SNO gets Udenwa’s applause, presents 30,000 free SIMs to Imo workers

Imo State Governor, Chief Achike Udenwa has a lauded the Second National Operator (SNO), Globacom, for making its lines affordable even as it has propelled a revolution in the communication industry.

This is coming as the SNO gave away 30,000 Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards free to the Imo State servants. 

Speaking at the presentation of 30,000 free Glo Mobile SIMs to all the employees of the Imo State Government in Owerri, Chief Udenwa commended the commitment of Globacom’s chairman, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jnr, to increase the access of Nigerians to effective communication.

The governor also launched the Call Telephone Operators’ (CTO) scheme for the state, a joint project between Globacom and the Imo State government to eradicate poverty in the state.

He said that about 1000 youths of the state will initially be involved in selling recharge cards and running call centers. 

“This will not only boost employment in the state but also spread the gospel of telecommunication throughout the 27 local government areas of our state”, he said.

Noting that he had been assured by Dr. Adenuga that Globacom services will be extended to all the local government areas in the state within the next six months.

The Director of Communications of Globacom, Mr. Joachim Atunwa, said the CTO scheme was a major initiative by Globacom to create jobs for hundreds of thousands of unemployed Nigerian youths.

“Under the first phase of this joint project with the Imo State Government, we shall handover 1,000 Profit Max Plus lines, 1000 handsets, 1000 Glo branded tables, 2000 chairs, 1000 parasols and N4 million worth of recharge cards to the state government for distribution to the beneficiaries.

Mr. Atunwa also commended the state government for fulfilling its financial obligation to the first phase of the project.
Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Globacom, Mr. Mohammed Jameel, later presented a copy of the telephone directory and a SIM pack to the governor.

The ceremony was attended by the chairman of the state Civil Service Commission, the Head of the State Civil Service, the Ozuruigbo of Owerri, Eze Emmanuel Njemanze, council chairmen, permanent secretaries, directors and other civil servants.

ITRealms recalls that the launch of the free access SIM in Imo state is the second by Globacom, having launched a similar scheme in Bauchi State last month.

The SNO which launched its operations in August 2003, has also commenced the CTO scheme in over 10 states and formed partnerships with the NDDC, NAPEP and SDPC in an elaborate effort to eradicate poverty from Nigeria.