L-R: Kunle Olorundare, Principal Manager, Technical Standard and Network Integrity, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC); Ms. Mistura Aruna, Head, Consumer Information and Education, NCC; Chief, Ademola Odunade, the Ayingun Olubadan of Ibadanland; Prof Adewolu Akande, Chairman, Board of Commissioners, NCC; Efosa Idehen, Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau, NCC and Akanbi Akinwale, Principal Manager, Ibadan Zonal Office NCC, during the 3rd Village Square Dialogue with telecom consumers held in Ibadan recently

The advocacy for telecom infrastructure protection across the country by the Nigerian Communications Commission, (NCC) has received royal blessings and support of the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Lekan Balogun, who has urged every citizen in Nigerian to take responsibility for the protection of telecom facilities for mutual benefit of all.

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, has assured the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) of support from the Ibadan traditional institution for its campaign on the protection of telecommunications infrastructure across the country.

He gave the assurance, at the weekend, during the Village Square Dialogue (VSD) organised by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) at Mapo Hall, Ibadan, Oyo State.

The monarch, represented by the Ayingun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Chief Ademola Odunade, agreed with Akande’s submission that protection of the telecoms infrastructure should be a collective effort since there is less security manpower to monitor the infrastructure.

He, therefore, advised the public to support the NCC to achieve its objectives of protecting telecoms infrastructure.

Earlier in his remarks, Chairman of the Board of the NCC, Prof. Adeolu Akande, who led a top management team of the commission, had said that the consumer parley was to sensitise the general public on the need to ensure the protection of the telecoms infrastructure, noting that vandalisation or outright stealing of the infrastructure is a disservice to the general populace and the protection should be the collective efforts of all.

He said that the NCC strongly believes in interfacing with stakeholders before embarking on any programme, which he said, informed the planned Village Square Dialogue to be held at Mapo Hall.

Akande said the choice of Ibadan for the programme was so easy for the commission because of the strategic position the ancient metropolis holds, not only in the country but also on the continent of Africa.

“We are engaging the stakeholders to have their inputs on how to tackle the menace. The infrastructure we are talking about belongs to all of us and any infringement on them means disruption to our easy communication through phones and other related gadgets.

“The need to engage the stakeholders becomes more imperative when we come to terms with the fact that there is no way we can deploy security personnel to man each of our telecoms installations and also muster the required number. So, members of the public must be ready for self-policing of the infrastructure for the good and benefit of all,” he further stated.

Meanwhile, the Director, the Consumer Affairs Bureau of the NCC, Mr. Efosa Idehen, who commended the consumers from the Ibadan axis for turning out in numbers, pledged the commission’s commitment to the care of the consumers.

Idehen, who stated that the NCC has the responsibility to protect, inform and educate telecoms consumers in the country, said: “Part of activities to deliver on this mandate is this type of programme holding in Ibadan today. We value your feedback on all kinds of services you receive in the telecoms sector but most importantly, we implore you to join hands in protecting telecoms infrastructure in your areas.”

He, therefore, advised members of the public to report any suspected cases of threat to telecoms infrastructure to law enforcement agents in their areas for necessary interventions, or call toll-free phone number 112 in case of emergencies or 622 to report complaints bordering on telecommunications services to the NCC.