In keeping with the spirit and programmatic map of the Declaration of 2017 as Year of the Nigerian Telecom Consumer by the Management of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the Ibadan Zonal Office (IBZO) of the Commission recently held the maiden edition of the Consumer Conversation series at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso.
The Conversation, instituted by NCC to inform and educate telecom consumers about their rights and privileges as subscribers to telecom services, also featured lively discussions about the programmes initiated by NCC to protect telecom consumers from unfair practices.
Presentations, discussions and interactions at the event were anchored on four key drivers and thematic focus of NCC interventions to protect the interest of the Consumers.
These are the Creation of greater awareness on Quality of Service (QoS); Research-based facts on Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) Radiation; Do Not Disturb (DND) Code 2442 - which consumers can use to stop unsolicited text messages; and NCC Toll Free Line - 622 - through which consumers can reach the Commission to escalate complaints lodged with their service providers but which have not been resolved satisfactorily.
Olubunmi Bamijoko, Zonal Controller IBZO, who represented Prof. Umar Danbatta, EVC NCC recalled the above to demonstrate the significance of the event to participants that included Dr. Jimoda, LAUTECH Dean of Students Affairs; and Professors Sunmonu and Adebiyi, Deans of Post Graduate School, and Faculty of Engineering & Technology respectively.
Dr. Jimoda commended NCC for initiating CONSUMER CONVERSATION and noted that the University community and the telecom consumers in its neighbourhood felt gratified by the campaigns. He particularly appreciated the programmes on QoS and EMF, and declared that the totalizing experience of the initiative "has afforded telecom consumers the opportunity to relate with NCC on all subjects of the Conversation".
There was a lively discussion on the challenges of QoS as recalled by the participants, many of who won prizes in the 'FASTEST FINGERS' competition that took place at the event. The Competition involves calling recharge card numbers to participants/consumers in order to identify the fastest persons to load the numbers to their mobile devices.
The CONSUMER CONVERSATION is a matrix of the YEAR OF THE NIGERIAN TELECOM CONSUMER designed by the NCC to expand the frontiers of engagement with telecom consumers in all nooks and crannies of Nigeria, and the NCC Zonal Offices are the key drivers of the campaign.