Mimiko applauds MTN, Ericsson on MVP

Executive Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko has applauded MTN Nigeria and end-to-end telecommunications solutions provider, Ericsson Nigeria, for collaborating to economically empower rural dwellers in the state under the Millennium Villages Project (MVP).

MTN and Ericsson partnership on the project using cutting edge telecommunications of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) tagged the Millennium Villages Project (MVP).

The project, driven by the UNDP, the Earth Institute at Columbia University, and Millennium Promise, is aimed at combating extreme poverty in African rural communities by offering them access to cutting-edge technologies, clean water, sanitation, education and other essential infrastructure.

MTN and Ericsson collaborated to provide the cluster of villages with a comprehensive, end-to-end communication solution, using ultra-modern 3.5G mobile communications and Internet technology.

With this, both Information and Communication Technology (ICT) firms have jointly improve the quality of life for the residents of the clusters, thus allowing them to communicate for economic and social purposes, minimizing the costs, risks and inconvenience of travel.

Speaking during a courtesy call on him by top officials of MTN, UNDP and Ericsson, Governor Mimiko thanked all the parties that collaborated for the success of the project, lauding them for taking up the challenge of joining government in developing the country.

“I note with satisfaction that MTN has provided the facility to enhance delivery of health services in addition to improving communication network in the cluster. On behalf of the good people of Ondo State, I sincerely say thank you to MTN Nigeria, Ericsson and the Millennium Villages network for this wonderful support,” he said.

The governor also called on high networth individuals and corporate organizations to emulate this good work and join hand with the state to improve the standard of living of the people.

In his speech, Mr. Akinwale Goodluck, Corporate Services Executive, MTN Nigeria, noted that the Millennium Village Project is consistent with MTN Nigeria’s commitment to positively impact its immediate sphere of influence.

“It presents a useful tool to combat poverty at the village level and is a sustainable model by which the African continent can easily realize the millennium development goals. That is why MTN Nigeria is very happy to be part of the project,” he said.

For the Managing Director, Ericsson, Mr. Gary Dewing, his firm was pleased to partner with the leading mobile telephone network in Africa and the Middle East, MTN, to launch the Millennium Villages Cluster in the Ikaram-Ibaram axis through provision of new communications network that will improve the quality of lives for residents of these clusters.

“With the 3.5G mobile communication and internet technology provided by our partner, MTN, we strongly believe that harnessing the power of communication will alleviate the myriad of problems facing the villagers and improve the quality of their lives”, Dewing asserted.

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