By Adedapo Adesanya
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has commended Airtel Nigeria for its Airtel Touching Lives initiative, saying the platform has impacted many lives in the state and the country at large.
The Governor praised the telco giant at an event held on Sunday evening at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos, to premier the seventh season of the programme.
Airtel Touching Lives is part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects, aimed at empowering and uplifting communities across the country.
The event held at the weekend was attended by a select group of guests, including government officials, top business executives, community leaders, and media personalities.
Mr Sanwo-Olu, who described Airtel Nigeria as a dependable brand, said, “What Airtel does is commendable, and I am always glad to see several projects executed by the brand and how much these projects have impacted the lives of many, especially the Airtel Touching Lives initiative which is in its seventh season. Thanks to Airtel for remaining consistent, dependable, and a responsible brand.”
On his part, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Africa, Mr Segun Ogunsanya, said “It is not enough to own a license to operate a mobile telecommunications company, I strongly believe that we must earn a Social License to operate.
“Hence, we commenced this beautiful idea we named Airtel Touching Lives, which is more or less a special-purpose vehicle with which we deliver multifaceted assistance to people and communities across the country. We have constructed schools, sponsored surgeries locally and abroad, built houses, set up small businesses, and sponsored the education of indigent children. We have basically touched the lives of thousands of people directly and indirectly.”
Also speaking at the event, the chief executive of Airtel Nigeria, Mr Carl Cruz, said, “At the heart of our activities as a company is the commitment to improve our environment and support everyday Nigerians with what matters most to them: their wellbeing.
“Our aim is also to support government efforts, as we understand that government cannot solve all problems by itself, and while we support governments, we appreciate the truth that we cannot also by ourselves complete the task at hand. So, we always consider it a privilege to collaborate with like-minded organizations who share our passion for solving society’s problems.
“At Airtel Nigeria, we are happy to embrace our role as an organization that prioritizes the need to lift up the weak and needy in our communities. We consider it an honour to be a model to other organizations and to offer support to the government in its responsibility to serve the people.”
As revealed during the event, season 7 of Airtel Touching Lives will showcase 12 projects which were determined after a rigorous vetting of the thousands of nominations received from well-meaning Nigerians across the country.
Airtel Touching Lives is one of the platforms the firm uses to impact the lives of its customers.
Others include the ‘Adopt-A-School’ program, which provides access to quality education and infrastructure for underprivileged children; ‘Employee Volunteer Scheme’, an initiative where employees of Airtel commit personal funds to support the less privileged in society; the annual festive campaign, ‘Five Days of Love’ and the renowned ‘Airtel Touching Lives initiative’, which supports the less privileged individuals and communities, providing access to potable water in rural areas, economic empowerment projects and many other forms of support.
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