News
Calabar Hosts NCC Consumer Outreach Programme (COP)
BY: Ikenna Oluka
The city of Calabar – known for its cleanliness and respect for the environment, and the location of three of the 5 local government councils in Nigeria certified free of open defecation – this morning hosted the 103rd edition of Consumer Outreach Programme.
The COP is one the three consumer engagement programmes instituted by the NCC and superintended by the Commission’s Consumer Affairs Bureau. The other two programmes are Telecoms Consumer Parliament (TCP) which takes place in Lagos or Abuja quarterly and on a rotational basis, and the Consumer Town Hall Meeting (CTM) held monthly at semi-urban or rural centres.
In keeping with the mandate of CAB to protect, inform and educate the telecom consumer, the COP holds monthly at a state capital for those purposes and by that fact stands as a platform for consumers to engage with telecom service providers and seek redress for unsatisfactory services.
Ismail Adedigba, Head Information and Reference at CAB, who represented Felicia Onwuegbuchulam, Director of CAB, at the Calabar event stated that the Bureau’s conversation this season is focused on discussing the roles of telecom consumers in mitigating the effects of cybercrimes. Adedigba, his colleague, Banji Ojo, Head Consumer Protection and Advocacy at CAB, as well as other stakeholders, including representatives of telecom companies and consumer advocacy groups discoursed what consumers need to do to prevent being victims of cybercrimes. Speakers advised telecom consumers to protect their personal information, particularly their passwords, and to restrained from sharing Too Much Information (TMI) on social media platforms which can be ‘leveraged’ by criminals to attack people and their families.
Adedigba informed the participants that NCC already instituted a process to establish industry Internet Code of Practice for Internet service providers in the country, while Ojo recalled series of consumer-centred programmes being implemented by NCC to ease the quality of telecom customers’ experience.
These initiatives and programmes include information and education on Phone Etiquette, Child Online Protection, Electromagnetic Field (EMF) discourse, Mobile Number Portability (MNP), Obligations of Service Providers to telecom consumers, the Role of NCC in Consumer Protection, Procedure for Lodging Complaints, Consumer Bill of Rights, Do Not Disturb (2442) Code, and the 622 Toll Free Line provided by NCC which consumers can call to escalate unresolved complaints earlier reported to the service providers.
Concerns about health hazards of telecoms masts were equally discussed by participants at the event. Venny Ezeh, Zonal Controller Port Harcourt zonal office who also supervises Cross River State allayed the fears of participants in that respect. She noted that some of the information bandied about health hazards of telecom masts are yet to be substantiated in scientific research and advised the participants to refrain from panicking.
Participants also got sufficient information, including literatures, on Consumer Complaints Management Procedure, Monitoring of Customer Care Centre Operations of Service Providers, Incidents of SIM Swap and the attendant fraud, Dangers of Sales and buying of Pre-Registered SIM Cards, Call masking and refiling, Protection of telecom infrastructure, as well as base stations and other health concerns of the telecom consumers.
The programme was attended by many stakeholders including Rosemary Archibong, Cross River State Commissioner for Information; State Director of National Orientation Agency, Florence Osang; hundreds of telecom consumers, representatives of telecom service providers, the mass media, advocacy groups and security agencies.
Digital solutions provider, Globacom, has congratulated Christians in Nigeria on this year’s Easter celebration, and urged them to emulate the noble qualities of Jesus Christ.
The company, in a goodwill message to the Christian faithful in the country, lauded their perseverance through the Lenten period which preceded Easter. It enjoined them to always promote the ideals of selflessness, love and peace among all as a way of demonstrating the virtues of the exemplary life of Jesus Christ.
“Peace, love and sacrifice are the central message of Easter. Christ offered himself in atonement for the sins of the world and he lived a life which made Him an eternal symbol of peace and goodwill for mankind”, Globacom added.
The company enjoined all Nigerians to share in the lessons of promoting selflessness, a necessary ingredient in the growth and development of every society. It also enjoined all Nigerians to join hands to make Nigeria a better place for all.
Easter is celebrated yearly at the end of the Lenten season of fasting and prayer considered as a ritual of purification for the Christian faithful. It also precedes the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ on Good Friday and His eventual resurrection on Easter Sunday.
The company assured its customers of seamless voice, data and Short Messaging Service (SMS) during and after the Easter celebrations, while urging them to avail themselves of the various data and voice offerings on the network.
The Guild of Private Broadcast Managers has extended its heartfelt congratulations to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) as it celebrates its 70th Anniversary.
In a congratulatory message signed by the Guild’s National President, Ambassador Patrick Uzoyi-Peters, JP MNGRM, the guild described the milestone as a testament to the NUJ’s unwavering commitment to upholding press freedom, journalistic integrity, and the advancement of democracy in Nigeria.
“For seven decades, the NUJ has played a pivotal role in shaping the media landscape, advocating for the rights and welfare of journalists, and ensuring that the voice of the people remains strong and unyielding. Your resilience, professionalism, and dedication to ethical journalism have been instrumental in fostering transparency, accountability, and national development”.
Celebrating this historic achievement, the Guild’s President, Uzoyi-Peters recognized the sacrifices and contributions of journalists across the nation who work tirelessly to inform, educate, and empower society.
The Guild reiterated it commitment towards collaborating with the NUJ in promoting responsible journalism and strengthening the media industry for the greater good.
While wishing the NUJ continued success, growth, and greater impact in the years ahead, President Uzoyi-Peters prayed that the anniversary serve as a renewed call to uphold the principles of truth, fairness, and press freedom in our collective pursuit of a more informed and just society.
News
Family Marks one-year Memorial of Late APC Chieftain, Ojougboh with Charity Outreach
By Ikenna Oluka
The family of the late chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, led by his wife, Mrs. Bose Ojougboh, marked his one-year memorial anniversary with a series of charitable initiatives aimed at honoring his legacy of philanthropy and service to society.
The memorial activities included the donation of school books and bags to pupils of Erigbe Primary School, in Agbor within the Ika South Local Government Area (LGA) of Delta State, where Dr. Ojougboh had received his early education.
The outreach also included extension of financial assistance to patients at Central Hospital, Agbor, and the provision of toiletries, cash, and food items to children at the Salve Regina Children’s Home, Agbor.
The outreach was carried out under the ‘Dr. Cairo Ojougboh Foundation’, a family-led initiative established to immortalise him and continue his lifelong commitment to education, healthcare, and social welfare.
Speaking during the event which took place recently, Mrs. Ojougboh reaffirmed the family’s dedication to sustaining the ideals of the late APC chieftain, describing him as a man who strongly believed in education and giving back to society.
“We are here to celebrate the life of my husband, Late Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, who passed on a year ago. In his honour, we decided to give back to society. He was a man who valued education and was always willing to help others. It is only fitting that we continue his legacy through acts of generosity,” she stated.
Honouring his passion for education
The first visit was to Erigbe Primary School, where Dr. Ojougboh had received his early education. The Foundation distributed school bags, writing materials, and food packs to the pupils. The family encouraged the pupils to take their education seriously and strive to become responsible citizens.
Supporting patients at Central Hospital, Agbor
At Central Hospital, Agbor, Mrs. Ojougboh and her entourage moved through the medical wards, offering financial support to patients to assist with their treatment costs. The hospital staff and beneficiaries responded with prayers and words of gratitude for the kind gesture.
Reaching out to orphaned children
The outreach team also visited Salve Regina Children’s Home in Agbor where they donated cash, food items, and toiletries to the children.
The Matron of the home expressed her deep appreciation to the Ojougboh family, commending their commitment to sustaining the late politician’s legacy of compassion and social impact.
Dr. Cairo Ojougboh’s enduring legacy
Reflecting on her late husband’s contributions to society, Mrs. Ojougboh emphasised that his legacy of generosity and service to humanity would not be forgotten.
“Dr. Cairo was a selfless man who touched many lives. His contributions to the Nigerian political landscape, his mark in Agbor Kingdom, Delta State, and the country at large, will always be remembered. He may be gone, but his impact will continue to be felt for generations,” she said.
The Dr. Cairo Ojougboh Foundation has pledged to continue supporting education, healthcare, and social welfare initiatives in his memory, ensuring that his vision for a better society lives on.
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