20 Jan NLRC AND NCC RENEWS MoU TO STRENGTHEN COLLABORATIONS TOWARDS INTER-AGENCY SYNERGY AND REVENUE GENERATION

NLRC AND NCC Renews Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to Strengthen Collaborations Towards Inter-Agency Synergy and Revenue Generation

By Chinyere Odinukwe

NLRC DG_NCC EVC_MOU

Efforts of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) to strengthen its regulatory functions and generate more revenue received a boost recently with the renewal of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC.

In a signing ceremony, that took place at the NCC Headquarters, the newly reappointed Director-General and CEO of the NLRC, Mr. Lanre Gbajabiamila expressed his optimism that the implementation of the MoU would guarantee improved revenue generation for the Federal Government, as well as sanitise the gaming industry and curb illegal online gaming activities.

According to the DG, “the NLRC has very high hopes that this MoU will yield the most favorable outcome in our efforts to sanitise the gaming industry and curb illegal online gaming operations. We are happy to state that this MoU is a perfect example of how Federal Government Agencies should cooperate harmoniously to further generate revenue in the non-oil sector of the economy for the Federal Government”.

The DG thanked the EVC, NCC, and his team for graciously acceding to the NLRC’s request for this much-needed cooperation, which he said would hugely assist the NLRC in its mandate in the gaming industry. He noted some similarities between the Gaming and Telecom industry, adding that both Commissions stand to benefit from the MoU with regard to their respective mandate and spheres of operations.

NLRC DG_NCC EVC_MOU

“It is noteworthy that both industries are interrelated, co-dependent, and fast-growing; and I must say that this synergy will help promote growth. We are particularly excited because we know for a fact that this MoU will engender cooperation between our Commissions in our mandate and spheres of operation. Consequently, revenue generation for the Federal Government is inevitable” the DG noted. He lauded the efforts of the joint committee, which developed the MoU within the timeframe given to them for the assignment.

In his remarks, Executive Vice Chairman (EVC), NCC, Prof. Umar Danbata congratulated Mr. Lanre Gbajabiamila on his well-deserved reappointment as the DG NLRC, noting that the reappointment is a confirmation and clear evidence that the DG is doing a good job at the NLRC.

He stated that the MoU would be subjected to regulatory review, adding that there would be a joint implementation Committee to ensure proper execution and effective management of the synergy.

NLRC DG_NCC EVC_DELEGATION

The EVC further expressed his opinion that the MoU would achieve the ultimate objective behind the cooperation. Continuing, the EVC noted that with the coming of the 5G services, the gaming industry would leverage on the phenomenal speed of the internet for improved activities He said the 5G would be first launched in Abuja and Lagos very soon.

While acknowledging the ability of the gaming industry in revenue generation, Prof. Danbata encouraged NCC staff to participate in Lottery and Gaming activities. He noted that the country deserves to benefit from the global lottery revenue which are in Dollars, Pounds Sterling, Dutch marks, and other foreign currencies. He said participation in Gaming would ensure social transformation through economic empowerment of the people.