₦airaland Forum

Customers of Airtel networks who are yet to update their records as well as register their SIM cards in line with the directives of the Industry Regulator, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), have been offered another window of opportunity to perform this important exercise as the leading telecoms operator has announced an extension of its operation hours in all its showrooms and customer touch points across the country.

According to Airtel, all showrooms across the country have extended their daily operations by two hours every day of the week, Monday to Sunday, in a strategic move to accommodate the recent influx of customers who are desirous of updating their records in line with the Know Your Customer registration exercise.

It would be recalled that the management of Airtel had earlier encouraged all its esteemed customers to update their records in line with the NCC directive.

Airtel had noted that “following the directive from Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to ensure that all Customers on our network, who are yet to fully complete their SIM registration requirements, are barred from using their lines, we wish to inform you that the barring of non-compliant lines has commenced on the Airtel Network.

“If you have been barred or received a message that you will be barred as a result of this process, we appeal to you to kindly reactivate your line or update your records accordingly to continue enjoying our quality services. Please, visit any of our Airtel Express Shops or KYC registration centres across the country to update your Registration details.

“For customers who have duly completed the SIM registration requirements as stipulated by the NCC, please be assured that your lines will continue to remain functional and your services will not be interrupted.

“We wish to assure everyone that Airtel is committed to providing top of the class telecommunication experience.

“Thank you for choosing Airtel!”

Lagos, Nigeria; 27th August, 2015: Newest entrant into Nigeria’s e-commerce segment, UrbanDealsNg, has unveiled its wide range of quality and affordable fashion items, home, office, personal accessories and products available on the online shopping platform.

At UrbanDealsNg, customers can have their shopping needs met from the array of products which are sold at N5,000 or less. The one-stop online shopping platform said its mission is to bring favourable market to everyone in Nigeria who wants to spend less on quality products and look equally fabulous.

UrbanDealsNg offers customer-friendly payment options that suit shoppers, ranging from its secure and trusted checkout gateway to the pay-on-delivery option that meets customer’s preference.

UrbanDealsNg offer shoes, clothes, bags etc. for men, women and kids, including home and office products and personal items. Shoppers can buy any of these affordable items on www.urbandealsng.com.

Speaking on how the inspiration to come up with a N5000 or less online market developed, founder of UrbanDealsNg, Ms. Jane Iloanya said “One day, I wanted to go for an event and I needed to buy a handbag. I acquired a bag that was selling for a ridiculously expensive amount. On a different shopping occasion, I came across a bag of better quality than the one I had previously purchased and it wasn’t expensive as the first bag. I bought it at a price less than 5000 Naira. This inspired me to introduce everyone to this great opportunity.

“Everybody wants to look fabulous and classy and when you don't, it reduces your confidence. We, at UrbanDealsNg have identified this market demand and we are here to provide shoppers with quality fashion items and accessories at the best price possible.

“Our team comprises of experienced shopaholics who have keen eyes to spot quality fashion goods and unique accessories, people who work tirelessly to provide you with trending fashion items from all over the world to boost your confidence and appearance and give your personality the class you desire,” she added.

According to the co-founder of UrbanDealsNg, Peter Bikom, customers in Lagos can order for the products and have it delivered within three days, while services will subsequently be extended to other parts of the country.

He noted that online shopping in Nigeria just got classier, easier and more affordable with the launch of UrbanDealsNg.

As part of its contribution towards Federal Government’s efforts to deepen financial inclusion in the country, leading telecoms operator, Airtel Nigeria, has collaborated with payment solution provider, Wari, to provide an innovative payment platform for Nigerians.
Designed as a convenient and easy-to-use payment solution, Wari allows users to make payment for goods and services, buy airtime, pay bills, deposit cash and make withdrawals within the country or outside.

Wari can also be used to transfer money and remit through accredited agents across Nigeria, and the service is available to anyone irrespective of whether they are account holders or not.

Speaking on the innovative service, Chief Commercial Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Maurice Newa described Airtel’s partnership with Wari as a collaboration of two forward-thinking brands, coming together to offer accessible and convenient payment service to millions of Nigerians, helping them carry out their day-to-day transactions seamlessly.

“‘Wari is designed to meet the needs of Nigerians, including the banked and unbanked; everyone who needs to make or receive payment for good and services. It also reduces the risk of carrying cash while travelling since you can deposit and withdraw at your destination through Wari agents whether within the country or outside Nigeria,” Newa noted.

In his own remarks, “Mr Damilola Bamiro, Country Manager, Wari Nigeria, says that the partnership will strengthen Wari’s local presence in all the local governments inNigeria. This strategic plan will greatly increase access to financial services of the various institutions especially to the unbanked”.

According to him, “Wari as an African grown agent network has always ensured the best user experience, taking into consideration all local peculiarities and cultures. This, it has done in its 23 countries of presence”.

As part of the partnership, Airtel Nigeria is expected to identify potential Wari agents across the country for the purpose of providing the product and services.

To start using the Wari, Airtel subscribers and non-subscribers can visit any designated Wari agent in their locality and request for the services, the agent will then facilitate the specific transaction on behalf of the customer. Both customer and Wari agent will receive alerts as confirmation of the transaction carried out.

Wari is a payment solution company with presence in 23 African countries and in partnership with licensed commercial banks in Nigeria to drive merchant payments through Wari platform under the brand name “Wari”.

Reinventing Nigerian Nation: Senator Amosun, Badejo-Okusanya, others Call for National Reputation Summit

The Ogun State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has held its 2015 Colloquium and Award Ceremony on Thursday, August 13, 2015. The event which took place at the auditorium of the Olusegun Obasanjo Library, Abeokuta was declared open by the Executive Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikune Amosun ably represented by the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Yetunde Onanuga .

The discourse, themed “Image Makers' Perspective in the Reinvention of the Nigerian Nation” attracted a crème of dignitaries from the Nigerian Integrated Marketing Communications industry, traditional institution, media, the academia (lecturers and Mass Communication students of Lagos State University, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, and Ogun State University). The event also had communication staff from local, state and federal governments.

Declaring the colloquium open, Senator Amosun appreciated the chapter chairman of Ogun State NIPR, Mr. Tope Adaramola and his executive members for creating a platform for cross fertilization of ideas on how to make Nigeria better. He emphasised that the CHANGE mantra of the ruling political party, APC, has been the driver of the successes recorded within two months of President Muhammadu Buhari’s government. He called for attitudinal change among Nigerians in order to make the Nigeria project work.

In his presentation, the keynote speaker, Mr. Yomi Badejo- Okusanya, Secretary General of the African Public Relations Association (APPRA) and Chief Executive of the CMC Connect Group, relayed the political history of Nigeria and analysed primordial factors that have eroded the image and goodwill of the nation since independence. He said that the Nigerian nation had suffered serious image slur as a result of the decay in the system, which has denied the country of her pivotal place in the comity of progressive nations.

He identified impunity as the bane of Nigeria’s socio, political and economic development. Nigeria, he said, “has suffered moral bankruptcy as a result of corruption that permeates every facet of our lives”. He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for making genuine efforts at eradicating graft and corruption in government. He also advocated for a national reputation summit where all stakeholders in government and communications industry will aggregate solutions to the already battered image of Nigeria.

The chairman of the colloquium, Professor Lai Osho of the Department of Mass Communications, Lagos State University, extolled the quality of the paper delivered by the guest speaker Mr. Badejo- Okusanya.
On the theme of discourse, Prof. Osho averred that “the nation is currently going through a rebirth in the way we think, the way we do things, and in our attitude. He added that President Buhari has brought sanity back to governance.

Highpoints of the event was the presentation of Awards to distinguished personalities like Iyalode Alaba Lawson, Engineer Biodun Fijabi, and Alhaji Jimoh Popoola, for their unparalleled entrepreneurship spirit in the state, while the NIPR Technocrats Award goes to the Ogun State Head of Service, Mrs. Modupe Adekunle.