IN its resolve to empower MTN has unveiled a new service called MTN Group Connect. According to Derek Appiah, Chief Enterprise Solutions Officer, MTN Group Connect will make it possible for telephone users to have seamless conference calls at no extra cost beyond the cost of normal telephone calls.

MTN Nigeria, last week dismissed any speculation that its sponsorship of 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa was for profit. The company said the reason behind its dolling multi million dollars to light up the world event was to articulate the can do spirit of Africa before the visiting countries, thereby justifying its brand management philosophy of selling Africa to the wider world.

Considering the plenty harvests of good and bad, progress and retrogression in the telecom sector in 2009, one can only ascribe the Man of the year award bestowed on the Chairman of Globacom Limited, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr, by the Silverbird group, to the plus of a telecom sector development.

THE Executive Vice Chairman, EVC of Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC on behalf of the commission has joined other legions of Nigerians who mourn, the demise of former First Lady of Nigeria, Mrs Mariam Babangida, to commiserate with the Babangidas over the passing away of the Better Life for Rural Women crusader.

A campaign for change has to be sustained for it to permeate existing stereotypes and idiosyncrasies, especially when certain habits have been institutionalized over several years. In view of this, the intention of my Ministry is to be on point and stay on the message till we achieve the desired outcomes.

By  Charles Kumolu AWKA—GOVERNORSHIP candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Anambra State, Professor Charles Soludo has decried the absence of much federal presence in the state, pledging that he would correct the long years of marginalisation when elected Governor. He also regretted that most communities in Anambra State were neglected by past administrations. […]

AHEAD of the 2011 general elections in Ebonyi State, former Governor of the state and Minister of Education, Dr. Sam Egwu together with his former aides and loyalists have convened a political rally in Egwu’s palatial home at Ezzangbo, in Ebonyi.

The eight rescued banks have so far paid nothing less than N17 billion as interest on the N620 billion bailout money received from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Meanwhile one of the banks, Equitorial Trust Bank last week fully repaid the bailout money with N700 million interest.

The direction of the banking industry in 2010 will be largely determined by resolution of the eight rescued banks, the establishment of the proposed Asset Management Company, Banking reforms, electronic banking issues, sustained recovery of the global economy and the amnesty program of the federal government.

Banks’ customers have demanded improved electronic banking services and better customer relations from their banks in 2010.A cross section of banks’ customers interviewed by Financial Vanguard on what they expect from their banks in the new year conducted listed poor ATM and internet banking services as the greatest shortcomings of their banks in 2009.