Telecom
Airtel’s Way of Supporting Under-Priviledged Children
Airtel, telecommunications giant since its advent in Nigeria, June 2010, has left no one in doubt about its vision “to be the most loved brand in the daily lives of Nigerians”
Unwavering in its commitment to connect with the Nigerian people, not only does it provide innovative products at affordable rates, but also offered good deeds through Social interventions.
The Telecoms service provider promised novel and world class services, and one more thing: to contribute significantly to the alleviation of the challenges faced by the privileged.
So, when in February 2011, it announced its Adopt-A-School initiative with the adoption of Oremeji Primary School 2 in, Ajegunle, Lagos State, the message became even clearer.
Since then, Airtel has gone on to Adopt three more government-owned public primary schools; St. John’s Primary School Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State; Community Primary School, Amumara, Imo State and Presbyterian Primary School, EdibaAbi, Cross River States.
Today, Airtel has gone beyond merely adopting primary schools, provision of infrastructure, uniforms, learning materials for the pupils and training of their teachers.
It has gone one step ahead to contribute holistically to the wellbeing of the pupils of their adopted schools, hence, the introduction of the free Health checks in these schools.
Recently, Airtel organized free eye screening exercise in three of its adopted schools; St. John’s Primary School Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State; Community Primary School, Amumara, Imo State, and Presbyterian Primary School, EdibaAbi, Cross River State.
Speaking about the eye screening exercise which was flagged off on Monday, March 17th in Community Primary School, Amumara, Imo State, Segun Ogunsanya, chief executive officer and managing director of Airtel Nigeria, said the exercise is essential considering the important of a healthy vision, noting that “one of the priorities of VISION 2020 program is controlling blindness in children which means that we have to invest in eye care.
“This is something Airtel is proud to be involved in across our adopted schools, particularly because the children involved are from less privileged homes.”
The exercise in the Adopted schools, which was borne out of the company’s desire to help in building a stronger, healthier generation of achievers as reiterated in the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) and VISION 2020 the global right to sight, was an interesting affair.
From the children who couldn’t wait to be screened, extremely intrigued by the impressive array of equipment the Doctors displayed and how they worked, to the ones who feigned poor sight the moment they realized the doctors were giving out free glasses to the ones that required them. The excitement was infectious!
In Community Primary School Amumara, Mrs. Stella Onyeonuziri, parent of Michael Onyeonuziri, a Primary Six pupil that was screened enthused that “what Airtel is doing is very good and I am very proud that my child is a pupil of the ‘Airtel school”. I ask God to continue to Bless Airtel because of how they care for our children.”
After undergoing her screening, Alhaja Mistura Balogun, education secretary Ijebu North, Ogun State commended Airtel Nigeria for touching the lives of the pupils and Teachers in the Local Government, saying other Telcos should emulate them.
The eye screening programme was implemented by a team of Ophthalmologists from Ultimate Eye Clinic, a renowned eye care provider to major Health Management Organizations in Nigeria.
The Clinic provided glasses and eye treatment to pupils and teachers on a need-to-have basis without any financial implications for the beneficiaries.
The exercise which was concluded on Wednesday 2nd of April, after a two-day screening at St. John’s Primary School, Ogun State had a total of 1,165 pupils, 83 Teachers and 98 community people screened.
144 free eye glasses were given to pupils, Teachers, community and some members of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) in the respective states.
Nigeria currently has over four million people suffering from eye problems 80% of which are from avoidable causes.
Of this figure which was obtained from the Federal Ministry of Health in 2011, one million are blind while three million are visually impaired. 50% of avoidable blindness was attributed to cataract, followed by glaucoma 16%, corneal opacity 12%, trachoma 4%, optic Atrophy 3% and refractive error being the major cause of visual impairment. It is feared that about 50% of children who become blind before age five may not leave to see their sixth birthday.
It will be recalled that in March 2012,Airtel in partnership with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and doctors from The Roding Medical Center, Victoria Island, Lagos to conduct a Health Awareness Campaign in Oremeji Primary School, Ajegunle, Lagos.The Health Awareness Campaign involved a general health check on the teachers and students of the school, including eye screening, cardiovascular, height and weight checks according to the National Centre for Health Statistics and a deworming exercise for the pupils as prescribed by the World Health Organization (WHO). Over 400 pupils, teachers and parents of OremejiPrimary School, Ajegunle, benefitted from the exercise.
“For us at Airtel Nigeria, we perceive ourselves as more than just a connection. So, we seek ways to touch the lives of our customers, and even those who are not, because that is how we procure and maintain our social license to operate.
“Life is more than making or receiving calls, and even so, people must feel good about our organization to be able to give us their custom. Hence our involvement in giving back to the people in the communities we operate,” said Emeka Oparah, vice president, Corporate Communications & CSR.
Telecom
Airtel Nigeria Reinforces Commitment to Youth Empowerment Hosts UNICEF GenU 9JA Steering Committee Meeting
Airtel Nigeria hosted the 2024 UNICEF Generation Unlimited (GenU) Steering Committee meeting at the Airtel Nigeria headquarters in Banana Island, Lagos, yesterday.
The breakfast meeting served as a collaborative forum, bringing together stakeholders from government, the private sector, and civil society to review GenU 9JA’s progress in providing Nigerian youth with digital learning, upskilling, and pathways to meaningful employment.
In his opening remarks, Chief Executive Officer at Airtel Nigeria, Carl Cruz expressed Airtel’s dedication to supporting the youth. “It is a privilege for Airtel to host this significant meeting and reaffirm our commitment to an initiative that holds the power to transform the lives of millions of young Nigerians.
“By equipping our youth with essential skills and resources, we not only support their individual success but also contribute to Nigeria’s social and economic growth,” he said.
Mr. Cruz further highlighted Airtel’s leadership in providing connectivity for digital learning, noting, “With the support of our UNICEF partners, we have connected 1,260 schools across Nigeria to digital learning, enabling 600 children to access educational platforms like the Nigeria Learning Passport and Yoma Africa.
“This connectivity is not just about internet access; it is about creating an equal playing field for young people, giving them access to quality education and skills essential for their future.”
The event saw participation from a host of other GenU 9JA partners, including IHS Towers, ATC, Unilever, Jobberman, Microsoft, Tony Elumelu Foundation, the Federal Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, GIZ, World Bank, ILO, UNDP, UNFPA, the EU Delegation, and the Government of the Netherlands.
While delivering a report on GenU 9JA digital learning, Director of Corporate Communications and CSR at Airtel Nigeria, Femi Adeniran, reiterated Airtel’s dedication to driving digital inclusion and youth empowerment in support of Nigeria’s socio-economic development.
“For us at Airtel, we are actively involved in connecting schools and advancing digital learning for young Nigerians. Looking back at the debut of our partnership with UNICEF in 2023, we have exceeded our initial expectations in school connectivity, which highlighted the significant gaps in Nigeria’s educational system.
This year, we have made even greater strides and our involvement in initiatives like the Nigeria Learning Passport reflects our commitment to bridging this gap by expanding digital access, fostering learning, and building essential skills nationwide to support young Nigerians,” he said.
“Also, it would interest everyone to know that Airtel Nigeria’s new Home Broadband thematic campaign, ‘Live Limitless’, resonates strongly with the GenU 9JA ‘We No Get Limit’ motto, which underscores our dedication to empowering young Nigerians to unlock their full potential without barriers.
This commitment drives us to continue creating and promoting opportunities that equip the youth for a brighter future” he added. The GenU Steering Committee meeting served as a valuable platform for Airtel and other partners to deepen their commitment to the GenU 9JA mission.
By fostering collaboration and driving impactful initiatives, Airtel demonstrates its corporate social responsibility by actively contributing to programs that uplift Nigerian youth and promote sustainable development across the nation.
Zarttalent, a foundation dedicated to advancing digital literacy and tech education in Nigeria, hosted the How to Win With Tech Summit on October 17, 2024.
The event brought together students, educators, tech enthusiasts, and influential leaders for a day focused on the power of technology in shaping the future.
Notable guests included Sonia Onovughakpo Fajusigbe, Policy Advisor Entrepreneurship Youth Employment & Healthcare, Consulate General of the Netherlands in Lagos, and Elizabeth Owei-Oladepo, Youth Advisor at the Consulate General of the Netherlands in Lagos.
Their presence, along with teachers, principals, media representatives, and Zarttalent partners, highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts in driving tech innovation and education.
Opening the summit, Nelson Ajulo, Chief Executive Officer of Zarttalent, delivered a keynote address titled “The Power of Technology in Today’s World.”
He highlighted the role of technology in generating employment opportunities and creating global pathways for Nigerian talent. In addressing Nigeria’s high youth unemployment rate, Nelson emphasized Zarttalent Foundation’s commitment to equipping young people with in-demand tech skills that align with global industry needs.
“The goal of education is to prepare students with skills for a meaningful livelihood. Yet, the challenge in Nigeria is a misalignment between university training and the skills required by today’s economy, contributing to the high unemployment rate.
By introducing relevant, in-demand tech skills, Zarttalent empowers young Nigerians to go beyond the standard curriculum and gain expertise that sets them apart in a rapidly digitizing world,” he stated.
Sonia Onovughakpo Fajusigbe, Policy Advisor Entrepreneurship Youth Employment & Healthcare, Consulate General of the Netherlands in Lagos, delivered a compelling address titled “Leveraging Technology for Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurship.”
She outlined the potential of tech-based skills to empower Nigerian youth to not only secure employment but also become problem-solvers in their communities. Fajusigbe encouraged the attendees to look beyond traditional jobs and consider digital entrepreneurship as a means to tackle local challenges and boost economic growth.
Fajusigbe’s keynote on technology as a tool for youth empowerment and entrepreneurship offered practical strategies for harnessing technology to create meaningful change. Her session encouraged students to see themselves as future innovators who can leverage tech to build a better society.
This landmark event is part of the foundation’s ongoing effort to empower the Nigerian youth and address its high youth unemployment rate by creating access to digital skills and mentorship.
The foundation aims to empower over 5,000 students over the next five years, equipping them with competitive tech skills that will translate into job opportunities, entrepreneurship, and solutions to real-life issues.
With Nigeria’s youth unemployment rate at record levels, the event focused on building sustainable career pathways and preparing a generation ready to thrive in a tech-driven economy, where digital skills are increasingly essential.
As part of its 20th anniversary celebrations, MTN Foundation will host an appreciation dinner for key stakeholders and partners on November 14, 2024, at the Balmoral Hall, Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja. This dinner is designed to celebrate the Foundation’s two-decade journey of social impact and express gratitude for the invaluable support of its stakeholders and partners.
Following a series of impactful panel discussions at the anniversary conference in Abuja, the Lagos gathering will be a blend of sophisticated dining with an array of entertainment. The evening will bring together notable guests, including MTN Foundation directors and Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Guests will also enjoy live performances by MTN MUSON scholars; talented young musicians whose training is fully funded by MTN Foundation. The event will also feature a performance by the Vintage Band, bringing a unique fusion of Afro-culture and pop music that promises to set an engaging tone for the evening.
The dinner will provide the opportunity for MTN Foundation to introduce its newly unveiled logo, vision, and mission to the Lagos audience. This refreshed focus underpins the Foundation’s dedication to ‘Inspiring Impact Where it Matters’ as it embarks on its next decade of social investment, prioritising youth empowerment, healthcare, and community development across Nigeria.
“We are deeply grateful to all our stakeholders and partners who have joined us on this 20-year journey. This dinner is a celebration of what we’ve achieved together and a look forward to the future of impactful investments in our communities,” remarked Odunayo Sanya, Executive Director of MTN Foundation.
The dinner promises all guests a memorable evening that celebrates past achievements and looks forward to a future of possibilities.
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