Mr Tony Ojobo, immediate past Director of Public Affairs, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has described the growth in the telecommunication sector as enormous and a boost to the country’s economy.
Ojobo made this assertion at the Valedictory Session held in his honour by NCC on Monday in Abuja to mark his retirement from service .
He said that he was leaving the commission a fulfilled person haven witnessed the development that took place in the sector.
“Why I feel gratified is that from 0.04per cent teledensity when I joined this commission to about to about 162 per cent teledensity phenomenon growth.
Teledensity is the number of telephone connections for every 100 individuals living within an area and it varies widely across the country.
“From 450 active lines as at 2001 to about 162 million active lines today, all happened while I was in the commission.
“So for me, l left the commission fulfilled from a time when I worked in NITEL when people would have to wait for years, compared to now when people in 20 minutes can activate a line and is working.
“Seeing the e-Commerce space, seeing a situation where people do not need to queue in banks for transactions, which can be done on phone and that is the revolution , thank God it happened right before my eyes.
Ojobo, while expressing his gratitude to the media for assisting him in carrying out his duties effectively, said they have helped in showcasing the achievements of the commission to the world.
“I want to thank my constituency the media for extending their hand of fellowship to me in carrying out my duties.
On his part, Prof. Umar Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, described Ojobo as a hardworking and reliable partner of the commission.
Danbatta said that Ojobo was a committed and loyal image maker, who showcased the commission’s achievements to the world.
“I wish you the best of luck and you a leaving behind a vacuum that will take time to fill and I promise that NCC will leverage on your achievements.
Also, Mr Sunday Dare, Executive Commission Stakeholder Management, NCC, described Ojobo as a diligent person, who had worked tirelessly for the commission.
Ojobo joined NCC in 2000 as a Deputy Director in the office of former Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Dr Ernest Ndukwe, where he supervised the World Bank project and other institutional support the Commission had at the time in preparatory to licensing of digital mobile operators in 2001.
He later became a Deputy director in the Administration Department, headed licensing and zonal operations, Acting Director, support services and Director, human capital and infrastructure group from 2010-2012.
He was later redeployed to the Public Affairs Department as the Director Public Affairs in 2012. A position he held until he retired from the commission on October 5
