4th September, 2014
Henry Ojelu
Telecommunication company, Etisalat, and one of the world’s leader in technology, Samsung Electronics West Africa has announced their support for the Ebola Containment Trust Fund, in a bid to curb the spread of the deadly virus in Nigeria.
The announcement was made during the presentation of Samsung Galaxy Smartphone’s, Etisalat SIM cards bundled with data and airtime at the Etisalat head office in Banana Island, Lagos
While making the presentation, the Chief Executive Officer of Etisalat Nigeria, Matthew Willsher emphasised that Corporate Social Responsibility at Etisalat represents a complete and wholesome relationship between the organisation and its key stakeholders through sustainable products and services, ethical business practices, minimizing environmental impact, and contributing to the sustainable development of the society.
“One of our CSR platforms at Etisalat Nigeria is Health and we always support initiatives that have the potential to assist Nigerians in that regard. Our partnership with Samsung is aimed at providing support to the Ebola Containment Trust Fund (ECTF) in the dissemination of factual information about Ebola and the strategies for its prevention and containment. This will also ensure that collection of data on individuals who have had contact with those infected with Ebola is effectively managed,” he said.
Emmanouil Revmatas, Director Information Technology and Mobile, Samsung Electronics West Africa said, “At Samsung Electronics, we uphold a belief in shared responsibility – to our people, our planet and our society. Samsung Electronics West Africa ‘s partnership with Etisalat in the effort to support the Ebola Containment Trust Fund (ECTF) reflects the way innovative technology can be used to improve lives. The ability to use smart phones and data services will support the ECTF in their preventive work on Ebola while also ensuring that more information is available for timely prevention.
“Samsung isprivileged to be part of this timely initiative to contain and eradicate EVD in Nigeria and remains committed to improving the lives of Nigeria through technology and innovation.”
In addition to the support given to the Ebola Containment Trust Fund, Etisalat is also partnering with the Nigerian Red Cross to prevent further spread of the EVD through SMS, radio and social media campaigns.
Etisalat’s CSR strategy is to align the organisation’s business strategy with societal goals using three platforms – Education, Health and the Environment. The company recently donated over 1,000 insecticide treated nets (ITN) to its customers to commemorate the World Mosquito Day in Lagos and Port Harcourt.
The Ebola Containment Trust Fund, a non-profit body created to galvanize necessary resources to contain the Ebola Virus Disease from spreading in Nigeria has as its trustee members Dr. Alero Roberts, Christopher Kolade, Pastor Paul Adefarasin, Felix Ohiwerei and Gamaliel Onosode.