Veteran and trailblazing journalists in the ICT industry, under the auspices of CloudNetwork Foundation, have extolled the remarkable work of the director of public affairs, Reuben Muoka, in the sector.
CloudNetwork is the foundation made of ICT journalists who set the pace in ICT reporting and advocacy spanning more than a period of 20-35 years. The Foundation is set up to further advance the frontiers of ICT advocacy and wellbeing.
The veterans gathered recently to host Mr. Mouka, who is one of their, haven blazed the trail of ICT reporting in his days at Vanguard Newspapers. The occasion was to congratulate him on his appointment as NCC director of public affairs.
NCC is recognised as one of the foremost telecom regulators, globally, in terms of standards and transparency.
Some members the Foundation at the gathering, which was held in Lagos, were Mkpe Abang, Bayero Agabi, Abimbola Tooki, who is chairman of CloudNetwork, Shina Badaru, Ufuoma Emuophedaro, Bunmi Idowu, Don Pedro, Segun Oruoma, Ayo Makinde, Biyi Fashoyin and Tayo Adewusi. Mr Aaron Ukodie, Otunba Ajiboye, and Enyi Moses were unavoidably absent at the event but sent virtual goodwill messages.
In an address to welcome Mr Mouka, Tooki who described the event as an auspicious gathering of friends, industry stakeholders, colleagues and media practitioners said the day was “particularly a great day as we gathered to celebrate one of us who was fittingly elevated to the leadership of the Communications Directorate of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC)”.
He said Reuben Muoka, “a thoroughbred Media guru and specifically an ICT Media icon, is the reason we are all converged to pay glowing tributes for his deserving assumption of the office as the Director, Directorate of Public Affairs, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC)”.
Tooki recalled that Reuben Muoka, a graduate of the University of Ilorin, began his journalism career at Vanguard Media Limited, the publishers of the Vanguard newspapers, where established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the Hitech section of the Vanguard newspapers. Reuben also has a Masters Degree from the University of Lagos and a Doctorate degree in view.
“In the company of his colleagues, the “Hitech” section of the newspaper became one of the most sought out for specialized reporting genres in the media space in the early 90s.
His depth of understanding, analysis of issues and industry reports and insightful news presentation marked him out as a versatile journalist during his hay days in the core media practice.
Aside from being very diligent in putting his reports together, he was also a hands-on professional in the production department.
“His legendary features as an ICT Media professional included the use of gadgets such as the alphanumeric pager 📟 which was one of the frontline personal mobile devices that dotted the mobile communication landscape in the national network in Nigeria.
“Reuben was one of the privileged ICT media professionals highly networked amidst the communication and technology industry net-worth stakeholders. He was well known and trusted with the capacity for enduring breaking news and specialized industry analysis. He was well travelled and his participation at local and international industry workshops, seminars, conferences and ICT Dialogues boosted his capacity for in-depth knowledge and understanding of the industry.
In the course of his practice as a journalist, he won several national and international accolades and awards to establish his frontline role as an ICT media practitioner.
At the height of his journalistic career, he was later appointed as the Head of the Corporate Communications Department of the resurgent MTS First Wireless. MTS was the pioneer mobile company when the telecommunications industry was liberalized in Nigeria.
Presently, Reuben is the Director of Public Affairs, at Nigeria Communications Commission masterminding the strategic communication initiative of the commission in sync with the overall goals and objectives of the communication regulatory commission.
As we gather here today, we as a fraternal association; registered as the Cloud Network Foundation having observed the trends and pace-setting initiatives of Reuben Muoka, wish to express our support for the good work he is doing at the NCC.
More importantly, we wish to put it on record that as a critical stakeholder in the advancements in the industry, the Cloud Network Foundation will be a necessary gadfly in spurring the relevant MDAs and private sector operators on the paths of positive trajectories for the growth of the industry and the national economy as well as the global economy.
We look forward to continuous partnerships and engagements with all relevant stakeholders for the upliftment of the industry on a national scale and global pedestal.
Once again, I welcome our dear friend and other well-wishers joining us here today to celebrate one of our own holding forth as a leader of thought in the ICT media space.
In conclusion, I welcome you to a gathering of pleasantries, warm hugs, backslaps and cheerful celebrations.
Please, enjoy the warm meals and chilled drinks, while also networking for a greater ICT industry for our dear nation and the industry at large.
In his goodwill message which he sent through Zoom, the Nigeria pioneer ICT reporter, Aaron Ukodie corroborated Tooki’s sterling qualities as a reporter which qualifies for the right candidate to assume the DPA job at NCC having worked for several years to help develop the department.
Photo. some members of CloudNetwork and invited Guests at the occasion.
