With the advent of Pay-TV came the realisation that there would be the need for experts to service the new devices and innovations brought on by technology. To fill this need, GOtv Nigeria trained and empowered young Nigerians via the Sabiman and Canvasser scheme.
Five years ago, in 2016, GOtv Nigeria established the Sabiman scheme and the Canvasser scheme as part of its contributions to empowering young Nigerians. The scheme had a dual objective though; empowerment of young Nigerians, and rendering of solutions to the various issues GOtv subscribers may experience on the service.
Following MultiChoice Nigeria’s launch of GOtv, an affordable terrestrial platform and compatriot to DStv in October 2011, it became necessary to have solution providers for the innovation, which then birthed GOtv Sabiman and Canvasser. The schemes provide willing young Nigerians with technical training that makes them integral to the GOtv team.
Since its inception, GOtv has invested N162million and the scheme currently employs 8,000 young people in various parts of the country as Sabimen and Canvassers.
As a rule, Sabiman goes door-to-door in their assigned neighbourhoods to resolve issues of connection and assist subscribers to renew their subscription through e-payment platforms, while the GOtv Canvasser Scheme provides young people with basic marketing skills to enable them make GOtv products more accessible to subscribers.
Speaking on the scheme, Aghadiuno Chiamaka Benedicta who has been a Sabiman in Onitsha for almost five years revealed that having discovered the programme through his former boss, she submitted her CV and was selected and scheduled for training after the interview.
According to her, the training was “enlightening and I gained a lot of skills like interpersonal skills, communication and problem-solving skills. After the training, we were given a lot of items. I was given a POS machine loaded with a refundable fee of N20,000 to start my business, which really went a long way for us. I was also given branded items like t-shirts and others to let people know that we work for GOtv.”
On how the programme has impacted her, she stated that it is countless and Sabiman is something she would recommend to others that will forever enrich lives.
“Thank you to Multichoice Nigeria for making me a better person, for giving me life after lost hope,” she added.
Adu Kayode Seun, a Sabiman since 2016 explained how he rose through the ranks.
“I joined MultiChoice on June 19, 2016, first as a canvasser, then a Sabiman. On November 1, 2016, I became team lead.
He added that through the support from Multichoice Nigeria, he was able to sponsor himself at The Certified Institute of Shipping of Nigeria (CIS) Maritime School.
On giving back he added, “I have two brothers that I have initiated to Sabiman and I am training them because I can see a good future in this business.”
Sunday Oluwagbemi a Canvasser has no less of a story to tell. “I became a canvasser in September 2017. I started by seeking employment, and I saw a vacancy advert at Citifold around Agege, Lagos. I worked with them for a while, then later God made me know GOtv. I have a family now, and through GOtv I feed them all. I see this job as a future job.
“Based on the training I received, I learnt how to approach people, relate with them in their various houses, and install. Most importantly though, the daily and monthly income boosts my family planning and every other thing.
“Going forward, I want to open a shop and having my business base on GOtv. Presently, I have a lot of canvassers working for me, this job is a job that secures your future.
Like Aghadiuno, Ogunyemi Taiwo is also GOtv Sabiman. Taiwo who at the time, was a supervisor at a clinic in Oshodi area of Lagos was introduced to the business by his friend, who is a sabiman coach. Taiwo joined the sabiman scheme in 2013 and has continued to grow tremendously.
According to Taiwo, the sabiman scheme is a very competitive business, so when he joined, GOtv took him through series of trainings that taught him everything he needed to know to be successful.
Taiwo expresses gratitude to GOtv for the career opportunity he was given. The scheme has enriched his since he started in 2013. He is currently a coach and has about 25 young people working for him. The business has helped him to achieve financial stability.
“Financially, MultiChoice is really trying and I’d be forever grateful to them. The payment is encouraging, I and my team have been able to meet all our needs and that of our family financially” he said.When asked if it’s a recommendable job he stated, “I am already encouraging young people because I know the benefits I get from the business.”
