IDPWD 2020: MTN Nigeria Continues To Be A Major Contributor In the Nigerian Disability Space
The estimated number of people living with disabilities in Nigeria is 25 million. According to this statistic, about one in every eight Nigerians lives with at least one form of disability. These disabilities range from visual, hearing, physical, intellectual and communication impairments.
The Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation, Nonny Ugboma in a session organised by Nigeria Internet Group (NIG) on November 26, 2020, to discuss internet opportunities for disabled persons in the society during the COVID-19 pandemic, brought to the spotlight a number of commendable projects championed by the MTN Foundation to aid persons with disabilities.
One of such projects is the MTNF scholarship for blind students. Through this scheme, high performing blind students in tertiary institutions in Nigeria are awarded scholarship grants worth N200,000 yearly up until graduation as long as they are able to maintain their grades. Upon graduation, these scholars are exposed to employment opportunities and entrepreneurial training that will help them overcome barriers that hinder their ability to chase their dreams. They also have an opportunity to partake in the MTN Youth Entrepreneurship Development Programme.
The MTN Foundation also runs a Disability Support Project that provides relief and mobility items, including braille machines, crutches, wheelchairs and elbow pads to help people living with disabilities be more independent and less restricted. The MTN Disability Support Project helps in the provision of mobility aids and appliances that enhance the physical capabilities of these people, which allows them to be more participative in society. Tricycles, wheelchairs, laptops, and other digital tools have been distributed through the project. In addition, MTN’s Hearing Aid Support Project has also helped provide 1,500 hearing aids to hearing-impaired persons across the country.
Speaking on the reason for MTN Foundation’s support to People with Disabilities (PwD) at the forum, Nonny Ugboma said, “Our goal is to develop people with disabilities to enable them to contribute meaningfully to society. To achieve this, capacity building is highly essential and this is why we have put development programmes in place to achieve this. We recognise that people with disabilities encounter healthcare, social, and economic challenges and we want to help provide solutions to these challenges.”
In celebration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPWD) 2020, MTN Foundation partnered with the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development of Nigeria to provide relief and mobility items, including braille machines, crutches and elbow pads to persons with disabilities.
