MTN Foundation Spends N7bn on Projects

Mobile Telecommunications giant, (MTN) through its one of its subsidiaries, MTN Foundation said not less than N7 billion has been invested in carrying out various projects in 338 locations across the 36 states of Nigeria and Abuja.

The Corporate Services Executive of MTN Nigeria, Mr. Wale Goodluck, disclosed this at the inauguration of the MTNF Youth Scheme Development Project (MTNF-YSDP) donated by the company to the Government Technical College, Owo, Ondo State.

Goodluck at the launching performed by the Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, and witnessed by top government functionaries and traditional rulers, MTNF Youth Skills Development Project is only one of many initiatives that demonstrate its commitment to the empowerment of Nigerian youth.

He said apart from the Government Technical College Owo, three other technical colleges, Government Technical College Ikorodu, Lagos as well as the Government Technical Colleges in Malali, Kaduna State and Farfaru, Sokoto State, also benefitted from the scheme.

According to Goodluck, the launch of the MTNF-YSDP was conceived from MTN's recognition of the importance of empowering Nigerian youth.

Equally, he said the project is important because it aligns with the federal government’s efforts to raise the level of entrepreneurial skill acquisition as this would boost technological advancement, which MTN (being an ICT company) also recognises as a major driver for socio-economic development.

He said while the MTN Foundation already carried out several projects under the Economic Empowerment portfolio, the MTNF Board approved the MTNF-YSDP in July 2010 as a sign of the organisation’s interest in, and its commitment to youth development in Nigeria.
He added that MTNF YSDP was designed to foster the spirit of self-reliance amongst Nigerian youth, by building the capacity of students in vocational colleges to make them competent technicians for the labour market.

Goodluck said under the first phase of the project which is being implemented by Deux Project Limited, four government technical/vocational colleges were selected to benefit from an upgrade of their school facilities, as well as the provision of cutting-edge equipment for up-to-date training and development of craftsmen, technicians and artisans.

He highlighted other youth-focused projects which fall under the education/economic empowerment portfolios to include: the MTNF Scholarship Schemes in Science and Technology; the MTNF SchoolsConnect project; The MTNF UniversitiesConnect project and the MTNF-MUSON Scholars programme.

“Aside from Economic empowerment and Education, the MTN Foundation also invests in Health initiatives across the country. As at today, we have invested over N7 billion in carrying out projects in 338 locations across the 36 states of Nigeria and the FCT”, he said.
Goodluck said Ondo State was selected for the project because of the good relationship with between the state and the company saying the relationship had been demonstrated in the positive support received from the government.