The Directorate of Marketing and Brand Management, drivers of Dakkada Support Initiative has announced its partnership with Telecom giants MTN, to empower 600 Akwa Ibomites (who are registered Dakkada Ambassadors) to start up their own telecom businesses. This was made known in a Press briefing held at the Directorate’s Office in Uyo over the weekend.

Through this project, MTN Nigeria – well known for its humanitarian disposition and high corporate social responsibility – is providing start-up kits for randomly selected Dakkada Ambassadors desiring such support, across the State. These start-up kits will comprise 600 handsets with MTN VTU SIM cards; 600 branded parasol, tables and chairs; and a seed capital of N2,500 (provided in the VTU SIM Cards).

Speaking at the briefing, Mrs. Lydia Udoh, Special Assistant to the Governor on Marketing and Brand Management said, Dakkada Support Initiative is a project initiated by the Directorate to give willing and eligible Akwa Ibomites a fighting chance in the society by translating their abilities and skill-sets into wealth. She added that the partnership with MTN is the actualization of Dakkada’s dream of self-reliance and economic emancipation for the great people of Akwa Ibom State.

In his remarks, the leader of the MTN delegation Mr. Abubakar Shehu, Senior Manager Sales, said MTN as a brand is committed to empowering people in line with the mission of the company which is about making life brighter for Akwa Ibomites in particular and Nigerians in general, through its corporate social responsibilities in the areas of health, education and economic empowerment.

He lauded the giant strides of the Udom Emmanuel-led administration who through the Dakkada Support Initiative, has impacted positively on the lives of the people and he reiterated MTN’s commitment to partner with Dakkada to drive the state to ‘Grand Greatness’.

Mr. Sam Edoho, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Marketing and Brand Management added that MTN is partnering with Dakkada because as a responsible Corporate Organization, they believe that Dakkada is a credible project run by serious-minded people and that Governor Udom Emmanuel is focused and sincere about creating opportunities for Akwa Ibomites.

He emphasized that beneficiaries of this project were selected from a pool of REGISTERED DAKKADA AMBASSADORS all over the 31 Local Government Areas of the state, and that they needed no Godfather or know anyone to be chosen for this project. He advised those wishing to be part of Dakkada projects to register at www.dakkadaambassadors.com or visit the Directorate of Marketing and Brand Management in Uyo or contact Dakkada Protocol Assistants in the 31 Local Government Councils of the state.

Mr. Edoho called on other well-meaning organizations and well-meaning Akwa Ibomites who have risen to the faith of greatness in one way or the other to come forward and partner with Dakkada in the task of raising the next generation of Akwa Ibom entrepreneurs and ensuring that Akwa Ibom children are gainfully employed and meaningfully engaged.

He also used the opportunity to invite Akwa Ibomites at home and diaspora to attend the upcoming Dakkada/MTN Executive Launch where the beneficiaries will be trained before disbursement of the startup kits as follows:
Thursday, 15th September 2016 - Uyo Senatorial District - Ibiono Ibom Council Hall (200 beneficiaries)
Friday, 16th September 2016 - Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District – Etim Ekpo Council Hall (200 beneficiaries)
Monday, 19th September 2016 - Eket Senatorial District (Okobo Council Hall)

Source: https://web.facebook.com/WetinhappenMagazine/

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