• Friday, March 29, 2024
businessday logo

BusinessDay

Airtel Touching Lives hits two million beneficiaries – Ogunsanya

Airtel Touching Lives hits two million beneficiaries – Ogunsanya

Segun Ogunsanya, managing director of Airtel Nigeria has disclosed that over two million have been empowered so far with the Airtel Touching Lives Scheme launched four years ago to improve on the lives of the underprivileged who are looked down on in the society.

He noted that the leading telecoms firm saw the missing gap and deficiency in the way Nigerians gain access to daily needs which prompted Airtel reaching out and touching lives of downtrodden, especially in the rural areas and remote communities in the country.

Ogunsanya, who was represented by the director of corporate communications, Emeka Oparah, at the inauguration of the Airtel Information Communication Technology Centre in Imodi Ijebu in Odogbolu local government area of Ogun State, stated that more goodies would still reach more Nigerians in the Airtel Touching Lives programme as Seasons Five has started.

READ ALSO: Ogun Community thanks Airtel for restoring electricity 15 years after disconnection

He explained that there are plans underway to rehabilitate major dilapidated facilities across the country as part of the telecommunication corporate social responsibility to the people.

Speaking on the newly refurbished ICT center, Ogunsanya said Airtel Nigeria donated 12 KVA diesel generator, 25 desktop computers, 13 UPS and other equipment needed to put the ICT Centre in place

He said, “We believe an ICT center is critical to the success of a community and the development of both young and old because it offers a passport to the world. Without ICT, a community will remain isolated, detached, removed, forlorn and hard to reach.

“So, with this newly built ICT center complete with very modern computers, and riding on Airtel’s robust 4G/LTE network, Imodi is now fully connected to the world and global map.

“With this facility, more entrepreneurs will spring up, the youth will become more productive and the entire ecosystem will blossom and become more prosperous.

“We are excited that young persons who are in school will benefit from this initiative. They will be able to do their homework, conduct robust research on any topic and also follow up with important global trends and activities.

“Airtel will continue to look for opportunities to empower communities and connect people to their dreams.”

Responding, the Secretary to Ogun State Government, Tokunbo Talabi lauded the telecommunication company for its efforts in providing ICT center to the Ogun community.

“I want to commend two groups of people; I am happy that institution like Airtel Nigeria supports us; I pray the value we get from here surpass the vision.

“A project like this cannot be more than our need, because the capacity that Ogun state has demonstrated to absolve things like this is legendary and I am very happy that rather than teaching people how to eat fish, Airtel is teaching people how to catch fish.

“Right now, the lives of everyman is tie towards technology; there is nothing you can do today, if you don’t put technology in it, you are going to be like an ancient city.

“The potential of the center is very huge, so, there is nothing the state will do that the people here will not benefit. With Airtel here and the internet is here, it means that when you want to do anything on our portal either for the job, loan, vocational training among others, you can easily do it here,” he said.