The Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) is set to host its Annual General Meeting and Elections that would usher in a new set of National Executive Council that would pilot the affairs of the Association starting from April 2023.
The importance of the Association in the Nigerian telecommunications sector has increased following the many challenges that the sector is constantly faced with.
In a statement signed by Ajibola Olude, the executive secretary of ATCON, the floor is now open to all chief executive officers and directors of all qualified member companies to take active part in the forthcoming AGM and election into the NEC of the association.
The engagement is slated for April 4, 2023 in Lagos.
Guidelines for the NEC Elections
In accordance with the association’s constitution, there are 14 positions for ATCON’ leadership which are currently open for contests in the election.
The positions are office of the National President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, National Secretary, Treasurer, Financial Secretary, National Publicity Secretary, and Coordinator, Telephone Operators.
Others are Coordinator, Infrastructure Providers; Coordinator, Internet Services Providers; Coordinator, Manufacturer’s Representative; Coordinator, Equipment Dealers; Coordinator, Value Added Services; and Coordinator, Consulting.
Eligibility: ATCON Secretariat has set eligibility criteria for interested contestants. They are:
- Any financial member, upon nomination by two other financial members of the Association, shall be eligible for election into any of the elective positions for a term of two years in the first instance subject to re-election for a maximum of two (2) at the Annual General Meeting where the election is held.
- To be qualified for an election, a candidate Must be a Chief Executive Officer or at least a director duly authorized or designated to represent his/her company by its management.
Process of Nomination
- Any member wishing to stand for election into any of the offices listed on the Nomination Form should fill his/her name in the appropriate column and get two other financial members of the Association to sponsor and support his/her nomination.
- On the other hand, a member wishing to nominate another or other members for election should fill the name(s) of the Nominee(s) in the appropriate column(s) and indicate the organization(s) of the nominee(s) as appropriate.
- Such a member must ensure that the other members he/she is nomination agree(s) to his/her/their nomination(s) by signing the appropriate part of the nomination form. Also, such member nomination must ensure that each nomination is supported by two financial members of the Association.
- The completed nomination forms should be duly signed and returned to the Secretariat not later than Friday, March 10, 2023.
- The Secretariat may be contacted for nomination forms or offer any assistance in respect of clarifying any of the above requirements or in the submission of the completed nomination form(s).
Voting
According to ATCON, each member company is entitled to two votes per position. It is therefore expected that each member company will be represented by two delegates each casting one vote in respect of a position.
It however noted that where a single individual represents a company, that individual present at the AGM / elections shall cast only one vote on-behalf of his/her company. In addition, it explained that voting shall be by Secret Ballot.
The Elections
ATCON said election shall be conducted by a duly constituted Electoral Committee to be appointed on the floor of the AGM by the outgoing Executive with the approval of members at the meeting.
Noting that the electoral committee shall be dissolved upon the conclusion of the elections, ATCON said elected officers shall assume their posts immediately upon conclusion of the elections as the NEC of the umbrella body for players in the telecommunications companies in Nigeria.
ATCON further noted that only financially active members shall be allowed to vote and be voted for at the elections.
“Nomination Forms shall be available on request from the Secretariat by calling the number 08066629111 or sending a mail to the e-mail address executivesecretary@atcon.ng or by simply visiting the ATCON Secretariat located at Plot 1, Block 99, Olori Muyibat Oyefusi Street, 2nd Round-About, Lekki Phase 1, Lekki, Lagos,” the statement read.
