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Subscribers Welcome Ban On GSM Promos, Lotteries

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Subscribers Welcome Ban On GSM Promos, Lotteries

GSM subscribers on Wednesday
welcome the ban placed on promos and lotteries by the industry regulator,
saying they preferred quality services to the freebies being offered by the
telecom operators.

 President of
National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers (NATCOMS), Chief Deolu
Ogunbanjo, told  newsmen in Lagos, that
the ban was a “welcome development.”

‘’It is a welcome development, although it is a mixed
feeling for subscribers, because some subscribers are being empowered with the
lotteries and promos, and promos also bring down tariffs.

“However, we cannot compromise good quality for promos;
we prefer good quality services than promos. So there is nothing wrong with
what NCC had done,’’ Ogunbanjo said.

He said that promotions could resume when the operators
had stabilised the networks to the required capacities.

The NATCOMS President urged the telecom service
providers to do all within their capacities to offer their customers value for
money.

Also, an Information Technology (IT) expert, Mr Lanre
Ajayi, commended the NCC on the ban.

Ajayi, Chief Executive of Pinet Informatics, said in
Lagos that there was the need to reduce congestion on the networks for better
service experience. He said that network congestion was as a result of higher
demand than supply capacity as the networks were unable to carry the volume of
traffic.

“There are two ways to address congestion on the
networks: it is either you expand the networks capacities very quickly, so that
they can accommodate all the traffic.

“You can also reduce the traffic on them and a way of
reducing traffic on the networks is to limit those promotions,’’ said Ajayi,
who is also the President, Association of Telecommunications Company of
Nigeria.

He, however, called for a “slow down” on the promos,
saying that a complete ban might be inappropriate.

‘’The trend of the promo is about reducing tariffs and
giving incentives for people to make more calls; so, if you don’t lower those
tariffs beyond reasonable level, then unnecessary calls will not be made,’’ he
said.

Ajayi spoke in his personal capacity.

Mr Akinwale Goodluck, MTN Corporate Services Executive,
told NAN that the company just received a letter on the ban from NCC.

“We are still reviewing it and we will make our position
known in the next day or two,’’ Goodluck said.

Reacting to the ban, Mr Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman of the
Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), said
that the telecom umpire had exercised its statutory duty as a regulator.

Our corespondent reports that the Nigerian
Communications Commission (NCC) on Monday announced the ban of all promotions
by telecommunications operators, as well as lotteries being carried out on the
GSM networks.

NCC Director of Public Affairs,  Mr Tony Ojobo, said in a statement that the
ban, which took immediate effect, would remain in force until such a time as
might be determined by the Commission.

He said that recently, NCC had been inundated with
several complaints from consumers and industry stakeholders against the various
promotions offered by telecommunications operators.

According to him, the Commission carefully evaluated the
complaints received, especially against the backdrop of sustaining the
integrity of the networks.

He added that the complaints were evaluated in the
general interest of the consumers and against the backdrop of the
socio-economic impact of these promotions on operators and other relevant
stakeholders.

‘’Having observed that these promotions have increased the
number of minutes available to subscribers for use within a limited period of
time, thereby creating congestion in the networks as subscribers try to use up
the available minutes within the stipulated time.

‘’That on-net calls were now being offered by operators
at tariffs well below the prevailing inter-connect rates, thereby introducing
anti-competitive practices and behaviour.

‘’That termination of calls were becoming increasingly
difficult from one network to another and overall consumer experience on the
networks has become very poor, thereby making it extremely difficult for
subscribers to make calls successfully.

‘’The Commission, therefore, has banned all promotions
by telecommunications network operators, as well as lotteries being carried out
on such networks,’’ the NCC director said.

He said that the ban covered all proposed and approved
promotions and lotteries on which the Commission had given approval further to
the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) entered into with the National Lottery
Regulatory Commission (NLRC).

Our Correspondent reports  that the telecom operators affected by the
ban include Globacom, MTN, Intercellar, Visafone, Etisalat, Airtel and
Multilinks.

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Firm Unveils Digital Solutions For Cooperatives

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A subsidiary outfit of First Registrars Firm, the Cle Digital Services Limited, has launched a digital solution for cooperative societies in the country.
Business Manager of Clé Digital Services Limited, Oladipupo Olabisi, at the launch in Lagos, revealed that the product, Clé Cooperative Management Solution, was a revolutionary digital platform, professionally designed to streamline cooperative management and enhance members’ engagement.
He said, “Today marks a significant milestone in our journey as we introduce a groundbreaking digital platform designed to transform the way cooperative organisations operate and engage with their members.
“The Clé Coop Solution represents the culmination of extensive research, development, and collaboration with cooperative communities around the world.
“From multipurpose societies to housing cooperatives and agricultural cooperatives, the Clé Coop Solution empowers cooperatives of all sizes to efficiently manage their operations, communicate with members, and foster collaboration”.
Highlighting the economic and environmental significance of cooperative societies, Olabisi explained that with significant investment committed to the development of the product, members of cooperative societies, particularly administrators and executives, would have robust experience.

The business Manager added, “We also understand the challenges that many cooperatives face in navigating complex operational tasks and effectively communicating with their members.

“To this end, Clé Coop Solution is a step ahead of other platforms, as it also offers more than just cooperative management services. Members of cooperative societies can have access to a number of value-added services, such as the CLE market hub, discounts on specific products and services and much more.

“Finally, I want to reiterate our firm belief in the power of cooperation and technology to drive positive changes in the world. With the Clé Cooperative Solution, we are not just launching a product; we are embarking on a journey to empower cooperatives and create a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable future for all”.

A Director with the Lagos State Government Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Co-operatives, represented by the Surulere Cooperatives Area Coordinator, Mr Akin Adekunle, commended the launch of the software to address specific challenges of cooperative societies.

He charged the organisation not to limit the use of the cooperative solution to the elite cooperatives but to other categories, as society was replete with various types of cooperatives.

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AI, Key To Business Profitability – NAICOM

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The Commissioner for Insurance/CEO, National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), Mr. Sunday Thomas, has said artificial intelligence (AI) is key to the future of insurance business in Nigeria.
He, therefore, urged insurance operators to increase adoption in this area, saying it gives better productivity and enhanced profitability, while ensuring quick service delivery and claims payment to insurance consumers.
Thomas stated this while delivering a keynote address at the 8th BusinessToday annual conference & exhibition with the theme, “The World of AI: How Insurance and Pension Sectors Can Explore Opportunities for Market Penetration”, in Lagos.
Thomas, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Lagos Office of NAICOM, Ajibola Olabisi Bankole, said Technology adoption is part of the 10-year roadmap of the insurance industry, and that NAICOM, as a regulator, will continue to evolve policies that will engender the growth of the industry, increase penetration and contribute to the nation’s GDP.
Earlier in his Goodwill message, Chairman of the conference, who is also the Chairman of NEM Insurance Plc, Mr. Tope Smart, noted the level of insurance penetration in Nigeria when benchmarked with the global penetration, saying that a lot of factors were responsible for the increase in penetration level.
He said lack of or low enforcement is affecting the adoption of compulsory insurances, adding that the industry is working assiduously to partner agencies responsible for enforcement to increase insurance adoption.
“It is quite saddening that out of a population of 200 million, only about  three million people are actually insured. Lack of enforcement is a challenge but the industry is working round the clock to increase enforcement through the regulatory and enforcement bodies.
“Consumers’ apathy due to bad experience they had in the past is affecting policy renewals, but I can assure Nigerians that there are various complaint avenues for people to lodge complaints.
“If your legitimate claims are not settled, you can approach Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) and NAICOM; if your complaints are genuine, they will be definitely resolved”, he assured.
The President, Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), Mr. Edwin Igbiti, said the growing insurance industry will require that the nation’s economy be derisked, while seeking partnership with government  and other stakeholders to deepen insurance penetration.
He stated that AI will increase insurance premium growth, enhance service delivery, and ensure that the insurance sector contributes more to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product(GDP).

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Bank Unveils Upgraded Mobile App

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The Stanbic IBTC Bank, a subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Holdings, has unveiled an enhanced version of its mobile app which was optimised specifically for businesses.
Head of Partnerships at Stanbic IBTC Bank, Omolara Osunsoko, in her opening remarks at the event in Lagos said the enhanced mobile app offers a range of new features designed to streamline and simplify digital banking for business owners.
She said, “The solutions added to the app will help business owners transact whilst on the go. This cutting-edge offering exemplifies our dedication to innovation, convenience and growth in our digital space. It underscores our promise to continually enhance our services”.
According to Osunsoko, the enhanced mobile app for businesses provides a comprehensive suite of tools to manage finances efficiently.
“With an intuitive interface, users can execute transactions seamlessly, transfer funds between accounts, check real-time balances, and manage beneficiaries. The app offers instant access to transaction statements, self-service options, and security features to safeguard business operations”, she added.
The Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Bank,  Wole Adeniyi, remarked, “We are thrilled to introduce the enhanced Stanbic IBTC Mobile App tailored specifically for our business clients.
“Our goal is to provide businesses with a seamless and efficient platform to conduct their banking activities, including transactions, statement requests, transfers, and more, all from the convenience of their mobile devices.
“This app enhancement is a significant step in our ongoing efforts to simplify our banking processes and enhance the customer experience through technology.
“With robust security measures and a user-friendly interface, our business clients can now manage their finances more efficiently and confidently”.

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