L-R: Chairman of MTN Nigeria, Mr. Ernest Ndukwe and Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Friday, August 9, 2024 |
On Friday, Vice President Kashim Shettima gratefully acknowledged the generous donation of N1 billion to the Federal Government’s Food Support Program and 4,600 digital devices for distribution to schools by MTN Nigeria, a leading telecommunications company.
Shettima commended MTN’s philanthropic initiative,
recognizing it as a commendable act of corporate social responsibility. He
emphasized that MTN’s support aligns with the Federal Government’s efforts to
alleviate hardships faced by the Nigerian populace and demonstrates the company’s
unwavering commitment to the nation’s economic development.
“I am hugely proud of your (MTN’s) stability as a company
and commitment to the progress of our country,” Shettima told the Chairman of
MTN Nigeria, Mr. Ernest Ndukwe, who paid him a courtesy visit at the
Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Friday.
In a statement released on Friday, titled “Vice President
Shettima Seeks Enhanced Support as MTN Contributes N1 Billion and 4,600 Digital
Devices,” the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and
Communications, Mr. Stanley Nkwocha, disclosed details of a significant
meeting.
Vice President Shettima emphasized the judicious management
of the donation, highlighting the involvement of the Federal Ministry of
Industry, Trade, and Investment, as well as the Office of the National Security
Adviser.
Furthermore, the Vice President outlined a collaborative
effort with the MTN team to establish beneficiary criteria and facilitate the
distribution of 4,600 digital devices. Each device will be pre-installed with
the U-lesson application and distributed to secondary schools across the six
geopolitical zones.
He expressed optimism that the company’s initiative would
significantly contribute to the government’s efforts in addressing the nation’s
challenges, particularly in supporting the educational requirements of the
underprivileged and vulnerable populations.
While encouraging other businesses in the country to follow
MTN’s example in fulfilling their corporate social responsibility, the Vice
President assured the business community that the Bola Tinubu administration
remains committed to fostering a conducive environment for businesses to
thrive. He emphasized that the positive impact of their policies will soon
become evident to all stakeholders.
“We have witnessed a couple of changes in the industry, but
you have remained stable and strong. On behalf of my boss, President Bola
Tinubu, I want to sincerely thank you for this gesture,” Shettima concluded.
Ndukwe reaffirmed the company’s unwavering support for the
current administration, emphasizing that this gesture aligns with MTN Nigeria’s
shared value objectives outlined in the ‘AMBITION 2025 strategy,’ which seeks
to actively support strategic initiatives undertaken by the federal government.
He elucidated that the N1 billion donation is specifically
intended to uplift the most vulnerable, marginalized, and underserved
communities, ensuring inclusivity and leaving no one behind through enhanced
collaboration and partnership with the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Furthermore, he expressed optimism that the devices donated
by the company will significantly contribute to the FG’s objective of fostering
digital literacy in secondary schools, thereby enhancing creativity, analytical
thinking, adaptability, and students’ access to contemporary information in the
fields of science and technology.