Vice President Kashim Shettima celebrated on Friday the donation of N1 billion by the telecommunications behemoth MTN Nigeria to the Federal Government’s Food Support Programme and 4,600 units of digital equipment to be distributed to schools.
Shettima stated that MTN’s support of the FG’s initiatives to alleviate poverty in the nation is commendable and shows the company’s dedication to the growth of the Nigerian economy.
“I am incredibly proud of your (MTN’s) stability as a business and dedication to the advancement of our nation,” Shettima said to Mr. Ernest Ndukwe, the Chairman of MTN Nigeria, during their Friday courtesy visit at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Details of the meeting were disclosed by Mr. Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communications, in a statement saying , “VP Shettima seeks more support as MTN donates N1bn, 4600 digital devices,” which was signed on Friday.
Shettima pledged that the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment will handle the donation responsibly.
The vice president announced that the MTN team would work with his office to create the beneficiary criteria and make it easier for secondary schools in the six geopolitical zones to receive the 4,600 digital devices that come pre-installed with the U-lesson application.
Shettima also promised that the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment will manage the donation appropriately.
He stated that the MTN team would collaborate with his office to develop the beneficiary criteria and make it simpler for secondary schools in the six geopolitical zones to get the 4,600 digital devices pre-loaded with the U-lesson application.
He conveyed his belief that the company’s kindness would significantly aid the government’s endeavours to tackle the nation’s circumstances, encompassing the provision of educational assistance to the impoverished and susceptible.
The vice president gave the business community assurances that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is still pro-business and that its policies will soon start to be visible to everyone, even as he urged other companies in the nation to adopt MTN’s CSR practices.
What they’re saying
“The industry has seen a few changes, but you have stayed strong and steady. Shettima said, “I want to sincerely thank you for this gesture on behalf of my boss, President Bola Tinubu.”
Why this matters
Earlier in his speech, the Chairman of MTN Nigeria praised the Federal Government for its efforts to turn around the nation’s economy by implementing a number of programs across all of the government’s departments, agencies, and ministries.
Ndukwe assured the current administration of the company’s support, pointing out that the action is consistent with MTN Nigeria’s shared value objectives of “the AMBITION 2025 strategy,” which calls for MTN to back important federal government programs.
He stated that the N1bn donation aims to support the most vulnerable, marginalised, and underserved communities, ensuring no one is left behind through increased collaboration and partnership with the Federal Government of Nigeria.He also expressed hope that the company’s donated devices will help the FG achieve its goal of increasing digital literacy in secondary schools while also improving creativity, analytical thinking, flexibility, and student access to current scientific and technological information.
In Essence
MTN’s donation shows a significant example of corporate social responsibility. By contributing to the Federal Government’s Food Support Programme and providing digital devices to schools, MTN is not only addressing immediate needs but also investing in the long-term development of the country.
This aligns with their AMBITION 2025 strategy, which focuses on supporting critical government initiatives.
