Stakeholders that gathered for the launch of the book, “‘The Catalyst: Nigerian Tech Evolution Through a Journalist’s Lens,’ written by the former Editor, Punch Niewspapers, Mr. Dayo Oketola, are of the opinion that the growth and development recorded in the sector may gradually erode if the government does not address the challenges being faced by operators.
The Chairman of the Association of Licenced Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, in his address, reiterated on the need to make the industry a viable one. While encouraging Nigerians to facilitate the linking of their SIM cards to their National Identity Number (NIN) as directed by the federal government, he noted that one of the areas the telecoms regulator needs to intervene is the area of tariff review. According to him: “The Tariff no longer reflects current realities of doing business in Nigeria.”
Engr. Adebayo however applauded the strides taken in declaring telecommunications infrastructure as Critical National Infrastructure deserving of government protection and vandals of such infrastructure prosecuted.
He commended the author of the book, Dayo Oketola for his insight.
Echoing the ALTON Chairman’s views, President of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Mr. Tony Emoekpere also noted that Nigeria needs more players who can take charge and go toe-to-toe with global players in the industry, as the book portrayed. “We need more local players to buttress our local content.”
In his review of the book, Convener, Center for Social Media Research, Dr. Akin Olaniyan noted that the book touched on salient issues in Nigeria’s telecommunication journey, and recommended it for research purposes.
He pointed out that the author’s wealth of knowledge in the media industry has helped put the topics into proper perspective, and will help readers of the book in appreciating the journey so far, while seeking avenues of tackling raised challenges.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, while praising the efforts of Mr. Oketola, noted that Nigeria can build on the successes of the past, deploy same doggedness, and build a telecom structure that addressed the future. “Nigeria still have the ability to replicate the good things of the past, but we have to work for it.”
He noted that the telecom sub-sector made money for the country through the auctioning of telecom licences. “The money to develop Nigeria is out there, but we cannot get it until we create a conducive environment here,” he concluded.
Oketola, now a senior member of the PUNCH Editorial Board after leaving as Editor of The PUNCH in June, won the Editor of the Year prize at the Nigeria Media Merit Awards (NMMA) in December 2023. He also led the organisation to win the Newspaper of the Year at the same award ceremony. Oketola, a consistent journalism prizeman, also won Editor of the Year Award at The Industry Awards 2022. He is a two-time winner of the Zimeo Excellence in Media Awards in Johannesburg 2015 and Nairobi 2016, among numerous awards during his illustrious journalism career.
The launch of the book, The Catalyst: Nigerian Tech Evolution Through A Journalist’s Lens, also came Mr. Oketola’s exaugural lecture to celebrate his tenure as Editor of The PUNCH and nearly 20 years in journalism.”
Speaking further, the former editor described his years in journalism as one that had driven advocacy and impacted different sectors of the economy.
“My 20 remarkable years of stewardship to the nation via media and leadership practices have driven advocacy and impacted areas such as business and economy, ICT, energy, agriculture, social inclusion, anti-corruption, drug trafficking prevention, and nation-building, a testament to the power of journalism in shaping our society,” Oketola remarked.
