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Airtel Set to Touch Lives With Revolutionary Csr Initiate(AllAfrica Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Airtel Nigeria on Wednesday launched a new corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative, which is carefully designed to give hope and love to less privilege people and communities. Tagged 'Airtel Touching Lives', the initiative seeks to enrich Nigerians and provide succour to the underprivileged members of the society. The initiative is a tactical shift from the normal CSR initiative of organisations in the sense that it addresses core challenges of individuals and communities. According to the telecoms company, the initiative would mark a significant milestone in the company's history of CSR interventions in the country, noting that it is a responsive CSR intervention targeted at providing timely aid to underprivileged Nigerians irrespective of their gender, background or geographical locations. The programme will identify such persons and communities with specific challenges, pains and struggles with the ultimate objective of providing the needed help to empower and enrich their lives. Although Airtel said it had not raised a foundation empowered with a certain percentage of its revenue to manage the initiative, it however said it would be managed through an advisory committee, with substantial amount of money voted for it. Speaking at the its unveiling in Lagos, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, described the programme as a timely, deliberate and responsive CSR initiative aimed at empowering underprivileged Nigerians and tackling the various challenges confronting millions of people. He underlined Airtel's commitment to the programme, saying the company is devoted to enriching the lives of Nigerians especially the underprivileged people. "At Airtel, we are passionate about the people we serve and the Nigerian society. Airtel Touching Lives provides a platform for the underprivileged in our society to be identified, heard and also cared for. It is our commitment to connect with millions of Nigerians, alleviate their suffering and bring smile to their faces," he said. The Airtel CEO also explained that the company primarily embarked on the initiative because of its genuine interest in the general well-being of Nigerians, especially people with special needs. Airtel's Director of Corporate Communications and CSR, Mr. Emeka Oparah, expressed the readiness of the telecommunications operator to contribute to efforts of government, non-governmental organisations and individuals who are highly-spirited like Airtel Nigeria in humanitarian courses. "Touching Lives is one of the philanthropic gestures of Airtel Nigeria designed to connect and alleviate the suffering of helpless people across the country. This initiative underscores our determination to enrich lives and contribute to humanity," Oparah said. The programme allows Nigerians to nominate disadvantaged persons who are in need of care or special interventions. People are also allowed to tell their pathetic or inspiring stories in writing and send entries to the advisory committee. The stories would be vetted and selection made. Entries can be sent in via free of charge SMS, phone calls to the short code 947 or via email to: [email protected]. Nomination letters not more than 1000 words can also be submitted at Airtel showrooms, shops and dealers outlets nationwide. Interested people can also go to Airtel Facebook page and Airtel CSR/Touching Lives web page for further information. Copyright This Day. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). |