MTN Drops Don Jazzy, Davido, Tiwa Savage As Ambassadors

 MTN has released a Press statement on its brand ambassadors for 2016-2017. The telecoms giant has dropped big names like Tiwa Savage and Don Jazzy and retained Tekno, Falz and Skales, thereby confirming ongoing speculations. 

The press statement release reads in part: “In line with its commitment to supporting Nigerian musicians by providing alternative platforms through which they can receive lucrative value for their intellectual property, MTN has announced brand ambassadors for 2016-2017.

“Music ambassadors for 2016-2017 are: Praiz (Praise Adejo); Iyanya (Iyanya Mbuk);Chidinma(Chidinma Ekile); Falz (Folarin Falana); Tekno Miles (Augustine Kelechi) andSkales (Raoul Njeng-Njeng)

“Four other ambassadors are – Saka, (Hafiz Oyetoro); Nedu (Steve Onu); Osuofia (NkemOwoh) and Adamu Zango.

Whatever the reason for dropping the big names, MTN is keeping it close to its chest.

MTN Executive, Amina Oyagbola said

“We specially thank all our former ambassadors for their immense contributions to building our brand and also making us the network of choice in Nigeria. We will definitely continue to maintain the strong and mutually beneficial relationship with them through the monetisation of their content on all our digital platforms – MTN Music+, CRBT and VAS.

MTN retained the services of some of its newly-signed brand ambassadors. These include like Falz, Skales and Tekno who are the faces of its youth segment proposition – MTN Pulse.

TELECOM COMPANIES BRING OUT CODE TO STOP UNSOLICITED SMS

Mobile network operators have created means by which subscribers can stop unsolicited messages from being sent to their phones. Etisalat recently sent tweets to its subscribers of the code which runs across all telcos.

This is in compliance with the Nigerian Communications Commissions (NCC) directive and June 30 deadline to telecommunication companies to create short-codes for subscribers who want to opt-out of unsolicited messages.

The short code is 2442 and the service is free and available to subscribers of all telecommunications companies. All you need to do is to text 'Help' to the short-code and your privacy is protected.

NCC, MTN Reach Agreement on Fine

The Nigerian Communications Comission (NCC) has reduced the N1.04 trillion fine imposed on telecommunications giant MTN to N330 billion. This was contained in a statement released by Tony Ojobo, Director of Public Affairs, NCC.

Following months of negotiations, the reduced sum also includes the N50 billion goodwill paid by MTN to the government. The balance will be paid in 6 tranches to the Federal Government. The agreement was signed on the 10th June 2016 and MTN is required to pay N30 billion Naira into NCC's account within 30 days of the date of the signature of the agreement

MTN is also required to tender an apology and take steps to list on the Nigerian Stock Exchange soon.

MTN FINE: FG SUSPENDS NEGOTIATIONS

Nigeria has allegedly put negotiations with MTN on hold over the record US$3.9billion fine imposed on it pending the outcome of an investigation by the House of Representatives.

According to Bloomberg, Spokesman of the Communications ministry, Victor Oluwadamilare said that until the lawmakers “are through with their investigation, nothing can be done.”

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) imposed a $5.2billion fine (reduced to $3.9billion) against MTN Nigeria last year for failing to disconnect more than 5million unregistered SIM cards.

MTN will hold its annual general meeting of shareholders on Wednesday afternoon, where the interim Executive Chairman, Phuthuma Nhleko, is expected to provide an update of developments not only in Nigeria but across the group, which operates in 22 countries across the Middle East and Africa.

MTN’s share price has fallen by 43 per cent year-on-year as a result of impact of the fine.