IHS Towers a world telecoms infrastructure firm, which began operations in Nigeria, has impacted a number of communities, people and organisations in Nigeria, by its empowerment initiative and expertise growth, writes Emma Okonji
Based in Nigeria in 2001, IHS Towers has grown to develop into one of many largest unbiased towers, operators and builders of shared communication infrastructure globally.
Its empowerment programme in Nigeria has impacted a number of communities, colleges, hospitals, organisations, together with people that have been educated in ICT expertise, sponsored inside and outdoors of Nigeria by IHS Nigeria.
3MTT Initiative
IHS Nigeria partnered with the Federal Authorities of Nigeria on its 3 Million Technical Expertise (3MTT Programme), designed to coach three million Nigerians in digital expertise. By way of the partnership, IHS is financing devoted studying hubs throughout a number of communities in Nigeria, the place digital expertise in rising applied sciences are taught.
At a current joint media interview, THISDAY spoke with a number of the beneficiaries and instructors from a number of the neighborhood hubs of the IHS sponsored 3MTT programme.
The Group Operations Lead of IHS sponsored 3MTT Programme, Mr. Auwal MS, informed journalists that over 1.8 million Nigerians signed up for the programme and the beneficiaries have been chosen utilizing their BVN/NIN for verification to make sure distinctive and real candidates. Coaching spans 12 tech tracks, together with software program engineering, product administration, information evaluation, cybersecurity, UI/UX, and many others.
In line with Auwal, “Thus far, between 210,000 and 240,000 beneficiaries have been educated throughout a number of cohorts, and most of the beneficiaries have secured distant jobs, internships, micro-jobs, whereas others have arrange startup corporations. Over 30,000 job alternatives created by internships, full-time roles, freelance/micro-jobs, and beneficiaries now work inside Nigeria and internationally.”
One of many beneficiaries, DamilolaMakinde, who was educated in Product Administration, mentioned he joined the programme with zero data in product administration, however gained hands-on coaching by 12 weeks of idea and sensible classes.
“After the coaching, I secured an internship with a Dubai-based firm, which later turned a full-time distant job for me. I’ve since labored on a number of stay merchandise, with one launching within the United Arab Emirates (UAE). My main problem throughout the coaching programme was the space to the training centres, however with perseverance and dedication, I used to be capable of overcome the problem,” Makinde mentioned.
One other beneficiary of the IHS sponsored 3MTT programme, Dr. BasseyAsuquo, who’s the Founding father of Linia Finance, narrated how he was educated in information evaluation & visualisation underneath the (3MTT) programme.
In line with him, he participated in IHS-sponsored hackathons at state, regional, and nationwide ranges, and received funding, information, and gadgets by totally different competitions, and ultimately constructed a product initially adopted by Enugu State Ministry of Ladies Affairs. He later co-founded Linia Finance, a fintech startup, and later secured N25 million native funding and $10,000 worldwide funding. Thus far, Asuquo has created jobs for 12 workforce members which can be 3MTT beneficiaries.
College Connectivity & Digital Literacy
Umar Sama’ila is likely one of the beneficiaries of the IHS College Connectivity and Digital Literacy programme sponsored by HIS, by the 3MTT initiative. He spoke about how some colleges in Katsina State benefited from the college initiative. In line with him, college students in Katsina State have been educated in Pc fundamentals, Graphic design, Software program growth, amongst others. College students now take part in nationwide competitions on digital expertise, and a number of other college students have progressed into college to review pc science-based programmes.
One other beneficiary, Maryam Shua’ibuAliyu, was educated in Cybersecurity in Kaduna State, underneath the 3MTT initiative. In line with her, she joined the coaching in Kaduna State with out a laptop computer and with no tech background.
“Through the coaching, I received a laptop computer by IHS-supported month-to-month studying showcases. Since I graduated, I’ve educated two cohorts of girls in introductory cybersecurity and I’ve carried out cybersecurity consciousness programmes in colleges and communities in Kaduna State,” Aliyu mentioned.
International Educators Programme
The IHS International EducatorsProgramme, in partnership with the Limitless House Institute in america of America, educated 20 Science and Arithmetic lecturers chosen from Nigeria and Brazil they usually have been educated in Texas, United States of America.
One of many beneficiaries, Haa Maranatha, who’s a Chemistry trainer from Federal Authorities School, Jos, spoke to journalists concerning the influence of the International Educators programme.
In line with Maranatha, the coaching uncovered her to house science and the Science, Expertise, Engineering and Arithmetic (STEM) innovation.
“My instructing strategy shifted from exam-focused to problem-solving and curiosity-driven studying. My college students have received a nationwide microgravity contest, and totally different colleges in Northern Nigeria have obtained web connectivity and STEM kits sponsored by IHS,” Maranatha mentioned.
One other beneficiary of the International Educatorsprogramme, Dr. Kayode Adewale, who’s a Arithmetic trainer from Ogun State, additionally spoke concerning the influence of the programme.
“The coaching uncovered me to new instructing methodologies in Arithmetic and I had direct interplay with astronauts and house establishments in america of America, throughout the coaching interval. Since I returned to Nigeria from the coaching programme, I’ve educated 517 lecturers throughout Ogun State, underneath a scheme, which I titled: ‘517 Go to House Initiative’. Apart from coaching different lecturers in Nigeria, the initiative has impacted over 100,000 college students not directly, because the educated lecturers have been additionally concerned in coaching their college students. Based mostly on the influence of the coaching throughout colleges in Ogun State, I used to be appointed as Ogun State Training Ambassador and shortlisted amongst prime 50 lecturers globally for a global instructing prize.
Challenge Empower Initiative
Challenge Empower is an initiative of IHS Nigeria, designed to empower people by sensible expertise acquisition and entrepreneurship growth. The programme is applied in collaboration with Fields of Expertise and Desires (FSD), who function the implementing associate and the initiative has benefitted a number of people.
One of many beneficiaries, Adedeji Abiola, is a graduate of Houdegbe North American College the place she obtained a B.Sc in Worldwide Relations. Earlier than becoming a member of the IHS empowerment programme, she was working eight hours with an organization from 9.00a.m–5.00p.m every day with little wage that was not sufficient to maintain the household.
“My husband inspired me to attempt the empowerment programme, and that encouragement modified my life. Since becoming a member of the programme, I’ve been capable of stand by myself financially. I now not wait 30 days to receives a commission; I now earn revenue every day. I additionally practice others utilizing the catering data I gained from IHS and FSD sponsored programmes. Earlier than the coaching, I had no data of baking. Now I can bake vanilla, chocolate, and purple velvet desserts, in addition to snacks like meat pies, doughnuts, egg-rolls, buns, puff-puff, and extra. I even continued studying past the programme as a result of data is steady,” Abiola mentioned.
One other beneficiary of the programme is Florence Olumuyiwa, who hunted for a job after her college training with out discovering any, till she joined the coaching programme.
“I used to be already into hairstyling and wig making, however I needed further expertise to strengthen my alternatives. I realized pastry making, together with meat pies, egg-rolls, buns, puff-puff, small chops, and different snacks. The coaching drastically improved my revenue and confidence. Even after being robbed, I used to be capable of get better rapidly due to the financial savings and revenue I earned by promoting pastries,” Olumuyiwa mentioned.
John Umama, who can be a beneficiary, mentioned the coaching modified his mindset, enterprise intelligence, time administration, and buyer relations.
“I plan to develop my registered firm, which I named John Chibez Renewable Power, the place I’ll practice others utilizing the talents I acquired,” Umama mentioned.
Engineer Jerry Solomon, an Electrical and Electronics Engineering graduate can be a beneficiary of the programme. “After being retrenched from my job with Ikeja Electrical, I used to be with out a job till I joined the programme by a referral.
I gained hands-on coaching in photo voltaic set up, which I didn’t be taught in class. As we speak, I’m employed in a profitable firm and my revenue has considerably improved. I can now afford higher dwelling circumstances, assist relations, and discover new alternatives confidently,” Umama additional mentioned.
The Founder, Fields of Expertise and Desires (FSD), a Vocational, Technical, and Entrepreneurship Academy, Omowale Ogunrinde, informed journalists about her expertise.
“FSD has been in operation for the final 22 years, working within the space of social entrepreneurship and expertise coaching throughout Nigeria. We began working with IHS Nigeria about seven to eight years in the past, implementing Challenge Empower throughout totally different states in Nigeria. The essence of the undertaking is to empower younger folks with sensible expertise and supply them with the gear wanted to arrange small companies of their very own. Our coaching covers technical and comfortable expertise, equivalent to character growth, resilience, time administration, self-discipline, and emotional intelligence. Greater than 70 per cent of individuals have constantly achieved measurable and impactful outcomes,” Ogunrinde mentioned.
Oxygen Plant Donation to Hospitals
With the intention to save lives and enhance medical providers in hospitals, IHS Nigeria, in partnership with United Nation Kids Fund (UNICF),donated 9 oxygen vegetation throughout Nigerian hospitals. Some members of workers from a number of the hospitals that benefited from the oxygen plant donation, equivalent to OlabisiOnabanjo College Instructing Hospital (OOUTH) in Shagamu and Paleon Memorial Hospital in Lagos, spoke to the media concerning the influence of the power to each sufferers and the hospital administration.
Chief Medical Director at OOUTH, Dr. Oluwabunmi M. Fatungase, informed journalists that the oxygen plant in OOUTH was established by IHS three years in the past, in collaboration with the United Nations Kids Funds (UNICEF).
“Prior to now, the hospital needed to get oxygen from distributors in Lagos and in Ibadan, and the method was hectic and costly. On a number of events we purchased oxygen cylinders that we didn’t even know whether or not they have been full cylinders or half cylinders that leaked on the way in which. The demand for oxygen is on the excessive facet however the provide was restricted earlier than IHS got here to our rescue. A minimum of greater than two-third (80 per cent) of the full variety of sufferers that entered into the hospital wanted oxygen, as a result of we now have a four-bedded intensive care unit, together with unit wards, medical wards, with over 15 specialties and different sub-specialties.
After the institution of the oxygen plant, IHS positioned us on a 3 12 months upkeep sustainability plan, which we loved. The plant has 80 KVA Generator to energy the place in order that when the grid is just not purposeful, the plant would all the time operate, and IHS is planning to put in photo voltaic vitality into the power.
The plant has saved a number of lives, as a result of it additionally helps different departments and sub-specialties for analysis. The oxygen plant is touching lives, touching the grassroots, touching individuals who don’t even know who IHS is or what UNICEF stands for, and the hospital is actually grateful to IHS,” Fatungase mentioned.
In line with her, the federal government alone can’t deal with healthcare supply. We’d like extra organisations like IHS to repeatedly assist healthcare supply providers in Nigeria.
“The hospital receives nothing lower than 1,000 sufferers per day, with the outpatients numbering about 430 per 30 days and about 89,000 each year, and 80 per cent of those sufferers use oxygen, which is crucial to any hospital. Since its institution, the oxygen plant has decreased mortality fee, and in addition decreased morbidity, which is the final word incapacity that would come from lack of oxygen or unavailability of oxygen. The oxygen plant has helped in lowering hospital payments for sufferers by two third of what they often pay. Because the institution of the oxygen plant, we now have had no shortfall of oxygen provide to the hospital and we now have greater than sufficient provide and this has additionally helped the hospital in its a number of analysis works and we’re grateful to IHS for this,” Fatungase additional mentioned.
Oxygen Plant Beneficiary
Dr. (Mrs.) Ero Adejonwu, who was delivered of a set of triplets, is likely one of the beneficiaries of the oxygen plant in OOUTH.
“It’s very wonderful to have IHS donate to oxygen plant to us, and it’s been easy having to get oxygen to the neonatal ward. So I wish to say a really huge thanks to IHS. After the efficiently supply of my triplets in OOUTH, I used to be informed that they wanted oxygen. Even with the strike motion, it was nonetheless easy getting the oxygen as a result of the oxygen is already right here with us within the hospital. So due to IHS, and should God bless the corporate actual good,” Adejonwu mentioned.
CEO/Founding father of Paleon Memorial Hospital, Dr. Ngozi Onyia, mentioned the hospital was established 15 years in the past in reminiscence of her third and final youngster who handed away 22 years in the past.
In line with her, when COVID 19 pandemic hit Nigeria in 2019 and 2020, she acquired a cellphone name from a person who labored with IHS Towers Nigeria.
“His name was considered one of many cellphone calls I obtained and the explanation why I used to be referred to as was as a result of we had one intensive care mattress within the hospital. So, he referred to as to ask me that within the occasion that that they had a affected person who wanted intensive care, will we be keen or capable of present care? And I mentioned sure, we have been keen, however I additionally defined to him that at the moment I had one affected person on the ventilator and we had just one single ventilator, which makes it not possible to confess a second affected person.
After which he informed me IHS would purchase us a second ventilator. But it surely was a suggestion I needed to graciously decline as a result of we solely had two intensive care beds, one with a ventilator, and one with out. And my associate had paid for a second ventilator, which we have been anticipating then, however hadn’t been delivered due to the provision chain of the world that broke down due to the worldwide pandemic, and that ended the dialog with IHS. Through the pandemic, we shut down our Ikeja department for strategic causes, however later reopened it and transformed it to a COVID Centre. After the conversion, I needed to name IHS to renew the dialog and the corporate accepted and informed us it had a price range for medical gear and never only a ventilator that it had initially provided. They didn’t give us cash, however they gave us an inventory of medical gear that we required, together with oxygen concentrators, oxygen cylinders, beds, they usually have been effectively outfitted. We have been capable of save at the least 300 lives of people that have been very in poor health and admitted and recovered. After the pandemic, IHS Towers very graciously donated an oxygen plant to us, which we now have as we speak,” the CEO/Founding father of Paleon Memorial Hospital mentioned.
The institution of the oxygen plant has considerably decreased our value of medical service as a result of we don’t want to purchase oxygen anymore and we now have by no means run out of oxygen. We all the time have oxygen for our sufferers as a result of the plant simply takes oxygen from the air and purifies it, and makes it all the time accessible for our use, she additional mentioned.
Talking concerning the influence of the oxygen plant, she mentioned: “I take into account IHS as considered one of such companions that God despatched to us to assist us do the proper factor. Due to their assist, we’re capable of set up and run a really profitable therapy heart and we’re globally recognised as we speak. A minimum of 10 per cent of our sufferers would require oxygen, and we now have not run out of oxygen because the oxygen plant was established in our hospital by IHS.”
