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MTN Foundation Advocates Inclusive Society For Persons With Disability
MTN Foundation, the corporate social investment vehicle of Nigeria’s leading Information and Communications Technology Company, MTN, has added its voice to the call for an inclusive society to benefit people living with disabilities.
At the opening ceremony of the first International Conference on Disabilities held at the Civic Centre in Lagos, to draw attention to the plight of people living with disabilities and the need to foster social and developmental inclusion in the society.
The conference had the theme creating an inclusive society for all.
In his opening remarks, Ani Charles Bassey-Eyo, chairman of the LOC, thanked stakeholders for their roles in developing the disability sector.
He said the conference was the first of its kind in Africa, the aim being to infuse private sector experience to support people with disability, as well as foster endearing relationships with the business community through dissemination of information and awareness interventions.
Nonny Ugboma, executive secretary, MTN Foundation, restated the Foundation’s journey towards having an inclusive society and the need to ensure inclusion of people with disabilities.
“MTN’s philosophy of an inclusive society is borne out of the realization that our social responsibility agenda cannot be complete without including persons with disabilities. We recognize this and have incorporated this philosophy into every initiative to benefit the affected people” said Ugboma. “We believe in education and empowerment of people with disabilities,” she added.
MTN’s effort towards inclusion has a three-pronged approach: public awareness and advocacy, through road shows and seminars; strategic partnerships with critical government stakeholders in the disability space and implementation of high-impact sustainable projects to support people with disabilities.
The opening plenary discussed the topic ‘towards an inclusive society, improving access and building capacity’ was moderated by Chairman, LOC, Ani Charles Bassey-Eyo. Governor of Nassarawa State, Umaru Al-Makura, Fomer Governor, Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation, Nonny Ugboma, President, Anglo-Nigerian Welfare Association for the Blind, Bashir Danlami, Dr. Hatim Omar, SSG, Lagos State, Tunji Bello, Delphine, made up the panel of discussants during the plenary.
“Disability is of the mind and in MTN, we believe that there is ability in disability, which is why we have put in place all these projects to empower persons with disability. We will continue to partner with government and other relevant stakeholders to improve the quality of lives of persons with disabilities across the country”, said Akinwale Goodluck, MTN’s Corporate Services Executive.
MTN Foundation has invested over N10 billion in social projects in key areas of education, health and economic empowerment in 341 locations across the 36 states of Nigeria and the FCT.
Bosun Tijani, minister for Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy, has stated that the federal government is geared towards creating about one million technology jobs for teeming Nigerian youth.
Tijani stated this at the official opening of a solar-powered community ICT center built by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in Abeokuta, as part of activities marking the 38th Lisabi festival.
The minister emphasised the commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to invest in the digital economy, driving inclusive growth and empowering the country’s teeming youth population.
“The president made it very clear when I came into office, that he will spend efforts and resources in creating one million technology jobs. So, for anybody that is following the development in the world today you will see that there’s no world without technology.
“There is a strong shortage of technology workforce all over the world, and while a lot of the developed countries have ageing population, and not giving birth to kids, in Nigeria, the average age is 16.9, so our young people are being projected to be the workforce of the future, not only for Nigeria.
“This center here is one of many. In the next two months, we are launching about 30 of them all over the country. This center will be properly animated and we will put resources into ensuring that there are courses for young people to come and take here.
“We are also going to ensure that there are job opportunities that we can connect them to and if anyone wants to follow, follow the three million Technical Talent Program which we have started already in the country”, he said.
He therefore charged the youth to remain focus, and not be discouraged, adding that there is massive employment opportunities in technology as there is no enough people to work in technology all over the world.
“If you ask anyone that works in technology, the entry salary is between N350,000 to N500,000. Technology pays really well, so instead of worrying about things being hard, they should take advantage of centers like this, empower themselves and go for the opportunities the world has to offer them”, he added.
Speaking earlier, Oba Adedotun Are, Alake and Paramount ruler of Egbaland, lauded President Tinubu for approving the centre in Abeokuta, saying that this has no doubt marked another new dawn for the people of Egbaland, given rapid growth, development, and economic empowerment of the people.
National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) has predicted that the price of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) will decline as Dangote Refinery and other local refineries commence full operations.
Speaking on Channels Television on Tuesday, April 1, NIPSS Director-General Ayo Omotayo expressed optimism that fuel prices would fall once more refineries become operational.
He projected that petrol prices could drop to around N750 per litre before the end of the year with a more stable exchange rate.
“We’re looking at it coming down as low as N750 before the end of the year. And of course, foreign exchange will still drop to about 1.3 before the end of the year, and it is going to continue like that as more of our refineries come into place.
Omotayo acknowledged the current economic hardships but insisted that the policy would benefit Nigerians in the long run.Traditional Nigerian cuisine
“The gains at this time are very little, but in the long run, we will make up for whatever sacrifices we have made today as Nigerians” he stated
U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that a deal for the sale of TikTok’s U.S. operations is expected to be finalized before the April 5 deadline.
U.S. President Donald Trump
The deadline, set by legislation passed in January, mandates TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to divest its U.S. assets or face a nationwide ban due to national security concerns.
Multiple non-Chinese firms have expressed interest in acquiring TikTok’s U.S. operations.
Private equity firm Blackstone is considering a minority investment, potentially joining existing non-Chinese shareholders such as Susquehanna International Group and General Atlantic.
In a strategic move to facilitate the sale, Trump suggested that he might consider a reduction in tariffs on China, acknowledging that Chinese regulatory approval may be required for the deal to proceed.
The White House has been actively involved in negotiations to ensure that TikTok remains operational in the U.S. while addressing national security risks.
With TikTok’s 170 million American users watching closely, the outcome of the sale is expected to have a major impact on the social media landscape and the broader tech industry.
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