The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, has called on Nigerians, including corporate organisations, government and NGOs, to join efforts in humanitarian causes to support the less privileged.

Mr. Ogunsanya made this call yesterday at the premiere of Season 2 of Airtel’s revolutionary CSR initiative, Touching Lives, where the company showcased its interventions toward less privileged individuals, people and communities in Nigeria.

According to the Airtel CEO,” if we all support just one programme in our immediate communities, it will make a huge difference in making our country a better place for all.

“At Airtel, we believe that to be a great company, we must first and foremost be a good company; and we are very much committed to earning our social license – the love and acceptance of the various communities and people we serve,” he said.

Also speaking at the event, the Wife of the Vice President, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo, commended Airtel Nigeria for its steadfast support to the underprivileged in the Nigerian society through the Airtel Touching Lives platform and other laudable initiatives.

Mrs. Osinbajo, who was the Special Guest of honour at the premiere, noted that the inspiring programme has positively touched the lives of many underprivileged Nigerians, urging other Nigerians to emulate Airtel in reaching out to the downtrodden, hard to reach, internally displaced persons and other Nigerians in need of help.

“Support for those suffering and underprivileged should not be left in the hands of Airtel alone. It is the responsibility of us all. I was particularly touched by the Season 1 story of the Chime family whose children suffered various forms of physical disabilities. It shows that more attention and concern need to be shown to the less privileged people who are part of the society.

“We are told that the colour of love is red. But the red of the heart needs to stop the river of red, the river of blood that flows in this land,” she said.

This year, broadcast of the season 2 of Airtel Touching Lives will begin on Sunday, 17^th January, 2016 on Africa Magic Channel 151 by 7.30-8.00pm. Repeats will be aired on Africa Magic Family 154 on Saturdays 8pm to 8.30pm; Africa Magic Urban on Thursdays 7.30pm to 8.00pm; AIT on Sundays by 6.30pm to 7pm; NTA on Wednesdays by 8.30pm to 9.00pm and Arewa 24 TV on Sundays by 7.00pm to 7.30pm.

The premiere of the Airtel Touching Lives Season 2, which held at the Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton, Abuja was attended by several important dignitaries including the majority leader, House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; Sen. Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, Deputy Chairman, Senate Committee on Communications; Hon. Saheed Fijabi, Chairman, House Committee on Communications; Hon. Ujam Chukwuemeka, Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Communications, Honourable Minister for Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun; Minister, Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalong; United Nations Women Goodwill Ambassdor and former First Lady of Ekiti State, Erelu Bisi Fayemi;  Indian High Commissioner, A. Ghanashyam and British Deputy High Commissioner, Simon Shercliff, among several others.

Ace comedian, Akpororo; the Vintage Band and the Xplicit dance troupe added colour to the event as they thrilled guests with breath-taking performances.

The Season 2 is a 13-epidose programme, which features 24 emotion-evoking stories it is anchored by popular On-Air-Personality, Wana Udobang.