By Adedapo Adesanya
As the yuletide season kicks off, top telecommunication service provider, Airtel Nigeria, has set in motion its annual Christmas feeding programme dubbed ‘Airtel Five Days of Love’ that will see residents of Lagos, Ogun, Anambra, Nasarawa, and Borno states be treated to meals. On Monday, December 9, 2019, the programme kicked off in Lagos at the Oshodi Local Government Secretariat.
The initiative, which is into its 5th year, was designed to identify with less privileged persons as well as support the downtrodden in communities where Airtel operates. At the Lagos programme, about 2,000 persons including children, women, youth and the elderly were served nutritious meals in a fun-filled atmosphere.
The programme has seen the service provider partner with leading Fast Food vendors to feed over 20,000 people across 25 major cities.
Speaking at the event in Lagos, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Airtel Nigeria, Mr Segun Ogunsanya, stated that the Christmas period is a season of giving and, “At Airtel, we believe we can spread love during the season through our ‘5 Days of Love’ programme. So, across the country, we are providing quality, hot meals amidst an electrifying atmosphere of fun, good entertainment and love.”
“Airtel is committed to touching the lives of underprivileged persons in the society as well as empowering stakeholders in the communities where we operate.
“As a critical stakeholder in the Nigeria, we are also passionate about uplifting the less privileged and providing support for the vulnerable as this aligns with our overall CSR theme of touching lives and improving the standard of living of the less privileged,” he added.
The Chairman of Oshodi/Isolo Local Government Area, Mr Idris Bolaji Muse-Ariyoh, expressed his gratitude to Airtel for the gesture and initiative.
“I want to say a big thank you to Airtel Nigeria and the CEO, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya. Through this programme, Airtel has demonstrated true love for the people and we are happy that this year’s edition is in Oshodi.
“Without a doubt, this initiative echoes Airtel’s commitment to touching lives as some us will not only be fed but also go home with gifts. Once again, thank you Airtel for visiting the Gateway of Nigeria,” he said.
Following the Oshodi event, the Airtel 5 Days of Love train moved to Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Tuesday, December 10 and on Wednesday, over 1,000 underprivileged persons were fed in Onitsha, Anambra State.
The train moves to Karu in Nasarawa on Thursday, December 12 while Maiduguri, the capital city of Borno will host the final lap of the Airtel Five Days of Love on Friday, December 13.
Through the Five Days of Love initiative, Airtel says it is uplifting the less privileged and providing support for the vulnerable as this aligns with its overall CSR theme of touching lives and improving the standard of living of the less privileged.
Modupe Gbadeyanka