By Jedidah Silas Kiman
Gombe
No fewer than 450 people with disability received support under a special project of the MTN Telecommunications Company yesterday in Gombe.
Speaking to newsmen after the distribution exercise, the Government/Community officer of the company in charge of Northern Nigeria, Malam Tijjani Salihu, said the gesture was done to assist people with disability and the less privileged in the society.
According to him, the social responsibility exercise has been part of the company’s important functions which is aimed at reducing the sufferings of the less privileged and giving them a sense of belonging.
He said a similar programme was held by the company sometime in 2011 in which 350 people with disability benefitted from the programme.
Tijjani also explained that beneficiaries were drawn from eleven local governments of state with a view to having all parts of the state benefit from the programme, adding that the “assistance is meant to improve their living standards, and the programme is going round states across the country.”
He disclosed that items to be distributed included wheelchairs, tricycles, hearing aids, walking sticks and many others.
Governor of Gombe state, Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Affairs, Mr. Abdu Yaji, commended MTN for the gesture and advised the beneficiaries to make the best use of the items.
He urged other companies to emulate the telecommunication giants’ gesture.
Some beneficiaries who spoke to journalists said the donation would go a long way in changing their living standards.
