Amin Oyagbola Leaves MTN

AFTER 12 years, Amina Oyagbola, Head of Human Resources and Corporate Services of MTN Nigeria, is moving on.

A press statement from MTN Nigeria on her exit described her as a woman often hailed as the Y’ello Lady for her practice of associating with the brand by wearing yellow clothing and accessories for all public appearances during her early years.

 Amina joined MTN in 2004 as Corporate Services Executive and was the pioneer Director of the MTN Foundation.

Since then she has added significant value to the organisation through a number of key roles. In 2008, she was appointed Human Resources Executive.

During her tenure, MTN became the first company in Nigeria accredited with the Investors in People (IIP) Gold Standard, and was named the best telecoms company in Jobberman's best 100 best places to work in Nigeria in 2014.

Amina also provided deep insight on strategy and governance as a Director on the boards of MTN Benin (Spacetel) and Visafone, and chairs the MTN Audit and Risk Committee.

In 2015 she was appointed Corporate Services Executive in addition to her role as HR Executive. 

Amina will be missed for her exemplary work ethic. She is much loved, and very popular with the staff for raising staff welfare and the HR function to award-winning heights.

She will continue to support the organisation on select projects for the near future.

MTN is grateful to its Y’ello Lady for her loyalty and dedication over the past 12 years and wishes her success in her future endeavours. 

Jumia Travel Unveils “Dream Deals”

FOLLOWING the remarkable 2016 Black Friday campaign that beat all-times sales record of + 30% gross bookings a day, Jumia Travel is back in the deals business with a new campaign dubbed “Travel Wednesday” running every Wednesday on the company’s official website.

The promotions, also called “Dream Deals” consist of great discounts on top hotels in popular destinations, in a bid to continue providing customers more vacation options especially during the festive season.

 While initially a maximum of 8 hotel deals will run during the promotion, they will in the coming days be increased to a total of 12 deals running until every Wednesday and Friday.

“This is designed to meet our customers’ demand to have access to affordable travel options through Jumia Travel. Following the impressive public response on Black Friday, we want to create a new appointment for all travellers, an opportunity to get more deals that we have negotiated with thousands of hotels across Africa,” noted Paul Midy, CEO of Jumia Travel.

The deals have been launched in African countries where the company has been on the forefront in providing accommodation and travel packages within the means of most travelers. They include Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Senegal, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Algeria.

 As in the case of Black Friday, the Dream Deals will also be co-marketed across all Jumia ecosystem in the countries they operate in.

“More than 25% of our Black Friday bookings came from the Jumia ecosystem. Thus, it is vital to continue working closely with our sister companies to increase the traffic of the customer, as this was the main objective of the rebranding” added Midy.

 Other channels through which the Dream Deals will be run include Jumia Travel’s social media pages, newsletters, and SMSs among others.

Zinox Founder Lauds STANBIC IBTC BANK Digital Stride

THE founder and chairman of the Zinox Group, Leo Stan Ekeh as described as remarkable the opening of a digital branch of Stanbic IBTC Bank located strategically in the Maryland Mall along Ikorodu Road, Lagos.

 The digital branch will offer customers a wide range of technologically-driven and seamless self-service channels including instant deposits, personal teller machine, airtime top-ups, interactive access to the bank’s suite of products and services and an integrated app through which customers can access the Group’s various solutions such as Personal Banking, Pension Fund and Asset Management,  among others.

Ekeh who featured as the Special Guest of Honour, disclosed that the launch of the digital branch was timely and in line with the rapidly evolving revolution in the digital space.

He said that Stanbic IBTC Bank has with this singular achievement effectively positioned itself as a bank of choice for the current generation of digitally-minded and tech-savvy youths, many of whom are constantly in search of more innovative ways to carry out their daily activities.

“I must commend the Management of Stanbic IBTC Bank for this revolutionary feat. In the 21^st century, money shouts but wealth whispers. This is a century of constant innovation and with the launch of this digital branch, you have taken a huge step towards meeting the yearnings and aspirations of the current generation of technologically-minded customers.

“Many years ago, I had sought to obtain a license from the Central Bank of Nigeria for card-less or virtual banking but this was not granted as the concept sounded strange at the time. Today, we are witnessing a banking revolution as you do not need to have a debit card with you to make withdrawals here or a teller attending to you before you can make a cash deposit,” he stated.

Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Yinka Sanni disclosed that the launch of the digital branch was in line with the need to stay one step ahead of the game by leveraging on the power of sophisticated technology to bring convenient banking to customers.

According to him, Stanbic IBTC has consistently maintained its focus as first rate provider of seamless and convenient personal and business banking solutions which enables its customers move forward.

The event, which featured a tour of the various digital self-service outlets in the branch, also witnessed detailed demonstrations which gave attendees a first-hand glimpse of the workings of the various terminals and channels.

Data Abundance Will Spur Mobile Innovations,Say Stakeholders

STAKEHOLDERS in the telecommunications industry in Nigeria have said that the abundance of data is very critical for mobile innovations and investment to thrive in the country.

Speaking at the Nigeria Mobile Economy Dialogue with the theme: ‘”Growing the Nigerian Economy through Mobile Innovations and Investment”, the stakeholders said that the country needs data for the economy to grow.

Delivery a keynote address at the event, Minister of Communication, Barrister Adebayo Shittu, said that the growth of the Nigerian economy through mobile innovations and investment require a concerted efforts of both the private and public sector saying that a private/public partnership is the most effective way to successfully sustain innovations and investment growth in the telecoms industry.

He disclosed that since government is mindful of the role of data in mobile innovation and investment, it decided to suspend the proposed data tax adding that “the operators will maintain the status until the conclusion of the study to determine retail prices for the broadband and data services in Nigeria is achieved with the relevant stakeholders and the National Assembly.”

Shittu noted that the decision to have a price floor was primarily to promote a level playing field for all operators in the industry, encourage small operators and new entrants adding that it was meant to check anti-competitive practices by dominant operators.

Chairman of the Smart City Innovation Hub, Mr. Demola Aladekomo while giving an insight into the project said that data is a key driver of the project, saying that upon completion in the Lekki-Epe corridor of Lagos, the hub will achieve the concept of work, live and play within the same environment.

Aladekomo disclosed that the Zinox Group has already acquired a large expanse of land in the city, saying that the hub is an A-grade technology development infrastructure which will prime the local technology industry for global competitiveness, galvanizing it from crass consumerism towards innovation and world class manufacturing standards.

He added that upon completion, it has the potential to create about 50,000 direct employments in its first five years noting that the SmartCity Innovation Hub will engender economic diversification and will move Nigeria towards a knowledge-based economy birthing a prosperous, productive and innovative nation.

Executive Director, Centre for Cyber Awareness and Development, CECAD, Dr. Bayero Agabi disclosed in his welcome address that despite the economic recession, the mobile ecosystem is growing consistently giving hope and platform for entrepreneurs, young or old male and female opportunity to create and innovative services and products.

He said that the event was put together by CECAD because mobile technology plays a central role in addressing a range of socio-economic developmental challenges across Nigeria, particularly digital and financial inclusion.

“This will drive economic and infrastructure development, increasing productivity and employment across the economy, as well as improving access to vital services such as education and healthcare”, he said.

Visa Wins Best Card Payment Scheme Award In Nigeria

VISA Incorporated has been announced by the Brand Journalists’ Association of Nigeria (BJAN) as the Best Card Payment Scheme in Nigeria. This announcement was made at the 4^thAnnual BJAN Marketing Awards. This year’s awards which began with a conference themed ‘”Mobile Money in Nigeria: Challenges, Opportunities and Threats”, which addressed the challenges of this platform and finding lasting solutions to create effective mobile money programs in the country.

Speaking at the Awards’ presentation, Country Manager for Visa West Africa Ade Ashaye said: ‘We are excited to receive this award for Best Card Payments Scheme in Nigeria and it is an honor to be recognized by the Brand Journalists Association in Nigeria. Visa’s aim has always been to replace costly, inefficient forms of payment with more secure, convenient and reliable ways to pay and be paid.’

Visa improves lives and livelihoods, foster opportunities and strengthens economies through its efficient and secure digital payments solution which aligns to the financial inclusion plans of the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Central Bank of Nigeria. Visa is also committed to bring the benefits of electronic payments to 500 million more people globally by the end of 2020.

The BJAN Chairman, Goddie Ofose said Visa emerged the winner after considering the organization’s strides in the provision of digital financial services to the financial services industry in Nigeria through its contribution to the cashless  initiative of the Central Bank of Nigeria and the ability of the company to localize their products to meet the needs of the  Nigerian market.’

Visa was nominated alongside other payment platforms in the financial services industry and emerged the winner after the organizations’ performance for the year was reviewed using measurement tools defined by the Brand Journalists’ Association of Nigeria.

Ericsson, Qualcomm Technologies conduct Gigabit Class LTE Demo

ERICSSON and Qualcomm Technologies Incorporate, a subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated, are the first to announce a successful demonstration of over-the-air Gigabit Class LTE in Africa with the use of licensed spectrum.

Peak data speeds over 900Mbps were recorded using Ericsson Radio Access Network equipment and a Qualcomm Snapdragon X16 LTE modem mobile test device.

To put that speed in perspective, Gigabit Class LTE means up to one billion bits of information delivered to a mobile device in a mere second. In technical terms, that’s LTE Category 16.

The demonstration continues the long-term cooperation between Ericsson and Qualcomm Technologies to support African operators in bringing advanced communication technologies and enhanced user experience to their subscribers.

James Munn, Vice President Business Development, Qualcomm International, Inc., South African Branch Office, said: “This achievement of Gigabit Class LTE download speeds with Qualcomm Technologies and Ericsson is an important milestone on the road to Africa’s first 5G networks.

“This continent’s first announced demonstration of this technology using licensed spectrum makes use of the Snapdragon X16 LTE modem, which is expected in multiple devices during the course of next year, and underlines Qualcomm Technologies commitment to African ICT development.”

While smartphone ownership continues to increase exponentially with consumers still restricted by a lack of fixed broadband availability, mobile broadband is the most common way to connect to the internet in Africa.

For example, 83 percent of Nigerian mobile phone subscribers rely solely on this channel. Research indicates that LTE networks will serve 50 percent of the population in 2021.

Ericsson Radio System's multi-standard platform enables African operators to cost-effectively leverage the reach, maturity and increasing affordability of today's 4G technology, while laying the foundation for their LTE Advanced and 5G evolution.

The Snapdragon X16 LTE modem is the first processor from Qualcomm Technologies to support LTE Advanced Pro, the next generation of LTE. It supports 4x carrier aggregation, 4x4 MIMO, 256 QAM, and Licensed Assisted Access (LAA) technologies and has the potential to expand the number of operators that can offer Gigabit Class LTE service to their customers.

Jean-Claude Geha, Head of Region sub-Saharan Africa, Ericsson, said: “We strongly believe that we can contribute and support African operators to develop a sustainable African telecommunications industry where mobile communication dominates. We are proud to continue with our longstanding relationship with, Qualcomm Technologies, to demonstrate the Ericsson platform leading to future 5G deployments in Africa.”