came to her that she won a television set it was with mixed feelings that she received it.
“I have been using Starcomms for five years. The Starcomms phone I was using got damaged and I wanted to change it for the same brand that I had used for many years. But fortunately the shop I went to had ran out of stock of that one so the sales people showed me this Hisense, which I liked. I was very skeptical when they said that I had won a TV set because I have heard of all kinds of scam that people fall prey to in Lagos, so I was defensive. Now on getting here I found that it is real. It is a wonderful promotion,” she said.
The promotion on the Starcomms Hisense C1110, called Chatphone, is still ongoing for all who buy it and activates their line. They have a chance to win LCD TV sets ranging in size from 26 inches to 42 inches. The phone comes with exciting features, especially internet connection that allows users to link up with their contacts on popular social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Hi5, Skype, Yahoo messenger and other internet services on the go and with ease.
Tushar Maheshwari, the Chief Commercial Officer of Starcomms told the prize winners that Starcomms will always look for ways to add value to the lives of its customers.
“The Chatphone promotion is a way of allowing some of our customers to experience Hisense in many ways. It is our practice to always offer our customers top of the range products so that their experience with Starcomms will be world standard. We are happy that the winners of the Hisense TV sets appreciate it. As the promo continues, we will not relent in giving out the best of services to them,” Maheshwari said.
PHOTO CAPTION 1
L-R: Tushar Maheshwari, Chief Commercial Officer Starcomms, presents a 42-inch LCD television set to Damilola Aruwaji, a staff of Lagos State University LASU, the winner of the star prize of the Starcomms’ Hisense chat phone promotion at the company’s headquarters in Lagos.
L-R: Tushar Maheshwari, Chief Commercial Officer Starcomms, presents a 42-inch LCD television set to Damilola Aruwaji, a staff of Lagos State University LASU, the winner of the star prize of the Starcomms’ Hisense chat phone promotion at the company’s headquarters in Lagos.
PHOTO CAPTION 2
L-R: Mrs. Omolara Ojo, Starcomms’ human resources manager; Michael Fidelis Anyanwu , an Aba-based businessman and winner of 32 inches LCD TV set, Ms. Fehintola Olulana, a Lagos-based tour operator and winner of the 26 inches LCD TV set with Mr. Jaspreet Singh, Starcomms’ Deputy Director, Consumer Business unit at the presentation of Hisense LCD TV sets to winners of the Starcomms’ Hisense chat phone promotion at the company’s headquarters in Lagos.
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