The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Professor Umar Danbatta and Nigeria’s foremost and biggest online-offline retail outfit Yudala were declared winners at the Nigerian Telecoms Awards which held in Lagos at the weekend. Danbatta emerged as Telecom Personality of the Year while Yudala was declared e-Commerce Company of the Year at a well-attended event which drew both royalty and top industry captains.

The EVC of NCC was honoured for his outstanding performance in his regulatory duties at the NCC where in less than one year he has not only consolidated the regulatory authority and leadership of the commission in Africa but has birthed a regime of order in service delivery underpinned by strict adherence to corporate governance among operators.

Danbata has in less than one year rallied the telecom sector to tangible growth at a time the nation’s economy and indeed other sectors suffered a deficit in growth. The telecom growth translates to a contribution of N1.4trillion in the first quarter of 2016, according to the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS.

For Yudala, it was yet another feather to its cap as it emerged the e-commerce company of the year beating off competition from a very strong field which included the likes of Konga, Jumia, Payporte, among others.

The award is in recognition of Yudala’s ground-breaking entry into the Nigerian e-commerce sector and exceptional innovative strategies through which it has raised the standards in the industry.

Founder/Vice President, Yudala, Prince Nnamdi Ekeh, who received the award on behalf of the company dedicated the award to staff who have worked diligently hard in making the Yudala revolution a reality. He also attributed the recognition to customers who have kept faith with the Yudala brand, especially those who believed in the Yudala dream from its inception.

“I am delighted because this recognition goes a long way to justify the huge impacts we have made in the e-commerce sector. This award is fitting reward for all the hard work and winning strategies we have put in to make the Yudala brand one to look out for.

“I dedicate this award to all staff of Yudala who have worked so hard to make the dream a reality. Special dedication also goes to our customers: those who have kept faith with the Yudala brand from day one as well as the many others who later became convinced by our world class service and have remained ardent customers ever since.”

Within a year of its entry into the keenly-competitive e-commerce sector, Yudala has successfully raised the standards with a series of pioneering feats including the launch of same day delivery and the first recorded drone delivery in the e-commerce world. This is in addition to a slew of innovative and exciting promotions through which it has expanded the offerings and given the consumer more value-added options.

The high-profile event which featured award presentations in other categories had a roll-call of personalities and key players from the Nigerian ICT eco-system in attendance. These include the Honourable Minister of Communications, Barr. Abdul-Rahman Adebayo Shittu; Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta; Ag. Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Dr. Vincent Olatunji; Chief  Executive Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya; His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi as well as other First Class rulers and dignitaries from all walks of life.

Photos: Top: Prince Nnamdi Ekeh of Yudala receives the award from Dr. Vincent Olatunji, Ag. DG of NITDA

Below: Professor Danbatta (right) receives his award from the Minister of Communication