….Extols His Virtues, Leading Role In GSM Revolution

By Angeline Mgbele, Correspondent Abuja

 The Board, Management and Staff of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) have commiserated with the family of the late Alhaji Ahmed Joda, former Chairman, Board of Commissioners of the Commission, a statement issued by the Director of Public Affairs(DPA) of NCC, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde confirms.

In a condolence letter  weekend, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC. Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, on behalf of the Board, Management and Staff of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) describes the demise of late Joda, OFR, CON, HLR, who died on Friday 13th of August, 2021 at the age of 91, as an irreparable loss to the entire nation.

Extolling the deceased’s virtues, Danbatta observed that Joda was “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.

According to Danbatta, late Joda “will, indeed, be remembered by all Nigerians, particularly the staff of the Commission and the people of Adamawa State.”

He said the Commission will remember the legacy and foundation Joda laid as the Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission for a decade, and “how he led in setting the tone for the exponential growth in telecommunications service provision in Nigeria 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. Please accept our most heartfelt condolences,” he said in the letter.

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 Nigeria.

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.

Late Joda was recipient of multiple national and international honours and other prestigious awards, recognizing his outstanding performance and contribution to the development of Nigeria.