Tuesday 21 April 2015

MTN Condemns Xenophobia As Protests Hit Abuja, Benin Offices

MTN Nigeria Communications Limited has condemned the xenophobic attacks on foreign African immigrants in South Africa which has led to the death of seven people just as angry Nigerians yesterday delivered protest letters at MTN’s Abuja and Benin City offices.

The corporate services executive, MTN Nigeria, Mr Wale Goodluck, speaking yesterday at a media parley in Lagos, attributed the violent attacks to poverty and illiteracy.

He also said the call for people to boycott South African investments in Nigeria is uncalled for. He said MTN Nigeria empathises with Africans who have been affected by the violent attacks in South Africa.

“One of the things we are doing to help provide immediate succour is that the MTN Group is providing financial assistance at the transit camps in South Africa where immigrants are being accommodated until the violence eases off. We also commend the roles that the Nigerian embassy has been playing. We are providing blankets, beddings, foods, etc, for those at the camps,” he said.

Goodluck, who said that MTN Nigeria recognises the right to peaceful protest, said, “Today we engaged people who have come to protest at our Abuja and Benin City offices.

They delivered letters that condemned what is going on and called on the South African government to prevail on its citizens to stop xenophobic attacks on immigrants.

“Our biggest concern is the lives that have been lost in South Africa and the lives of Nigerians that are endangered there. As a company, we serve over 60 million subscribers and we feel the concerns of Nigerians and those whose lives are at risk,” he said.

The spokesman of MTN Nigeria said the call by some people to boycott the services of MTN Nigeria is unjustified.

“If you look at MTN Nigeria, we provide 500 jobs to Nigerians. 99.9 per cent of our employees are Nigerians. We have 12 expatriates working for us.

“We have over 6,000 permanent contract staff and we provide indirect jobs to half a million people.” (Leadership)

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