Leading telecommunications services provider, Airtel Nigeria has reiterated its commitment to bringing relief to the vulnerable and less privileged in the society through its Corporate Social Responsibility initiative ( CSR), Airtel Touching Lives.
Speaking during the official flag-off of Season 6 of its flagship Corporate Social Responsibility initiative, ‘Airtel Touching Lives’, today at Wheat Baker Hotel, Ikoyi, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Airtel Nigeria now elevated as CEO Airtel Africa had while performing one of his last official duties in the Nigeria office of the telecom group, reaffirmed the company’s resolve to bring good dividends to all its stakeholders with particular focus on giving succor and comfort to the downtrodden in the society.
Noting that previous editions of the CSR initiatives had recorded milestone achievements, the out-going Managing Director disclosed that ‘Airtel Touching Lives’ Season 6 will pay serious attention to COVID-19 related projects, education and will be rendering support to the medically challenged in the society.
Segun Ogunsanya asserted the telco’s relentless drive to alleviate the sufferings of the indigents in the society stating that “ In life, the purpose is very powerful. It does not just drive an individual or an entity, it drives every action and decision. Airtel procured our operating license for Nigeria in 2001. We have renewed that license for another ten years period from NCC where it is possible to procure and renew an operating license. You can only earn a social license to operate and it is not issued by NCC but by the various communities where we operate”.
He added that social license is the love, loyalty, friendship and affection that the Telco gets from the communities where it operates.
The Telco boss said: “ We created ‘Airtel Touching Lives’ for this purpose to offer relief and hope to the underprivileged and downtrodden and also to reimagine and inspire the strong and wealthy to support the weak and the poor”.
Segun Ogunsanya who hinted that he has been elevated to Chair Airtel Africa urged the general public to be part of the initiative by nominating projects, persons and communities that require support.
Assuring its target publics of the authenticity and transparency of the entire process of selection, the Head, Corporate Communications & Corporate Social Responsibility, Airtel Nigeria, Emeka Oparah said: “ When we get these nominations, we look at them on the face value and find the stories that are most striking and we send people to go to those people and those locations to verify. We have different levels of verification and in the last five years of doing this, we have never had anyone successfully scammed us”.
Members of the public can nominate individuals or projects in their communities by dialing 367 or by sending an SMS to the Shortcode, 367. You can also send an e-mail to touchinglives@ng.airtel.com
