CSR is about being Responsible

By Dr. Tunde Ewedemi

Philanthropy is about being benevolent, CSR is about being responsible. 
CSR goes beyond having a “giving” culture; it goes as far as saying this is our responsibility and if we are a “responsible” organisation we have will do something about it, in a profitable way of course. 

Public relations approach to CSR is the act of developing strategies that will help our target audience to see us as a good and understanding organisation. Nigeria has also caught the “branding” bug and this trend is clouding the real purpose and thinking behind CSR. Branding looks at the target audience and communicates the corporate message using various media, while CSR talks to the corporate stakeholders and devise solutions to problems or issues connected directly or indirectly to the organisation. For example a pharmaceutical business that researches and develop drugs for cancer should be looking at 

This is a legitimate business practice but the “spirit” of CSR is approached from the angle of “what adverse impact is my organisation having on my staff, community and my environment and what can I do to begin to rectify them. 

When a CSR initiative is well researched, planned and orchestrated, it often results in good public relations. CSR needs public relations for the company to enjoy the ultimate brand awareness, customers can see through projects that are primarily motivated by the need for publicity and brand development. A genuine CSR project will go a long way in creating awareness both internally and externally.

* Published in the http://csrnigeria.blogspot.com/ on 6^th March 2010

*** Dr. Tunde Ewedemi is the Principal Consultant for Skyhigh Consulting, UK

The Changing Face of Africa

By Tony O. Elumelu

What a change a decade makes. Africa has come a long way since the Economist headline (now described as “regrettable”) of May 11, 2000 which referred to Africa as “The Hopeless Continent”.

We are seeing a noticeable shift in the way the continent is perceived from the outside. At the beginning of the year, the London Guardian published an editorial: “A fresh chapter is opening in Africa's history” and the Financial Times followed up with “Why Africa is leaving Europe behind”. The Economist, itself, in a dramatic reversal, titled its most recent issue “Africa Rising”.

These days, it is no longer unusual to come across reports by global financial institutions revealing impressive economic growth, or unprecedented economic opportunities in vmany parts of the continent.  But even more important than what outsiders think of the continent is what Africans themselves think. We are currently experiencing an exciting transformation in the way we perceive ourselves.

A revival of self-confidence is taking place all around us. We are witnessing a series of political re-awakenings that seek to enthrone democracy and the rule of law. Africans are getting more and more used to the idea of deciding, through the ballot-box, their political leadership. Africans who have achieved some measure of success abroad are returning home in increasing numbers, driven by the belief that there is no place like “home”, and armed with a determination to replicate their overseas successes in their own countries.

GDP growth rates have more than doubled in sub-Saharan Africa over the last decade, compared to the 1990s. During the same period, six of the top ten fastest growing economies in the world were sub-Saharan African countries: Angola, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Chad, Mozambique, and Rwanda. That trend is certain to continue into the near future. This year, the World Bank upgraded Zambia and Ghana into the “middle-income” category. Consumer spending on the continent, currently approaching a trillion dollars per annum, is expected to double over the next decade as the middle-class begins to re-emerge and assert itself.

A decade ago, there were less than 100,000 mobile phone lines in Nigeria. Today, there are close to a hundred million. Recent estimates indicate that as many as 40 million Nigerians – a quarter of the population – regularly use the Internet.

New infrastructure (roads, railways, power stations, airports) and reform-oriented legislation is being created across the continent. There is a growing shift in emphasis from foreign aid to foreign direct investment – driven by African talent. The New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), an African Union development agency, estimates that in the last decade, FDI into Africa grew from $9 billion to $88 billion.

What is becoming clearer by the day is that the private sector, working intelligently and confidently, can fashion home-grown solutions to poverty and economic stagnation.

I am excited about this, especially because I do not think that there will be a future for the world without a confident, self-propelling Africa – an Africa which, armed with the realisation that poverty is not an inescapable curse, actually takes responsibility for its immense potential for economic growth and prosperity.

My belief is that through an energised private sector, Africa can take its place in the driver’s seat and transform itself economically through investments that generate not only economic prosperity but also social wealth. This, in a nutshell, is my philosophy of ‘Africapitalism’. Africapitalism is not capitalism with an African twist; it is a rallying cry for empowering the private sector to drive Africa’s economic and social growth.

This belief has led me to set up two institutions: Heirs Holdings, an African proprietary investment firm committed to the economic transformation of Africa by generating long-term investments through economic prosperity and social wealth; and The Tony Elumelu Foundation, a non-profit organisation that champions impact investing. Impact investing combines the profit motive of traditional investing with the social and developmental outcomes of philanthropy.

We look for a double-bottom line: like all investments, we are keen to generate financial return, which helps ensure sustainability, but are also focused on achieving social and communal good. It is a beneficial and value-adding middle-way between the profit obsession of traditional investing, and the often unsustainable ‘hand-out’ approach of traditional philanthropy.

* Published in the CSR-in-Action Blog on 19^th January, 2012.

*** Tony O. Elumelu, MFR (Nigeria), Chairman of Heirs Holdings. He is also the Founder of The Tony Elumelu Foundation, an Africa-based, African-funded not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the promotion and celebration of excellence in business leadership and entrepreneurship across Africa.

RECOMMENDED READINGS

--- This compilation includes 48 study/survey summaries. Register/login for the free download:

http://www.csrinternational.org/2012/01/25/best-governance-research-of-2011/

* Published in CSR International on Wednesday, January 25, 2012.

*** Published by Dr Wayne Visser, CEO, CSR International

---Nestlé is in court in Switzerland on 24th and 25th January 2012 for running spies in the Swiss campaign group, ATTAC.

 http://info.babymilkaction.org/news/campaignblog250112

* Published in Baby Milk Action on Wednesday, January 25, 2012.

*** Published by Mike Brady, Campaign and Networking Coordinator, Baby Milk Action

Ini Onuk: CSR On Her Mind

Wake her at midnight and the Lead Consultant and Chief Executive Officer of ThistlesPraxis Consulting, Lagos, Mrs. Ini Onuk, will most likely preach the ideals of corporate social responsibility on the spot. She tells Chinyere Fred how it all began.

If it is about wearing one’s heart on one’s sleeves then Ini Onuk will gladly plead guilty. When the subject is corporate social responsibility, that is. But you don’t blame her for that passion.
She believes it is one area many Nigerians and corporate organisations do not seem to understand properly. What does she mean?

“Having worked for over 20 years within and outside Nigeria and having some insight into the corporate responsibility initiatives of organisations and businesses in Nigeria and around Africa, and adding my work with non-for profit organisations over the years, it became clear that our understanding of what CSR is and what it is not is befuddled. My focus is helping companies do CSR well and helping the community that needs it the most and becoming that important link between corporate and social responsibilities,” she explains.

CSR for her should be an integral part of any responsible corporate entity. It encompasses not only what companies do with their profits, but also how they make them, she says.

What is more? It also goes beyond philanthropy, compliance and addresses how companies manage their economic, social and environmental impacts.

But she is not done yet. This amiable mother of three also sees corporate social responsibility as a means of managing relationships within the business sphere: the workplace, the marketplace, the supply chain, the community, and the public policy realm.
“Arguing about the existence of CSR is like arguing if businesses exist in the first place because the social contract is the prerequisite for the very existence of businesses,” she quips.
That probably explains why she can’t stop talking about the forthcoming Africa CEO Roundtable on Corporate Social Responsibility, a flagship event, her consulting outfit, ThistlePraxis Consulting, has put together after months of painstaking research in the various sectors of the economy. 

With the theme, ‘The Business Case for CSR and its impact on African Economies’, the three-day event billed for June 15 in Lagos, will parade world and industry leaders, including the first female president of Ireland, Ms. Mary Robinson.

She enthuses, “Is planned as an industry flagship event attracting the crème of Africa’s leading figures and decision-makers to immediately spark off conversations and discussions about Corporate Social Responsibility in Africa. It will also bring counterparts from Europe, United Kingdom and the United States for peer reviews and best practices.” The CSR dream hasn’t come easy though. Daily, she is confronted with critics, who according to her, argue that the social contract is a “fiction”, an intangible notion.

“But I argue for the existence or existentiality of the social contract. The social contract exists and functions as a conceptual and analogical system,” she adds.

But don’t get her wrong. She is not advocating that the government abdicates its roles for the business community. She explains, “Rather, it augments the responsibilities borne by the government and civil society and goes beyond what is required by law. The potential that CSR (done properly) offers requires the combined efforts of society as a whole. Neither the government nor businesses nor civil society is able to master the enormous challenges of our times single-handedly.

“I strongly believe that for us to have a headway, we may need to put in place a national strategy to promote corporate social responsibility (CSR) with the aim of making a contribution to meeting the core challenges facing us in the globalised world of the 21st century.”

Ini is also passionate about volunteering. According to her, the culture of people working on behalf of others or a particular cause without payment for their time and services, is fast disappearing and must be addressed quickly. She opines: “We need to go back to the basics. Our young people come out of school with too much entitlement mentality. They lack the requisite skills needed to gain employment and most of them are unemployable. Volunteering opens your mind and broadens your scope of understanding. It enables you to gain skills that place you in good stead for employment or business.”

For her, the link between volunteering and CSR cannot be over emphasised. “I am preaching as well that businesses/organisations should, through their employee volunteer programmes contribute to creating societies in which all sectors are complementary – working together to answer the needs arising from new social and economic conditions and cooperating for the benefit of society, building trust between the public and private sector.

Speaking further on the roundtable event, she calls it the most stressful she has ever organised. She should know about roundtables and conferences, having successfully organised many as the executive secretary of the elite all-women organisation; Women in Management and Business (WIMBIZ).

What then could be the challenge here? According to her, there has not been any support from the expected quarters. “We began advertising and sending out letters inviting organisations to participate since December last year. To date, we do not have any sponsorship for a continent wide event of this magnitude from any Nigerian organisation.
One organisation said to me “they do not invest in untested waters”. Others say a small company like ThistlePraxis Consulting cannot be hosting an event of this magnitude.

Many say that our advert that Pres. Robinson is the keynote speaker is an advertisement gimmick. Unfortunately for them, Pres. Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland, will be landing this country soon for this event. The interest has rather been far more than our expectations from outside Nigeria. We have delegates coming in from South Africa, Angola, Brazil, London and some other African countries.

A 2008 Draper Hills Fellow on Democracy and Development at Stanford University California and an alumna of the Harvard Business School Executive Management Programme, Ini is one woman that can never take a ‘NO’ for an answer.

That is probably the reason she will continue to preach the gospel of corporate social responsibility, with or without any support. It makes no difference.

* Published in Leadership Newspaper on Wednesday, January 25, 2012.

CSR NEW SUMMARY ISSUE 4

GROUP ENDS FREE MEDICARE IN PLATEAU COUNCILS

The one week – long free medical services organised by the Defence Headquarters, under the aegis of Alliance Professional Resources Services Limited (APRESEL) in the four councils of Plateau State worst hit by the crises at the weekend concluded the exercise with the cleaning up of the streets in Jos – North Local Council. The council were free treatment was carried out included Jos – North, Jos – South, Barkin Ladi and Riyom, Jos – East councils.

Incidentally, the four councils are the areas where a state-of-emergency was declared by President Goodluck Jonathan. The medical team were made up of retired military personnel with Muslims and Christians doctors and nurses.

Published in Guardian Newspaper, on Tuesday, 17^th Jan. 2012

UNICEM TO COMMISSION N5B ROAD

The United Nigeria Cement Company (UNICEM) has disclosed that the 20km evacuation road that they are constructing at a cost of N5 billion will be completed and commissioned by the end of 2012.. the road would serve trailers conveying cement from its Mfamosing factory in Akamkpa, Cross River State to the wider market.

Also, as part of the company’s social responsibility, it spent N180 million on road maintenance of three Federal Highways of Ikang, Oban and Odukpani – Calabar – Itu roads, provided health care services, constructed boreholes and roads as well as rendering assistance on education to its host communties.

Published in Daily Independent Newspaper,on Wednesday, 18th Jan. 2012

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BEGINS AUDIT OF REVENUE COLLECTION AGENCIES

In furtherance of its drive aimed at boosting its incomes through plugging of avenues for leakages and sleaze in all revenue collection agencies, the Federal Government has commenced the audit of the affected agencies. In addition, a task force that will critically assess the 2012 budget and cost of governance generally has been inaugurated as part of the ongoing efforts targeted at improving fiscal discipline in public finance in the country.

Giving the hint on these initiatives of the Federal Government in Abuja, the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, disclosed that auditing of the revenue agencies’ accounts and the launching of the task force by the ministry were crucial to the current moves by government to improve internally generated revenue and enhance the efficiency of budgets, particularly the recurrent component which has become the subject of public concern over the past few years.

Published in National Mirror Newspaper,on Friday, 20th Jan. 2012

CHEVRON SUSPENDS SEARCH AND RESCUE EFFORTS FOR TWO MISSING CONTRACTORS

Chevron Corporation said that its subsidiary, Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), has called off the search and rescue activities for two contractors who were missing after Monday’s fire aboard the K.S. Endeavor, a drilling rig offshore Nigeria operated by FODE Drilling Nigeria Limited.

“After three days of intensive search and rescue activities for our missing colleagues, I am saddened to report that our efforts have proven unsuccessful and, therefore, we have made the difficult decision to transition to a recovery operation. On behalf of Chevron, we extend our sincere condolences to the families of the missing individuals,” said Andrew Fawthrop, managing director, Chevron's Nigeria/Mid-Africa Strategic Business Unit.

Published in National Mirror Newspaper,on Friday, 20th Jan. 2012

FOUNDATION BRINGS SUCCOUR TO INDIGENT PERSONS IN BENUE

The Yuletide season may have come and gone but certain events leave behind memories that will linger for long. One of such was the act of love demonstrated by the Omirigbe Gladys Ojobo Foundation OGOF.

In the remote villages of Oju and Obi local government areas of Benue State, the Foundation brought succour to many indigent widows and other lessprivileged.

According to the chairman of the foundation, Mr Ojeka Ikpe, it spent N700,000 on hospital bills, while 48 bags of rice and 288 metres of wrappers clothing were procured for distribution to the women during the Yuletide even as several food condiments were also given out.

Published in National Mirror Newspaper, on Friday, 20^th Jan. 2012

BONGA OIL SPILL CAUSES FISH SCARCITY

Fishermen operating in the coastal states along the Atlantic Shoreline have attributed the current fish scarcity to the recent oil spill from the Bonga Oil Fields operated by Shell.

The fishermen said they were instructed by the National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) to withdraw from fishing activities in the Atlantic Ocean due to oil pollution from the December 20, 2011 oil spill.

Published in ThisDay Newspaper, onFriday, 20th Jan. 2012

ECONOMIC GROUP SEEKS REDUCION IN JONATHAN’S CABINET

The Chairman of Ondo State Economic Summit Group (OSEG), Mr Banji Alabi has called for the scrapping of security votes for the president, governors and council chairmen, as part of efforts to ensure a judicious use of the increasingly scarce resources in the country.

Alabi, a lawyer also called for immediate deregulation of the National Assembly to make it part time. He equally called for drastic reduction in their salaries and allowances in line with the belt – tightening being sought by the presidency, which prompted its controversial removal of subsidy on petrol

Published in Guardian Newspaper, on Tuesday, 17^th Jan. 2012

IMPROVING CHILD MATERNAL HEALTH IN KOGI

Stakeholders in Kogi State Health Sector have commended the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) for their efforts in improving healthcare delivery in the state.

This was the consensus among majority of those that participated in the just concluded Maternal and Newborn Child Health (MNCH) Week that took place throughout the 21 local government councils in the state

Published in Daily Independent Newspaper, on Thursday, 19^th Jan. 2012

CSR still practised as charity activity – Onuk

Contrary to general opinion and belief that Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) practice is fast taking shape in Nigeria, one of the advocates and experts in the emerging industry, Mrs. Ini Onuk, Chief Executive Officer/Lead Consultant, ThistlePraxis Consulting however, said a lot did not happen in 2011 apart from increase in the apostles of the ‘CSR gospel’.

Assessing the CSR and sustainability industry in Nigeria in 2011, the sustainability expert said, “Generally, we didn’t see a lot that was different in 2011 aside an increase in the apostles of the ‘CSR Gospel’;  more organisations claiming to be socially responsible as well as many other professionals, consultants and advocates in an emerging industry. This, for me, showed that the concept is fast gaining grounds even though acceptance and compliance are still afar off,” adding that  “What I would record were highlights are a major attempt to elevate the discourse of CSR across the African continent through the AR-CSR™ (Africa CEO Roundtable & Conference on CSR), the launch of a journal on sustainability in Africa (CSR Files™) and a focus on CSR at the biggest Public-Private Platform in Nigeria – the NESG Summit 17 with the launch of a compendium on CSR activities.

She said, in addition, some regulars took place – the SERA Awards and pockets of trainings here and there including one that ThistlePraxis organised, the ECSRRMP towards the end of the year. The UN HDI Report didn’t favour Nigeria and many other Sub-Saharan countries, so I will say it was a good year but better still needs to be done about CSR and Sustainability.”

Speaking on the areas on organisations focused on in 2011 and why, Mrs. Onuk stated that education, economic empowerment/poverty alleviation got the better of organizations’ budget on CSR. “I would say education, economic empowerment/poverty alleviation stood out as focus areas. We also saw a number of community interventions focused on provision of water and other social amenities through corporate social investments in many parts of the country. However, she said “I cannot answer ‘why’, as I do not consult for these organisations, but I can attempt to espouse their intentions. These are gaping needs that needs to be met and since CSR is still mostly practised as an ad-hoc and charity activity, those initiatives featured a lot in the news.”

Onuk, who also tried to differentiate between CSR and corporate philanthropy, said “I will point out that sadly, CSR remains an ad-hoc and somewhat external activity to many organisations. This is why we are not developing the practice and implementing the tactics as we should in Nigeria and many other parts of Africa. For as long as the executives, relevant public officials and civil society groups do not understand or fail to embrace the many dimensions of CSR; core philanthropic/charity activities and projects will dominate. For CSR to make sense, it must be part of your business strategy that is how you do business. It must not be related to only when the business makes profit.”

On how the practice impact businesses, the apostle of the holistic CSR approach stated that Corporate Social Responsibility impacts businesses in a number of ways. Some of which are she said are increasing their bottom line, employee motivation and productivity, brand experience and direct reach to intended targets, sustainability inputs to ensure survival and longetivity of the business entity amongst many other benefits. “And these are not abstracts; they have been tested, trusted and proven over and over again. A well thought-out CSR initiative will help cut costs, make the program more effective and through positive feedback, will result in gains in all sectors. Acknowledging and addressing all the key impacts of your business will bring credibility and reduce “green washing”. This in turn increases brand value and economic gains, thus reinforcing the positive cycle.”

On regulating the CSR industry, Onuk told Daily Independent that whilst she is an advocate for regulation, she does not think a law is what the industry needs. “Whilst I am an advocate for regulation, I do not think a law is what we need. I believe a National Agenda that seeks to regulate the CSR activities and claims of organizations would best suit the Nigerian environment because there’s a lack of trust between the government and the people. Therefore, if an agenda is put in place, it should serve as a guide for Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) and existing corporations in Nigeria to ensure that certain standards are adhered to and nothing below a particular, stipulated quality would be acceptable in Nigeria. Organisations who do not comply will not be permitted to operate.”

On a particular percentage regulation should allocate to the implementation of the industry, she said it is not about the amount and will never be about the amount so as much as the policy that guides the amount invested. A company can allocate a sizeable amount of her profits ‘to CSR’ but not achieve any impact or even practice CSR as should be done. We always concentrate on the amount doled out and forget the process, the strategy and the expected impact that drives the intention. Before an organization goes out to the media to recant their investments in billions of naira, I would want to ask what policy drives this investment in the first place and also, what differentiates their investment from corporate philanthropy.

Again, I will caution the use of the word ‘execution’ and this is because, execution is the third part of the process. There is the drafting, integrating into business models and operations before execution surfaces. Government as always provides the enabling environment through sustainable policies and focus as a regulatory arm of the chain. I believe the NGOs are the implementing partners for philanthropy and social investment collaborations. As for the corporate entities, I would advise they should be responsible for driving the economic agenda by becoming a pressure group for change – and holding the government accountable to policy thrust in the face of her abandoned responsibilities.

Differentiating CSR and Public Relations, ThistlePraxis Consulting boss added, companies, who do not understand that CSR is about business sustainability and integrity as much as it is about social programs, often make the mistake of making CSR a marketing or PR program/problem. By doing so, they essentially “green-wash” their company. In my opinion, PR should lightly handle CSR initiatives until the CSR program has momentum and there is something to actually celebrate and brag about. Celebrating decency and expected behaviour is not good PR on CSR. It is artificial and could cause more harm than good. PR should let the public know that there is a CSR program, that there will be a report, and what some of the programs are under development, or highlight ongoing/historical CSR efforts.

However, she said “CSR is about smart business practices. It is about constant improvement and integrity. PR is about reporting on the events as they occur or showcasing a history of events and trending. The danger is when the showcasing precedes the actual work.”

Onuk however put the industry estimate at N50billion. She said the industry is pretty large in monetary investments/expenditure – but from our last estimation and research, should be close to about N50 Billion in direct investment on CSR. Some sources say it is about twice that amount. However, the ROI on these investments are almost non-existent in real terms of business and social impacts if we are to develop indicators to measure them. The industry may not be termed an industry as the parameters that define a profession and industry are yet to be established or put in place in Nigeria.
*** Published in Daily Independent  Newspaper on Tuesday, January 17th, 2012.

CSR NEWS SUMMARY ISSUE 3

SEARCHING FOR SUSTAINABLE CSR

At a three-day training workshop, organised by ThistlePraxis Consulting Limited, an assessment and strategy firm based in Lagos between Wednesday, November 23 and Friday, November, 25, on Effective CSR Reporting for Media Professionals, a news item about how Shell spent N9 billion on Community Development in Niger Delta sparked controversy and became a case study for debate among participants.

The workshop which aimed at building and strengthening human capacity for the Nigerian and African Media Industry on CSR and sustainability reporting in Africa, succeeded in drawing a line between successful CSR and failed ones.

Published in ThisDay Newspaper, on Friday, 30^th Dec. 2011

CONCESSIONAIRE FETES THE LESS - PRIVILEGED

As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), APM Terminals Apapa Limited has reached out to the less – privileged in its area of operations. The management of the firm gave gifts and writing materials to some nursery and primary school pupils in a rural area of Lagos in the spirit of Yulutide.

The management of the firm takes CSR seriously as it recently received commendation from Lagos State Government for its support in promoting education in the state with the renovation and furnishing of Randle Secondary School, Apapa. The company also provided the school with computers.

Published in ThisDay Newspaper, on Friday, 30^th Dec. 2011

THE PROMISE OF A BETTER LIFE

Beyond the carols and the chimes of every Christmas is its symbolic essence that is captured by the life and message that Jesus lived and died for us. Furthermore, the promises of a better life beyond the realm of human comprehension, the undiluted and exemplary display of love, care and brotherliness have provided mankind a timeless legacy. As we have just marked another Christmas – and hope to ride our fortune and our star into the New Year – each of us would appear to stand in judgement about how true we have harkened to the Master’s commandment.

As a company, we have continued with the relentless implementation of our Corporate Social Responsibility initiative – the Goodness League. Our geographical footprint now covers more grounds across the country just as the realisation that we are affecting lives positively and contributing to the development of our country. So far, the beneficiaries of the programme include those in the South, North, West, South South and North Central geo – political zones in the country is still within our radar and progressing well.

Published in Guardian Newspaper, on Wednesday, 4^th Jan. 2012

SUBARU PARTNERS LIFEGATE GLOBAL LINK OTHERS FOR LESS PRIVILEDGED

Lifegate Global Link, a nongovernmental organisation in Lagos has entered into partnership with Subaru Motors, Lagos Television, Kikers, IBST Media and the Silverbird Group, for the first ever Urban Safari Rally; held in Lagos in order to effectively advocate the needs of the less privileged in Nigeria. The rally, which had notable celebrities, business executives, media and the general public put their automobiles on the road in an orchestrated convoy to drive through the street of Lagos, was flagged off from Lagos Television, Agidingbi Ikeja offices, and terminated at Silverbird Galleria in Victoria Island.

The celebrities and the corporate heads engaged the representatives of some of the charity homes at the Silverbird Galleria where they signed autographs partook in a light breakfast and spoke about their individual charity projects.

Published in Business Day Newspaper, on Wednesday, 4^th Jan. 2012

APM TERMINALS TAKES CSR TO SCHOOLS, LESS PRIVILEGED

As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility to its host communities and also in the spirit of this season, APM Terminals Apapa Limited has reached out to school pupils in Lagos showering them with gifts including writing materials. The management and staff of the Company, represented by Soren Iversen, General Manager, Human Resources, accompanies by Uduaka Maureen, Administrative Support Officer, visited Delight Nursery and Primary School at Ishahayi Beach, Lagos and donated items including textbooks, crayons, rulers and several others.

In a similar development, APM Terminals staff on Shift C visited some orphanages and home of the less privileged in Lagos.

Published in Business Day Newspaper, on Wednesday, 4^th Jan. 2012

NGO BATTLES POVERTY IN IMO, OGUN

Determined to attack poverty, unemployment and violent crimes in Imo and Ogun states, a non – governmental organization, the Okechukwu Theodora Ezeh Foundation, is to work in collaboration with the two state governments to provide basic infrastructure for job creation and rapid development of rural areas of the state.

At the handing over of a multi-million naira classroom block to the au thorities of Town School, Obohia in Ahiazu Mbaise council of Imo State by the Executive Chairman, Okechukwu Theodora Ezeh Foundation, the two states through their representatives said they were fully prepared to partner the private sector / individuals to provide succor for the people of their states.

Published in Daily Independent Newspaper, on Thursday, 5^th Jan. 2012

FCTA Ups THE ANTE IN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) will continue to expand its focus in providing good  primary health care services to the people in its effort to reduce maternal and child mortality rates in the ICT. The Minister of the FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed disclosed this recently in Abuja during the inauguration of the FCT Social Mobilization Committee.

Mohammed stated that the inauguration of the committee is to ensure effective delivery of primary health cares ervice to the people and also to underscore the importance of primary health care

Published in This Day Newspaper, on Friday, 6^th Jan. 2012

GROUP TAKES MALARIA CAMPAIGN TO LAGOS COMMUNITY

In a bid to help prevent malaria in rural communities, a Non – Governmental Organisation  (NGO), Change-A-Life has taken its bi-annual Malaria Prevention Campaign (MPC) to Makoko Community of Lagos State. A statement by the Organisation said the aim of the project was to go into the rural areas within the Lagos metropolis and educate the people on how the malaria parasite is spread and how to protect themselves and their families.

The statement further noted that residents of the rural areas visited were also given Insecticide Treated Nets (ITN) approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Published in This Day Newspaper, on Friday, 6^th Jan. 2012