MTN Foundation verification visits to impact 200 communities

Following 92,000 entries received, the MTN Foundation (MTNF) has begun the implementation of the second phase of its ‘What Can We Do Together’ Initiative.

The Foundation has commenced verification visits to 1,039 shortlisted communities, out of which a final selection of 200 successful beneficiaries across the six geo-political zones will be impacted by its CSR effort.

According to Nonny Ugboma, MTNF executive secretary, “The ‘What Can We Do Together’ initiative is a unique project aimed at putting smiles on the faces of individuals through the provision of some basic amenities that complement government’s efforts at improving the quality of lives in communities across the country.”

Speaking further, Ugboma said that in phase two of the project, the foundation will focus on electricity transformers, boreholes, school furniture and medical supply donations to community health care centres. The precise breakdown of the 200-community distribution is 20 transformers and 20 boreholes to select communities; 80 schools will receive school furniture while 80 primary health care centres will get medical supplies.

“The increased number of entries we received in phase two is an indication that more people are taking the needed effort to attract positive change to their communities. At the MTN Foundation, we are pleased to sustain and improve on the huge success recorded in phase one of the initiative.” She Added.

Speaking on the rationale behind the verification exercise, MTN Executive, Amina Oyagbola, said, “Part of the campaign promise of the ‘What Can We Do Together’ initiative is to ensure high-level transparency and communal involvement by carrying the public along through the nomination and selection processes. This is necessary to promote credibility and openness in the initiative. As we speak, all the shortlisted nominators have been contacted to confirm the actual locations of their nominated communities, after which, a final selection of the 200 qualified communities will be conducted.”

In Phase One of the ‘What Can We Do Together’ initiative, 200 projects were successfully delivered to 200 communities across 200 Local Government Areas in the 36 states of the Federation, including the Federal Capital Territory.