By SAMSON AKINTARO
With eyes set on a better developed and improved Nigerian telecommunications industry, the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) is set to roll out the drums to celebrate 21 years of advocacy that has led to numerous positive changes in the Nigerian telecom landscape.
The anniversary event slated for October 30 at the Eko Hotel will also be used to chart the way forward and set new targets for the telecom industry having achieved over 100 per cent teledensity.
Announcing the anniversary plans at a media conference in Lagos, the association’s President, Engr. Lanre Ajayi, noted that the journey of the last 21 years had been so eventful for the Nigerian telecommunications industry with ATCON as the umbrella body of all telecommunications companies playing pivotal roles. “ATCON has been in the forefront of policy advocacy for the industry and has engaged all stakeholders, including the government, for the promotion of a sustainable business environment for investors and practitioners in the industry,” he said.
According to him, “the journey so far has not been a fairy tale, but we have been able to create a measure of impact in our collective efforts and have been able to develop an industry, which is considered a very vital economic sector and contributing significantly to the country’s GDP. The result of all these efforts is the impressive performance of the industry today, which is visible for all to see. And for that, the Association has decided to take time out to celebrate our successes, evaluate its achievements and that of the industry and make projections for the future through celebration.”
Programmes already outlined for the anniversary include an anniversary lecture, which the Association said would be delivered by a very distinguished personality yet to be named. The event will also be used to recognise and appreciate, through awards, industry players who have in one way or the other distinguished themselves in their personal and corporate contributions towards the rapid development of the Nigerian telecommunications industry. “The award is to recognise outstanding efforts of our telecommunications space as well as the overall development of the sector. In the years ahead, ATCON will ensure that more and more people who have helped in the growth of our industry will be identified and accorded the necessary recognition and honour, which they rightly deserve,” the ATCON President said.
To further strengthen its advocacy towards the growth of the industry, ATCON said it will also during the anniversary inaugurate National Telecoms Advisory Council, which will be an assembly of very important personalities with great accomplishments in telecommunications, who shall be advising the ATCON National Executive Council (NEC) on appropriate policy issues to advocate for and other matters that advance the course of the industry.
Also speaking, the Anniversary Committee Chairman who is also the Vice President of the Association, Mr Tony Nwosu, said the Association would also use the opportunity of the anniversary to launch its Code of Ethics, which had been approved by members of the association as the standard by which they would be expected to adhere in the practice of their profession and in the conduct of their businesses.