NCC launches telecom campus conversation

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has launched Telecom Campus Conversation as a means to sensitise telecom services consumers who are students.

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TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Telecom Campus Conversation was launched by the NCC on Thursday at the University of Abuja with the aim to expand the scope of its consumer enlightenment programme.

NCC said the new initiative was targeted at creating awareness for university students on their rights and obligations as telecom consumers.

NCC further said the new programme was conceptualised as well to sensitise students to several initiatives put in place for the purpose of consumer protection and empowerment.

According to the Commission, the new initiative was conceptualised in 2019 with the hope that it would come to fruition by 2020 but that due to the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the conversation could not hold in 2020.

TNG reports NCC launched the Telecom Campus Conversation with the theme: “Telecom consumer rights awareness: the role of students”.

Speaking during the launch of the initiative, the Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau of NCC, Mr Efosa Idehen gave an overview of the initiative, emphasising two key areas.

Idehen pointed out that the areas, which were consumer affairs bureau mandate and the platforms of consumer education were the various consumer-centric initiatives of the commission.

He added: “We have several platforms for carrying out consumer education to ensure that consumers are well informed and adopt the use of various mediums to pass the message across to consumers.

“We have social media platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and others for consumer enlightenment and complaint management,” he said.

He listed some of the Commission’s initiatives to include: Emergency Toll-free Number 112; the NCC Consumer Complaint Toll-Free Number 622; and the Do-Not-Disturb (DND) Short Code 2442.

He added that the regulation on forceful subscription and measures put in place to check cases of pre-registered Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards are some other initiatives.

Earlier, the Deputy Director, Consumer Affairs, NCC, Hafsat Lawal explained that the event would introduce students to all the initiatives of the NCC as regards consumer protection and SIM registration.

The deputy director added that the students would also be exposed to the importance of SIM-NIN linkage, cyber-security and how to protect themselves while on the Internet, amongst other things.

“It is our hope that today’s sensitisation will encourage all of you to be more informed, educated and protected as telecom consumers.

“It is our hope that it will inspire you as students to amplify the voice of the Commission by informing telecom consumers of their rights and obligations.

“Our presentations today will educate you on all you need to know about the role NCC is playing in telecom consumer protection as well as other consumer-centric initiatives and activities designed for the benefit of consumers,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Vice Chancellor, University of Abuja, appreciated the NCC for choosing the university to launch its maiden edition of Telecoms Campus Conversation in Nigeria.

The VC was represented by Dr Evans Ashigwu, Head of Department, Electrical and Electronics of the University.

Also, the President of the Student Union Government, Yusuf Dauda, thanked the Commission for sensitising students to know their rights and obligations as telecom consumers and promised to sensitise other students.