Encomium
The MTN Foundation, in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the First Ladies of Lagos, Edo, Cross River, Osun, Abia, Kaduna, Ekiti, Nasarawa and Anambra States, has begun distributing learning materials to students across the nine states. The distribution of learning materials, which commenced on October 6, includes books, school bags and water bottles for students in junior secondary classes in public schools. The initiative is aimed at providing students with some of the basic resources they need for their education.
The first phase of the distribution took place in Lagos, Edo, Cross River and Osun States, with the remaining five states scheduled to benefit later in October. The initiative is part of MTN Foundation’s continued investment in education and its focus on supporting young people with the resources and opportunities they need to learn and develop.
Executive Director of MTN Nigeria Foundation, Odunayo Sanya, represented by Stella Nwosisi, General Manager, Regional Operations Lagos, MTN Nigeria, said the intervention was designed to provide practical support to students and ease some of the everyday challenges that can affect their learning. “At MTN Foundation, we believe that education remains one of the most powerful tools for transforming lives and building prosperous communities. Every child deserves not only access to education, but also access to the tools and the resources needed to learn effectively and to succeed. This conviction, inspired by the Learning Support Materials Initiative, is an intervention designed to support students with essential educational materials that makes learning more engaging, more productive, and definitely more rewarding,” she said.
The initiative was also supported by the First Ladies of the nine participating states, who helped facilitate the distribution of the learning materials to selected schools in their respective states. Their involvement strengthened the collaboration between the Foundation, UNICEF and state-level stakeholders in reaching students with practical educational support. Following the first phase in Lagos, Edo, Cross River and Osun States, distribution will continue in Abia, Kaduna, Ekiti, Nasarawa and Anambra States.
The partnership with UNICEF and participating states’ First Ladies also reflects the importance of addressing some of the practical barriers that can affect children’s participation in education. Speaking on the initiative, Lagos State’s First Lady, represented by Mrs, Aolat Alade, Director, Procurement, Deputy Governor’s Office, said the partnership was aimed at addressing some of the barriers that can prevent children from fully participating in education. She said access to learning materials, alongside support from communities and government stakeholders, was important to creating a more supportive learning environment. “I am particularly pleased that MTN Foundation continues to demonstrate its commitment to educational development and community impact through initiatives such as this. Education remains one of the most powerful instruments for personal development and social transformation. Therefore, every investment made in the education of our children is an investment in the future of Lagos State and Nigeria.” she said.
With the rollout continuing across the remaining five states, the programme will extend physical learning support to more students in public schools. Through the partnership, the Foundation and its stakeholders are seeking to ensure that students have access to the resources and skills needed to participate more effectively in education and prepare for a bright future.
