GloFirst hits market October 1

Remmy Nweke

The Second National Operator (SNO), Globacom in collaboration with the First Bank Plc and Interswitch has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the introduction into the nation’s market a new product called GloFirst.

GloFirst, according to the chief operating officer (COO), Globacom, Mr. Mohammed Jameel, would be available as from October 1, this year.

Speaking at the signing ceremony to herald the partnership in Lagos, Mr. Jameel said it’s historical as he described the corporation as auspicious.

As said by him, all the three firms have common denominator in progressively repositioning the nation’s economy and improving the lives of the people, especially via GloFirst, a prepaid debit card from the three companies.

For the chief executive, First Bank Plc, Mr. J.M. Ajekigbe, they are proud to be part of this success story, saying they have continued to stand out as a national icon and an international player.

“GloFirst is in perpetuation of our tradition to champion smooth and efficient operation of the payment systems,” he said.

He also said that the product would ultimately enhance mobile banking (m-banking) and banking the ‘unbanked’ vast population through a variety of transaction windows.

He therefore lauded the partnership, saying it is in line with globalization trends, which engenders free flow of ideas, people, goods, services and capital thereby fostering integration of economies and societies.

“This partnership has facilitated the integration of telecommunication and banking, resulting in a synergy which ensures the provision of premium and seamless financial services to our customers,” Mr. Ajekigbe declared.

Commenting, Managing Director, InterSwitch, Mr. Mitchel Elegbe, noted that with this collaboration, his firm has not moved away from its primary role of providing enabling leadership model for Nigerian companies to leverage upon.

Rather, he said, InterSwitch has advanced its agenda for the Nigerian market with innovation such as GloFirst.

Executive Director, Retail Banking for Lagos and West at FBN, Mr. Remi Babalola, also assured on the GloFirst, saying its merit is enormous, as even without having an account with FBN.

He stressed that potential customers on the GloFirst must register to have it just as replacement in the case of lost would be replaced free of charge.

“GloFirst can be used in any Automated Teller Machine (ATM) as long as it has the InterSwitch endorsement, anywhere in the country,” he said.

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Customer care lines: To pay or not

Features of the week:

Agitations for a toll-free customer care lines by telecom consumers in the country have translated to a one-day forum. REMMY NWEKE examines the options.

SINCE the return of democracy in the nation’s polity in 1999, a lot has happened in the way Nigerian telecommunications consumers react to issues.

This transcends using the instrument of telecommunications to advocate for better services, including whether to pay for customer care lines of telecom operators or not.

The concern therefore generated mostly over the five years of evolution of telecommunications in the country and precisely on the Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), has continued to surface as subscribers increase. At the last count in August, the nation’s subscriber base has reached 25m.

Hence, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) decided to hold a one-day forum to deliberate on whether or not telecom subscribers should pay for customer care lines, penultimate Tuesday in Lagos.

Proponents:

Proponents of toll-free customer lines like the National Association of Telecom Subscribers of Nigeria (NATCOMS) led by Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo, insisted that five years is enough for telecom operators in the country to recoup their investments as it were.

Therefore, it’s high time subscribers began to enjoy some incentives obtainable in other countries, such as Tanzania, South Africa and as matter of fact, like in other countries in the continent from operators in Nigeria.

Worthy of note is that at inception of GSM revolution in the country, the likes of then Econet, now CelTel Nigeria used toll free customer lines as bench mark for subscribers’ attraction on the network coupled with unlimited validity period which has since been reversed.

Situation report:

Current state of customer lines in the country shows, for instance, that customer care line of CelTel Nigeria, could be reached on 111 from where a customer could choose to either speak with an operator by pressing ‘0’ or another information to be followed via Interactive Voice Response (IVR) which are all free of charge.

On MTN, customer care lines could be assessed by dialing ‘181’ for voice prompt and ‘180’ for customer care specialist. The ‘181’ on MTN is free but speaking with a specialist costs about N25 for a given duration.

For subscribers on the Second National Operator (SNO), Globacom, they could reach the customer care via 121, which also costs about N25 for the time engaged on the line.

Also for the Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTel), now a subsidiary of Transcorp, the service is currently free. Equally the customer care lines of the Unified License Operator (ULO), Starcomms, Private Telecom Operator (PTO), RelTel, as well as MTS are all free among others.

However, operators offering ‘booster’ to the Commercial Telephone Operators (CTOs) among those charging for using customer care lines made it free for CTOs.

Indications are that estimated 85 per cent of the networks offer free customer care lines.

But one thing uppermost on the minds of telecom activists has been that the battle for toll free lines is now focusing on GSM and Unified License Operators respectively.

Off-shore situation:

Investigations by our correspondent revealed that in Tanzania, for instance, CelTel offers free customer care 24-hour call centre. According to the marketing director, Ms Margaret Kositany, “We’ll answer your questions and we’ll help you to make the most of Celtel services understandable and beneficial.”

She also informed that customers could call CelTel Tanzania by just dialing ‘100’ from a local Celtel phone, even as one could also dial +25578 4105300 from any phone, or +25578 4105300 “if one is abroad.”

For the corporate customers or those interested on making inquires on high-net services, she said, “Our corporate advisors spend time understanding your business. They work as part of your team to make sure that you make the most of Celtel. Ask to speak to a corporate advisor by calling 0748 104 220 from any phone. You can also call our customer care team on 123 from your Celtel phone, or +25578 4105400 from any phone and they will put you in touch with a corporate advisor.”

Although MTN Uganda has a customer care line, it was not explicit on charges or if it is free but said it could be reached via 123 ‘help line.’

On the other hand, Vodacom’s customer care in South Africa could be reached from a Vodacom cell phone on 111 for general enquiries, 114 for Vodago queries and both are free. But for those calling from other telcos such as Telkom, they could reach Vodacom and Vodago on 082 -111 and -114 for general and specific queries and will be charged.

Is the forum necessary?

Another thing that divides the stakeholders as far as customer care lines is concerned has been the essence of debating the issue before NCC could take action. While to some, it is worthwhile, but for others, it is sheer fraud, because according to such, the issue of whether to pay or not for customer care lines have been debated over and over again at the monthly telecom consumers’ parliament. The Parliament is organized by NCC through its Consumer Affairs Bureau (CAB).

Therefore, coming up with the idea of the forum, they argued, was ill-advised and thus could be an avenue to embezzle fund from NCC, which is regarded as the richest among government agencies in the country that has floating fund. This has made opponents of the forum idea to, in fact, call for the intervention of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the matter.

They also argued that NCC created the CAB to serve as a one-stop shop which stakeholders could rely upon for information on the telecommunications industry in the country, above all its goals, as a protector of the consumers since NCC is charged with the task of monitoring and controlling telecommunications operators in Nigeria in order to protect consumers from unscrupulous practices in the industry, this they noted has taken over five years to gain attention and should now be viewed a means of fraudulent practice within the commission.

They further questioned the audacity of NCC in mediating and resolving disputes between consumers and service providers.

Conclusion

Above all that may have traversed between the operators and consumers at the one-day forum, industry observers agreed that the onus is on the NCC to take the right decision and direct the operators appropriately.

Even though it has been like a ‘war zone’ as consumers cum telecom activists engaged operators, some good news may be coming the way of Nigerians as MTN hitherto known for charging on its customer line since entering the nation’s market indicated interest to make its free before the end of this year.

The fact that if the importance of seeing a customer as a king still upholds, then those operators still charging on their customer lines, which most subscribers use mainly for reporting faults on their network should do a detour of charging subscribers.

This is because with the Unified License Regime (ULR), tendencies are that subscribers may be as mobile as never before including changing their network intermittently

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Science and tech park: Lessons from Taiwan

Remmy Nweke

PResident, Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, has said, Nigeria has lessons to learn from the evolution of Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) in Taiwan, mostly the economic growth through science and technology parks.

Speaking at the monthly meeting of the Institute of Directors (IoD) in Lagos on “IT and Telecomms: Veritable tools for Economic Growth” Ekuwem, who was represented by his vice president, Mr. Bayo Banjo, noted that industrial development in Taiwan came in sustainable stages with every decade having a different but related focus, which began in 1950s with the development of the consumer goods industry.

He also said, this was followed in 1960s by the rapid growth of the light industry, which included the export and industrial zones respectively.

By 1970s, Dr. Ekuwem who also is the Group Chief Executive, Teledom International Group, pointed out that the Taiwanese commenced by developing the capital and technology, coupled with intensive industrialization processes rooted in research organizations.

Development of hi-tech industries in Taiwan, he said, began with the emergence of science and technology parks.

For instance, he said, Hsinchu Science Park was established in 1980 with 650 hectares of land and focus was on semiconductors, Personal Computers (PCs), telecom, opto-electronics, biotechnology and precision machineries.

According to him, the science park has the mission to upgrade Taiwan’s industrial structure and accelerate economic development.

He further outlined the essentials in setting up science and technology parks to include encouraging innovations, supporting start-ups, spin-offs and small and medium enterprises schemes (SMEs), business incubators and eventually attracting what he called the ‘brain power’ home.

He explained that brain power involves those experts who have been trading their skills in advanced countries also known as brain grain, but accounts for brain drain for developing countries.

He emphasized that as at 2004, the Hsinchu Science Park has employed 101,832 cutting across all gender with 66.7 per cent of these employees’ college graduates or above, while over 20,000 hold Ph.D or Master degrees in their chosen fields and 4,340 returned expatriates established companies.

He, therefore, called for emulation of the Taiwan strategies in bridging her own digital divide through sustainable development in the ICT sector.

That way, he said, Nigeria would soon emerge as truly the giant of Africa technologically in no distance future.

Stressing that there is potentials for return on investment through building the park for sale or lease as well as through tenancy, even as equity participation in start up businesses like in SMEs, while offering avalanche of services across the ICT community, such as electricity, schools, recreation and social amenities, would all contribute to national development.

“Telecommunications is a means and not an end,” he said.

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We’re not short time investors – CelTel

Remmy Nweke

New management of CelTel Nigeria, formerly Vmobile, has reassured telecom consumers on the network of their determination to move the telco forward, saying, “we’re not a short time investors.”

Speaking through the marketing director, CelTel Nigeria, Mr. Norman Moyo, at a media launch to herald the take off of its rebranding in Nigeria, management of CelTel said they planned to build for the future.

This, he said, would not mean that they would concentrate in the cities but including rural areas.

He also said that new management of CelTel would not lay off any good and qualified staff of former Vmobile.

According to him, if they were not good hands, they would not have successfully manouvred all over the past years of trials in Vmobile.

“If it’s not broken, we won’t fix it and we have found more talents in Nigeria, probably more than in other countries where we have operations,” Mr. Moyo said.

He, therefore, expressed confident, saying that CelTel shareholders are determined to put in money in Nigeria to build a renowned brand.

Actions of the CelTel Nigeria, the marketing director, said, would be guided by the resolve to do things in a big and better way.

Stressing that telecom is a tool for development hence more jobs would be created.

He maintained that though CelTel is determined to invest so much on its network in Nigeria, “it would not affect our quality of service.”

Just as the telco believes in competition, saying its healthy for the market.

“We embrace it, its good for the customers and we would not engage on unnecessary war” Moyo said.

CelTel, he further said, is technically prepared and Nigerians should watch out in the next three months, even as Nigeria is likely to be the African hub of the network.

He equally denied reports that CelTel intended to charge subscribers on its customer care line, 111, except for crack calls.

He explained that crack calls are for those subscribers who need songs to catch sleep, saying this category of subscribers would be charged.

Meanwhile, Vmobile and CelTel International have announced that following the recent acquisition agreement, Vmobile is now a part of the largest Pan-African telecommunications network, under the brandname, CelTel.

The name change, they said, means a new brand identity adopting CelTel’s vibrant red and yellow colours, along with the company’s brand promise of “Making life better.”

To assure all CelTel Nigeria customers and all Nigerians, the telco advised that Vmobile both new and old Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) cards are still valid on the CelTel network.

Also, Vmobile recharge vouchers purchased after the re-branding are valid for usage on the CelTel network, just as CelTel promises to make life better in Nigeria by ensuring that they remain the network of the people.

CelTel current covers over 400 million people in all its network across 14 countries.

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Glo Jumbo: 118 win cars, generators, cash

Remmy Nweke

A total of 118 have emerged from the Globacom jumbo promotion held weekend at various parts of the country.

While 56 winners emerged at the Yola edition of the Glo Jumbo promotion with three Globacom’s subscribers winning Kia Picanto cars through an electronic draw, 62 other winners surfaced at the Kaduna-Katsina draw.

At a ceremony held at the Stella Obasanjo Centre in Yola, three other lucky subscribers won 5 KVA generators while 50 others won N25,000 each during the draws organised to reward Globacom subscribers in Adamawa, Borno, Taraba and Yobe states.

Globacom’s Maiduguri Regional Manager, Mr. Dare Oyewale said the aim of the company was not only to improve the country’s economy, but also to bring total revolution in the telecommunications industry across the continent.

“Through our vision to build the biggest and best network in Africa, we set out to put the nation on the path of contemporary world standards. All we have done in the industry were provoked by the patriotic challenge to prove and indeed celebrate the ability and capacity of Nigerians,” he said.

Mr. Oyewale pointed out that Globacom is the first corporate organization to offer 180 cars and prizes worth N.5 billion in a singular promotional campaign to its subscribers in order to appreciate their loyalty to the network.

“This is part of our ways of rewarding our valued subscribers because they are the reasons for our continuity in business,” he asserted.

Further he said, the draw was in every respect, a special one because it took place in the same month that Globacom turned three years, stressing that these were three years of championing and leading the pack in the telecom industry, three years of empowering and creating jobs for thousands of Nigerian youths, three years of unparallel customer care services.

Noting that in all, Globacom has shown that beautiful things could come out of Nigeria.

He further assured subscribers of Globacom that the company is committed to ensure that it provides services in every nook and cranny of the country in order to empower the Nigerian people.

At the Kaduna-Katsina draw, held at the Command Guest House in Kaduna, for subscribers across Kaduna, Katsina and Zamfara states, saw to the six subscribers emerging as car winners with numbers 080 56012456, 080 52728853, 080 52430595,080 57273979, 080 57870169, 080 55940543

Whereas six others won 5 KVA generating sets on numbers 080 59727042, 080 51477055, 080 53576327, 080 55477664, 080 57372053 and 080 54458890, 50 additional subscribers won N25,000 each in the N.5 billion promo.

The promo has produced over 400 winners since it began in March this year.

The Commander, 51 Division Signals of the Nigerian Army, Brig Gen. A.O. Ogunedo who was the special guest of honour and was represented by Lt. Col. Kehinde Adamu commended Globacom for organizing a free, fair and transparent promo. He said he was convinced after having seen and participated in the draw that it was in no way stage-managed like people are likely to believe of such promotions.

Congratulating the company on its third anniversary, he noted that it had won Nigerians’ confidence with its products and services, which are among the best in the telecommunications industry in Nigeria.”

The fact that you brought the Per Second billing system when others insisted that it was impossible warmed you into the hearts of Nigerians”, he said.

Alhaji Zubair Idris AbdulRauf, Managing Director and CEO of Kaduna State Media Corporation said he was impressed with what he saw at the draw as well as with what Globacom has in the last three years meant to telecommunications in the country. “Globacom brought several innovations to bear on the industry and has set a trend which others are struggling to meet”, he said.

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UNESCO, IFLA team up on WSIS Action Plan

Remmy Nweke

UNited Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) have teamed up on a strategy towards implementing Plan of Action as decision of the World Summit on the Information Society.

The partnership they said, came in a bid to foster the role of libraries as key players in building people-centred, inclusive and development-oriented knowledge societies.

In a press statement made available to our correspondent and endorsed by the duo of Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information at UNESCO, Dr. Abdul Waheed Khan, and IFLA’s President, Mr. Alex Byrne, in Seoul, at the 72nd IFLA General Conference and Council, informed that the alliance would aim at establishing common strategic approaches and projects to implement library-related parts of the Declaration of Principles and the Geneva Plan of Action adopted by WSIS in Geneva in 2003 and endorsed in Tunis in 2005.

The documents recognize the importance of the role libraries play in building appropriate information infrastructure, in ensuring access to information and knowledge, in capacity building and in preserving cultural diversity and identity, linguistic diversity and local content.

According to Dr. Khan, the libraries are key actors for ensuring universal access to information and for building knowledge societies, hence “We are very much looking forward to build on the excellent partnership that we enjoy with IFLA since long, to put the vision of WSIS into practice.”

For IFLA President, Mr. Byrne, “Libraries are crucial to enabling intellectual freedom by providing access to information and knowledge. Regardless of frontiers, they help to safeguard democratic values and universal civil rights. We believe that their contribution is indispensable for realizing UNESCO’s concept of knowledge societies which are built on universal access to information and freedom of expression.”

Both the UNESCO and the IFLA representatives announced that their organizations will very shortly establish a mid-term strategic plan of cooperation for covering areas such as libraries and community access, information literacy and the role of libraries to ensure cultural diversity.

A special focus of the joint UNESCO/IFLA alliance will be on developing new digital and hybrid library services worldwide, in accordance with the Geneva Plan of Action. Recognizing that the role of libraries and librarians is changing dramatically worldwide and that the concept of libraries today goes far beyond physical boundaries, both organisations will cooperate to design a coordinated set of “universal digital library” projects that would eventually result in establishing one or more universal digital libraries that would bring scattered cultural and scientific materials of the diverse cultures to the desks of students and scholars all over the world.

For many years UNESCO and IFLA have cooperated closely in developing information capacities of UNESCO member states, in particular in the field of libraries, including information services with a broad scope of projects ranging for example from “Guidelines for Digitization” to “Information Literacy”, and from “Preserving the African Documentary Heritage” to “Public and School Libraries in the Caribbean”.

Outstanding in their breadth, depth, impact and potential, are the two Manifestos. The “IFLA/UNESCO Public Library Manifesto” and the “IFLA/UNESCO School Library Manifesto” have brought both organizations to join forces on a truly worldwide scale.

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Lack of interoperability, cash mar ATM patronage

Market Intelligence:

Remmy Nweke

PENULTIMATE Friday, Mr. Njoku, an upcoming young business executive with office in Victoria Island, but lives at Ajao Estate in the Mainland, both in Lagos, was optimistic about the coming weekend.

His optimism soon turned into dismay as he left office on by 3pm to withdraw some money with his Automated Teller Machine (ATM) debit card, along Ajose Adeogun Street, otherwise referred to as ‘banks avenue’ due to the number of banks on that street.

ATM card is usually issued by banks which could combine the functions of an ATM card and cheques, as well as used to withdraw cash at banks via ATM system.

Efforts to locate an ATM was proving difficult due to non-visibility of location signs in some of the banks, coupled with the traffic along the road because of the on-going reconstruction made things very difficult.

He was patient enough to abandon his car by the roadside and take to trekking down to Zenith International Bank, where there are about four ATMs including one specifically devoted for Visa.

A trial with his FirstCash debit card took the normal process of entering Personal Identification Numbers (PIN) code, choose the kind of account either from saving or current, then the amount.

Unfortunately for him, after a while there was no money for him and the system read the transaction was completed, requesting if he would like to continue.

This was repeated before he allowed the next customer to try. Effort to retry proved abortive.

The first question that came to mind was if these banks who claimed to be working seamlessly with one another through Interswitch have problems.

Mr. Njoku then called the attention of security personnel to inquire if lack of interoperability has been experienced previously by other customers when he was directed inside the banking hall where two ATMs were located.

Unluckily for him again, these two were faulty and undergoing repairs. So he left obviously disappointed.

After over 30 minutes on joining the traffic again and maneuvering, he found his way to Adetokunbo Ademola Way, another banks’ avenue and adjacent to the 1004 building first gate was First Bank.

Although he did not spot any ‘ATM is available’ sign, he decided to go into the bank, and behold, an ATM system was just at the entrance. In less than three minutes, he had some cash on his hands.

With smiling face he went home, to behold yet family issues that demanded more than the cash at hand. So, he was not perturbed however, still banking on his ATM, after all, his debit card is loaded.

Come Saturday afternoon, his wife joined him for a little ride with the agenda to use the ATM within their vicinity, but this was not to be.

At GTB along Airport road, where the ATM sign was very noticeable, a lady by name Tayo was already there looking angry due to her card which was Zenith could not be useful at that point.

According to her, she trekked over 200 metres down to GTB with hope that all would be well as soon as she accesses an ATM, yet it was not to be as she encountered the kind of Mr. Njoku’s initial experience.

However, also waiting to try their lucks on the same ATM at GTB were Messrs Ayo, Njoku and a polytechnic student, Edward.

Soon after Mr. Ayo trial was unsuccessful with his UBA debit card, followed by Njoku, and then, Mr. Edward simply declared, “Even First Bank” as he turned to head home, disappointed.

Investigations revealed that most banks are having interoperability issues in addition to installing their ATMs inside banking halls, thus making it impossible for bank customers to use the electronic chip cards as desired. Also, some bank officials informed that there could be lack of fund on these ATMs hence rendering them impotent.

Additionally, all the affected customers accosted in the course of this investigation have ‘Interswitch’ logo on their cards, meaning they were enabled to be active across board, whilst all the banks therein were among Interswitch consortium.

Therefore, management of banks in the country, especially those in Interswitch consortium, should find a solution to this so as not to discourage those who have already migrated and embraced the ATM culture as well as its evolution in the country by ensuring that there are adequate fund on their ATMs before every weekend.

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Buy ‘pure water phones’ – Expert

Remmy Nweke

EXpert in preservation of Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) contents, Mr. Adedayo Akintobi, has advised Nigerian telecom users to always go for cheap and low-end phone sets.

In what he described as ‘Pure water phones,’ Mr. Akintobi said that by going for cheap and low-end phones, users would make their phone sets unattractive for mobile phone thieves.

Speaking at a one-day ‘Consultative Meeting on National Scheme to Curtail the theft of mobile phones,” in Lagos, Mr. Akintobi also canvassed for availability of cheap phones by manufacturers.

“So that every one can at least buy one and nobody would be able to steal or buy stolen phones,” he said.

According to him, on the other hand, government and corporate organizations have to increase the wages of their workforce to enable them replace their stolen phones if the incident occur.

This way, Mr. Akintobi, who is a director at SIM Swap Unlimited said, “People are anxious to buy new ones when they lost theirs.”

On the way forward, he said, that mobile phone users should be cautious and avoid trendy looking phones.

Therefore, “buy pure water phones, because that is the self insurance,” he advised.

Otherwise, when a phone is stolen, “it’s gone and gone it has,” he declared.

Pointing out that when a phone is gone, it includes the SIM, which contains the contacts and a lot more information.

He further advised mobile phone users to back-up their SIM cards.

However, Akintobi said, that his firm could replace a missing SIM and provide backup “at a street near you”.

He called for a Nigerian solution to redress avalanche of mobile phone theft.

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CWG commends NetEconomy on anti-fraud award

Remmy Nweke

COmputer Warehouse Group (CWG) has commended NetEconomy for winning anti-fraud award.

Corporate Affairs Manager at CWG, Mrs Morenike Popoola, said that the award goes a long way to strengthen the partnership CWG has with NetEconomy.

The award came the way of NetEconomy through her anti-money laundering solution as a leading financial crime management solution.

Presented at a recent meeting of The Bankers 2006 technology awards in London, she said, it was chosen for being the “Best Fraud Prevention Project.”

NetEconomy’s ERASE Financial Crime Suite for protecting financial institutions against money laundering, fraud, and market abuse, Mrs. Popoola said was selected from more than 300 entries by a panel of judges charged with recognizing the innovation and excellence of technical applications in financial services companies.

She quoted the Technology editor of The Banker, Mr. Dan Barnes as saying that the aim of The Banker Technology Awards was to put the spotlight on the leading solutions and ‘best practices’ in key business areas.

He noted that NetEconomy, really impressed the judges with its ERASE Financial Crime Suite, particularly through its straightforward delivery.

“This was a factor that significantly reduced the total cost of ownership and expected implementation time for three banks, who also gained advantage by running one system across them, aggregating transaction data in one database environment, broadening the view of risk,” Mr. Barnes said.

Reacting to the award, Vice President, Sales and Marketing at NetEconomy, Mr. Peter Kwakernaak, said his firm is very pleased and proud to receive the award from such prominent and widely read global publication as The Banker.

“This award recognizes the hard work we have invested as a team in delivering our Financial Crime Management solution, and our commitment to developing best-in-class solutions for our customers,” he declared.

NetEconomy is the leading provider of financial crime management and compliance solutions.

With over 100 implementations across 48 countries, NetEconomy has an exceptional track record for developing and delivering highly effective and easily deployable solutions for anti-money laundering, fraud prevention and market surveillance. NetEconomy brings business value to its worldwide client base through its personalized customer approach for minimizing regulatory risk, delivering measurable results, and protecting corporate brand/reputation.

NetEconomy understands that a strong network of well–chosen partners is a solid foundation for mutual growth. Our strategic partnerships help us provide the best possible risk monitoring and management solutions, and to serve our clients worldwide.

Software subsidiary of Computer Warehouse, Expertedge software and Systems ltd partners with Neteconomy to provide its world acclaimed solutions to the finance sector in Nigeria.

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Ligali named CEO Celtel Nigeria

Remmy Nweke

Pan African telecom operator, Celtel International, in the bid to live up to its words of truly being Pan African has named a Nigerian, Mr. Adebayo Wasiu Ligali, as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Celtel Network Systems in Nigeria.

Also, the telco appointed another Nigeria, Mr. Chuma Okoye, as the Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), while Mr. Boye Olusanya who has been acting as the CEO, remains as Deputy Chief Executive Officer.

Disclosing this development, the Public Relations Manager at CelTel Nigeria, Mr. Emeka Oparah, said that the appointments reflected the confidence of Celtel International in the capacity of Nigerians to provide leadership for the company as it expands its operations in the country.

It would be recalled that Ligali is the first Nigerian to be appointed CEO since the entrance of Celtel Group into the nation’s telecom sector.

Mr. Ligali, 50, is an experienced accountant with over 15 years in management position at Unilever, UAC and Dangote Group.

A fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (UK) and an Associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Mr. Ligali, has had very impressive and extensive career experience at senior management level.

According to Mr. Oparah, in a press statement made available to correspondent, Mr. Ligali commenced his management career in Unilever Nigeria Plc as an Auditor in 1979; worked in various management positions before moving to the Foods Division as the Acting General Manager in 1991.

Mr. Ligali became Group Treasurer, UAC Nigeria in 1992; Finance Director and Company Secretary, GM Nigeria Limited in 1993; and was responsible for Special Duties Function in 1994 in Unilever Plc, London.

He also held a number of senior management positions within Unilever Corporate Financial Group including Corporate Finance Manger for Latin America, Central Asia and Middle East, based in London, during which period, he was appointed to the board of UAC Nigeria Plc as a Non Executive Director.

And based on his impressive performance, Mr. Ligali was offered appointment as the Chairman, Unilever Malawi in 1998, a position he held until 2001 when he was given the challenge to oversee the entire East African operations of Unilever comprising Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Uganda as Chief Executive Officer.

By 2004, Mr. Ligali left the Unilever Group for Dangote Pasta Plc as Chief executive Officer, from where he now joined Celtel.

While in Malawi, Ligali was the President of Employers Consultative Association 2000/2001 as well as a member of the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Economy. Upon his appointment as CEO of Unilever East Africa in 2001, he became a Board member of Kenya Association of Manufacturers; member, Local Advisory Committee of Eastern Africa Association and a member of British Business Association of Kenya.

Ligali is widely travelled, loves sports including Squash, Badminton and Golf. He has attended numerous courses in advanced management and communication including the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School, Boston, USA and IMD Switzerland. Ligali is married with children.

For the new CCO, Mr. Okoye, he has an unbroken 15 years progressive, executive level, multifunctional experience in financial, logistics and supply chain management in the Fast Moving Consumer Goods industry.

At Celtel, he will be responsible for charting the company’s strategic Commercial direction, especially in the areas of branding, product availability and customer experience, in order to improve the company’s market share and profitability.

His knowledge transcends a wide range of management fields including, business turnaround, and start-ups in emerging markets, financial reporting, management information systems, strategic planning, organisational leadership and new business development, among others.

Also an accountant with proven integrity, Mr. Okoye, has a track record in leading companies with over $100 million in annual turnover, and is an Alumnus of University of Nigeria and an Associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants (ACA) of Nigeria.

He began his career in 1989 in Unilever and later became Group Audit Manger in 1991 with responsibility for planning and executing internal control reviews for the Unilever Group in Anglophone West Africa.

He was promoted Commercial Manager, Unilever Foods in 1992 and moved to a subsidiary of Unilever, Tractor and Equipment Nigeria, as Finance Director in 1993

He further held several international executive positions including, Logistics Director for Unilever both in Russia and Nigeria as well as Managing Director of Unilever in Tanzania.Later, he became a Business Consultant in 2004 working with various multinationals with interests in West Africa to develop business models that allow them to profitably penetrate the emerging markets.

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