CIVIL
SOCIETY GROUPS’ CSR AGAINST COVID19
There
is no doubt that Covid came with an agenda of tearing the world apart directly
through the pandemic infection; and indirectly through ancillary induced
socio-political and economic maladies. But
we saw a world that was united and daring, battling on all fronts across the
globe to stop the spread, if not terminate the dragon.
The
first onslaught was the global solidarity demonstrated everywhere to deal with
the epidemic irrespective of differences/considerations. This was the spirit that took philanthropy,
as corporate social responsibility to the center stage of the global war. There seem to be strong signal from this
singular act of philanthropy that the world would spare nothing to stop the
deadly disease.
Apart
from the casualties so far, the battle
has exposed the deficiencies and vulnerability of erstwhile global
systems. Both national, states,
districts governments and civil societies
across the globe embraced corporate social responsibility as the best
strategy to wrestle down the pandemic.
It paid off, as the world is not only waging the war effectively, also
more discoveries continue to be made regarding future global pandemic such as
this, as well as global governance in times like this, as well as changing work
pattern/environment.
The
World Economic Forum just concluded a meeting on how Covid is affecting global
food security and societies’ response towards This critical meeting almost
coincided with America’s decision to leave
the World Health Organization (WHO).
Consequently the morale of the global battle lost USA’s financial muscle
at a time the world needed it most. However, it remains a paradox that at the
time America took the infamous decision, Covid induced protests were going on across the
nation.
Among
all the various reasons for acting the way it did, White house insisted that
China was not held responsible for recklessness that led them drag the world to
the pandemic. America maintained that China showed poor corporate social
responsibility in spite of global commitment towards climate change and
environment.
The
need for CSR has been acknowledged by governments and non-government
organizations; and individuals and groups are aggressively living up to it. Hence, the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) is
leading among other civil society groups
in th CSR drive: Covid19 Pandemic Relief Fund for taking care of their
adversely affected members.
These
civil society organizations are either donating or actively organizing through
volunteers, rallying support for the distribution of donations and palliatives
across Nigeria: HEDA, Women
Advocacy Research and Documentation, Centre for Democracy and Development, Help
Centre, Civil Society Network Against Corruption, Journalists for Democratic
Rights, Peace and Civic Responsibility Centre etc.
To ensure
transparency, accountability and purposeful utilization of funds and resources
donated to the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on Covid-19 the National Assembly
is reportedly scrutinizing the records. However, according to CovidTrack, a
website dedicated to the tracking of Covid-19 donations the summary of funds
has exceeded N700 m as at May 2020.
Iyke Ozemena Esq
#corporateleaders
Corporate Attorney/Consultant
corporateleadersboard.blogspot.com
www.amazon.com/Iyke-Ozemena/e/B0078UY9VQ?ref=dbs...
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