Rashidat Okunlade Writes

Telecommunications giant, Globacom, has announced its readiness to sponsor the 2023 edition of Ofala Festival in furtherance of its support for the cultures and traditions of the Nigerian people.

At a press conference attended by senior palace chiefs and members of the Ofala Festival Organising Committee at the Ime Obi, Obi’s Palace, Onitsha, on Thursday, the digital solutions provider disclosed that its support for the yearly event drives by its faith in the nation’s huge cultural heritage and its potential to create employment as well as boost revenue generation.

Globacom noted: “We are committed to supporting efforts aimed at preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage of our country. This is why we have consistently supported prominent festivals such as Ofala and Ojude Oba over these years. We believe that these festivals if well promoted, will help boost Nigeria’s tourism industry as they will attract tourists who will be willing to come around to witness these festivals. Their presence will be a booster for hotels, restaurants, tour guides, art markets, and several other sectors whose trade will be in demand. Hundreds of thousands of jobs will also be created along the line.” The company referred to the Year 2020 data from the World Tourism Organization, saying that Nigeria is listed as 52nd on the list of top 55 tourism nations globally.

According to Globacom, “Interestingly, the Travel and Tourism market in Nigeria has been projected to grow by 6.13 percent between 2023 and 2027, resulting in a market volume of nearly US$4 in 2027. If we continue to focus on promoting the best of our values for the world, nothing stops Nigeria from moving up to the Top 10 Tourism greats among the comity of nations within the next few years”.

The Festival’s Strategic Marketing and Communication Committee Chairman, Mr.  Nnaemeka Maduegbuna, explained during the press conference that the Obi of Onitsha had approved the theme of this year’s Ofala Festival as “Better, Stronger and Together”. The theme emphasises the relevance of cooperation and unity in attaining societal goals and objectives.

The 2023 Ofala Festival is billed for Ime Obi, Onitsha, Anambra State, from October 14 to 15, 2023. It is a customary obligation performed by The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, as a two-day celebration will comprise the Iru Ofala on October 14 and the Azu Ofala the next
day.

Rashidat Okunlade Writes

MoneyMaster PSB (MMPSB, a major payment service bank promoted by telecoms services company, Globacom, has unveiled a new promo in which Glo subscribers in the Lagos area who register and activate their own G-Kala wallets will be rewarded with cash gifts.

In a statement in Lagos, MoneyMaster PSB enjoined Glo subscribers across the Lagos area to make utmost use of the opportunity provided by the G-Kala airtime promo by registering and activating their wallets, which according to the Bank, will be used for various purchases and for winning in the offer.

MoneyMaster explained that “G-Kala wallet is the personal purse of the subscriber. Upon activation, it enables them to transfer money for purchases, buy airtime, pay bills, and pay for goods and services without having to log into any app or use the internet, adding that it is fast and reliable as it is backed by the power of the Globacom network. The wallet is also safe and convenient because it ensures that subscribers do not have to carry cash around”.

It urged them to dial *995# to create their own G-Kala wallets after which they join the first 100 customers to purchase a minimum of N100.00 airtime in winning a free gift of N100 daily, which will be sent to their G-Kala wallet within 24 hours.

“Existing G-Kala customers in and around Lagos are required to dial *995# on their Glo lines after which they will press 4 to buy airtime and join the first 100 customers every day to win the free N100”. MoneyMaster concluded.

By Moninuola Sulaiman

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is set to showcase achievements so far recorded in the promotion of indigenous content in the telecommunications sector at the second edition of the Nigerian Telecommunications Indigenous Content Expo (NTICE 2023), which holds in Lagos from August 22-24, 2023, at Landmark Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Themed: “Harnessing Indigenous Content for Economic Growth: Networking to Boost Investment”, the Commission said it is mobilizing stakeholders for a remarkable outing, following a very impressive showing at the maiden edition of the event last year.

The NTICE is being coordinated by the Commission’s Nigeria Office for Developing the Indigenous Telecom Sector (NODITS), which superintends over efforts for effective implementation of the National Policy on the Promotion and Implementation of Indigenous Contents in the Telecommunications Sector, (NPPIC).

The Expo is open to multisectoral participants, including indigenous telecom operators, manufacturers, regulators, government agencies, policymakers, innovators, industry leaders, startups, other actors in the telecom ecosystem, academia, and global experts to showcase their products and services, innovative solutions and new technologies.

The Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003 empowers the NCC to encourage local and foreign investments in the Nigerian communications industry, introduce innovative services and practices as well as promote the participation of Nigerians in the ownership, control, and management of communications companies and development of communications manufacturing and supply sectors.

Therefore, NTICE 2023 is being organised in keeping with the extant provisions of the NCA 2003, and to promote the four focus areas of the NPPIC, which are Manufacturing, Service, People as well as Research and Development for innovation in line with the Federal Government’s drive to diversify the economy.

The event has continued to serve as a rare assemblage of stakeholders where diverse thoughts can be shared in contexts that advance utilization of indigenous content in the nation’s telecommunications industry.

Participation at the event requires mandatory formal registration ahead of the day of the event and the Commission has created the link: www.ntice.ncc.gov.ng for this purpose, and intending participants are advised to register before August 22, 2023.

In an interaction with the NCC’s in-house media recently, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Prof. Umar Danbatta, reiterated that NTICE is Nigeria’s largest annual indigenous telecoms, tech and startups, manufacturing, and innovative event that brings to stakeholders the powerful connections and valuable new relationships that highlights the achievements and vast potentials of a tech-driven digital economy.

The 2023 Expo is billed to project the achievements of indigenous content by the government for the sector and afford participants the platform to showcase their products and services, innovative solutions, and new technologies.