Leveraging individual support to deliver medical projects in communities

The Senior Manager, Programme Implementation, MTN Nigeria, Abasi-Ekong Udobang, said the foundation is dedicated towards developing grassroots communities through collaborative efforts, stating that initiative provides Nigerians with the opportunity to nominate a community for developmental projects. “The What Can We Do Together (WCWDT) initiative reflects our sustained drive to collaborate with Nigerians in executing impactful projects in communities across the country. We believe the nominators are the heroes of this initiative as their noble efforts will go a long way in improving the quality of life for millions of Nigerians,” he said

Udobang, stated this at a recent dinner and awards night held to celebrate community heroes in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt for their efforts in nominating communities in the WCWDT. “The altruistic gesture from the nominators led to various interventions by the Foundation in nominated communities, including supply of medical equipment to 40 primary health centres with training for the medical staff on the use of the newly supplied equipment. Ten communities received solar-powered boreholes and learning materials (school bags, exercise books, raincoats and pencil cases) were distributed to over 15,000 pupils in 60 public primary schools across 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory,” Udobang added.

He added that since the launch of the first phase of the WCWDT initiative in 2015, 510 communities across 454 local government areas have received diverse interventions from the Foundation.

The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat, said corporate organisations could do more to deepen cooperation with government to deliver basic amenities to communities by partnering with government. Hamzat who was represented by the permanent secretary, Education District III, Yinka Ayandele, said: “Lagos State is so pleased to be associated with the project and indeed, the governor has extended his appreciation for this gesture by the Foundation,” stated.

According to Hamzat, the Foundation has over the years partnered with both public and private organisations to initiate sustainable development programmes in different focus areas with the aim of making life brighter for Nigerians.

Meanwhile, the chairman, Senate committee on Information Communication Technology (ICT), Yakubu Oseni, who spoke at the appreciation event in Abuja organised for nominators from the northern region, applauded the Foundation for the kind gesture.He commended the initiative hoping that the foundation would execute more ICT projects in subsequent phases.