Obasanjo Chronicles  Nigeria’s Telecom Success Story at  Dayo Oketola’s Book Launch

He hinted at this at a book launch (The Catalyst: Nigerian ICT Evolution Through a Journalist’s Lens) cum Exaugural lecture of the ex-Punch Editor, Dayo Oketola, at the Shell Hall, Muson Centre Lagos where he was a special guest of honor.

Chief Obasanjo said the historical evolution of ICT and telecommunication in Nigeria is a turning point in the history of Nigeria. He recognizes MTN, Glo, the defunct Econet, later turned Airtel and mobile as front liners in the industry.

The Elder statesman who had to branch off from the momentous celebration of the 102nd birthday of Augustine Neto the Angolan ex-president said before the breakthrough birthing the telecommunications revolution in the country several efforts and all avenues explored could not address the challenge of communication of Nigerians, as Nigerians still found it difficult to communicate effectively with people abroad.

Obasanjo stressed that the telecommunication industry which  could been undervalued for a meager amount of  $ 3 million, was rescued through ingenuity, competition, effective policy, and sincerity of purpose enabling  the the government to rake in the whopping sum of $280million for the federal government of Nigeria

His words; “Let me start by saying that I have to make my way here from 102nd by the Angolan Embassy to celebrate Augustine Neto’s 102th Birthday today. And of course, as you know I have a bit of interaction with him.

At the same time, I have an invitation from  President Museveni Tibuhaburwa of Uganda by 8:am tomorrow and my flight is scheduled for 2:00 pm today.

“But let me quickly congratulate you and like I was just asking you now about some details about the book. Although  I have not read the book, I am privy to the story about the telecommunication industry in Nigeria.

“The story of the Telecommunication industry, particularly the mobile, is a very interesting one. We had all sorts of companies; from America, France, and even from Britain and with all this effort we did not get more than 500, 000 lines and our people had to queue at the telephone kiosk to call their loved ones abroad.

“And then came the mobile telephone era, and when it came my predecessor was trying to give away for $ 3 million and then we said what we would do is to auction it to anybody interested in the industry. In the process, there are three that came in and think the government later made the sum of $280,000,000 for what would have been taken away for $ 3 million.

“Not only that, we achieve competition, there are three companies and the three of them are competing. Of course, the one which has the upper hand in terms of spread, I think MTN came first followed by Glo and ECONET which later became Airtel. And then later on we have Etisalat.

Also speaking, Mr. Micheal Ikpoki, former Chief Executive, MTN Nigeria, who also doubles as the chairman of the occasion, noted that the author Dayo Oketola could not have come up with a better title given his profound, depth, and working knowledge of the industry he wrote about.

He noted that the success recorded in Nigeria’s Information Communication Technology was a combination of the pursuit of a vision, the right kind of policy, investors’ contribution, and the right regulatory environment.

“Permit me to make a few comments, being an industry person myself, and I think the first point I want to make is talking about the book itself.

The book is titled “The Catalyst: Nigerian ICT Evolution Through a Journalist’s Lens”, so on my way here I tried to check what a catalyst presupposes. catalyst is any event or series of events or persons that causes or precipitates a change that is what the catalyst means, I don’t think Dayo would come up with a better title to talk about the ICT industry in Nigeria because indeed from 2001 right from the digital mobile option it has been a catalyst for economic development in Nigeria.

Ikpoki said “The ICT sector I think is a result of a vision, the right kind of policy and regulatory environment, and also being able to attract the right kind of investors. Today we talk about catalysts, I think one catalyst we must recognize even though he is not here yet, my definition of a catalyst also includes a person, the visionary around the ICT revolution today I think it started between 1999- 2000. As such I think we must recognize  our special guest of honor President Olusegun Obasanjo for his foresight because  at the time I happened to have been working with NCC and I know the vision and the rigor that went into it”

“The Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC), also provides the right framework and enables us to build this industry today. Another critical aspect is the investment, and we have seen investment in this sector as at the last count we are looking at about over $70 million of investment in this sector creating over 500, 000 jobs but I think that is not telling the full story because the ICT industry is an enabler for the rest of the economy.

“The ICT sector provides the infrastructure that has powered other sectors of the Economy so what we are doing here today is to listen to the story from the lens of a journalist about the evolution of this industry. It is very very significant. What has happened in the ICT industry is an example of the right vision, the right policies, and the right investment. I know we are very cynical in Nigeria these days but I think this is a story we must all relate to over and over again because I believe we can still repeat the same outstanding feats in the ICT sector in another aspect of the economy.

The book launch and exaugural lecture also have in attendance Reverend Mother Esther Ajayi, Founder of Love of Christ Generation Church, Reverend Mother Esther Ajayi the congratulated the former editor of the Punch Newspaper Limited Dayo Oketola, and charged attendees to make it a point of duty to put their thoughts in the book as that would stand as their legacy in the future.

“Like I always tell my members, I want to say this to you, whatever it will cost you, write at least a book. Let the world know why you are doing what you are doing, if  you are a teacher or caterer let the world know about your work whatever profession you have chosen for yourselves it is part of your legacy.”

She noted that being a journalist is enough writing, but sitting down to write a book of significance is an additional task in and of itself. so I say well done to the Author and congratulations. And for the situation of our country, God will turn it around in Jesus’ name.

“I want to congratulate the Author Dayo Oketola for this timely book, I am a writer of books myself, but what does the word of God say about writing? let us see what the word says in the book of Habakkuk chapter 2 Vs 2 “It says write down the vision those that read it will run.

I have written about four books already  and I  still have three books in the Pipeline so I know how easy I don’t want to say difficult  it could be to put one’s thought down.”

Meanwhile, Gbenga Omotoso, the  Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, who represented the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwolu noted the Governor was glad to be associated with the gathering and activities surrounding the book launch.

Chief Olusegun Obasanjo however charged the leadership of Nigeria to create an enabling environment capable of attracting development in Nigeria.

The money to develop Nigeria is out there, but it will not come in unless we create a conducive atmosphere to attract it. Once Again I congratulate you on this milestone.  If the story I have related exemplifies what you captured in your book, then it would be an object lens for others to see.

For me what made Nigeria an enviable country in the past is still there and Nigeria’s position of authority and influence can still be attained only if we put ourselves together and we show the understanding and the knowledge that will be needed to make this country a great country.