Shettima Commends MTN for ₦1bn, Digital Devices Donation to FG

• VP urges other firms to emulate MTN in the area of Corporate Social Responsibility

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has commended the telecommunications giant, MTN Nigeria, for donating ₦1 billion to the Federal Government’s Food Support Programme and 4,600 units of digital devices for distribution to schools.

The Vice-President made the commendation on Friday when he received the Chairman of MTN Nigeria, Ernest Ndukwe, on a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Shettima said the gesture towards supporting the government’s efforts in addressing hardship in the country was worthy of emulation and indicative of its commitment to the development of the Nigerian economy.

“I am hugely proud of your (MTN’s) stability as a company and commitment to the progress of our country.

“We have witnessed a couple of changes in the industry, but you have remained stable and strong.

” On behalf of my boss, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I want to sincerely thank you for this gesture.”

The Vice-President assured that the donation by the company would be judiciously managed by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

Speaking on the distribution of 4,600 digital devices, each pre-installed with the U-lesson application, Shettima said the MTN team should liaise with his office to work on the beneficiary criteria.

The VP also said that the MTN team and the Office of the Vice-President would facilitate the distribution of the devices to secondary schools in the six geo-political zones.

He expressed confidence that the gesture would go a long way in supporting the government’s efforts to boost the nation’s economy as well as support the educational needs of the poor and vulnerable.

Accordingly, Shettima called on other companies in the country to emulate MTN in the area of Corporate Social Responsibility.

He also assured the business community that President Bola Tinubu’s administration remained pro-business and its policies, in a short time, would begin to manifest for all to see.

Earlier, Chairman of MTN Nigeria, Ernest Ndukwe said the N1 billion donation aimed to support the most vulnerable, marginalised, and underserved communities.

Ndukwe said that this will ensure that no one is left behind through increased collaboration and partnership with the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Chairman of MTN Nigeria expressed hope that the devices donated by the company would support the Federal Government’s objective to increase digital literacy in secondary schools, adding that the devices would improve creativity, analytical thinking, adaptability, and students’ access to current information in science and technology.

He also lauded the Federal Government for its efforts to revive the economic fortunes of the country through various initiatives rolled out across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government.