MTN bows to pressure, agrees to pay N1.04trn fine

While pleading for staggered payment model, MTN has finally bowed to pressure as it has accepted to pay the N1.04 trillion fine slammed on it last week by the telecoms regulatory authority, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

Accordingly, the telecoms operator was fine for violating its directive on SIM deactivation.

This follows series of meeting held between MTN management team from South Africa and Nigeria with the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

The telecoms operator which has largest subscriber base in Nigeria, it was gathered, may have agreed to pay the fine to sustain the interest of its telecoms business.

Industry sources who confirmed the new arrangement, disclosed that the federal government is already yielding to the plea, which according to him, was part of the agreement reached at the series of meeting held at the weekend in Nigeria.

“There have been series of meeting at the Presidency between the Vice President Osinbajo and MTN team both from South Africa and the Nigerian arm. MTN wanted a waiver considering their level of investments in the country, but government did not buy the idea of waiver. Instead, I think there will be concession, but certainly not a waiver. At the conclusion of the meeting, the MTN people negotiated on how to stagger the payment. The Presidency is even angry because MTN was a signatory to the regulation, but they are failing to comply with rules.”, the source added.

It would be recalled that NCC had said that MTN would not escape the fine, owing to the enormity of its implication to national security.

Although NCC had hinted that the issue is being handled by the federal government, the telecoms authority also noted that MTN would risk withdrawal of its licence if its fails to comply with the fine.

Even with the widespread calls for the intervention of the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), on the N1.04 trillion fine, Chief Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), had last week called on the NSA not to intervene in the matter, adding that NCC regulation must take its course.

NCC said it had consistently engaged Mobile Network Operators, (MNOs) to strictly adhere to the regulations and its business rules in the registration of their subscribers.

Following several engagements, the Commission had confirmed various cases of violations of the regulations and sanctioned appropriately.

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“I did it because I didn't have a choice" Story of a Self-Made woman

They say the secret of men, or in this case a woman, is in their stories. Read Chinwe's story and see if you can share yours too…

"I had thought that being a graduate would mean all my worries were over, but to my surprise it was as though jobs were running from me. Just when I was about to give up, an old friend recommended me for a job; to replace her colleague who was going on leave. I was hungry to make it, and determined to prove to people that I could be something after all. My employers saw it in me - the career drive that can send an innocent lady to do anything possible - and that’s how I felt.

Now it dawns on me that although I had risen in my career, I feel like I've fallen so low.

I didn’t have a choice- it was either that… or nothing. “You have to go the extra mile to get more out of life”, my boss used to tell me. Other times he would say “sacrifices are part of business… prove to me you are worthy of this promotion; that you can do anything, no matter what it takes, to get what you want.”

He never cared about the repercussions as he saw us as tools that can be sent out and used all because of an extra client in his pocket. I simply couldn’t see it, as I was blinded by pressure and the desire to prove myself.  Sometimes I would return home with tears in my eyes, unable to let people know what I went through to get to where I was. That’s how my life has been. I had to grow, I had to be relevant, I had to do it because I didn’t have a choice.”

That’s all she said before she was overcome with tears- you wouldn’t need a soothsayer to tell you sexual harassment is more prevalent than you can possibly imagine. Chinwe’s story echoes the experiences of several others who are taken advantage of at work just because they are women and are desperate.

This why the SBA Group is organising a conference titled Sexual Harassment in Sales; seeking to answer the question - “Is the Nigerian Business Environments Conducive for Nigerian Female Professionals?

With renowned Keynote Speaker FolukeDaramola, who is a top filmmaker and activist and founder of 'Passion Against Rape in Africa' (PARA), a PAN World Global rape foundation aimed at fighting rape in Africa andPanellists carefully selected from the professional and business sectors, the conference would be one of it’s kind.

The conference is planned as a forum for discussions with professional women, providing them a platform to interact and share their experiences and survival tactics in a very demanding world. Another objective is to provide support for vulnerable female professionals. It would be an excellent networking opportunity for all delegates.

Participation fee is NGN10,000 (Ten Thousand Naira).

If you’re ready to join the cause, let’s hear your story and contribution… Don’t underestimate what it can do!

Contact

SegunAkande: 07036695005

Joseph Edgar 08051000195

Twitter: @Shconference

Facebook: Sexual Harassment Conference

Julius Agwu Opens A Christian Night Club In Lagos

 

 

“It’s God’s calling. God spoke to me do it. We have unbelievers going to clubs, popping champagne and all that, so we want to have a club where believers can hangout too and pop nonalcoholic drinks.  It’s basically an assignment from God. The club is located at Lekki and we are taking it everywhere. God also told me to raise young ambassadors that will fight his battle” he said.

He also told NET he is now on a mission to bring people back to Christ. Hear him,

 

“I was recently declared dead. I realized that I actually died but God brought me back. He is giving me a second chance and people rarely get this opportunity of having a second chance.

 

“He saved my life and I have decided to dedicate my life to him. I have a Christian group now called CEO, Christian Entertainers Outreach through which we will bring back many people who devil has taken away” he said.