CSR News Summary Issue 45

Environment: Epidermic Ravages Community as Pipeline Vandals Strike Again in Lagos

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 ThisDay Newspaper on Monday, 28^th January, 2013

Appointment: Access Bank Appoints Ndukwe Indeoendent Director

Access Bank Plc has announced the appointment of Dr. Ernest Ndukwe to its Board as a Non-Executive Director. The appointment has been ratified by the bank’s board of directors and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Published in ThisDay Newspaper on Monday, 28^th January, 2013

Philanthropy: NDDC inaugurates more projects in Abia

In furtherance of its quest for increased infrastructural development in the Niger Delta Region, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has inaugurated projects to stimulate the economy of Abia State.

The projects include the 13.7km Akwete-Umuagbai-Ndoki road linking Abia and Rivers States, the 3km Umuadienwe-Obahu-Umuturu road and the 1km Umuoforji-Okomini-Obehie road.

Published in BusinessDay Newspaper on Monday, 28^th January, 2013

Investment: GSK boosts investment in Nigeria, India consumer healthcare with N156bn

GlaxoSmithKline, a multinational drugmaker, is to spend more than N156 billion (US1billion) to raise the stakes in its Nigerian and Indian consumer healthcare arms.

This is to deepen its emerging markets and consumer healthcare footprint, according to Business Monitor Intelligence’s (BMI) forecast for pharmaceuticals and healthcare industry across the Middle East  and Africa.

Published in BusinessDay Newspaper on Monday, 28^th January, 2013

Philanthropy: FCMB donates 25m to flood victims in five states

The First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has donated N25 million to flood victims in five states including Bayelsa, Kogi, Delta, Plateau and Rivers states.

Bonaventure Okhaimo, FCMB senior vice president, public affairs, said the money was donated through the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

Published in BusinessDay Newspaper on Monday, 28^th January, 2013

MDGs: Chinese govt. hands over $12.5m hospital to Nigeria

In an effort to achieve the Millennium Development Goal target, 2015, the Chinese government yesterday handed over a newly-built $12.5million Federal Staff Hospital to its Nigerian counterpart.

The 150-bed hospital, which covers 8,000 square metres, is a product of the bilateral relationship between the two countries.

Published in Vanguard Newspaper on Tuesday, 29^th January, 2013

Sustainability: SMEs need assistance on sustainable business practices - ACCA

Policymakers, regulators and finance professionals must help small businesses to adopt sustainable business practices, even as their huge impact is currently being overlooked, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) has said.

Published in Vanguard Newspaper on Tuesday, 29^th January, 2013

Environment: Nigeria loses N1.011tm to oil theft, flooding

Nigeria lost N1.011 trillion ($6.439 billion) to oil theft and production losses arising from the flooding that ravaged most parts of the country last year, as the country recorded a decline in crude oil production in November 2011.

Published in Vanguard Newspaper on Tuesday, 29^th January, 2013

MDGs: Private medical doctors seek effective ANC policy

Worried about the challenges of attainment of the fourth Millennium Development Goal, MDG 4, by 2015,   stakeholders in the private medical sector have urged government at all levels to initiate policies that would encourage proper antenatal procedure in the country.

Published in Vanguard Newspaper on Tuesday, 29^th January, 2013

 

MDGs: UN-Habitat launches new global consultation on wastewater

UN-Habitat's Executive Director Dr. Joan Clos on Monday announced the lanch of a new Global Consultation on Wastewater Management and Water Quality for the Post-2015 Development Agenda

Published in Vanguard Newspaper on Tuesday, 29^th January, 2013

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

Not less than 3,000 jobs have been created for unemployed prsons 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

Community Development: World Bank spends N450m on 71 Imo Communities

The World Bank, through the Imo State Agency for Community Development Project (ISA-CSDP), has disbursed about N450 million for rural development projects to about 71 communities in Imo State in the last four years, General Manager of the agency, Mr. Augustine Amah, has disclosed.

Published in The Guardian Newspaper on Wednesday, 30^th January, 2013

Philanthropy: Donors raise $455m for Mali, UK deploys 350 troops to West Africa

International donors meeting in Ethiopia have pledged $455.53m (£289m) for an international campaign tackling Islamist militants in Mali.

Published in The Guardian Newspaper on Wednesday, 30^th January, 2013

Development: World Bank to spend $5b on projects in Nigeria

The World Bank, Tuesday, unfolded plans to spend $5billion  (about N785 billion) on 27 projects across the country in the next five years.

Published in The Guardian Newspaper on Wednesday, 30^th January, 2013

ICT: WITIN opens mobile apps challenge for girls in Nigeria

Women in Technology in Nigeria (WITIN) says it has unveiled a mobile application challenge tagged ``Technovation’’ for secondary school girls in the country.

The Chairperson of WITIN, Mrs Martha Alade, said this in a statement on Thursday made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

Published in The Guardian Newspaper on Wednesday, 30^th January, 2013

Philanthropy: First Bank donates bus to Olivet High School

First Bank Nigeria Limited on Tuesday donated a 30-seater Toyota bus to the Olivet High School, Oyo, Oyo State.

The donation, according to the Chairman, First Bank, Prince Ajibola Afonja, is in demonstration of the bank’s commitment to its corporate social responsibility.

Published in Punch Newspaper on Wednesday, 30^th January, 2013

Investment: Nokia invests $250m in venture funding

Finnish mobile phone maker, Nokia, said on Tuesday it would invest $250m in a new venture fund for mobile technology startups.

Published in Punch Newspaper on Wednesday, 30^th January, 2013

Appointment: Ikeazor Appointed Keystone Bank MD/CEO

Another change is imminent in Keystone Bank Limited as the current Executive Director, Corporate and International/Investment Banking and Treasury, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, Mr. Philip Ikeazor, has been appointed the substantive Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the bank, acquired by Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) in 2011.

Published in ThisDay Newspaper on Thursday, 31^st January, 2013

Development: Health, Safety, Environment issues top Oando’s drilling agenda

In a statement made available to our correspondent on Tuesday, the firm said the OES Teamwork, one of its four rigs, had recorded a safety milestone of three years of uninterrupted operations without a Loss Time Injury.

Published in Punch Newspaper on Thursday, 31^st January, 2013

Development: Falcon Petroleum reaffirms commitment to host communities

A wholly indigenous oil and gas service company, Falcon Petroleum Limited, has said it remains committed to developmental projects that will impact lives in its host communities.

The firm also expressed its intention to continue to invest in the people as well as the local environment where it was operating within the confines of its resources and statutory approvals from the Nigerian Gas company

Published in Punch Newspaper on Thursday, 31^st January, 2013

Partnership: Transcorp, GE partner to develop Nigeria’s power infrastructure

General Electric (GE) and Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp) have signed a framework agreement to collaborate in developing the power and transport infrastructures in Nigeria.

The agreement primarily sees the two companies open an avenue for discussion with regard to partnering in the development of the Transcorp owned Ughelli power plant, in Nigeria’s Delta State, pursuant to broader plans for the advancing of Nigeria’s power infrastructure

Published in Punch Newspaper on Thursday, 31^st January, 2013

Police Affairs: IG lays foundation of N77m forensic lab

Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Abubakar on Thursday laid the foundation of a N77m forensic police laboratory, with a promise to rehabilitate existing barracks nationwide. Represented by the Deputy Inspector- General in-charge of ‘C’ Department, Mr. Emmanuel Udeoji, the IG said the facility would cater for modern investigation needs of the force.

Published in National Mirror Newspaper on Friday, 1^st February, 2013

Investment: General Electric to establish manufacturing plant in C-River

The facility is part of a $1 billion investment that General Electric intends to make in the Nigerian economy in the next five years. It also plans to build a training facility in Calabar.

Published in National Mirror Newspaper on Friday, 1^st February, 2013

MDGs: Nigeria’ll erdaicate Polio by 2015

The Director-General of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA, Dr. Ado Mohammed, yesterday said the Federal Government’s committee on the eradication of polio had increased its campaign to kick out polio from the country by 2015

Published in National Mirror Newspaper on Friday, 1^st February, 2013

Nigeria records zero case of Polio in two months

Nigeria has attained an outstanding feat by recording no incidence of poliomyelitis in the last two months.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja yesterday after meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan, the Director General of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency,  Dr Ado Mohammed, said the committee on the eradication of polio had stepped up its efforts to totally eliminate the disease from the country  in the next two years.

Published in National Mirror Newspaper on Friday, 1^st February, 2013

Environment: Lagos assures residents of flood control

Lagos State Government, Wednesday, asked residents not to panic as it had put adequate measures in place to reduce cases of flooding to the barest minimum in the state this year.

Commissioner of Environment, Tunji Bello, at a briefing on the work plan and activities of the ministry for the year 2013, noted that drainage and road construction projects contributed to the flood recorded last year.

Published in National Mirror Newspaper on Friday, 1^st February, 2013

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.