Business
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Uniliver Nigeria Plc in partnership with Lagos Business School holds a forum to champion the cause of building sustainable and profitable businesses in Nigeria
| By Anayo Ezugwu | Jul 11, 2016 @ 01:00 GMT |
UNILEVER Nigeria, in partnership with the Lagos Business held a forum on building sustainable businesses in Nigeria. At the event which took place in Lagos, Paul Polman, global chief executive officer, of Unilever Plc, reiterated the company’s commitment to improving the lives of Nigerians through its sustainable living programme. Polman, who spoke extensively on how profitable and sustainable businesses are built in the midst of volatility, championed the drive for a sustainable and integrated approach to sustainable business practices.
He told young entrepreneurs, sustainability experts and young business leaders at the forum that “The scale and urgency of the challenges the world faces are so great and we need to look beyond our own business to drive transformational change. These challenges actually provide opportunities for emerging businesses to grow profitably and sustainably while addressing development challenges.”
He said Unilever has been able to demonstrate that sustainability drives growth. “More than ever before, we are leading the way, having made a commitment to put sustainability at the core of our operations. And this is growing the business, despite current economic and business challenges. Business all over the world contributes 60 percent of the Gross Domestic Products, GDP, 90 percent of job creation and the only purpose of business is to assist the society.
“Prices of commodities in Nigeria have increased from 50 to 100 percent, while many of its citizens are living below the poverty line. In September 2015, 93 countries came together to sign the new sustainable development goals in order to eradicate poverty in the world by 2030. But the major task facing the new goals is poverty alleviation and climate change,” he said.
Also, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State represented by Wale Oluwo, commissioner for energy and mineral resources, stressed that Lagos State is ready to support businesses like Unilever, who are delivering value and economic growth through their operations.
In his opening remarks, Yaw Nsarkoh, Unilever Nigeria managing director, said: “Businesses that address both the direct concerns of citizens and the needs of the environment will prosper over the long term. This is what guides our operations at Unilever as we meet the needs of our consumers while maintaining commercial profitability.
Other Nigerian dignitaries at the event include Oscar Onyema, chief executive officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange; Mutiu Sumonu, chairman, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc.; and Mosun Belo- Olusoga, chairman, Access Bank. They all shared their wealth of experience on the ways to create sustainable commercial models within a highly volatile world. The event was moderated by Chris Ogbechie of the Lagos Business School and chairman, Diamond Bank Plc.
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