NYSC boss commends Etisalat on youth support

•As telco picks City People award

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has commended the nation’s fifth Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) operator, Etisalat Nigeria, for its support and contribution towards the successful completion of the orientation camp for the 2009 Batch ‘A’ corps members deployed to Lagos state.

This came as Etisalat was pronounced the most creative advert of the year at the City People awards.

The Lagos State Coordinator, NYSC, Mr. Anthony Ani, made this commendation at a welcome party for the youth corps members.

“Sponsorship has gone a long way in the realization of some of the objectives of the orientation course. It is therefore, our hope that this partnership will be sustained for the benefit of our corps members and the nation at large,” he said.

Chief Marketing Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Wael Ammar, noted that Etisalat’s decision to sponsor the welcome party is in keeping with a commitment to youth development and to encourage government agencies such as NYSC achieve their given objectives.

He also said that as a responsible corporate organization, Etisalat intends to variously exploit all reasonable avenues to demonstrate that apart from providing world-class telephony service to Nigerians, it is committed to initiating activities that will advance the various aspirations of Nigerians youth and harness their potentials.

ITRealms Online recalls that Etisalat had hosted the 2009 Batch ‘A’ corps members to a welcome party in its desire to endear the brand to the Nigerian youth and hold its own in the youth segment of the Nigerian telecoms market.

The evening provided an opportunity for corps members to take part in a talent hunt where some of them won prizes such as phones, recharge cards, Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) packs to name a few.

Many others also went away with Etisalat branded prizes.

The welcome party witnessed scintillating performances by artistes led by Nigeria’s fast rising hip hop sensation, Banky W. and DJ Zeez as well as FreeWindz and Stainless Orville.

Noteworthy is that Etisalat also recently sponsored the 4th edition of the Annual Students Trade Fair which climaxed with a musical concert at the University of Lagos.

In a related development, Etisalat recently won the ‘Most Creative Advert of the Year’ award in the City People Awards for Excellence organised by City People Media Group.

The award was presented at its 12th edition held at the City People Marque, Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos.

The recent award is in recognition of the company’s riveting 0809ja campaign which captured the minds of Nigerians shortly after Etisalat commenced operation in October 2008.

The City People Awards for excellence ceremony is one of the most recognized award ceremonies in Nigeria and has been held for the past 12 years to reward and celebrate worthy Nigerian companies and individuals who excel in their areas of endeavor yearly.

According to the publisher of City people Magazine, Mr. Seye Kehinde, “Etisalat won the award for its absorbing 0809ja advert, which showed apt creativity and a message that was well delivered. It is creativity that deserves to be rewarded and we are glad to be able to recognize Etisalat for the brilliant campaign.”

In his response, Director Brands and Communications, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Olayinka Akande, noted that the award shows that the company’s message is well received by the public.

“This award reflects the innovative quality of the brand and shows that Etisalat is a network to be reckoned with. Our innovative products are a pleasure to our teeming subscribers, “ he declared.

Late last year Etisalat also won City People’s Most Innovative Telecom Product of the Year Award, following the introduction of its 0809uchoose campaign, which gave Nigerians opportunity to choose numbers dear to them.

On the international scene, the company has been the recipient of several accolades including the Best Customer, Best International Carrier and Best India deal among others.

Etisalat is currently the fastest growing Telecommunications Company in the world with an aggregate of over 74 million subscribers across Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Known for innovative products and services, the network boasts of features like Home zone, Receiver Pays, Missed Calls Notification and Recharge Others amongst others.


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