Business Briefs
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THE Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, NACCIMA, has urged governments at all levels to step up efforts at enhancing the growth and development of the private sector. Mohammed Abubakar, national president, NACCIMA, said this could only be achieved through appropriate and effective policy measures and programmes that would enable the private sector play its role as the driver of economic growth and development of the nation.
He made the call at the 2014 Commerce and Industry award, organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, in Lagos. He said that studies have revealed that the most basic social responsibility of any organisation is to help generate growth, create wealth, as well as ensure a sustainable economic opportunity for all and sundry.
Abubakar acknowledged the efforts of the Lagos State government towards ensuring business friendly environment for both local and foreign investors to contribute effectively to the growth and development of the economy of the state and transforming Lagos State to become the much talked-about mega city through public-private partnership, PPP, arrangement.
“I believe this was the reasoning of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry in its wisdom to initiate an award programme, to further encourage organisations to improve on their contributions to the development of the nation. We are hopeful that programme(s) of this nature would be emulated and be replicated by other chambers of commerce and business associations nationwide, in order to further encourage member organisations in their domains to improve on their role as instruments for economic development and wealth creation in their respective states.”
On his part, Remi Bello, president LCCI, disclosed that the objective of the award series was to celebrate private and public institutions operating in Nigeria for their best business practices, growth through innovations, business sustainability and positive impact on the people and society. “We are committed to the promotion of the core values that would ensure sustainable progress of the Nigerian economy. These core values include integrity, transparency, social responsibility and sincere commitment to the ideals of business ethics. Value creation is at the heart of wealth creation. The main drivers of wealth creation are private enterprises. The investment environment may be challenging, but it has brought the best out of entrepreneurs. We are today celebrating enterprises that have excelled in the economy amidst a multitude of challenges in the investment environment. We are excited that many of them are also indigenous enterprises” he said.
Remi said the chamber had recognised that “there is no perfect time to make an impact in any system,” adding that while the government was fixing the power sector and tackling security challenges, infrastructure issues, institutional bottlenecks and corruption, the private sector must move-on, adding that, the nominees for the various awards had not only moved on, but had excelled.
Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy
THE Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, has announced plans to host a five-kilometre walk competition for 350 quoted companies in a bid to promote corporate governance, teamwork, networking and wellness of companies’ managers. The walk tagged “Corporate Challenge” is the first of its type, organised by the agency in partnership with key publicly-quoted companies.
Bola Adeeko, head, corporate services, NSE, who disclosed this, stated that the competition is open to broker dealer community and companies listed on the Nigerian bourse. He said the idea behind the corporate challenge is for responsible organisations and their employees to take part in the initiative as a way of enhancing employee-employer relationship and boost goodwill by bringing all together for fun, fitness and fellowship.
“The challenge is a professionally organised and volunteer-driven initiative involving over 350 companies listed on the Exchange and support organisations from the capital market community. To achieve this aim, we are working in close partnership with public and private sector organisations such as the Lagos Island Central Business District, First Bank of Nigeria, Unilever, Unity Bank, Nestle Nigeria, Malta Guinness, among others. The corporate challenge is a Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, initiative of the Exchange, aimed at promoting the health & wellbeing of our operating community, which will also present a platform for teamwork and networking. The initiative will enhance the concept of volunteerism within participating companies,” he said.
Cima Sholotan, head, corporate social responsibility, NSE, said the proceeds from the competition would be donated to support the national drive aimed at providing mobile cancer centres, MCCs, across Nigeria in partnership with the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy, CECP. According to her, the NSE entered into the partnership with CECP on February 25, 2013 during the commemoration of the International Corporate Philanthropy Day with the aim of taking cancer prevention to the grassroots.
Compiled by Anayo Ezugwu
— May 19, 2014 @ 01:00 GMT
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