Emerging Markets Telecommunication Services Ltd. trading as Etisalat
Nigeria on Tuesday informed its customers that the change of brand name
will not affect its operations.
The Vice President, Regulatory
and Corporate Affairs, EMTS, Mr Ibrahim Dikko, in a statement said that
EMTS was aware of recent news reports regarding Etisalat Group’s
withdrawal of the right to the continued use of the Etisalat brand in
Nigeria by EMTS.
He said that EMTS had a valid and subsisting agreement with the Etisalat Group.
According to him, the agreement entitles EMTS to use the Etisalat brand notwithstanding the recent changes within the company.
“Indeed, discussions are ongoing between EMTS and Etisalat Group pertaining to the continued use of the brand.
“EMTS will issue a formal statement once discussions are concluded.
“The
final outcome on the use of the brand in no way affects the operations
of the business as our full range of services remain available to our
customers,’’ he said.
Dikko said that EMTS launched in Nigeria in
2008 with “0809ja’’ to affirm the “Nigerianness’’ of its origin and
sphere of influence.
He said that in nine years of operation, the
company remained a prime driver and avid supporter of the Nigerian
spirit of excellence.
According to him, the telecommunications company will continue to stay true to its “Naijacentric identity’’.
“This
notion is strongly reflected in our core messages and depicted in major
projects and initiatives, which we have been known to support.
“All
these initiatives have their foundation embedded in supporting key
aspects of the Nigerian fabric: building Nigerian businesses and
empowering Nigerians with a focus on the youth.
“Nigeria remains
the soul of EMTS’ business and we have made the brand alluring to our
teeming subscribers, who see a piece of the spirit and character of
Nigeria in everything we do.
“EMTS is here to stay and we wish to
assure our esteemed customers that our core values of youthfulness,
customer-centricity, and innovation will remain the pillars on which we
operate.
“We thank our esteemed customers for their abiding faith in us,’’ Dikko said.
Since
the month of March, Etisalat Group has been having the issues with the
consortium of 13 banks over the payment $1.2bn loan.
The group had on Monday given Etisalat Nigeria three weeks ultimatum to stop the usage of its brand name.