Airtel Nigeria, leading telecommunications service provider, has re-launched its Employee Volunteer Scheme; which was introduced in 2011 to chart a new course in the way the company, in collaboration with its employees, can make a difference in the lives of Nigerians.
Speaking at the re-launch event held at the company’s corporate Head Office in Lagos, Mr Christian De Faria, group CEO, Airtel Africa, charged the employees to go beyond their jobs to do more for society by imbibing the spirit of Giving.
De Faria, who pledged a monthly donation to support the scheme in Nigeria, advised the Nigerian employees to make the company proud by the contributions they will make and the impact of their activities in society.
According to him, organizations that have giving in their DNA are perceived to be good corporate citizens and, therefore, more loved and patronized.
Speaking earlier, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, managing director and chief executive officer of Airtel Nigeria, explained that giving doesn’t only mean donating money, but also time and knowledge.
He described these three types of giving as instrumental towards earning any organization its social license to operate, adding that organizations that give never lack the patronage and admiration of the society.
Ogunsanya said that Airtel Nigeria, in its renewed spirit of social responsibility, will avail all employees, specific number of days in addition to their regular leave days to engage in personal social responsibility activities, which will be monitored, reported and recognized.
The activities, he advised, should also include mentoring younger people, who have high expectations of corporate executives in terms of guidance and motivation as they pursue their developmental and career objectives.
He noted that the re-launch of the scheme is to further enhance Airtel’s commitment in positively contributing to society in which they operate.
He said: “it is good to receive and even better to give. We work for an organization which cares about and supports in the provision of the needs of the less privileged in our society. We believe that our customers and indeed the people of Nigeria are more than just a telephone connection.”
The Airtel Employee Volunteer scheme, Ogunsanya explained, provides a platform for employees to support charity causes through the contribution of time, knowledge and cash or material resources, adding that the objective of the re-launch is to bring all employees on board the scheme and encourage them to become active participants in making a difference in society.
He added: “Through this volunteer scheme, we seek to encourage individuals to participate in a variety of tasks, no matter how simple, to serve the society and our country. All cash donations and material donations garnered through the scheme will be invested in social causes to help the less privileged and build a better society”.
The highlight of the event was the symbolic registration of Ogunsanya and other members of the Executive Council who confirmed their support by registering their names as members and individually pledging undisclosed donations to be deducted from their salaries on a monthly basis.