The First Lady of Lagos State, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, during the Exhibition and Trade Fair for SMEs organized by MTN Nigeria which took place as part of MTN Nigeria’s Y’ello Care initiative, highlighted the significance of collaboration in making a positive difference in the lives of vulnerable individuals within Lagos State and the entire country.
Her Excellency, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, praised the dedication and commitment of MTN employees in making a positive impact on their community. She acknowledged the commendable efforts of MTN’s social impact initiatives, which have been ongoing for the past 16 years. These initiatives specifically target the empowerment of youths, women, and differently abled individuals in communities within Lagos and across Nigeria.
Her Excellency highlighted the vital role of entrepreneurs and SMEs in driving economic development and job creation. She emphasized the need to support and nurture the growth of entrepreneurs and acknowledged the contributions of MTN employees through the Y’ello Care initiative. She urged other corporate entities to adopt similar programs to complement government efforts in supporting the entrepreneurial sector. The event’s theme focused on empowering entrepreneurs for community growth and job creation.
The Chief Human Resources Officer, Esther Akinnukawe, expressed excitement about MTN’s 16th year of the Y’ello Care initiative and the commitment of MTN employees to making a positive impact in their communities. She emphasized MTN’s focus on the development of SMEs and the use of skills, digital tools, and financial resources to drive growth and job creation. The exhibition and trade fair provided entrepreneurs with an opportunity to showcase their businesses, which was just one of the many activities planned for the initiative.
As part of the ongoing Y’ello Care initiative led by MTN employees, the Exhibition and Trade Fair showcased over 50 businesses offering a wide range of products and services. These included ready-to-wear adire clothing, skincare products made from natural ingredients, and a variety of cash crops. The event aimed to support and promote these businesses while providing a platform for networking and collaboration.