NCC sympathises with family of late Ahmed Joda, ex-Board Chairman

*The Board, Management and staff of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) commend his virtues and leading role in the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) revolution in the country

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

The Board, Management and Staff of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) have commiserated with the family of late Alhaji Ahmed Joda, former Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the telecoms regulatory Commission.

Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, Director of Public Affairs at NCC, in a statement issued August 14, 2021, in Abuja, FCT, said Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice-Chairman (EVC) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NCC, in a condolence letter Friday, on behalf of the Board, Management and Staff of the Commission, describes the demise of late Joda, OFR, CON, CFR, as an irreparable loss to the entire country.

NCC Headquarters in Abuja, FCT

The erstwhile Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of NCC died Friday, Agust 13, 2021, at age 91.

While extolling the deceased’s virtues, Prof. Danbatta observed that Joda was “a nation builder, consummate statesman, administrator par excellence, dedicated philanthropist, egalitarian patriot, fountain of inspiration, honest and hardworking person during his lifetime.”

The statement further quoted the NCC EVC as saying that late Joda “will, indeed, be remembered by all Nigerians, particularly the staff of the Commission and the people of Adamawa State.”

The Commission will remember the legacy and foundation Joda laid as the Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission for a decade, and “how he led in setting the tone for the exponential growth in telecommunications service provision in Nigeria and Africa as a whole,” said Danbatta.

He also noted in the letter: “Our thoughts and sympathy are with the entire family at this grieving period, while we pray for his soul to continue to rest in perfect peace.

“May the Almighty Allah grant him Jannatul firdaus and also give the entire family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.

“Please accept our most heartfelt condolences.”

Alhaji Joda, born in Yola, Adamawa State, in 1930, was a retired first-class administrator and Federal Permanent Secretary, who served as the Chairman of Board of Commissioners of NCC for 10 years, commencing from 2001 when the commercial launch of Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) service started in Nigeria.

The NCC noted the Board, under Joda’s 10-year Chairmanship, set the tone and foundation for the digital revolution in the country, which has positioned the sector as a major contributor and enabler to overall socio-economic and political transformation in the country till date.

Late Joda was recipient of multiple national and international honours and other prestigious awards, recognising his outstanding performance and contribution to the development of Nigeria, the statement added.