MTN Nigeria has rewarded Ogbogbo Baptist Grammar School, Ogun State, with N1.5m for emerging second in the fourth season of its MTN Champs athletics competition.
The telecommunications company also donated sports equipment, including javelins and jerseys, to the school to encourage grassroots sports development and motivate students to pursue their athletic ambitions.
Speaking during the presentation, MTN’s Senior Manager for Sales and Trade Development in Ogun State, Gbenga Olalandu, urged students to combine sporting activities with academic excellence, noting that success in sports should not come at the expense of education.
Olalandu said the initiative was designed to identify, celebrate and nurture young sporting talents while encouraging them to develop their abilities beyond the classroom.
“In those days, they would say, ‘Read your book, read your book, read your book.’ But now, everybody wants to be Ronaldo or Messi. You can still be Ronaldo or Messi and have a very good education, so we want them to combine both,” he said.
He added that sports played an important role in building relationships and fostering unity among people, stressing that MTN’s commitment to connecting people extended beyond telecommunications to initiatives that brought communities together.
According to him, the company sees itself as a partner in the development of young people and remains committed to supporting platforms that enable them to showcase their talents.
The school’s coach, Oluwafemi Nasirudeen, commended MTN for investing in grassroots sports and called on secondary schools across Ogun State to give students opportunities to train after school hours.
He said regular training was essential to improving young athletes’ performance and preparing them for future competitions.
Nasirudeen noted that greater support from schools would help students develop their sporting abilities and compete more effectively at higher levels.
Similarly, the Vice Principal of Ogbogbo Baptist Grammar School, Bolanle Shebi-Omo, expressed appreciation to MTN for rewarding the school’s achievement and providing equipment to support its sporting activities.
She urged the telecommunications company to sustain its investment in initiatives aimed at promoting youth development and creating opportunities for students to excel.
The fourth season of the MTN Champs competition featured four secondary schools across South-West Nigeria, providing students with a platform to demonstrate their athletic abilities and compete for recognition.