CSR News Summary Issue 44

Award: Suswams Bags UNICEF Award

Benue State Governor, Dr. Gabriel Suswams, was yesterday in Atlanta Georgia, United States, honoured with an award by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in appreciation of his administration’s effort to provide clean water and enhanced health services to communities in the state.

Published in ThisDay Newspaper on Monday, 21^st January, 2013

Partnership: Bayelsa signs MoU with Dubai firm to build steel plant, cold rooms

The Bayelsa Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to partner a Dubai-based firm, GEAP International, to build a steel plant and cold storage facilities in the state.

This is contained in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Daniel Iworiso-Markson, on Friday in Yenagoa. He said the deal followed the signing of an MoU between Gov. Seriake Dickson and the management of the firm in Dubai.

Published in BusinessDay Newspaper on Monday, 21^st January, 2013

Development: Diamond Bank boost entrepreneurship development in Nigeria

Diamond Bank in partnership with the Enterprise Development Centre of Pan African University last week in Lagos unveiled the five successful entrepreneurs for the final phase of the ‘Building Entrepreneurs Today’ series (BET 2), the second edition of the capacity building initiative.

The event, which held at a gala night, is an initiative to support the growth of Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria.

Published in BusinessDay Newspaper on Monday, 21^st January, 2013

 

Innovation: Next-generation leaders say organisations need to encourage innovation, Deloitte survey

As much as78 percent of the world’s future business leaders believe innovation is essential for business growth, the Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (DTTL) Millennial Survey has shown.

However, as the economic crisis enters its sixth year, just 26 percent of Millennials feel that business leaders are doing enough to encourage practices that foster innovation.

Published in BusinessDay Newspaper on Monday, 21^st January, 2013

Agriculture: Association faults campaign against cocoa bean export

The recent call by the Cocoa Processors Association of Nigeria (COPAN) on the Federal Government to ban exportation of raw cocoa beans from Nigeria has drawn the ire of the Cocoa Association of Nigeria (CAN), which described the campaign as capable of destroying the entire national cocoa economy.

Published in BusinessDay Newspaper on Monday, 21^st January, 2013

Labour: NDE, SURE-P create 3,000 new jobs in Ondo

Not less than 3,000 jobs have been created for unemployed persons by the Ondo State office of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in collaboration with the Subsidy Removal Employment Programme (SURE-P) of the Federal Government.

Published in Guardian Newspaper on Tuesday, 22^nd January, 2013

Labour: UNITAR to site training Centre in Edo

Apparently in confirmation f the efforts of the state government to fix dilapidated structure and reform its human resources,the United Nations Institute of Training and Research (UNITAR) at the weekend said it has concluded plans to locate the Nigerian International Training Centre in Benin City, Edo State.

Published in Guardian Newspaper on Tuesday, 22^nd January, 2013

Philanthropy: Bristow Group kits 400 pupils in Akwa Ibom

Helicopter Service providers, Bristow Helicopters Nigeria Ltd, in line with the Corporate Social Responsibility, initiative christened, ‘Bristow Uplift’ has brought succour to more than 400 pupils drawn from four community schools in Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom Sate with the provision of school kits which include school bags, uniform, shoes, etc.

Published in Vanguard Newspaper on Tuesday, 22^nd January, 2013

Agriculture: Returnees from Libya beg Oshimole for Agric Loans

The over 500 Libyan returnees in Edo State have appealed to Governor Adams Oshimole to provide them grants and loans, having been trained in different agricultural fields, to enable them commence work in the sector.

Published in Vanguard Newspaper on Tuesday, 22^nd January, 2013

Environment: Ecological degradation I S/East worries FG

The Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, has said the Federal Government was obviously worried by the ecological degradation facing the South East geopolitical zone of the country.

Published in Vanguard Newspaper on Tuesday, 22^nd January, 2013

Health: Health, Agric ministries to partner on Save a Million Lives Project

The Federal Ministry of Health has conclude plans to partner with the Federal Minsitry of Agriculture to take advantage of its GSM phone for farmers project to channel health information to pregnant women, under its Save a Million Lives Project.

Published in Guardian Newspaper on Wednesday, 2 January, 2013

Philanthropy: Jim Ovia Foundation initiates prize for software development

In recognition of the immense roles software plays ad can play in growing the economy, the Jim Ovia Foundation in ICT has initiated a ‘Prize for Excellence’, dedicated to software start-ups in Nigeria.

Published in Guardian Newspaper on Wednesday, 23^rd January, 2013

Sustainability: Sustainable Maritime Development key to economic growth, says Sekimizu

The Secretary – General of International Maritime Organization (IMO), Koji Sekimizu recently, reiterated the strategic role of maritime in the development of global economy on a sustainable basis.

Published in Guardian Newspaper on Wednesday, 23^rd January, 2013

Energy: Africa lags behind in funding renewable projects

Africa is lagging behind the rest of the world in obtaining funds for renewable energy projects because development banks aren’t assuming enough of the political risk of working there, United Nations officials said.

Published in Guardian Newspaper on Wednesday, 23^rd January, 2013

Innovation: Young NAF officers design, build drone

Young officers from Nigeria Air Force School of Engineers, Aircraft Design Centre, Kaduna, yesterday dazzled the Minister of Science and Technology, Prof. Ita Okon Bassey – Ewa when they displayed to him an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, UAV, referred to as drone, which could fly non – stop for about four hours at 3000 feet.

Published in Guardian Newspaper on Wednesday, 23^rd January, 2013

Philanthropy: Celebs on philanthropic visit to Primary Schools

A bevy of music and entertainment stars are scheduled for a philanthropic visit to Ikeja Primary School, Lagos on Wednesday, January 30 lead by music artiste and comedian Tony Maduabuchi Green, a.k.a TeeGee Da Unsual

Published in Guardian Newspaper on Wednesday, 23^rd January, 2013

Partnership: Firm partners Pediatricians to Train Doctors

Procter and Gambler, manufacturer of household items, yesterday announced collaboration with the Paediatrics Association of Nigeria (PAN) to train its (PAN) members abroad on modern child care.

Published in Guardian Newspaper on Wednesday, 23^rd January, 2013

Infrastructure:  C’River sets aside N3.6bn for Water Project

The Cross River State Government has set aside N3.6 billion to finance the ultra – modern Obudu water project which on completion in the next 24 months, would serve the water needs of Obudu and Obanliku communities.

Published in ThisDay Newspaper on Friday, 25^th January, 2013

Environment: Rains storms destroys 250 houses in Ondo

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said yesterday that about 250 houses would have been affected by the rainstorm that ravaged parts of Owo in Ondo State.

Published in ThisDay Newspaper on Friday, 25^th January, 2013

Investment: NEXIM Bank, miners plan strategic framework for investments

The Nigerian Export Import Bank (NEXIM) and the Miners’ Association of Nigeria have unfolded plan to evolve a strategic framework that would ensure better structure and sustainable investment inflow into solid mineral sector.

According to a statement from the bank’s Corporate Communication Department, the plan was essentially a gesture by the association’s patrons to ensure mutual cooperation with NEXIM as a follow-up to the interactive business forum organised by it in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development.

Published in ThisDay Newspaper on Friday, 25^th January, 2013

Technology: Nigeria needs more infrastructure to drive broadband growth

To drive broadband usage in Nigeria in 2013, operators have been charged on the need to invest more in infrastructure that will ensure that bandwidth capacity at the shores are fully utilised.

Published in ThisDay Newspaper on Friday, 25^th January, 2013

Infrastructures: FG to use ICT, phones to provide health information to women, children

Federal Ministry of Health is partnering with stakeholders to use Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to ensure that pregnant women and children get health information when and where they need it.

Published in ThisDay Newspaper on Friday, 25^th January, 2013

CSR News Summary Issue 43

Philanthropy:  Foundation partners club to empower indigent women

A non-governmental organisation, Change-A-Life Foundation, has partnered Lagos Alliance Club International to empower indigent women and youths in Lagos.

The gesture, according to a statement on Sunday by a director with CAL, Seki Ayeyemi, involves provision of micro-finance grants/capital to start self-sufficient and sustaining businesses.

Published in Punch Newspaper on Monday, 14^th January, 2013

BOI to increase funding for women programmes

The Bank of Industry has promised more resources for women empowerment programmes.

The Managing Director of the bank, Ms Evelyn Oputu, said this in Abuja at the private sector interactive session with the United Nations Women Under-Secretary General, Michelle Bachelete.

Published in Punch Newspaper on Monday, 14^th January, 2013

Diamond Bank reiterates commitment to MSMEs

In continuation of its support for Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in Nigeria, Diamond Bank has said that, in partnership with the Enterprise Development Centre, Pan African University, it is set to unveil the five successful entrepreneurs in the final phase of the second edition of its ‘Building Entrepreneurs Today’ series.

The bank said on Friday that the entrepreneurs would be presented at a ceremony scheduled to be held at Terra Kouture on Wednesday, January 16.

Published in Punch Newspaper on Monday, 14^th January, 2013

Investment:  Banks to boost funding of agricultural sector

Deposit Money Banks in the country have pledged to increase financing for the agricultural sector, in a move considered to be a major step in ensuring the sustainable development of the sector.

The banks made the commitment through the Bankers’ Committee’s Sub-Committee on Economic Development – at a special meeting of the BC, which was held in Lagos on Saturday.

Published in Punch Newspaper on Monday, 14^th January, 2013

Agriculture: Bankers’ Committee Restates Commitment to Agric Sector Financing

Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) has once more given assurance to support the rapid development of the agricultural sector.

The Bankers’ Committee's Sub-Committee on Economic Development, which said this in a statement at the end of a special meeting in Lagos at the weekend, said it would continue to increase financing for the agric sector to ensure sustainable growth and development.

Published in Vanguard Newspaper on Monday, 14^th January, 2013

Labour: Cement manufacturers say massive job loss imminent over importation

Hundreds of thousands of working Nigerians may soon join the saturated labour market, if feelers from the cement manufacturing sub-sector are anything to go by, as more of the manufacturers are scaling down production and significantly reducing their capacity as a result of glut in the cement market. 

Published in BusinessDay Newspaper on Monday, 14^th January, 2013

Research: Minister says National Research Fund Underway

Plans are underway to establish a standard National Research Fund with a view to encouraging more local research in all sectors of the economy.

The Research Fund when established would cover all the various research institutes in the country.

Published in BusinessDay Newspaper on Monday, 14^th January, 2013

Nahcoaviance N2billion warehouse places Nigeria as region cargo hub

The recently commissioned N2 billion warehouse, the biggest in sub-saharan Africa, by the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (Nahcoaviance) has positioned Nigeria as a regional cargo hub.

The warehouse is designed to handle up to 230,000 tonnes with cold rooms, freezers, hazardous/dangerous facilities and equipped with bomb and explosive detectors and other highly automated facilities that will enhance cargo operations.

Published in ThisDay Newspaper on Monday, 14^th January, 2013

Leadership: Dabiri – Erewa leads delegation to India Diaspora Conference

Chairperson, House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora Affairs, Rep Abike Dabiri-Erewa, will today be at the head of the Nigeria delegation to the 11th edition of India Diaspora day celebration holding in Kochi, India. 

In a statement in Abuja, the convention known as ``Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) 2013 will be held in Kochi, India between January 7-9. 

Published in ThisDay Newspaper on Monday, 14^th January, 2013

Labour: NEMA Adopts New Strategy against Disaster

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Sunday said it was intensifying the use of youth volunteers and non-governmental organisations as part of its strategy to tackle disasters in the country.

The agency’s Head of Public Relations, Mr. Yushau Shuaib, told THISDAY that the agency had embarked on the recruitment and training of more volunteers to help improve its capacity and readiness to respond to emergency situations in the rural areas.

Published in ThisDay Newspaper on Monday, 14^th January, 2013

Investment: We can’t force banks to lend - CBN

Following lamentations by entrepreneurs and small scale business owners on low lending activities by banks, the Central Bank of Nigeria has said that it can’t force any Deposit Money Bank to lend to customers.

Published in Punch Newspaper on Tuesday, 15^th January, 2013

Philanthropy:  C’River acting governor’s wife showers cash, gifts on motherless babies, aged

In the spirit of Christmas, the wife of the Acting Governor Mrs. Glory Cobhams, has visited hospitals, motherless babies homes and the elderly home in Calabar and donated cash and other gift items.

Published in ThisDay Newspaper on Tuesday, 15^th January, 2013

Agriculture: Flooding will lead to high crop yields in coastal areas – Hon. Ugbuku

Erstwhile Special Adviser to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Mike Ugbuku, has the recent flood that swept across some states in the federation as a blessing in disguise.

Published in ThisDay Newspaper on Tuesday, 15^th January, 2013

Health: LASUCOM Provost calls for compulsory health insurance scheme

Provost, Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM), and professor of Community Health and Primary Health Care, Olumuyiwa Omotola Odusanya has called on Nigerian government to properly harness the affairs of Nigeria Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) as it could be the pathway to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

Published in ThisDay Newspaper on Tuesday, 15^th January, 2013

Labour: NDE trains 80 unemployed graduates in Jigawa

The National Directorate of Employment has expended N1.472 million for the training of 80 unemployed graduates in modern agriculture in Jigawa State.

Published in Guardian Newspaper on Wednesday, 16^th January, 2013

Investment: NEXIM Bank, miners plan strategic framework for investments

The Nigerian Export Import Bank (NEXIM) and the Miners’ Association of Nigeria have unfolded plan to evolve a strategic framework that would ensure better structure and sustainable investment inflow into solid mineral sector.

According to a statement from the bank’s Corporate Communication Department, the plan was essentially a gesture by the association’s patrons to ensure mutual cooperation with NEXIM as a follow-up to the interactive business forum organised by it in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development.

Published in Guardian Newspaper on Wednesday, 16^th January, 2013

Technology: Nigeria needs more infrastructure ti drive broadband growth

To drive broadband usage in Nigeria in 2013, operators have been charged on the need to invest more in infrastructure that will ensure that bandwidth capacity at the shores are fully utilised.

Published in Guardian Newspaper on Wednesday, 16^th January, 2013

Infrastructures: FG to use ICT, phones to provide health information to women, children

Federal Ministry of Health is partnering with stakeholders to use Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to ensure that pregnant women and children get health information when and where they need it.

Published in Daily Independent Newspaper on Thursday, 17^th January, 2013

Sustainability: World Bank urges developing countries to safeguard economic growth

Developing countries have been urged to focus on raising the growth potential of their economies, while strengthening buffers to deal with risks from the Euro Area and fiscal policy in the United States, says the world Bank in the newly released Global Economic Prospects (GEP) report.

Published in Daily Independent Newspaper on Thursday, 17^th January, 2013

Empowerment: Amosun’s Wife Empowers Women

Wife of the Governor of Ogun State, Mrs Olufunso Amosun in collaboration with the Nigerian Bottling Company, has empowered 50 women with Coca-Cola Kiosks to assist them earn a living and boost their standard of living.

Published in This Day Newspaper on Friday, 18^th January, 2013

Labour: NGO Checks Unemployment among Youths

In order to reduce the spate of unemployment among the youths; the Oluyole socio-cultural group of Ibadan indigenes based in Lagos, recently disclosed plans to work in conjunction with the Oyo State Government

Published in This Day Newspaper on Friday, 18^th January, 2013

Corporate Governance: Federal Government Inaugurates Committee on National Code of Corporate Governance

The Federal Government yesterday inaugurated the Steering Committee that will develop the country’s National Code of Corporate Governance.

Published in This Day Newspaper on Friday, 18^th January, 2013

MDGs: Nigeria lags Behind, says Sambo

The Vice-President, Namadi Sambo, has confirmed that the country is off the mark towards the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) targets by 2015 deadline.

Published in This Day Newspaper on Friday, 18^th January, 2013

Philanthropy: Hyundai donates to orphanages, homes

Hyundai Motors Nigeria last week restated its commitment to the socio-economic welfare of the less privilege with the donation of hundreds of thousands of mosquitoes’ repellent supplies to orphanages and psychiatric homes in Nigeria to commemorate the 2012 anti-malaria campaign, which seeks to stem the scourge of malaria parasites.

Published in Daily Independent Newspaper on Friday, 18^th January, 2013

Partnership: F.G, USAID sign MOU to boost bank lending to agric sector

The Federal Government and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which is aimed at boosting banks’ lending to the agricultural sector of the economy.

Published in Daily Independent Newspaper on Friday, 18^th January, 2013

Philanthropy: Flour Mills donates N200m, food items to food victims

Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc has donated N200m for the welfare of the victims of the 2012 national flood disaster. 

The Milling Manager of the company, Mr. Solomon Obichukwu, stated this on Friday at the Government House, Awka where the company delivered a trailer-load of relief materials to the flood victims in Anambra State.

Published in Daily Independent Newspaper on Friday, 18^th January, 2013

CSR News Summary Issue 42

Unfounded CSR Practices in Corporate Foundations.

Mixed reactions trailed the evolution of corporate foundation amongst corporate organisations in Nigeria. While some stakeholders classified it a welcome development another school of thought have called for it regulation and monitoring by the government or any appropriate agency.

In the last few years, every multinational and even some local corporations with the glut of some unused fund had set up a foundation to carry out its corporate social responsibility functions. Some of the foundations are MTN Foundation, PZ Foundation, Dangote Foundation, Tony Elumelu Foundation and many more.

Describing the evolution of foundations from corporate organisations in the country to address social responsibility issues,  Chief Executive Officer of ThistlePraxis Consulting and sustainability advocate, Mrs. Ini Onuk said “This is a welcome development, only if the environment is regulated and structured. The setup of foundations all over the world spells one thing, more interventions and more social impact. However, when corporate organisations set up foundations just ‘to address social responsibility issues’, it only reveals their lack of understanding of what social responsibility is all about. Philanthropy and Community engagement only constitute one of seven pillars of social responsibility.

She added the setup of foundations emphasises the faulty approach of CSR as an external initiative rather than a business strategy. A percentage of profit after tax (PAT) is usually set aside to run the foundation’s initiatives. The obvious questions remain: how exactly does the company make the profit? What other aspects of social responsibility (organisational and corporate governance, labour issues, fair operating practices, consumer activities, environment, human rights, etc) are being ignored?”

Another stakeholder, whose pedigree cannot be doubted in the sustainability industry, Managing Partner, TruContact and organisers of Social Enterprise and Reporting Awards (SERAs), Dr. Ken Egbas put foundation evolution in three categories.

Hear him: “I think the evolution of the concept of corporate foundations in Nigeria has been truly interesting as it provides perhaps a research item on what can cause a sporadic spread of a concept or idea to the extent to which one can perhaps claim in the entire world.

“In the first category you will find foundations that were set up by corporate organisations as separate entities but still connected through the umbilical cord to the parent body with the aim of helping corporate bodies meet their social responsibility to society.”

Egbas said the intention of such foundation is purely to provide solutions while accentuating the contribution of the corporate body.

According to him, the second category comprises those foundations that were set up as a strategic response of certain organisations starting foundations. And because they think they are just as big as the other corporation, “so why not start their own foundation as well. If you look around, you will see quite a number of them. They are registered, well-staffed and loudly launched, but three to four years down the line, they are yet to take off. You cannot point to anything they have done. Many in this category are just trying to craft their vision years after launch.”

On the third category, the well rounded CSR practitioners said that it is made up of foundations that were set up for either political or economic reasons. They are not running on a vision other than desires of those who set them up. These are used like horses. The initiators ride them when they need to and disembark when they don’t have to and repeat cycle over again.”

Some of these foundations are seen as conduit pipes which some organisations and founders use to perpetrate some economical crime however, Onuk disagreed. She said “I do not agree with the allegation of evasion of tax by corporate organisations. However, what the media is expected to do as a constitutional social watchdog is to investigate and constantly beam a spotlight on these activities and claims to interventions that saturate the third sector.

“For the said ‘powerful individuals’, I am convinced that some of the renowned philanthropists invest a lot of funds into charity. However, the manner these funds are managed and disbursed or administered as well as the return on investment (ROI) in the amount of lives impacted, is questionable. Remember, these individuals cannot manage these funds because they do not have the expertise to design appropriate interventions and implement them at the same time.

“Professionalism and an aggressive quest for tangible impact should not be compromised at all times,” she added.

There are various kinds of foundations. Whilst the corporate foundations are better with organisations and implementation of interventions, the personal foundations are begging for structural overhaul. Many foundations carry out haphazard activities especially during festive seasons such as Christmas, Sallah and Easter holidays.

Whilst the need is overwhelming, most of the existing foundations are not professionally managed. Hence, the factors responsible for their seeming failure are not far-fetched. Rather than set up a foundation, CEO of ThistlePraxis said “we advise philanthropists to set up funds and donate annual grants to the more structured and professional foundations for administration. The idea of showbiz celebrities setting up foundations to mark personal milestones and not following through with promises should not be encouraged.”

Due to irregular nature of the industry and it potential, Onuk urged government to begin to beam it search and enact law that would effective regulate the industry. “There is an urgent need for a regulatory commission to vet and monitor the activities of foundations, especially because they provide platforms for pooling of funds which are tax-free.”

According to Egbas, it is in those situations that you see some organisations design a marketing promotional drive and call it corporate social responsibility. Many aren’t necessarily trying to be dubious, but merely acting based on level of knowledge they have or lack.

CSR News Summary Issue 41

Nigeria CSR Reports: Annual Review

It’s the last working day of the year for millions, perhaps not everyone but many of us. Consequently, it is also the last day for mainstream reportage on CSR news, developments and activities for 2012. This season is quite notorious, for end-of-year parties, concerts and other charitable events with the aim of ‘giving back’ to society. These trends make one wonder what happens or happened in the past 11 months. Anyways, this is not intended to douse your excitement for Christmas but to reflect on the year about to end in a few days or few hours – depending on the calendar in context – with a quick look at CSR Reporting in Nigeria.

Commencing on December 8, 2011; the Nigeria CSR Reports Blog has published Weekly News Summaries of all news stories reported as CSR across various Nigerian Media Organizations. No less than 2090 stories have been published and reviewed for this summary, with the following highlights:

Body of work

The volume of news stories reported as CSR in the year under review was impressively much more than previous years. Whilst this should signify progress, a significant percentage of the stories cannot be classified as CSR. Many Sponsorship initiatives, Cause Marketing Campaigns, Philanthropic activities amongst others were still reported as CSR across various Print and Digital Media Platforms.

Through 2012 there was still the absence of a CSR Section in any Nigerian Newspaper (apart from the Guardian Newspaper that has weekly page) albeit some portals now have dedicated CSR pages such as Ventures Africa and Brand Crunch. Beyond Nigeria, there is no specialized portal and virtual information resource on Sustainability, CSR and Sustainable Development in Nigeria. ThistlePraxis Consulting had announced the development of an initiative, ‘Sustainable Conversations™ Online’ to encourage real-time engagement and conversations. This is in addition to CSR Files™, an information and resource product on CSR in Africa.

A critical review of the body of work produced by journalists across various news beats and media shows the direct relationship between the stories and the press releases issued by corporate organizations. The language and seemingly desperate linkage to CSR has greatly increased to alarming rates and this is reflected in the promotion of many activities as CSR as well as the reportage of same without classification by media professionals. This trend is inimical to the growth of the practice and concept and further confuses stakeholders on the real essence and value of CSR.

Context

As articulated in the previous paragraph, the context in which many stories are developed, reported and initiatives promoted constitute a fundamental challenge with institutionalizing and promoting the business case for CSR in Nigeria. The media, as the fourth estate of the realm has not lived up to the constitutional duty to hold government accountable to her social contract. This obligation, by extension to the private sector has been abysmal in implementation. Many organizations issue press releases, publish adverts and advertorials for initiatives which show the dearth in strategy and non-existence of a clear-cut CSR policy, a term otherwise known as Green washing.

Depth

Consequently, the depth of reporting remains low. With the contexts of CSR and organizational sustainability grossly misunderstood, the levels of disclosure, quality of reviews and potential for stakeholder feedback through media platforms continue to be absent.

Lead stories

The major stories which rank at the top of news headlines for the year include the summarized stories below. These have been selected based on stakeholder feedback, engagement activities, number of rejoinders and reader comments generated.

In March, the controversial Governor of Nigeria’s Apex Bank was caught in a heated debate following his donation of 125Million Naira to victims of the terrorist bomb blasts in Northern Nigeria. These donations would have passed for benevolence if Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi had not stated that they were donated in line with the Central Bank’s CSR policy (of philanthropy?). Not only did this generate heated debates, strings of news stories and rejoinders, it sparked a row in the lower chambers of the Federal House of Representatives.

However, it was not only the CBN Governor who was made to explain the true meaning of CSR in 2012; his Commander-in-Chief also flew into the same web in a controversy arising from the construction of a church building in Otuoke, Bayelsa State, by an Italian construction firm. Many opposition groups called for the impeachment of the President and demanded that the firm be made to provide details of this alleged ‘Greek gift’.

Barely a few weeks later, another round of criticisms saturated the Nigerian news media on the decision of the President to attend the United Nation's Earth Summit Rio+20 despite the troubling security situation in Kaduna and Yobe States, which both came under terrorist attacks a few days to his departure. Jonathan, in a response by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, from Rio de Janeiro, dispelled criticism that his trip amounted to abdicating his responsibility to Nigerians. Nigeria reportedly participated with the largest delegation to the largest event on Sustainable Development in the world.

Not long after, the Lagos State Government was lampooned in an uproar on the demolition of a coastal, shanty settlement of people in a suburb called Makoko. This slum settlement pre-dates the country’s independence to almost a century whilst steadily degenerating to an environmental and health hazard to the commercial nerve centre of the country. In defense, 

the State Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Adesegun Oniru, explained that the demolition of shanties in the coastal community was to protect the environment and the lives of affected residents.

In a twisted tale of Development Economics and fostering sustainable development, the Central Bank of Nigeria announced the introduction of 5,000 NGN notes. Despite widespread fears of engendering inflation, the apex bank tried without luck to convince Nigerians that ‘…the fears expressed by Nigerians, including economists and finance experts, had no basis in economics’. Consequently, this sterling attempt at communicating the development was short-lived as the initiative was suspended by the Presidency.

Just a few weeks to the end of the year, Nigerians woke to the shocking realization that the fuel subsidy bill for 2012 had hit N1.05 trillion. In a presentation by President Good luck Jonathan, the Federal Government admitted that the cost of subsidizing fuel was underestimated. Fuel subsidy protests marked the beginning of the year in widespread labour strikes which resulted in the increase in pump prices of petroleum products. The Federal Government also announced a partial subsidy removal to plough back funds into SURE-P (Subsidy Reinvestments Programme), the nation’s largest initiative to foster widespread sustainable development since her independence. In a related development, a request to the National Assembly to approve N161 billion as supplementary budget to meet the cost of fuel subsidy for the festive season of 2012 (Christmas and New Year) was made and subsequently approved.

Reporting Standards

From all indicators, reporting did not improve this year, as stakeholders neglected relevant information and failed to push for higher levels of disclosure. The Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) in partnership with ThistlePraxis Consulting commenced the adoption process of ISO 26000 Guidance Standard on Social Responsibility which will provide organizations with a holistic guide to producing sustainability reports in line with global best practices. In the course of the year, it was announced that the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) will become compulsory in Nigeria from 2013. The success of these conventions, standards and guides depend on the various regulators and compliance levels of respective organizations.

Reviews

There were little or no professional reviews of CSR policies, reports, activities and campaigns. It is expected that improvement in the various indicators will encourage constructive criticisms and reviews in the coming year.

NB:

The Nigeria CSR Reports Blog is a class project of the Effective CSR Reporting for Media Professionals (ECSRRMP) November 2011 class. For more information, log on to: www.nigeriacsrreports.blogspot.com or send an email to: info@thistlepraxisconsulting.com.