| Peugeot,
MTN train female mechanics
•PAN shines at Enugu fair
By Bisi Olaleye
Friday, April 25, 2008
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| Photo:
Sun News Publishing |
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Fifty young women who enrolled for the MTN Foundation Lady
Mechanics initiative have begun a three-month industrial training
at the Peugeot Automobile Nigeria (PAN) training college in
Kaduna. The beneficiaries would be trained in batches in key
automobile components to enable them become expert automobile
mechanics.
The three-month course marks the beginning of the second year
of training which involves courses in internal combustion
engine technology and applications, workshop safety and management,
starter system, electronics ignition system, electrical equipment,
among others.
Lady Mechanic Initiative (LMI) is partnering with MTNF in
this project aimed at achieving the goal of economically empowering
the young women to fend for themselves and their indigent
families. The women, who were rescued from various stages
of financial difficulties, were drawn from various parts of
the country to participate in the initiative, conceived by
the popular Lagos-based female auto mechanic, Mrs. Sandra
Aguebor.
The ladies completed one-year training last year and have
now commenced the second year. They are to spend three years
to qualify as auto mechanics.
So far, MTN Foundation has spent over N28.9 million on the
LMI. At the induction ceremony, the managing director of PAN
lauded MTN for the project, adding that such sponsorships
are needed to combat poverty and contribute to lifting the
standard of living of the people.
“PAN will always support initiative aimed at creating
wealth in the midst of poverty, hope where there seems to
be no hope and, particularly, empowerment for the down trodden
in the society” he said.
In her opening remarks, MTNF director, Mrs. Aisha Sadauki,
said the Foundation was happy with the progress being made
by the trainees. “MTNF is dedicated to positively impacting
the lives of the people by playing active roles in the three
very important areas of education, health and economic empowerment.
The lady Mechanic Initiative is one of many initiatives the
MTNF has so far spent over N2billion executing across the
country,” she said.
Elsewhere, about 1,000 other women in 14 states of the nation
are beneficiaries of another economic empowerment programme
of the MTNF, tagged: Rural Telephone Project (RTP).
The project being executed in partnership with the International
Finance Corporation (IFC) entails training the women to set
up and run call centres in their communities. The training
encompasses customer service, products and service training,
and even basic accounting and book keeping skills. Thereafter
the beneficiaries are equipped with mobile handsets, antennas,
solar chargers, large umbrellas, banners, SIM cards and airtime,
so that they can commence business immediately and start earning
an honest living.
In another development, PAN recorded a very successful outing
at the 19th Enugu International Trade Fair early in the week
in the coal city. The company in conjunction with its accredited
dealers, Auto-Star Gallery and Capital City Motors, offered
prospective customers an amazing discount on some of the modern
Peugeot cars showcased at the fair.
The discount which is still on, is part of a special promo,
that will last for only three weeks, beginning from the first
day of the trade fair. A 406 Comfort saloon, which formally
sold for N 3,700,000, can now be obtained at a price of N
2,999,999. Also a 206 Hatch Back (manual gear transmission),
formally sold at N 2,098,950, is now available at a promo
rate of N 1,599,999. Next is the 307 Hatch Back (D Sign) manual
transmission, formally sold at a price of N 2,808,750, now
goes for N 2,199,999.
Speaking to journalist at the fair, the Corporate Communications
Manager of the company, Mallam Baba Yahaya Mohammed, said
a buyer doesn’t have to pay cash in bulk, but can contact
the nearest branch of “our financial partners”,
Bank PHB, or any bank of his choice where they can workout
a favorable and convenient way of periodic payment.
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