Leading telecommunications service provider, Airtel Nigeria,
last week, re-launched its Employee Volunteer Scheme, which was
introduced in 2011 to chart a new course in the way the company, in
collaboration with its employees, can make a difference in the lives of
Nigerians.
Speaking at the
re-launch event held at the company’s corporate Head Office in Ikoyi, Lagos,
the Group CEO, Airtel Africa, Mr Christian De Faria, charged the employees to
go beyond their jobs to do more for society by imbibing the spirit of Giving.
De Faria, who
pledged a monthly donation to support the scheme in Nigeria, advised the
Nigerian employees to make the company proud by the contributions they will
make and the impact of their activities in society.
According to
him, organizations that have giving in their DNA are perceived to be good
corporate citizens and, therefore, more loved and patronized.
Speaking
earlier, Managing Director and Chief Executive of Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Segun
Ogunsanya, explained that giving doesn't only mean donating money, but also
time and knowledge. He described these three types of giving as
instrumental towards earning any organization its social license to operate,
adding that organizations that give never lack the patronage and admiration of
the society.
Ogunsanya said
that Airtel Nigeria, in its renewed spirit of social responsibility, will avail
all employees, specific number of days in addition to their regular leave days
to engage in personal social responsibility activities, which will be
monitored, reported and recognized. The activities, he advised, should also
include mentoring younger people, who have high expectations of corporate
executives in terms of guidance and motivation as they pursue their
developmental and career objectives.
He noted
that the re-launch of the scheme is to further enhance Airtel’s
commitment in positively contributing to society in which they
operate.
He said: “it is
good to receive and even better to give. We work for an organization which
cares about and supports in the provision of the needs of the less privileged
in our society. We believe that our customers and indeed the people of Nigeria
are more than just a telephone connection.”
The Airtel
Employee Volunteer scheme, Ogunsanya explained, provides a platform for
employees to support charity causes through the contribution of time, knowledge
and cash or material resources, adding that the objective of the re-launch
is to bring all employees on board the scheme and encourage them to become
active participants in making a difference in society.
He added:
“Through this volunteer scheme, we seek to encourage individuals to
participate in a variety of tasks, no matter how simple, to serve the society
and our country. All cash donations and material donations garnered through the
scheme will be invested in social causes to help the less privileged and build
a better society”.
The highlight
of the event was the symbolic registration of Ogunsanya and other
members of the Executive Council who confirmed their
support by registering their names as
members and individually pledging undisclosed donations to
be deducted from their salaries on a monthly basis.
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