Watching the year start at this moment is like watching an Olympian start the marathon; the excitement may not be visible at the first couple of laps but with the final lap comes all the excitement and energy that underscores the hours of rehearsals and trainings before the competition. As we journey in 2014, it is only logical to make resolutions. Plans would be drawn; wishes would also be made and in some instances backed with actions. On the financial front, individuals may also be compelled to find cheaper ways to communicate with friends and business partners without compromising the quality. Nigerians naturally love to talk. We love to be explicit. We relish hearing our own voice and adding our voice to almost all issues. We have an opinion about almost all subjects on earth. The statistics however show that though we still love to communicate, the approach and methods are changing – at least for those of the iPod generation. In 2011, the Nigerian Communications Commission revealed that total talk time by Nigerians was 17 billion minutes. By 2012, the regulatory agency by proxy revealed data that Nigeria’s outgoing and incoming on-net and off-net calls totaled 22.3 billion minutes. The 2013 figure should be in the offing.
Communicating, either verbal or non-verbal, is unarguably one of the major activities of humans. Given the rise in technology and the means with which access is made, it comes at a cost. It explains why we have always wondered how we survived the era until the late 90’s when it was a luxury to own a phone, especially a mobile phone. With the rise of social networks, connecting with others come at a cheaper rate especially for those who know how to use them and arrive at the outcome they desire. Communication however is a major component of our budget as we are now wont to budget a considerable share of our income to take care of our phone calls, text exchanges and more recently, our data need. There was a time when ‘flashing’ was the norm for most young people or low income demography in the country. A flash typically meant something. It was a subjective message. Then came the time when a number of telecom service provider in the country offered free night calls. This allowed thousands of people to consciously rob themselves of hours of sleep to talk to one another at almost zero cost for several hours. The introduction of per second billings however changed that while the rise of social media resoundingly sounded the death knell on the huge cost associated with access to communication outlets.
For individuals and Small and Medium Scale Organisations willing to explore cheaper ways to achieve much at low cost, then it may be right to sneak a more elegant review of their communication methods in their New Year resolution. Instant Messaging platforms are one the cheapest ways of achieving this. With just few Mega Bytes, MB on the phone, messages can be sent using the variant of Instant Messaging application available – Black Berry IM, Whatsapp, Skype, Nimbuzz and Viber are some examples. Messages, images and videos, scanned documents can be easily transferred through these outlets. They are the perfect recipe for effectiveness especially since a picture is said to be worth more than a thousand words. The procurement department of any organisation should find this very efficient before making final decisions on whether to buy or not. This is in addition to the nondescript method of communication it allows; one can be warned or asked to be cautious without letting out a hint as to the source of information to an onlooker. In a meeting room, the norm previously was to pass a folded paper across with sensitive information scribbled on it. Instant Messaging applications have changed that.
Phone calls are nonetheless still a must. For small business owners, the method of keeping the budget low especially when dealing with adults or individuals still used to the conventional means of communicating is simple. Always keep your phone around you, that way you do not miss important calls and have to incur cost by calling back (for those decent enough to know it’s the right thing). Being prompt in the reply of text messages also helps to prevent you from losing time by having to pick calls following an unreplied text message. It also pays to keep the conversation brief and only discuss the urgent and essentials on phone. Emails and other channels of communication can take care of the other exchange of banters and non-essentials. If the caller rings you while you are indisposed to having a conversation, it’s cheaper to send a text message asking that you be called back at a particular time. That way, you concentrate on the current assignment and also shift the onus of having to remember that commitment to the other person.
And when you plainly want to save phone cost call, Viber and Skype, both being Voice over Internet Protocol, VoIP would serve. All that’s needed is that both caller and receiver have Viber or Skype installed on the phone. With good internet connectivity, clear calls can be easily made at decent rates. The habit of also ensuring one’s phones are charged during off-peak hours also serves to rue missing important calls. On the flipside, the Telephone Consumer Protection Bill 2013 would also do the 113 million telecom subscribers in Nigeria a lot of good if it is finally passed into law this year. It would protect the public appropriately from the now irritating activities of telemarketers and mobile service operators.
One More Thought
Adieu @Ib9jaman!
I met Bayo Adesesan in 2009. He was introduced to me by my mentor who happened to be his in-law. His energy and drive for the creative was not mistaken. Always primly dressed, busy and ready to help, Bayo was the first social media elite I met who had decided that Facebook was a no-go area for him. He stuck with twitter and it was from there he made public his thoughts and ideas with the handle @Ib9jaman. The last of his 41,951 tweets around mid day on the 1st of January, 2014 was – “Can we start counting down to the time when people will break their ‘resolutions’?” My heart goes out to his parents, family members, business partners and friends who are certainly pained by his untimely exit.
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‘Sola Fagorusi
Sola Fagorusi Follow @SolaFagro is a youth development advocate, freelance writer, accomplished debater cum coach. The Obafemi Awolowo University graduate has about 10 years experience in social entrepreneurship which straddles leadership, good governance cum anti-corruption and adolescent reproductive health. The Leap Africa alumnus is also a trained peer educator, a DESPLAY alumnus and co-facilitator. For 2 years now, he has been a technical consultant and lead judge on the Intra-Faith Peace Youth TV Debate Project facilitated by Youngstars Foundation and the British High Commission. To read his full profile, click here
Editor’s Note – This was first published in Punch Newspaper of 6th January, 2014.
