2021 BMR: Akande, Danbatta committed to next level of telecoms growth ─NCC

*The Nigerian Communications Commission, following the 2021 Board and Management Retreat (BMR), pledges to actualise its set objectives of delivering more effectively on its operational and regulatory obligations to develop the telecoms industry in the country

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

Sequel to the Commission’s three-day 2021 Board and Management Retreat (BMR), in Abuja, FCT, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has re-emphasised confidence of Management in the continuous support of its Board of Commissioners towards actualising the set targets and goals for advancing the growth of the telecoms industry.

ConsumerConnect reports after Prof. Danbatta’s declaration on actualising the next phase of the telecoms industry development, Prof. Adeolu Akande, Chairman of NCC Board of Commissioners, urged the Management ‘to go to the drawing table’ in ensuring the Commission is well-positioned to deliver on its mandates.

Prof. Osinubi; Prof. Abowei; Prof. Utomi; Prof. Akande; Linus Okorie; Prof. Danbatta; and Engr. Ubale Maska, Executive Commissioner of Technical Services at NCC

Prof. Akande stated this while speaking during the wrap-up ceremony of the strategic Retreat with the theme: ‘Expect More, Deliver Result’, which started Thursday, November 11, 2021, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, and ended Saturday, November 13.

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Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, Director of Public Affairs at NCC, in a statement issued at the weekend, said the Chairman also pledged that the NCC Board would work on issues that would help to strengthen the regulator towards delivering more effectively on its operational and regulatory obligations.

The NCC EVC/CEO expressed confidence in the leadership of the Board of the Commission, noting that the support of the Board has been invaluable in the accomplishments of the Commission.

A cross-section of NCC Senior Management Staff at 2021 BMR 

Prof. Danbatta said: “I must commend the Board of Commissioners under the chairmanship of Prof. Adeolu Akande for their support.

READ ALSO: NCC Holds Stakeholder Engagement Forum On 5G Spectrum Auction in Lagos

“From the first day of assuming office as NCC Chairman, Prof. Akande has demonstrated his commitment to work(ing) with the Management towards ensuring that NCC delivers its functions more efficiently and effectively.”

He further stated, that as an effective, efficient and independent regulatory agency of the Federal Government, the NCC has been consistent in living up to stakeholder expectations, and this is proven by the contribution of the telecoms sector to the national economy.

He noted: “Without the staunch support of the Board for the Management’s vision and mission, it would have been difficult for us to achieve our goals.

“Therefore, I commend the Board for providing the necessary policy directions required to drive management’s daily activities.”

Dr. Omoniyi Ibietan, Deputy Director of Public Affairs, NCC (right); and Mr. Kunle Azeez, Deputy Manager, Media Management 

Danbatta also appreciated the effective coordination of the 2021 BMR by the retreat consultants, led by Prof. Pat Utomi, in ensuring effective facilitation of proceedings, deliberations and brainstorming sessions at the forum.

The statement disclosed this year’s annual retreat of the NCC Board and Management was attended in-person and virtually, by Board Members and Senior Management Staff of the Commission.

READ ALSO: Telecoms Regulatory Instruments To Facilitate 5G Deployment, Tackle Insecurity In Nigeria ─NCC

It is noted the retreat followed the earlier unveiling of two key documents ─the Strategic Management Plan (SMP) 2020-2024, and the Strategic Vision Plan (SVP) 2021-2025.

The Commission as well explained “the SVP is a streamlined version of the SMP, and the SMP took life out of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (2020-2030), the National Broadband Plan (2020-2025) and the Federation Government’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan.

L-R: Stella Erebor, Head of Internal Audit; Grace Ojougboh, Head of Media and Public Relations; and Amina Shehu, Director, Zonal Operations at NCC

“The SVP, which has five central vision, also has three supporting documents, namely: implementation strategies and timelines; monitoring and evaluation framework; and implementation responsibility matrix.

“The objective of the SVP is to enhance regulatory focus and efficiency in the delivery of NCC’s mandate.”

According to Dr. Adinde, within this context, the Commission has focused this year’s retreat on taking account of remarkable successes recorded in the last one year, and how the Commission hopes to innovate its way toward addressing industry challenges for consolidation of the growth in the telecommunications sector in Nigeria.

After the three-day Retreat, the statement said an eight-point communique was read out as a synthesis of all the deliberations for submission to NCC Board and Management, to guide the regulatory activities of the Commission over the next one year.

The NCC stated: “Implementation of the communiqué is expected to birth a new lease of expectations and dedication towards making 2022 a more rewarding year innovation and growth for the telecom industry.

“Over the years the NCC, as a world-class regulatory agency, has held annual Board and Management retreats, affording it the opportunity to rejig its culture, processes and strategic objectives for enhanced operational efficiency and regulatory excellence.”

The telecoms sector regulatory Commission said except Barr. Adeleke Adewolu, Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management at NCC, who was on an unavoidable official assignment, the 2021 BMR was attended in-person by all other Commissioners and members of the Governing Board of the Commission.

These are Executive Commissioner Technical Services, Engr. Ubale Maska; Mr. Clement Baiye, Prof. Millionaire Abowei, Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu, Alhaji Abdulazeez Salman, and Chief Uche Onwude.

“All the Directors in the Commission and a few other Management staff also attended in-person while others participated virtually and actively,” the NCC stated.

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