society
Glo @ 19: Celebrating An Indigenous African Brand
Glo @ 19: Celebrating An Indigenous African Brand
By Lanre Alfred
A lot has changed in the telecoms industry since Globacom was birthed in 2003. As it counts down to its 19th anniversary in a few days, the company and its founder, Dr. Mike Adenuga, Jnr, can look back on their chequered and storied journey and give themselves a robust pat on the back, writes Lanre Alfred
Indeed, few magnates refine the merchant tropes of endeavour, like Dr. Mike Adenuga Jnr. Through grit and hard work, he built his octopoidal conglomerate that employs thousands of Nigerians nay Africans in profitable, futuristic endeavours. If Adenuga’s story reads like a business legend, it is probably because he has always been an enterprise stylist.
Adept at combining grit with desire, his life espouses crucial entrepreneurial anecdotes by its metaphor-rich manifestations of his hard work.
At work and at play, Adenuga shifts gear seamlessly between the whimsical and the earnest, demonstrating time and over again his ability to tame challenges and ride out storms – without falling prey to Scylla and Charybdis of cynicism and failure. All in pursuit of glory.
He symbolises the African enterprising spirit of passion, unalloyed commitment, resilience and hard work. Thus he is today one of the most recognisable names on the African continent; sitting atop what is arguably one of the continent’s largest business empires.
When It All Began
Age 19 is not a landmark anniversary that calls for a rousing celebration. It is, however, for Globacom, Nigeria’s first indigenous telecommunications network, a resounding testament and poignant reminder of its sheer survival skills, tenacity, innovativeness, and resilience in the treacherous Nigerian economy. The company and its founder, Adenuga, have survived several tempests and trials – a hostile economy, harsh government policies, and deliberate witch-hunt, among others – to remain a formidable telecommunications provider.
In the beginning, MTN and Econet Wireless (now known as Airtel) were owned by South African and Zimbabwean businessmen respectively, with vast capital bases. They had operated for two years before Globacom launched, meaning that they had a head start and presumably had already consolidated their hold on the Nigerian market. Then, it was prestigious and elitist to own a mobile phone because a SIM card cost as much as N40,000 while calls were charged at N50 per minute irrespective of the number of seconds the call lasted. The incidence of call-drop was equally very high.
Nigerians were at the mercy of the operators. Not even the government could come to the rescue of its people. To compound the predicament of phone users, the promoters of MTN and Econet told Nigerians with stone-cold remorselessness that Per Second Billing, which was the norm in other countries of the world, was not feasible in Nigeria. They had a field day milking Nigerians. More so, there was no competition. What could have passed as the competition was the federal government-owned MTEL, which would soon gurgle and burp to its demise.
Breaking New Grounds in Mobile Telephony
Adenuga had declared then that the vision of Globacom is to build the biggest and best network in Africa. The company launched with all guns blazing. Soon, Globacom crashed the price of SIM cards – selling at N500. Nigerians were stupefied; oblivious that there was more where that came from. Then, it introduced the Per Second Billing, which MTN and Econet had claimed was impossible for the Nigerian market. This move by Globacom would force the other telecom operators to also introduce the PSB. Consequently, this began the revolution that made mobile telephony not just an exclusive preserve of the privileged and well-heeled but, a necessity for Nigerians of all ages from the North to the South and everywhere in between. Globacom, a Proudly Nigerian company with the well-being of Nigerians as the core of its business principle, had come to stay.
From its early days, Globacom had always defied market odds to delight Nigerians. The company launched a slew of futuristic products and services such as being the first to offer 2.5G when others were on 2G, MMS, international SMS connectivity to over 804 networks in 174 countries, BlackBerry solutions, international prepaid roaming, voice SMS, personal ringback tunes, and Magicplus.
In 2010, the company stupefied Africa when it launched the Glo 1 submarine cable, a 9,800km cable stretching from the UK across West Africa with landing points in Nigeria, London, and Lisbon, and connecting different countries to the rest of the world. It was launched to provide tonnes of terabytes of data per second to West Africa and many European cities. In addition to boosting the provision of services to telecom end-users, the facility is currently providing much-needed connectivity to vital sectors of the economy such as oil and gas, manufacturing, banking, commerce, education, and health among others.
In recent years, Globacom has played a major role in the country’s march to a digital future by introducing a range of customised and community-driven voice and data connectivity solutions that help to manage complex networking systems. Globacom also provides secured as well as virtualised IT solutions such as E-Health, Smart Cognitive Learning, Smart Energy, Industrial IoT, and Cloud Applications.
These solutions are particularly useful for collaborations, device management, workgroup storage, and information security among others. Its fixed connectivity and voice products such as Boost and Next Generation Bandwidth-on-Demand connectivity, SIP-based voice trunk, and telephony, further enhance the company’s capacity to deliver advanced connectivity and fixed voice solutions to medium and large enterprises, large wholesale carriers, and ISPs in Nigeria and Africa.
In the last two years, Globacom has been carrying out an aggressive roll-out of network equipment and upgrade of its sites to 4G-LTE. This is intended to offer a high-speed and quality data experience to millions of Nigerians on the Glo network. The process covers the entire scope of telecoms infrastructure upgrade from the core network to access network, transmission and IP network, fibre network metro access and backbone infrastructure and passive equipment expansion like power and environment.
It also involves the rollout of new sites to increase network coverage in areas that need improvement and to also density and ease off already congested areas. This ultimately improves customers’ network experience and satisfaction in terms of service delivery, network quality, and coverage.
Upon completion of these projects, Globacom will have enhanced capacity to continue to provide world-class and high-grade voice, data and VAS services to its teeming customers in Nigeria as well as its numerous roaming customers in-bound Nigeria and out-bound in other countries.
How Glo Shapes Life with Powerful, Anecdotal Commercials
Globacom doesn’t just churn out television commercials to promote its brand and services; the telecoms giant ensures to produce inspiring and ingenious TVCs that portray and project Nigerians and Africans in good light and spur them to achieve their dreams. This has been done again with four new commercials.
Like Mozart’s peerless genius in classical music, Globacom is a leader by streets in setting the pace in producing inspiring and ingenious commercials that have become the high watermark by which other telecom operators are rated. Over the years, Globacom has, indeed, perfected the art of projecting the image of Nigeria and Africa, stoking the patriotic fire in citizens and motivating its teeming youth to reach beyond the stratosphere.
Globacom’s Investment in the Arts
The chairman’s love for the arts is intrinsic and invaluable. Perhaps after his passion for business, making money, and philanthropy, appreciation of the arts is next in line. The entertainment industry has featured prominently in Globacom’s Corporate Social Investment (CSI) initiatives on account of Adenuga’s passion for the industry.
Aside from direct financial commitments including massive sponsorships, Globacom currently retains the largest number of key players in the entertainment industry as brand ambassadors while upholding that by actively engaging these key entertainment drivers, they, in turn, can help to grow the sector and the economy. Many entertainers, both established and unheralded, have been blessed immeasurably by this love and patronage.
The Alliance Française, committed to promoting French culture and teaching French as a second language around the world, now has a more befitting building in a choice area of Lagos thanks to the Globacom boss. Since it was declared open to the public in April 2018, the centre, aptly named the Mike Adenuga Centre, has been commanding commendations from far and near; from art aficionados and artists and preeminent Nigerians.
Adenuga loves a good laugh and he loves to share happiness, which is why he has supported and sponsored many comedy shows ranging from Glo Lafta Fest, regarded as the biggest music, dance, and comedy event in Nigeria, which brings top-rated African comedians like Bovi, Salvador of Uganda, Basket Mouth, Gordons, I Go Dye, 2Cantok, Seyi Law and others together in one place for an evening of unlimited fun and laughter; Glo Slide and Bounce, a travelling music and dance show; and the Bovi man on Fire Lagos and Warri editions, among others.
Since it began operations in 2003, Globacom has made home-grown stars from the entertainment industry the faces (ambassadors) of its brand while making them worth their popularity in affluence and influence. At a time when entertainers were being paid peanuts for their artistry, Globacom upped the ante, dishing out millions of naira to their ambassadors, and helping them to live the life they only see in the movies or on MTV.
It had also provided massive platforms for Nigerian nay African entertainers to practice their trade through direct sponsorship of concerts such as Glo Campus Storm, Glo Rock ‘n’ Rule’; Glo Slide ‘n’ Bounce; Glo Laffta Fest; Glo Mega Music Nationwide Tour, Dance with Peter, Glo X-Factor, Glo Naija Sings and the popular sit-com, Professor Johnbull. The Glo Battle of the Year Nigeria, the world’s biggest dance reality television show brought to Nigeria by Globacom.
Like Entertainment, Like Sports
Like entertainment, sports also rank very high on the Corporate Social Responsibility activities and investments of Globacom. Over a decade ago, it took over the full sponsorship of the CAF African Footballer of the Year awards. Around the same time, the telecoms giant signed a sponsorship agreement with the Nigeria Football Federation thus becoming the official telecommunications partner and major sponsor of Nigerian national teams. Alongside this, it sponsors the Supporters’ Club in any part of the world where any of Nigeria’s national teams is competing.
*Oyo Teachers Hold Solemn Assembly, Pray for Peace, Security*
Teachers in Oyo State have been urged to be steadfast in prayers for the State Wing Executive Council of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and Oyo State.
The Chairman, NUT, Oyo State wing, Comrade Raji Oladimeji made the call on Thursday during a Solemn Assembly held at the Union’s headquarters in Ibadan.
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) holds an annual Solemn Assembly in Ibadan to commit the union’s activities, teachers’ welfare, and Oyo State into God’s hands through prayers led by Christian and Muslim clerics.
Comrade Oladimeji said the programme was designed to draw the leadership of the Union and the entire members closer to God, stressing that nothing was impossible with God.
Comrade Oladimeji said: “We pray to God to lead us, and to teach us what we need to know and what we need to do. We are here today to surrender our petitions to the Lord God. We believe He will hear us and our demands will come to pass”.
The NUT Chairman revealed that a lot was being done to improve the welfare of Oyo teachers, expressing confidence that Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration in improving on the welfare of teachers in the state.
He applauded relevant government agencies, such as Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, OYOSUBEB, Oyo State Post-Primary Teaching Service Commission, TESCOM, and the Ministry of Education for prioritising the welfare of teachers.
Oladimeji equally appreciated the National President, NUT, Com. Audu Titus Amba for his relentless advocacy for improved teacher welfare, and his efforts in ensuring better working conditions across the country.
He therefore charged the teachers to be role models to their pupils and students.
Oladimeji also emphasized the need for teachers to seek the face of God in their lives to be able to discharge their duties aright.
In their separate sermons, Pastor (Mrs) Margaret ‘Dayo Akinrinde, from the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG Oyo Province 2, Ibadan and Comrade Alh. Haroon Lawal, a retired Permanent Secretary likened teachers to a Shephard who dedicated much of His time to caring for His flock, further describing the teachers as the “shepherds of our generation”.
Consequently, the Union also donated welfare materials to teachers in the 33 local government areas of the State.
The items which include customized clothing materials and other items were distributed to NUT leaders for onward distribution to the teachers.
While distributing the items, the Chairman, Com. Raji Oladimeji informed members that the materials were given to appreciate the efforts that teachers have been putting into the education of students.
The event, which was attended by relevant authorities, and teachers from across the state, featured Quran and Bible readings, prayer session for the leadership of the NUT at all levels, for teachers across the country, for Union staff and for the entire workforce of Nigeria, amongst other prayer points.
PRESIDENT BOLA TINUBU AND GENERAL CHRISTOPHER MUSA: A NEW ERA OF SECURITY AND PROGRESS
By Prince Sunday Joshua Bako
President Bola Tinubu has made significant strides in addressing Nigeria’s security challenges since taking office, with notable important appointments and initiatives aimed at stabilizing the nation. One of his key important appointments is General Christopher Musa as the Minister of Defence, who has brought a wealth of experience and strategic thinking to the role.
General Musa, a seasoned military leader, hit the ground running, launching a series of bold operations to tackle the Boko Haram insurgency and other security threats. His approach has been characterized by speed, agility, and a deep understanding of the complexities of modern warfare.
In his first few months in office, General Musa has achieved significant milestones, including the liberation of over 1,500 hostages and the reclamation of strategic territories in Borra, as well as the introduction of mobile strike teams equipped with night-vision capabilities and armored vehicles.
The General established a dedicated Cyber Warfare Command to fortify Nigeria’s defenses against emerging threats, and introduced comprehensive health insurance for soldiers, covering combat-related injuries. Additionally, he has increased allowances for frontline troops by 20% in 2024, a move aimed at boosting morale and improving the welfare of security personnel.
President Tinubu has made historic and significant strides in addressing Nigeria’s security and economic challenges, implementing policies aimed at boosting growth and stability. His administration has launched initiatives to address banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism, and has invested in infrastructure projects to improve connectivity and economic development.
The headlines speak for themselves what it was during the last tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure and the giant strides we have made now under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and General Christopher Musa as Defence Minister.
1. Boko Haram Insurgency: 55 people killed in two raids near Maiduguri (2015)
2. Takum Taraba State Attack: 21 people killed (2015)
3. Agatu Massacre: Thousands displaced in Benue State (February 29, 2016)
4. Akure Cult Attack: 103 people killed (2017)
5. Ogbagi Akoko Bank Robbery: 20 people killed (2017)
6. Boko Haram Attack on Military Base: 66 personnel killed in Geidam (2018)
7. Kpanche Attack: 40 people killed in Kogi State (2018)
8. Izi Communal Clash: 85 people killed in Ebonyi State (April 2019)
9. Anguwan Aku Attack: 78 people killed in Kaduna State (April 2019)
10. Kankara Attack: 96 people killed in Katsina State (April 2019)
11. Safana, Dutsinma and Danmusa Attack: 67 people killed in Katsina State (2020)
12. Baga Convoy Attack: 30 people killed (2020)
13. Effium Attack: 14 people killed in Ebonyi State (2021)
14. Kurebe Ward Attack: 77 people killed in Niger State (February 2021)
15. Ebenebe Burial Attack: 20 people killed in Anambra State (February 26, 2022)
16. Owo Church Attack: 40 worshipers killed in Ondo State (June 5, 2022)
17. Aba Military Patrol Attack: unspecified number of Soldiers killed in Abia State (2022)
18. Niger State Terrorist Attack: Over 380 people killed (2022)
19. Ogun State Cult Violence: 8 people killed (2022)
20. Katsina Bandit Attack: 87 bandits killed (2022)
21. Northeast Nigeria Islamist Militant Attack: 340 people killed (2022)
22. Boko Haram-Related Violence: Over 5,000 fatalities (2016)
23. Herder-Farmer Clashes: 794 died in violence in middle belt region
24. Kidnapping: Growing industry flourished with high-profile cases
25. Niger Delta Militancy: Attacks on oil installations
26. Pro-Biafra Movement: Tensions and violence in southeast region
27. Islamist Insurgency: Thousands killed and displaced throughout northern Nigeria
28. Banditry: Increased attacks in northern Nigeria
29. Armed Robbery: historic threat to citizens
30. Cult Violence: Frequent attacks and killings during 8 years.
31. Terrorist Threats: US warns citizens in Nigeria to flee (2022)
32. Security Personnel Attacks: 238 police officers killed (2022)
33. Impeachment Attempts: Lawmakers try to remove Buhari (July 2022)
34. Boko Haram Amnesty Program: Controversy over government’s handling
35. Deradicalization Programs: Initiatives to reintegrate former militants who later rejoin insurgency
36. Operation Safe Corridor: Program to rehabilitate Boko Haram members end in controversy
37. National Counter Terrorism Strategy: Updated in 2016 failed
38. Military Campaigns: Operations against Boko Haram and other groups collapsed
39. International Cooperation: Support from US, UK, and other countries
40. Humanitarian Crisis: Displacement and economic impact
41. Economic Consequences: $100 billion disappeared or lost due to insecurity
42. Agricultural Impact: Farming disrupted in northeast and North West region
43. IDP Crisis: Over 4 million displaced
44. Security Budget: Increased spending with mixed results
45. Corruption Allegations: Questions over security fund management
46. Leadership Criticism: Analysts question Buhari’s approach
47. Ethnic and Religious Tensions: Ongoing conflicts
48. Porous Borders: Security challenges due to border control issues
49. Armed Groups: Rise of non-state actors
50. Civilian Casualties: High numbers reported throughout Buhari’s tenure
– Prince Sunday Joshua Bako Danborno is an All Progressive Congress Stalwart and Real Estate Merchant
society
King Of Knossos, His Imperial Royal Eminence Archbishop King Benny Terry Danson Received Allocades from UKA.
King Of Knossos, His Imperial Royal Eminence Archbishop King Benny Terry Danson Received Allocades from UKA.
His Imperial Royal Eminence Archbishop King Benny Terry Danson, President Of International Council of Archbishops And Bishops for Charismatic And Pentecostal Churches. A citizen of United Kingdom of Atlantis (UKA), King Of Knossos in Greece.
While he was installed as King of Knossos promised sustained development and a lasting legacy for the island kingdom, assuring citizens that his reign will bring “a lot of things” for the benefit of the people.
Pledges Development and Lasting legacy.
Adding that his administration would focus on building the island to his taste, driving growth and progress, stressed that his reign would harness the full potential of the Knossos Kingdom, promising to introduce new infrastructure, attract investment, and strengthen the kingdom’s socio-economic standing. “We stand to gain a lot of things because the king is going to build that island to his taste, bringing development, bringing a lot of things,” he said.
The monarch expressed confidence that his leadership would open opportunities for growth while upholding the traditions of the kingdom.
A visionary leader, King Benny Terry Danson brings decades of transformative leadership to the role. As King of Knossos, Greece, he spearheaded initiatives that:
– *Revolutionized infrastructure*, driving economic growth,
– *Attracted global investment*, boosting the kingdom’s profile,
– *Strengthened socio-economic standing*, uplifting citizens.
_“We stand to gain a lot of things because the king is going to build that island to his taste,”_ he declared, emphasizing growth with tradition. His leadership in Knossos serves as a model for the UKA’s aspirations.
As President of the International Council of Archbishops and Bishops for Charismatic and Pentecostal Churches, King Danson wields global spiritual influence, aligning faith with progress. He has:
– *Fostered interfaith dialogue*, promoting unity,
– *Championed humanitarian causes*, aiding vulnerable communities,
– *Guided spiritual growth*, inspiring millions worldwide.
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In a landmark royal decree, the Office of the Minister of Information & Culture of the United Kingdom of Atlantis (UKA) has announced the appointment of *His Imperial Royal Eminence, King Sir Benny Terry Danson*, as the _Acting Admin King_ of the UKA Throne. The nomination was issued through an official directive from the UKA Throne and is intended to pave the way for King Sir Benny Terry Danson’s eventual ascension to the title of *Official Emperor Admin* of the Throne, subject to the completion of necessary formal and constitutional processes.
The UKA Throne emphasized that the appointment underscores its unwavering commitment to *competence, dedication, and integrity* as the guiding principles for all administrative functions within the government structure. Officials stated that the decision is a strategic move to reinforce national leadership and accelerate the kingdom’s vision of becoming a more efficient, progressive, and unified nation.
The new Acting Admin King will oversee initiatives aimed at fostering sustainable growth, improving public service delivery, and promoting collective national development among citizens and followers of the UKA. The government expressed deep appreciation for the continuous love, loyalty, and support shown by the populace, noting that public engagement is essential for the kingdom’s shared prosperity and advancement.
Further details regarding the formalization of the appointment, including ceremonial schedules and administrative timelines, will be released to the public in due course through official communication channels.
*Report Highlights:*
– *Nominee:* King Sir Benny Terry Danson, Acting Admin King.
– *Objective:* Transition toward becoming Official Emperor Admin of the UKA Throne.
– *Focus:* Strengthening governance through competence, dedication, and integrity.
– *Impact:* Expected to drive national efficiency, progress, and unity.
– *Next Steps:* Official ceremonies and constitutional procedures to follow.
The United Kingdom of Atlantis (UKA) is a sovereign entity dedicated to fostering global unity, humanitarian progress, and financial innovation. It operates under a regal framework that blends imperial tradition with futuristic economic strategies, including asset-backed digital currencies and sustainable development programs.
Emperor Nobiliis Solomon Winning is a transformative leader of the United Kingdom of Atlantis, driving innovative projects in finance, humanitarian efforts, and global development. His reign focuses on merging traditional monarchical values with modern technological advancements, exemplified by initiatives like the ATC digital currency.
The United Kingdom of Atlantis looks forward to achieving new milestones in governance and global impact under the stewardship of Emperor Solomon Winning to His Imperial Royal Eminence Archbishop King Benny Terry Danson.
His Imperial Royal Eminence Archbishop King Benny Terry Danson has advised politicians contesting in the upcoming elections to maintain peace and ensure stability in the country.
In a statement, Archbishop Danson also appealed to the President of Nigeria to consider the plagi situation of citizens and ease the burden of fuel price hikes, which have led to soaring transportation costs and inflation ¹ ² ³.
“With the current fuel price hikes, Nigerians are facing unprecedented economic hardship. It’s imperative that the government takes immediate action to cushion the impact on citizens,” Archbishop Danson said.
The Archbishop’s call comes as petrol prices hit around ₦1,300 per litre, with diesel prices exceeding ₦1,500 per litre, sparking concerns of inflationary pressures and economic instability.
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