Eminent Nigerians Laud Glo over Benin Launch

Nigerians at home and those who witnessed the launch in Cotonou, the Beninese commercial capital, expressed delight that a country that once could not boast of any meaningful telecoms service was now exporting qualitative service to other countries.

A retinue of personalities witnessed the elaborate launch at the Benin Marina Hotel ceremony. They included Senator David Mark, senate president of Nigeria, Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki Nakande, Information and Communications minister of State, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, executive vice chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), among others.

Ndukwe, said that he was particularly happy that the little mustard seed had grown to something very big.

"While many people back home are thinking of Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs), here our own Mike Adenuga has ventured into this West Coast country, to invest resources in service provision," he said.

Alhaji Nakande, said that was one major achievement for President Umaru Yar'Adua's administration. He alluded that Globacom was an ambassador of the on-going economic renaissance in Nigeria. He pointed out that Globacom was an example for other corporate investors.

"We want to encourage our people to invest locally and if they have the opportunity to invest outside like Mike Adenuga has done, then we put in every effort to encourage such moves", he said.

Also commenting on the development, a telecoms investment adviser, Mr. Mean Ajakpovi said that Globacom’s entry into Benin Republic was a sign of the possibilities that were present in Nigeria and by Nigerian companies. To him, Globacom was shining the light in that direction.

Globacom Chairman, Dr. Mike Adenuga jnr. said that his company was trying to create a platform that would make a difference in people's lives.

"When we started a little over four years ago in Nigeria, few gave us a chance. Our competitors laughed at our ideas for per second billing (PSB) which they thought was impossible at that time, 'but we did it and today our subscribers are the ones laughing, because they are convinced we can deliver on our promise," he added.

According to Adenuga, ‘since we changed the rules of mobile services in Nigeria, things have never been the same.’ He said that telecommunications services, which were the exclusive preserve of the rich, were brought to the barest minimum by Glo Mobile.