News
Telecoms Consumers May Pay Less Tariff In 2011
Consumers of telecommunications services in the country may enjoy lower call rates from 2011 going by the tariff war that started among operators in 2010.
The crash in call rates started barely two weeks after Bharti Airtel acquired former Zain and started re-branding the company.
Bharti Airtel, which took over mobile telephone operations in 15 African countries in a deal that has made it the world’s fifth-biggest mobile company with 180 million customers in 18 countries, has never hidden its plan to reduce tariffs in Nigeria.
Its Chairman, Mr Sunil Bharti Mittal, flaunted his company’s low-tariff strategy while unveiling the brand identity in Nigeria, said that it would give other network operators a good fight to have a good share of Nigeria’s telecoms market.
Just days after Mittal threw the gauntlet, Airtel crashed its call rates to as low as N9 per minute from the industry average rates of N35 to N42 per minute.
This price reduction strategy jolted the industry and elicited swift responses from other network operators.
Other operators have now initiated a number of value added propositions and tariff packages to sustain revenue and retain subscribers.
Etisalat had earlier slashed its call rates by 50 per cent from a peak of 50k per second to 25k in its Easylife offer which has a daily access charge of N20.
Mr Steve Evans, Chief Operating Officer of Etisalat Nigeria, said that the company was unperturbed by Airtel’s low- tariff strategy.
Evans said that his network was one of the best in Nigeria and its tariffs were competitive.
MTN Nigeria has also introduced new tariff packages: MTN Funlink, Smartlink, Prolink, Bizlink and Happilink that allow customers to enjoy more air time at highly reduced costs to customers across its market segments.
Mrs Funmi Omogbenigun, General Manager (Corporate Communications) in MTN Nigeria, said the telecommunications industry in Nigeria was one of the most competitive in the world.
She said that the drive to provide value to the customer was an important consideration for players in the industry.
According to Omogbenigun, reducing tariffs by any operator is not something that is new in the telecoms market.
Globacom had similarly inaugurated a package in Port Harcourt that enables telecoms subscribers to pay 25k per second for all calls to any network in the country without any rental or access fee.
Mr Lanre Ajayi, President of Nigerian Internet Group (NIG), said he saw no link between tariff reduction and halting investment, adding that Airtel’s action would stimulate expansion of networks rather than diminish investments in the sector.
“On the other hand, it will call for further investment because when you reduce tariffs, you are asking more people to make more calls and when that happens, traffic increases.
“When traffic increases, it requires expanded network. It’s just logical that when an operator is planning to attract more traffic to its network, it’s planning to expand its network,” Ajayi said.
According to him, price war is part of competition and “when you are going to war, you use all tools at your disposals and price war just happens to be one of the weapons in competition”.
Ajayi said that the ensuing price war in the sector was not unexpected.
The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress Christian Leaders Forum has expressed strong confidence in the capacity of All Progressives Congress (All Progressives Congress) candidates in the state to deliver effective governance if elected into office in the coming elections.
The State Coordinator of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, made this known during a breakfast and thanksgiving meeting held in Port Harcourt, where leaders gathered to pray for the stability of the party and the safety of its candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.According to him, the meeting was convened to seek divine intervention for peace, unity, and security among APC candidates across Rivers State.
“Today we are praying for APC stability in Rivers State and the security of our candidates that have been elected to contest the 2027 elections. It is a breakfast meeting,” Aroh said.
He further expressed optimism that the party’s candidates would not disappoint the people if entrusted with leadership responsibilities.
“They will not fail when elected into office. We are here as fathers of the land to let them know, and I must tell you the truth that these are the authentic people that will do well in Rivers State,” he added.
Speaking earlier, the National Chairman of the forum, Professor Olanrewaju Abraham, commended the Rivers State chapter for organizing the programme, noting that the national body of the forum believes strongly in the power of prayer.
He stated that political leadership provides an opportunity to influence society positively, including advancing moral and spiritual values, while expressing confidence that APC candidates at all levels would emerge victorious in the upcoming elections.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Women Leader of the APC, Hon. Darling Amadi, praised the forum for its commitment to prayers for peace, stability, and the protection of party candidates.
Represented by the Deputy Women Leader of the party in the state, she described the initiative as commendable and urged other political and support groups within the party to emulate the gesture in promoting unity and stability.
By: John Bibor, Menebe Emmanuel & Fortune Paibi
Prominent businessman and philanthropist, Elder Anthony Osagwe-Ogo, was celebrated in grand style as he marked his 70th birthday anniversary, with distinguished Nigerians, business leaders, and golf enthusiasts gathering to honour his remarkable contributions to society.
The colourful celebration took place at the Port Harcourt Golf Club, where friends, associates, and well-wishers converged to pay tribute to the revered elder statesman.
Chairman of the occasion, High Chief (Dr.) Ikenna Okafor, described the celebrant as a detribalised Nigerian whose generosity, humility, and commitment to humanity have earned him admiration across different communities and backgrounds.
According to Dr. Okafor, Pa Osagwe-Ogo’s impact on society and the development of his community remains unparalleled. He noted that members of the golfing community are proud to be associated with a father figure who consistently promotes the welfare and well-being of those around him.
He further stated that the history and growth of the Port Harcourt Golf Club cannot be told without acknowledging the significant role played by the celebrant, whose wisdom, encouragement, and leadership have helped sustain the club over the years.
“We are here to celebrate a man who has impacted humanity positively, a peace-loving individual and an epitome of hope for the younger generation. We pray to emulate his virtues. Today, we celebrate a bridge-builder, a trailblazer, and an iconic leader whose life continues to inspire many,” Dr. Okafor said.
He expressed delight at the large turnout of guests from various walks of life, describing it as a testament to the respect and affection Pa Osagwe-Ogo commands within and beyond Rivers State.
In his response, the celebrant, Pa Anthony Osagwe-Ogo, expressed profound gratitude to God for preserving his life and granting him the privilege of attaining the milestone age of 70.
He also thanked members of the Port Harcourt Golf Club, family members, friends, and associates for identifying with him during the celebration and for their unwavering support over the years.
The event featured the cutting of the birthday cake, presentation of awards to deserving members of the club, goodwill messages, and moments of celebration among guests.
The ceremony was attended by notable personalities from the business community, the golfing fraternity, and other sectors, all of whom joined in celebrating the life and legacy of the respected elder statesman.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Honour Kuru Sirawoo, have been honoured with awards of recognition in connection with the 2026 Democracy Day celebrations held in Port Harcourt.
The awards, which formed part of activities marking Nigeria’s Democracy Day on June 12, were formally presented on Tuesday at the Ministry of Information and Communications in Port Harcourt.
Presenting the awards was Hon. Abdul Hameed Oladipupo Alli, popularly known as “Mr. Nigeria,” Publisher of Asiwaju Trumpet Magazine and Achievers World International Magazine.
Governor Fubara was recognised for his efforts in sustaining peace, stability, and a conducive political atmospherJohn Bibor / Menebe Emmanuel / Fortune Paibie in Rivers State. The organisers noted that his administration has fostered harmony and strengthened civic participation across the state.
Dr. Sirawoo, on the other hand, was honoured for his exemplary administrative leadership and significant contributions to effective information management within the Ministry of Information and Communications.
Representing Dr. Sirawoo at the presentation ceremony, Dr. Christian Davies received the award on his behalf and expressed gratitude for the recognition. He described the honour as a reflection of Dr. Sirawoo’s unwavering commitment to professionalism, excellence, and dedicated public service.
Dr. Davies assured the organisers that the award would be formally conveyed to the Permanent Secretary.
The event also featured the presentation of commemorative publications highlighting major governance and civic milestones in Rivers State, including Easter celebrations, Workers’ Day activities, the Governor’s third anniversary in office, and Democracy Day programmes.
Organisers of the awards commended the Rivers State administration for what they described as sustained peace, political stability, and improved civic engagement, noting that these achievements have contributed significantly to the state’s continued development.
By: Jessica Sambol