Leading telecommunications services provider, Airtel Nigeria, has taken a major step to redefine customer experience for high net-worth customers by launching the Airtel Premier Club, a special V-VIP programme specifically designed to offer exceptional and personalised services.

The high profile launch event took place yesterday at the Eko Hotel & Suites in Lagos. It attracted several important dignitaries including the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Akinwunmi Adesina; Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Shri A. R. Ghanshyam; former Governor of Cross Rivers State, Donald Duke; wife of Ogun State Governor, Funsho Amosun; foremost British Economist, Jim O’neill; and Arsenal legend, Ray Parlour, among other notable guests.

Speaking during the occasion, the Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of Airtel Nigeria, Segun Ogunsanya, described the Airtel Premier Club as a platform specially created to offer exceptional and personalised service to High Networth Customers and distinguished personalities.

“The mandate which you have given us is very clear: To exceed your expectations. We will. Many will wonder why we have always won the award for operator with best customer service in all major telecoms awards in the country, since the inception of GSM. Today, we are committing to taking the art of customer service, service excellence and customer experience to a new height,” he said.

According to the CEO, customers who enroll on the Airtel Premier platform will enjoy several benefits including dedicated helpline, exclusive emails and website, dedicated Relationship Manager, enrollment into Airtel Rewards Programme, exclusive access to designated service points at Airtel showrooms and access to over 600 premium lounges across the world, among other benefits.

Ogunsanya also assured that Airtel is committed to building a robust network for Nigerians to experience excellent Mobile Internet and voice service. “We are committed to investing in the largest market in Africa. We will continue to work with Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and other stakeholders to create an enabling environment for our customers to experience the results of our investment in capacity and coverage,” he said.

The event hit a high point when the Airtel Premier logo was unveiled. With a well-coordinated pyrotechnics display, fireworks and special lighting effect, the Airtel Premier logo literally rose in a slow and stylish fashion from the depth of the hall to assume a most prominent position in front of the stage, amidst thunderous applause from an appreciative audience consisting mostly of corporate elites, government officials, accomplished entrepreneurs, society bigwigs and top entertainment personalities.

The Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Shri A. R. Ghanshyam, commended Airtel for always turning threats into opportunities and for leveraging on innovative mobile telecommunications solutions to empower the local communities it served. He cited how the mobile phone revolution transformed the lives of poor farmers in India, making them complete entrepreneurs.

On his part, O’neill urged the Nigerian leadership to pay attention to education at all levels, saying it is only a skilled population that can bring about the level of productivity that will improve an economy. “Unless young people get the best education, your country will not be anywhere in 2050,” he said.

Also speaking at the occasion, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Akinwunmi Adesina gave an inspiring account of how the agricultural landscape has been transformed under his leadership. He also corroborated the point expressed by the Indian High Commissioner on the relevance and importance of mobile technology to the success on the agriculture and food security agenda of the Government.

The event was attended by several dignitaries including Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director, Airtel Nigeria, Deepak Srivastava; President of the Nigeria’s Guild of Editors, Femi Adesina; Renowned Accountant, foremost British Economist, Jim O’neill; Akintola Williams, top celebrities Bovi, Buchi, Ike Osakioduwa, Dr. Victor Olaiya, Tuface Idibia, captains of industries and serving government functionaries.

•Photo shows L-R, Foremost British Economist, Terence James O’Neill; Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Segun Ogunsanya; Arsenal Legend and Ex-England international, Ray Parlour and the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina at the unveiling of the prestigious Airtel Premier Club in Lagos on Sunday.