Airtel in strategic CSR drive, floats ‘Touching Lives’ initiative

Airtel Nigeria, one of Nigeria’s largest GSM telecommunications companies, has come out with a new corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative aimed at touching lives and giving hope to people in dire straits.

Known as Airtel Touching Lives, the new initiative makes a significant departure in the history of the company’s CSR interventions and, according to Segun Ogunsanya, the company’s Managing Director; it is aimed to make Airtel the most loved brand in the daily lives of Nigerians.

Ogunsanya, who spoke at the launch of the initiative in Lagos recently, recalled that at the launch of the Airtel brand in Nigeria about four years ago, the management was very clear in the vision of the company to become the most loved brand in the country, adding that they have taken definitive steps that enabled the realisation of this core corporate philosophy.

According to him, the company has, on several occasions, made interventions in education, health and economic empowerment programmes, pointing out that their Adopt-a-School initiative has seen them adopt many schools in various parts of the country including St John’s Primary School, Oke-Agbo, Ogun State; Oremeji Primary School 2, Ajegunle, Lagos, Community Primary School, Amumara, Mbaise, Imo State among others.

In addition to providing the funds, through their Employee Volunteer Scheme, for corrective surgery for five-year old Ferdinand Chukwuani who had a major intestinal disorder, Ogunsanya informed that their Airtel Rising Stars soccer initiative has enriched the lives of many youths, having produced many football stars playing for national and state club-sides.

“Airtel Touching Lives is our major pillar for giving. It is not money for exposure; not a publicity drive. It is our commitment to connect with millions of Nigerians, alleviate their suffering and bring smile to their faces,” he said, explaining that the initiative was borne out of their genuine desire to build an equitable society where the strong would support the weak.

In his remarks, Emeka Oparah, Airtel’s director of Corporate Communications and CSR, expressed the readiness of the telecommunications operator to contribute to efforts of government, non-governmental organisations and individuals who are highly-spirited like Airtel Nigeria in humanitarian causes.

“Touching Lives is one of the philanthropic gestures of Airtel Nigeria designed to connect and alleviate the suffering of helpless people across the country. This initiative underscores our determination to enrich lives and contribute to humanity.”

The programme allows Nigerians to nominate disadvantaged persons who are in need of care or special interventions.

He explained that entries can be sent in via SMS, phone calls to the short code 947 or via email to:  [email protected].

 Also, nomination letters not more than 1000 words can also be submitted at Airtel Showrooms, shops and dealers outlets nationwide. Interested people can also go to Airtel Facebook page and Airtel CSR/Touching Lives web page for further information.

Airtel Touching Lives Season 1 is scheduled to run on both satellite and terrestrial TV stations as a 13-week series with a weekly feature of two individual stories of beneficiaries of the project.  It opens with a call for entries from the focus groups over a period of four weeks. 

Zebulon Agomuo & Chuka Uroko