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 the distribution of 4,600 units of digital equipment to schools.
MTN’s Commitment to Nigeria’s Economic Growth
Shettima stated that MTN’s support of the FG’s initiatives to alleviate poverty in the nation is commendable and demonstrates the company’s dedication to the growth of the Nigerian economy.
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“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.
Mr. Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communications, disclosed details of the meeting in a statement signed on Friday titled “VP Shettima seeks more support as MTN donates N1bn, 4600 digital devices.”
Shettima pledged that the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment would responsibly handle the donation.
The vice president announced that the MTN team would work with his office to create the beneficiary criteria and facilitate the receipt of the 4,600 digital devices that come pre-installed with the U-lesson application by secondary schools in the six geopolitical zones.
He conveyed his belief that the company’s kindness would significantly aid the government’s endeavours to tackle the nation’s circumstances, including providing educational assistance to the impoverished and vulnerable.
The vice president assured the business community that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is still pro-business and that its policies will soon become visible to everyone. He also urged other companies in the nation to adopt MTN’s CSR practices.
“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.”
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MTN Nigeria’s Vision for Economic Transformation
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 several 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.
The N1 billion donation’s stated goal was “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 said that he hoped the company’s donated gadgets would help the FG raise its secondary school students’ digital literacy while enhancing their creativity, critical thinking, flexibility, and access to up-to-date science and technology knowledge.