The executive vice chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, has said the late former chairman, board of commissioners of the commission, Alhaji Ahmed Joda, played a leading role in the revolution of Nigeria’s telecom industry.
He made this known in a condolence letter to the family of the late former chair, describing Joba, who died on Friday, August 13, 2021 at the age of 91, as an irreparable loss to the entire nation.
Danbatta described Joda as “a nation builder, a consummate statesman, an administrator per excellence, a dedicated philanthropist, an egalitarian patriot, a fountain of inspiration, an honest and hardworking person during his lifetime.”
Saying the deceased will be remembered by all Nigerians, he said the commission would remember the legacy and foundation Joda laid as its chairman for a decade, and how he led in setting the tone for the exponential growth in telecommunication’s service provision in the country and Africa as a whole.
“Our thoughts and sympathy are with the entire family at this grieving period, while we pray for his soul to continue to rest in perfect peace. May the Almighty Allah grant him Jannatul firdaus and also give the entire family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” he said.
Born in Yola in 1930, Alhaji Joda, was a retired first-class federal permanent secretary, who served as the chairman, board of commissioners of NCC for 10 years, commencing from 2001 when the commercial launch of Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) service started in the country.
The board, under Joda’s 10 years chairmanship, set the tone and foundation for the digital revolution in Nigeria, which has positioned the sector as a major contributor and enabler to overall socio-economic and political transformation in the country till date.
A statement by the commission’s director, public affairs, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, said late Joda was a recipient of multiple national and international honours and other prestigious awards, recognizing his outstanding performance and contributions to the development of the country.
