Web Master
By Prince Osuagwu
No matter how one reviews activities of 2015 in relation to activities of operators in the telecom sector, MTN Nigeria will dominate. The company engaged in many ground breaking initiatives that defined the growth of the sector, but however, was later in the year to incur the wrath of the regulator over inability to disconnect improperly registered subscribers on its network.
Phuthuma Nhleko MTN boss
A fine of N1.04 trn was imposed by the NCC on the company which to some people portrayed it as a company that did not care whether laws guiding the sector are obeyed or not. Whether the opinions people developed about the company based on these activities were right or wrong, they however ensured that the company was constantly on the spotlight
We have decided to briefly highlight a few of those activities that would have voted MTN Nigeria as the most talked about telecom operator in the year under review.
MTN Foundation @ 10
One of the many ways through which MTN Nigeria shone brightly in 2015 was the impact it made, and has continued to make through its CSR vehicle, MTN Foundation. Founded in 2005, the foundation positively impacts the lives of many Nigerians through its several activities and amazing works. Supported by MTN with 1% of its Profit after Tax annually, several life-changing initiatives have been deployed with project partners and state governments in 550 locations country-wide to improve the lives of ordinary Nigerians in Health, education, economic empowerment, arts, culture and entertainment.
The Foundation also launched its ‘What Can We Do Together’ initiative where Nigerians were invited to participate in and partner with the company to identify select areas of needs requiring attention and support. With this, 200 communities benefitted from boreholes, transformers, school furniture and donation of household items for orphanages.
MTN Trutalk Win A Home Promo:
This promo generated a lot of buzz and excitement for MTN in 2015. The promo afforded 11 customers on its network to address a human need, shelter and own three bedroom houses worth N15m each. The houses were showcased by Lamudi Nigeria, through its vast array of developers. 24 people also won N11,000 cash every hour every day,.
MTN Tech+:
The MTN Tech+ congregated an ecosystem that promoted cutting-edge technologies through education, enterprise and innovation in the African Market through exhibition. The expo had a consumer electronics show that provided a platform for companies to display and exhibit products with electrical components. There was a place where new technology and new products merged and innovations converged. It also gave manufacturers, concept generators, content developers and software/hardware companies a platform to showcase their product and services to a broader market.
MTN Project Fame 2015:
One of the enduring and most impactful ways through which MTN help in transforming lives and empowering West African youths is the MTN Project Fame. For the past eight years, MTN Project Fame has been taking young t alents off the streets and leading them to fame, stardom and economic empowerment. MTN Project Fame has been able to actualize the quest for youths to become the best they can be. The 2015 edition saw an 18-year-old Jeffrey Akoh winning the competition, smiling home with a N5 million cash prize, one-year recording contract and a SUV.
MTN Prestige Launch:
With the MTN Prestige, the company celebrated its High Value (HV) customers, 100 CEOs and captains of industry to a night of alternative music at a prestigious musical event’. The platform provided an opportunity to engage, endear and excite its HV customers in order to build a stronger brand connection with them. The high point of this event was the launch of the MTN Prestige loyalty and reward programme for its HV customers where customers will get to enjoy a wide range of cost optimization, lifestyle and business benefits among others.
MTN Golf/polo:
For many years, MTN has sponsored the annual World Golfers Championship (WGC) and other golfing competitions, as well as polo. These tournaments have proven to be viable and reliable platforms for customer engagement and interactivity with MTN high-value customers and equally reinforced its role as an enabler of socio-economic development across several fronts in Nigeria. Through its charity gesture, the MTN UNICEF Charity Shield international polo tournament made a N5 million donation to UNICEF with respect to its campaign against HIV/AIDS pandemic among Nigerian children.
MTN Polo:
The MTN Polo 2015 was another talking point for the telecoms leader. The event converged lovers of polo. MTN’s involvement in the promotion of Polo and other sports in the country made the Nigerian Polo Federation (NPF) President, Francis Ogboro, to shower encomium on MTN. He stated that, MTN provided a platform for youths and other sports enthusiasts to direct their energy to gainful activities.
Through its charity gesture, the MTN UNICEF Charity Shield international polo tournament made a N5 million donation to UNICEF with respect to its campaign against HIV/AIDS pandemic among Nigerian children.
The cheque presentation was witnessed by the Kaduna State Deputy Governor, Barnabas Bala.
NCC fine on MTN:
The imposed N1.04 trillion ($5.2 billion) fine on MTN by the Nigerian Communications Commission over its failure to disconnect unregistered SIM cards was another talking point in the country. The company which has been the industry leader and bellwether, suffered the sanction for failing to wipe out or disconnect 5.1 million unregistered lines from its network. NCC had in August instructed the telecoms industry to deactivate all unregistered SIM.
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