The Second National Operator (SNO), Globacom, yesterday in Lagos, presented a cheque worth N1.76 million on behalf of its subscribers to the Nigerian Red Cross in aid of the January 12 earthquake victims in Haiti, even as Glo plans to lift Jos victims with a similar initiative.
The donation, the first of a 3-month installment, according to the company’s Executive Director, Human Resources, Mr. Adewale Sangowawa, who made the presentation on behalf of the operator and its subscribers among other Nigerians who responded to a fundraising appeal which started in February, disclosed that a total of 35, 150 Nigerians participated in the compassionate Short Messaging Service (SMS).
Also, Sangowawa expressed thanks to participants who contributed N50 each towards the relief effort by sending the word ‘HAITI’ to the short code 33090 which was specially created for the purpose.
He urged other Nigerians to do more for the unfortunate victims of disasters in Nigeria, Haiti and other parts of the world.
“We urge fellow Nigerians to donate more as the survival of the victims and their ability to recover depend on the support of all people of goodwill”, he said.
Sangowawa, who was accompanied at the occasion by the Managing Director, TheBeat/Classic FM stations, Mr. Chris Ubosi, in a chat with Daily Champion, said that they have not forgotten those at Jos who recently found themselves as victims following sectarian clashes.
He appreciated the Nigeria Red Cross for the partnership and assured that Glo would continue to work with the organisation and other credible humanitarian groups in order to further advance their capacity to bring relief to victims of natural or humanitarian crises both in Nigeria and all over the world.
Welcoming the guests, the national vice president, Nigerian Red Cross, Deacon Timothy Oladele commended Glo and Classic 97.3 FM for their partnership, support and contributions towards mitigating the sufferings of the victims of the Haitian disaster.
He said the Red Cross is an independent organisation which does not recognise language, race or geographical location as it has been involved in disaster management and humanitarian activities not only in Nigeria but all over the world.
For the Secretary General, Nigerian Red Cross, Mr. Diram Bello Hamman, Glo, by its gesture, has once again demonstrated that it is a network of the people.
“Glo is a global network with a Nigerian spirit. Today’s ceremony is the first of its kind in the telecom industry in Nigeria. No other company has provided a platform for people to be their brothers’ keepers like Glo”, he stated.
Hamman urged Nigerians to continue to send their SMS to 33090 as the people of Haiti are still in dire need of help. He also urged Globacom to set up a permanent short code through which Nigerians can always make donations to the Red Cross.
Such donations, he said, will help in providing food and non-food materials to victims of disasters and upheavals such as the 10,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the recent Jos humanitarian crisis who are currently being cared for by the Red Cross in camps set up in Jos and Bauchi.
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