Fashola's Wife Commends MTN Foundation as Donations Exceed N1Bn

Dame Abimbola Fashola, first lady of Lagos, has commissioned seven blocks of modern classrooms for the pupils of Hope Primary School, Ikoyi, Lagos, donated by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) and furnished by the MTN Foundation, Corporate Social Investment vehicle of MTN Nigeria.

The Foundation which has spent well over ₦1billion naira on quite a number of initiatives in the education sector, commenced the fourth phase of its Learning Facility Support Project, furnished the new seven-classroom block with modern furnishings including, desks, benches, chairs and tables.

Other items include school bags, books, among others.

The MTNF Learning Facility Support Project is an initiative under the education portfolio of the Foundation. Its initiatives are aimed at engendering conducive environment through the provision of modern facilities and materials in public schools across the six geo-political zones of Nigeria.

Commenting on the contributions of the Foundation towards education in Nigeria, Dame Abimbola Fashola, said: "We embarked on this mission two years ago, when we decided to provide good amenities in our primary schools. While the construction was going on, MTN Foundation accepted to furnish two schools by providing the appropriate furnishings. We want to sincerely thank the Management of MTN Nigeria for partnering with us to support the commitment of Lagos State in providing a conducive learning environment for our tomorrow leaders from the basic education level."

Speaking on the MTNF-COWLSO partnership, Mrs. Bimpe Bamgbose-Martins, chairperson, COWLSO Building Committee, expressed delight at the quality of work done by the building contractors as well as the furnishings, adding that the project will serve the need for which it was initiated.

"I have no doubt that our collective efforts will produce the much-desired change needed in our society, and I thank the MTN Foundation for partnering with COWLSO to bring about that change," Bamgbose-Martins said.

In her remarks, Nonny Ugboma, executive secretary of MTN Foundation, said, "The Foundation is glad to be part of this initiative, especially in partnering with the First Lady of Lagos State, who has always been supportive of MTNF's initiatives. Lagos State has benefitted from a number of MTNF initiatives like the Medical Support Project, wherein the Foundation donated Dialysis and Mammography machines to two General Hospitals, Community Health Screenings, Voluntary, Counselling and Testing Centres, Sickle Cell Screenings and Counselling, among other initiatives."

"The MTNF Learning Facility Supply Project is one of the projects under the Foundation's education portfolio that has furthered our commitment to playing a key role in enhancing learning, thereby adding value to the Nigerian educational sector.  We pledge continued support for our children as we continue to invest in initiatives aimed at enhancing living standards, adding values and empowering Nigerians," said Akinwale Goodluck, MTN's corporate service executive.

Since inception in 2009 to date, the MTNF Learning Facility Supply Project has spent well over ₦1billion naira on quite a number of initiatives in the education sector.

In this fourth phase, The Foundation will present 16,000 desks, benches, tables and chairs to 85,000 schools across the six geo-political zones in Nigeria.

MTN Foundation, which celebrates a decade of value-driven CSR/CSI interventions in Nigeria this year, has reiterated its commitment to touching lives the lives of even more Nigerians.