MTN donates digital tablets to 15 Borno secondary schools for efficiency

By Ladi Jossy, Maiduguri

As part of an effort to support digital illiteracy and innovation, the MTN Nigeria Communications PLC on Wednesday donated 750 digital tablets to 15 secondary schools for teaching effectiveness and efficiency across Borno state.

Speaking during the symbolic handover in Maiduguri, the state capital, Tijanni Salihu, the MTN Acting Managing Director in charge of Borno, Yobe, and Gombe states, urged school principals and teachers to not only see the tablets as tools but as catalysts that ignite curiosity and promote learning in new and engaging ways.

The telecommunication giant said the initiative aimed to contribute to the rebuilding and strengthening of education in this region, supporting students to reconnect with learning through technology.

According to him, despite the challenges the state has faced, the resilience of its people, especially its youth, is deeply inspiring which highlights the organisation’s shared commitment to education, innovation and opportunity for every child no matter where they live.

He said “This ceremony represents more than the distribution of digital
devices. MTN believes that everyone deserves a modern connected life.

“This initiative was conceived by His excellency, the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima who on behalf of the federal government requested MTN to donate tablets to secondary schools in Nigeria to support the digital literacy agenda of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR”. He stated

He added,” In alignment with this national vision, MTN Nigeria has procured 4,600 digital learning tablets, which are being distributed to public secondary schools across the country. This is a symbolic handover. In Borno, we target 15 schools, each schools will get 50 Tablets, which is 750 in total,”he said.

According to him, the state government owes the  responsibility of selecting schools to benefit from the distribution accros the state.

“In other to ensure transparency, we actually allow the state government to make the choices of the school LS to benefit according to several factors, which one is to make sure that there is spread within the whole 27 local government areas,” he explained .

He called on the students to take advantage of the devices in pursuing their dreams and exploring digital opportunities.

Receiving the devices, Lawan Wakilbe, the State Commissioner of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation appreciated MTN Foundation, saying the gesture will support the state’s 10-year strategic plan of Zulum administration which includes computer literacy.

” The Borno State 10-year strategy plan, which includes computer literacy as one of it’s pillars is a clear indication of his commitment to ensuring that our students are equipped with the skills necessary to compete in the global economy.  This donation will undoubtedly play a significant role in advancing this objective.” he said