Leading telecoms operator, Airtel Nigeria, has emerged the ‘Best Company in CSR Health Intervention’ at the 2015 Nigeria CSR Award, otherwise known as the Social Enterprise Report Awards (SERAs).
Themed ‘Building Partnership for a Sustainable Future,’ the 2015 SERAs Awards, which is the 9th Edition, held at the Muson Centre, Onikan Lagos, with notable personalities in attendance.
Airtel, at the event, bagged the award category which had Shell, Exxon Mobil, Sahara Oil and Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) as key contenders. The telco was also nominated in other categories including the ‘Best Companies in Partnership for Development,’ ‘Best Company in Promotion of Gender Equality,’ and Best Company in Sustainability Reporting.’
According to the organizers, Airtel Nigeria won the Best Company in CSR Health Intervention’ owing to its outstanding impact through its health intervention programmes in Millennium Village Projects (MVP) in Pampaida, Kaduna that has improved healthcare system and saved many lives.
The Chief Sales Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Godfrey Efeurhobo, received the award on behalf of the company’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Segun Ogunsanya.
Commenting on the award, Mr. Ogunsanya said the award is a much appreciated testimony of Airtel’s efforts at positively impacting society and creating credible platforms to uplift the underprivileged.
He also noted that Airtel is committed to connecting more Nigerians to their dreams, empowering more telecoms consumers and creating more opportunities for underprivileged persons.
MD, Total Nigeria Plc., Alexis Vovk; MD, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company, Mr. Bayo Ojulari were at the event.
Other members of the Airtel team in attendance were, Head of PR, Adefemi Adeniran; Head, High Value Customer Experience, Sarwiyat Rahaman; Digital and PR Manager, Erhumu Bayagbon and Assistant CSR Manager, Chioma Okolie.
As part of Airtel’s technological support to the Millennium Villages Projects in Nigeria, the telco provided base stations and complimentary data to enhance exchange of information between the central server and the Community Health Workers, while also boosting communication between the health workers and villagers. This in effect has drastically reduced infant and maternal mortality in the region.
Airtel’s innovative services such as Dial-a-Doctor and Mobile Midwife have also contributed to quality healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
Last year, the telco collaborated with a certified optical care clinic to conduct free eye screening exercise for all the students and teachers in its adopted schools across Nigeria.
In addition to this, Airtel in partnership with Unilever recently collaborated with the Nigerian Dental Association (NDA) to promote oral hygiene among the students in the five adopted schools namely Oremeji Primary School II, Ajegunle, Lagos; St. John Primary School, Oke-Agbo, Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State; Presbyterian Primary School, Ediba, Cross River, Community Primary School, Amumara, Imo and Iyeru-Okin Primary School, Offa, Kwara State.
Cross River State Governor, Senator Ben Ayade won the Sustainability Champion Award, while President, Aliko Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote won the CSR/Sustainability Man of the Year. Former VP, World Bank Africa, Obiageli Ezekwesili and founder, Silverbird Group and House of Rep. member, Ben Murray-Bruce were also honoured at the occasion.
The SERAs, according to its organisers “was borne out of deep conviction that the success of PR in the present millennium and in the future will be increasingly dictated by the level and degree that a company or organization can effectively and convincingly engage its stakeholders.”
