The MTN Foundation on Wednesday held an award dinner to appreciate nominators of projects in the second phase of its “What Can We Do Together” Initiative. The foundation said it has spent N1.1 billion on 400 projects to affect communities since the inception of the initiative in 2015.
At the event held at the International Conference Centre in Abuja, the National Assembly pledged to do its best to ensure the Telecommunication giant, MTN, continues to do business in Nigeria.
Chairman of the MTN Foundation Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, in his address at the appreciation dinner, said the foundation has so far expended N18 billion executing various projects in 750 locations across the 36 states of the federation and the federal capital territory, to help needy and disadvantaged persons.
In the first phase of the initiative, the foundation received 37,000 nominations and tripled the number in the second phase Adelusi-Adeluyi said adding that the foundation received 91,000 nominations in the second phase.
Speaking at the award dinner for the nominators of the different projects, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, who also nominated projects said the National Assembly was well aware of the challenges faced by the telecoms giant and will do all it can to “make sure MTN stays in Nigeria because we believe you should stay. We will do all we can to support you”
Ekweremadu urged the telecom company to expand their infrastructure to accommodate rising subscribers as well as address the complaints made by customers. “We will make sure we address the challenges you face while you address our own challenges, ” the Deputy Senate President said.
He lauded the telecoms outfit and urged others who do business in Nigeria to take a cue and fulfill their social responsibilities to Nigerians.
On her part, the Executive Secretary of the MTN Foundation, Nonny Ugboma said under the “What Can We Do Together” initiative 400 projects comprising 80 primary healthcare centers provided with medical equipment; school furniture sets provided to 174 schools; households supplies and equipment provided to 66 orphanages amongst others have been completed nationwide.
She appealed to all the communities that benefitted to own and protect the projects which now belong to them.
ELIZABETH ARCHIBONG, Abuja
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