After recording monumental success with the maiden edition of its revolutionary CSR initiative, Airtel Touching Lives, leading telecoms operator, Airtel Nigeria, has announced the commencement of the second edition of the initiative, which has been described by many as a ground-breaking approach to Corporate Social Investment.

The Airtel Touching Lives is focused on empowering, uplifting and creating life-changing opportunities for underprivileged individuals, communities and groups in the Nigerian society.

Speaking yesterday at an event held in Ikoyi, Lagos, to mark the commencement of the second edition, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, said the telco is rolling out the second edition of the revolutionary programme based on the monumental successes recorded with the first edition.

According to him, Airtel went the length and breadth of the country, last year, scouting for people who needed help and for causes to support, noting that “the journey yielded great results as we touched the lives of many Nigerians.

He also noted that the Airtel Touching Lives initiative marks a significant milestone in the company’s history of CSR interventions just as it perfectly aligns with the telco’s vision of connecting Nigerians to their dreams, enriching lives, uplifting people and creating prosperity for the people and communities we serve.

“At Airtel, we believe that for us to be a great company we must be a good company and we are very much committed to earning our social license – the love and acceptance of the people we serve.”

The Season One of the Airtel Touching Lives featured 26 emotion-evoking stories, which brought to limelight the commitment and kind-heartedness of Airtel in uplifting the conditions of underprivileged people across the Nigerian society.

Anchored by popular On-Air-Personality, Wana Udobang, the 13 episode programme, which aired on satellite and terrestrial TV stations in Nigeria and across Africa, was followed by millions of people.

The Touching Lives initiative is structured in a unique fashion that allows Nigerians to nominate disadvantaged persons who are in need of care or special interventions. Entries can be sent in via SMS, phone calls to the short code 947 or via email to: touchinglives@ng.airtel.com.

Also, nomination letters not more than 1000 words can also be submitted at Airtel Showrooms, shops and dealers’ outlets nationwide. Interested people can also go to Airtel Facebook page and Airtel CSR/Touching Lives web page for further information.

The event was attended by several dignitaries including Innocent Chukwuma, Country Representative, Ford Foundation; Reginald Ihejiahi, former Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank and Member, Airtel CSR Advisory Committee; Yemi Cardoso, Chairman, Citi Bank and Member, Airtel CSR Advisory Committee and Mrs. Laja Adedoyin, Heart of Gold Children’s Hospice among other guests.

Select members of the Airtel Executive Council that graced the occasion were Director of Corporate Communications & CSR, Emeka Oparah; Chief Sales Officer, Godfrey Efeurhobo; Director of Legal & Company Secretary, Gbenga Rotimi; Human Resources Director, Gbemiga Owolabi; Director of Strategy & Performance Management, Tenu Awonoor; Director of Supply Chain Management, Ragvendra Gupta and Director of Information Technology, Rhajat Jain.

Renowned African artiste, 2face Idibia and popular dancehall artiste, Patoranking also added colour to the occasion.

•Photo shows Airtel Brand Ambassadors, Patrick Okorie a.k.a ‘Patoranking’ and Tuface Idibia with Airtel Touching Lives Season 1 beneficiary, Mr. Essienkan Ebong and his family, during the launch of Airtel Touching Lives Season 2 held in Ikoyi, Lagos on Wednesday.