News

NCC Moves Against Non-Type Approved Devices, Threatens Sanction

Published

2 years ago

July 27, 2023

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has cautioned the Nigerian telecom consumers about the dangers of buying Non-Type Approved telecoms devices.

This is even as the Commission warned the dealers not to patronise devices that were not type Approved by the regulator in order not to sell substandard brands to their customers.

It listed such devices as cell phones, laptops and others, and warned that sanctions will be meted on any dealer caught in selling such substandard products.

The Non-type Approved devices are those telecom devices that are of substandard quality that are not approved by the industry regulator, the NCC.

Recall that the NCC has the statutory mandate as enshrined in the Nigerian Communications Act NCA (2003) to “Protect the rights and interests of consumers.

Speaking at the event, the NCC of Director Consumer Affairs Bureau, Mr. Akassim Umar gave the warning during a sensitization workshop organised for service consumers at the GMS Village in Abuja.

Umar, who was represented by Deputy Director Consumer Affairs Bureau, Dr. Emilia Nwokolo, listed some of the dangers of patronising Non-Type Approved devices such as: poor quality of service, short period of usage, regular repairs among others.

She therefore advised user to always look out for only Type A Approved devices before purchasing them. She also advised dealers to always insist on patronising only Type Approve devices by the NCC.

The commission also translated the message to the fractured pidgin as “Shey you know say damage dey if you sell/buy Non-type Approved Devices, as part of its efforts to take the message to the grassroot consumers.

Recall that the Commission in 2001 established the Consumer Affairs Bureau (CAB) with the Mandate to Protect, Inform and Educate (PIE) telecom consumers on their nights and privileges. The Bureau is the interface between telecom consumers and Service Providers.

Addressing journalist, Dr. Nwokolo said “as you know this is the GSM village and they deal with all these devices, phones, laptops and others. And the essence of coming here is to sensitise them on the danger of selling Non-Type approved devices. Normally in NCC, we approve the devices that can be sold in the Nigerian market because some of them are substandard, so we don’t want the substandard devices to be in circulation in the market.”

On how the consumers can identify the Non-type approved devices, Dr. Nwokolo said: “First of all before you bring in or buy telecoms devices, you have to seek approval from NCC so we have to check it and if it is okay, we go ahead and type approved it.”

She reminded them that, there is already a fine for those that will be caught selling Non-type approved devices, adding that there are departments in the NCC responsible for monitoring and enforcement of sanctions.

Following its consumer-centric initiatives, the NCC has provided toll free line-622 for consumers to contact the commission for Complaints/Enquiries. It is free of charge and available between 8:00am to 8:00pm daily except on Sundays and National Public Holidays.

Also speaking to reporters, Chairman of the Cell Phone and Accessories Dealers of the GMS Market, Macdonald Ugochukwu Ajuogu, said his union has a platform in the market whereby anybody that deals with any phone in the market is registered with the union.

He added that they also have a task force that always checks on every produced and services that is being offered in the market.

He said “So, if it happens that somebody is selling a product either phone or computer because we also have members that deal on computers, the task force always monitors the proper distribution of these goods in this market.

“So, if there is anybody that is found wanting, the task force will always confiscate their goods. Although sometimes some of our members always cut corners, trying to do one or two things, we always advise them not to deal on non-type approved phones or laptops in the market. We don’t call them non-type approved phones in this market; we call them ‘Chinco phones.’ So, we always advise them not to indulge in it, we want them to be sincere with their customers.

“We have a constitution that states that when you violate the standard you are either fined or you are suspended.”

Others traders who spoke lamented about poor quality of service and pleaded that NCC should intervene.

Responding, the NCC Director assured them that their complaint would be taken to the telecom service providers for prompt response.

She also urged them to take advantage of the NCC short code 622 to report any complaint that may arise in the course of receiving telecom services across the country.
VANGUARD

News

How I and Obey’s Son Escaped Getting Caught In Benin’s Coup —Dele Momodu

Published

13 hours ago

December 7, 2025

Editor

The 2011 presidential flagbearer of the National Conscience Party (NCP), Chief Dele Momodu has revealed how he and his entourage missed getting caught in Benin Republic’s coup on Sunday.

A group of military personnel in Benin on Sunday announced that they had ousted President Patrice Talon, who is due to step down next April after 10 years in power.

Soldiers calling themselves the “Military Committee for Refoundation” (CMR), said on state television that they had met and decided that “Mr Patrice Talon is removed from office as president of the republic”.

Reacting to the news via a post on his official X account, Momodu said he and his entourage would have been caught in Benin Republic’s coup if not for a missing document.

“OUR GOD DID THIS FOR US… My friend ROTIMI OBEY, the second son of legendary musician, CHIEF COMMANDER EBENEZER OBEY and I were to head out to Accra, Ghana, by road, this morning. All was set and ROTIMI went to bed early so that we can set out at 5am. But something went wrong,” he said.

“Before going to bed, I asked my driver for the originals of my car documents. He said he had only the copies with him. I searched the Home Office in Victoria Island but I couldn’t find it. I then went to the Penthouse in Ikoyi to check my other office. Still no luck. So , I called ROTIMI at 10:38 PM to give him the decision to fly instead of driving. He agreed.

“Meanwhile, my Beninese friend and mentee, ALEX DALMEIDA, was already in town waiting to accompany us through the French-speaking borders. So I called him at 23:02 last night to abort our road trip.

“I called PRECIOUS, my travel consultant, to check available flights. She got us tickets at 11:15PM. It was at the airport we received the news of the coup in Benin Republic… We barely missed it by the whiskers…”

Soldiers led by Lieutenant Pascal Tigri announced that they have taken over the country. They also suspended all political parties and announced the closure of land, sea and air borders.

Speaking further, Momodu expressed surprise at the coup attempt, saying: “Benin is one of West Africa’s most peaceful countries.

“The Benin’s President changed the constitution just last month to allow him extend his presidential term, this morning the military has overthrown him.”

Talon’s entourage has, however said that the Benin Republic President is safe and the army was regaining control.

Talon, a 67-year-old former businessman dubbed the “cotton king of Cotonou”, is due to hand over power in April next year after 10 years in office marked by solid economic growth but also a surge in jihadist violence.

West Africa has experienced a number of coups in recent years, including in Benin’s northern neighbours Niger and Burkina Faso, as well as Mali, Guinea and, most recently, Guinea-Bissau.

News

OAU Unveils Seven-foot Bronze Statue Of Chief Obafemi Awolowo

Published

20 hours ago

December 7, 2025

Editor

…Yemisi Shyllon, other dignitaries praise Awo’s commitment to humanity

A giant bronze statue of the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, was unveiled on Friday at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile Ife.

The statue, the worth of which was put at N120 million by the donor, has the sage dressed in his Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) attire. It is of a height of seven feet, which goes to 15 feet after the inclusion of the pedestal.

Speaking at the unveiling, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Adebayo Bamire, stated that the statue is a legacy project for the university.

Professor Bamire said the statue was a celebration of Chief Awolowo’s selfless service to humanity and expressed the appreciation of the university to the donor, Prince Yemisi Shyllon.

Prof Bamire noted that the life of Chief Awolowo should serve as a lesson for all to live for the good of the people.

“It is known that the soul of any civilisation, the very pulse of its humanity, beats strongest on its art, on its music, its literature, its visual splendour and its performances. This affirmation resonates with the Obafemi Awolowo University academic philosophy: ‘for learning and culture’—a culture of creativity and a creative culture.

“The donor of the statue, Prince Yemisi Shyllon, is a man whose name resonates across continents. He is Africa’s foremost art collector, an accomplished creative mind, a committed philanthropist of extraordinary vision and a relentless advocate for cultural advancement and one of the most remarkable cultural ambassadors of our time.

“For a university like ours, dedicated to the holistic development of mind and spirit, this example is a beacon. It reinforces our own commitment to ensuring that the sciences converge with the humanities, that innovation dances with tradition and that our graduates are as culturally literate as they are professionally skilled.

“This iconic piece will not only beautify our campus but also serve as a permanent cultural marker, reminding future generations of the ideals of leadership, service, excellence and intellectual courage upon which this university was founded,” the Vice Chancellor said.

Speaking, the donor of the statue, Prince Yemisi Shyllon, stated that the project was aimed at celebrating Papa Awolowo for living a purpose-driven life.

Prince Shyllon said conceiving the project and funding it was his own way of saying thank you to Chief Awolowo for the sterling leadership he gave his people and for showing what meaningful life meant.

“Indeed, many people solely focus on material wealth, such as having cars, building and buying properties, buying private jets, jewelries and the many other worthless and selfish illusions of life, that are generally not meaningful to the real essence of human life,” he said.

He added that Chief Awolowo would be remembered forever for living for what was right and just even as he listed some of the enduring legacies of the sage.

Prince Shyllon pointed at “free education in the old Western Region, and other landmark projects such as the Cocoa House, Western Nigeria Television, Liberty Stadium, industrial estates, farm settlements and the Obafemi Awolowo University, among others” as worthy legacies left behind by Chief Awolowo.

Shyllon noted that the sage was a man who could be best described as an example of a person who lived a “meaningful life.”

He added that Chief Awolowo lived his life planting seeds for generations while leaving his indelible footprints on the sands of time.

He charged all to live the kind of life that would make humanity remember them for something positive, “just as Papa Obafemi Awolowo, who died 38 years ago.”

He stressed that the Holy Qur’an and the Bible preach the act of showing love to the needy, adding that all should not give to the needy for the purpose of getting anything in return.

“Life is full of emptiness. Awolowo lived a meaningful, purpose-driven life and planted seeds through his various selfless services to humanity before his exit. That is why he is celebrated every day since he died 38 years ago,” he said.

In his remarks, Chairman, African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, publishers of the Tribune titles, and daughter of Chief Awolowo, Dr Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu, thanked Prince Shyllon for donating the statue.

She also appreciated the university for being receptive to the idea and for keeping the legacy of Chief Awolowo alive.

Ambassador Awolowo Dosumu, who was represented by the Editor, Saturday Tribune, Dr Lasisi Olagunju, noted that the project was a celebration of selfless service to the people which was what Chief Awolowo lived for.

“History is always there to reward selfless leadership and expose pretenders. We are here today in celebration of an uncommon man who died 38 years ago. This honour, this statue is a demonstration of what immortality means.

“Chief Awolowo gave his very best in the service of the people. We appreciate the donor, Prince Yemisi Shyllon, for the gesture and also appreciate the university for giving the right space for the erection of the statue. Good life is about services; what we are celebrating today is history’s reward for Chief Awolowo’s selflessness.

“Papa was one leader who believed that service to the people is a rent paid for the space we occupy in this world. The Awolowo family appreciates this monument and thanks the donor and the sculptor for doing a great job,” he said.

He urged students of the institution to learn from the life lived by Chief Awolowo and rededicate themselves to noble causes.

At the ceremony were principal officers of the university and other dignitaries, including Senator Babafemi Ojudu, who also said positive things about Chief Awolowo and the leadership he gave the Nigerian people.
(TRIBUNE)

News

FULL LIST: FG Selects 20 Content Creators For Tax Reform Education

Published

20 hours ago

December 7, 2025

Editor

The Federal Government has released a list of 20 content creators selected to support public education on Nigeria’s ongoing tax reforms.

The Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee issued the announcement, which was posted on Thursday by its chairman, Taiwo Oyedele, on X.

The list, titled “Top 20 Content Creators for Tax Reform Education,” was shared after the organisers received 8,591 nominations covering more than 200 creators.

The organisers said the selected creators will attend a special training session designed to deepen their understanding of the new tax laws so they can share clearer and more balanced information with their audiences.

They encouraged Nigerians to tag any creator on the list and ask them to confirm their interest by completing the acceptance form.

“If your favourite creator is on the list, tag or mention them and ask them to confirm their interest by completing this form: forms.gle/Ph49kSE4okDf6g….

“Deadline for acceptance is Monday, 8 December 2025.

“Tell us the areas of interest and key issues you’d like the training to focus on in the comments section.”

According to the announcement, the creators were ranked by their followership across major platforms. The top 20 include:

1. Financial Jennifer

2. Onlinebanker

3. Don Aza

4. Mary Efombruh

5. Baba Ogbon Awon Agba International

6. Perpetual Badejo

7. Personalfinancegirl

8. Tomi Akinwale

9. Emeka Ayogu