From Suleiman Idris, Lagos
Telecom giant Etisalat and Samsung Electronics West Africa yesterday in Lagos announced their support to the Ebola Containment Trust Fund as part of efforts to curb the spread of the deadly virus in Nigeria.
At a presentation of Samsung Galaxy Smartphone’s, Etisalat SIM cards bundled with data and airtime at the Etisalat head office in Banana Island, leaders of both corporations pledged their support to government in the effort to eradicate Ebola.
Chief Executive Officer of Etisalat Nigeria, Matthew Willsher emphasized that Corporate Social Responsibility at Etisalat represents a complete and wholesome relationship between the organisation and its key stakeholders by contributing to the sustainable development of the society.
“One of our CSR platforms at Etisalat Nigeria is Health and we always support initiatives that have the potential to assist Nigerians in that regard.
Our partnership with Samsung is aimed at providing support to the Ebola Containment Trust Fund (ECTF) in the dissemination of factual information about Ebola and the strategies for its prevention and containment. This will also ensure that collection of data on individuals who have had contact with those infected with Ebola is effectively managed”. He said.
Also, Director Information Technology and Mobile, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr Emmanouil Revmatas said, “At Samsung Electronics, we uphold a belief in shared responsibility – to our people, our planet and our society. Samsung Electronics West Africa ‘s partnership with Etisalat in the effort to support the Ebola Containment Trust Fund (ECTF) reflects the way innovative technology can be used to improve lives.”
He explained that the ability to use smart phones and data services will support the ECTF in their preventive work on Ebola while also ensuring that more information is available for timely prevention.
The fund, a non-profit body created to galvanize necessary resources to contain the Ebola Virus Disease from spreading in Nigeria has as its trustee members Dr. Alero Roberts, Christopher Kolade, Pastor Paul Adefarasin, Felix Ohiwerei and Gamaliel Onosode.
