Globacom Voted Beacon of Nigeria’s ICT Industry

Globacom has again been voted the best telecommunications company in the country.
At the maiden edition of the Beacon of ICT Awards held in Lagos, the national operator emerged winner in three categories, the only company to win more than one award at the event.
Globacom was named Best GSM Company of the Year, Telecom Operator of the Year and Gateway Provider of the Year.
Bob Okonyia, Chairman of Communication Week Media, organizers of the award and publishers of Nigeria Communications Week, said Globacom emerged tops in the award categories in an online poll conducted from November last year to March 15, 2010. He disclosed that over 215,000 respondents participated in the voting.
Okonyia explained that voters chose Glo Mobile as the GSM Company of the Year because of its revolutionary role in the industry. He noted that the company had continued to ensure that Nigerians benefited from technological advances by pioneering such innovative products as Blackberry.
For the Telecom Operator of the Year Award, Okonyia noted that Globacom had made great progress in realizing its vision of becoming the biggest and best telecom network in Africa with its success in Benin Republic, imminent rollout in Ghana and winning of a licence in Cote d’Ivoire. He added that Globacom had distinguished itself by giving back to society through its life-changing promotions and sponsorships. He also observed that the launch of Glo Broad Access last year was a landmark achievement for Globacom.
Okonyia stated that, in voting Globacom Gateway Provider of the Year, respondents took into account the emergence of Glo Gateway as a major player in international voice and data carrier services as well as the landing last year of Glo 1 international submarine cable in Lagos and Accra. Glo is the first company in the world to embark upon such a project single-handed. The cable will ensure availability of bandwidth at very affordable price in West Africa.
The Beacon of ICT Awards was instituted to reward the vision and enterprise of individuals and companies that have contributed to the growth of the ICT industry. Communication Week said the objectives of the awards were to evaluate and recognize standards of excellence in the country’s quest for growth and development in the use of ICT. Others were to encourage public and private institutions to use ICT for development in general and improve public/citizens services in particular, to motivate other stakeholders in effective utilization of ITC for citizens services and to ensure that ICT professionals are provided a benchmark for recognizing and validating outstanding contributions.
Among those who attended the event which was held at Eko Hotel and Suites were the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Ernest Ndukwe, Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission, Yomi Bolarinwa, and former Communications Minister, Canice Umenwaniri, who won the Father of Modern Nigeria Telecom, the ICT Man of the Year and the Lifetime Achievement Award, respectively.