ERROSION OF CITIZENS'CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS

Amidst allegations of religious killing in the South-East the Vanguard news carried a headline: "Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, has expressed worry over the killing of northerners in the South-East, saying Nigerians were no longer safe wherever they are." History is replete with religious persecution especially christian faith: Paul, Matthias were believed to be beheaded, Matthew and Mark imprisoned and lynched to death etc. For posting “blasphemous” statements in a WhatsApp group, Deborah a 200-level student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, lost her life in a cruel and brutal way. She was lynched and burned to death by her fellow students in May, 2022. Freedom of speech and immunity accorded to the academia and its members were violated with reckless abandon. This is not the first time the Nigerian Constitution provision on religious freedom and conscience had been assaulted. Every efforts or initiatives aimed at dousing racial and religious tensions; or reparations are considered corporate social responsibility (CSR). At the beginning of this century a group came up with Macedonia Initiative, dousing and managing conflicts but gradually faded away. What must have scared them away from such a laudable and commendable cause? Today CISCO, American technology company is making headline news for undertaking similar mission of calling attention to the evil of racial discrimination and the advantage of addressing it. That was exactly what the Port Harcourt clergyman, Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere did by making huge donations and scholarships to the family of the slain damsel, Deborah Samuel of blessed memories. This act of CSR did not only turn the negative intentions of the aggressors to victory for the family, but threw spotlight and global attention to the pastor and his congregation. IKECHUKWU O. ODOEMELAM & CO Principal Partner at IKECHUKWU O. ODOEMELAM & CO, Law firm of Corporate Attorneys and Consultants. Engaged in litigation, ADR, investment, property, public interest and corporate practice

Corporate Social Responsibility: BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT AS CSR

Corporate Social Responsibility: BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT AS CSR: The recent 2022, 19th National Productivity Day and award to eminent individuals and organisations by Nigeria government and reward system...

BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT AS CSR

The recent 2022, 19th National Productivity Day and award to eminent individuals and organisations by Nigeria government and reward system in some ways symbolise CSR. Coincidentally the education sector had downed tools several weeks prior to the Day. That raises the question how productive is such a critical sector which influences all other sectors?Perhaps the most critical economic challenge facing all African countries is low productivity, especially at their industrial sectors due to infrastructural deficit or decay. Yet some of them strive to excellence and recognition. As more and more corporations use CSR to impact their environments and stakeholders there are trends that have emerged since Covid-19. It has become common practice by organisations use virtual community groups to reach wider audience on causes and consumers. They have more than before realised that it is important to measure the impact of CSR perhaps more accurately. And thirdly more corporations have become more conscious about overtly taking a stand on current issues. One of the organisations that scaled the hurdle to excel is Dangote group. According to ONE.org report, CEO Dangote Group Aliko Dangote has, in the last 30 years turned his enterprise into the largest business conglomerate in West Africa, with a market capitalization of $15.5 billion. He is also the largest private employer in Nigeria. The group’s website posted: “The Dangote Foundation is the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of Dangote Group. The Foundation is responsible for contributing over $100 million in charitable funds to several causes in Nigeria and Africa over the past four years”. “The Group is now one of the largest manufacturing conglomerates in sub-Saharan Africa and is pursuing further backward integration alongside an expansion programme in existing and new sectors.” It reported as well that ADF is the largest foundation in Africa with an endowment of $1.25 billion. In 2020 Dangote Group was adjudged best Company in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) by Public Relations (NIPR) professionals in Lagos State, on efforts to help the vulnerable at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The group was further commended as: ‘Best Company in Infrastructure Development’. Tackling the challenges of work habit, cultural barriers, human psychology and human capital development would enhance high productivity and CSR posture of business organisations in Africa. Corporate Attorney/Consultant IKECHUKWU O. ODOEMELAM & CO https://tapestri.io/members/join/now/ideaworkshop http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0075RXXLE COMPANY SECRETARIES HANDBOOK http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005783S6SDIRECTORS http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005MKCESY MEETINGS: Dynamics and Legality

Corporate Social Responsibility: CONTINENTAL AFRICA: TURNING THE WILDERNESS INTO A...

Corporate Social Responsibility: CONTINENTAL AFRICA: TURNING THE WILDERNESS INTO A...: At the turn of the century it was speculated that Africa would be the focus of global industrial nations through Direct Foreign Investment ...

CONTINENTAL AFRICA: TURNING THE WILDERNESS INTO A FRUITFUL FIELD

At the turn of the century it was speculated that Africa would be the focus of global industrial nations through Direct Foreign Investment (DFI), Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Scholarships/Philanthropy etc. With the exception DFI which is commercial and transactional in nature, all other platforms could be classified as CSR. Philanthropy is part of CSR but slightly different. The Shorter Oxford English Dictionary defined ‘philanthropy’ as “Love towards mankind; practical benevolence towards men in general; the disposition to promote the well-being of one’s fellow-men”. Whereas there is no obligation to be philanthropic, company law via Objects, Memo and Articles of Association, good corporate governance impose obligation on corporate institutions to provide CSR. CSR is how businesses relate with its host or immediate environment and society at large. Call it Ubuntu, Omoluabi etc. if you want to Africanize CSR. ‘Responsibility’ is the common denominator. You can extrapolate that to how affluent and industrialised West, G-8 and G-20 countries relate with developing economies around the globe, especially in Africa to ensure that they don’t diminish to extinction. Even artistes came to Africa’s rescue in the ‘80s with ‘USA for Africa’. There is hardly and developed country in the world today that has no link with African countries through DFI. European Union (EU) and Americas have been in the continent since the colonial days. China, considered a late-comer in the ‘grab’ for Africa economy has ran very fast even to the point of building Africa Union (AU) Secretariat to the bewilderment of leading advanced Western nations. The need for global CSR for Africa was recognised by one of the shining American past President, Bill Clinton when he initiated Africa Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA) at the turn of 21st century. The Act gave small and large businesses in Africa the opportunity to export some classes of goods to America without restrictions and trade protocols. Another past American President worthy of commendation by Africa is Barrack Obama who among other pro-Africa policies/initiatives signed into law “Electrify Africa Act” sponsored by senator Ben Cardin. These are well-meaning policies to turn Africa into a fruitful field. Scandinavian countries are not left out, even though with EU. Most donor agencies and humanitarian organisation working in Africa are from Scandinavia. Continental Africa is not bereft of CSR activists and philanthropists. Perhaps MO Ibrahim Foundation comes to mind for promoting good governance and leadership. One philanthropist/CSR activist that is dominating and on the ground of Africa is Tony Elumelu, a global citizen of African origin. His vehicle, Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) has become a common vocabulary in the continental business circles. The mantra of TEF is “Afri-capitalism” ; continentally enabled and harnessed financial flow and resources. TEF has transformed human capital development, training, growth of small and medium scale businesses in Africa. Its dynamic stride leaves no one in doubt that their platform is critical to turning continental Africa to a fruitful field. Corporate Attorney/Consultant IKECHUKWU O. ODOEMELAM & CO: Legal Practitioners http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0075RXXLE COMPANY SECRETARIES HANDBOOK http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005783S6SDIRECTORS http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005MKCESY MEETINGS: Dynamics and Legality https://tapestri.io/members/join/now/ideaworkshop

Corporate Social Responsibility: DELAYED INAUGRATION OF NDDC BOARD

Corporate Social Responsibility: DELAYED INAUGRATION OF NDDC BOARD: Niger-Delta Development Commission epitomizes hybrid Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) by public and private sector, whether it is a mo...

DELAYED INAUGRATION OF NDDC BOARD

Niger-Delta Development Commission epitomizes hybrid Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) by public and private sector, whether it is a model is a question which the recently concluded forensic audit is expected to answer. There is no doubt that the delayed inauguration of NDDC Board since its dissolution in 2019 and interim management in its stead, is unconnected with the time it took to produce the audit report. Unlike private corporate boards, NDDC attracts huge public interest. For this particular reason it would be difficult for the Federal Government to hurry to conclusions and decisions over the inauguration of the “new” board of NDDC that would not only correct the maladministration of the past but usher in the ideals encapsulated by the report and turn it into a model CSR institution. The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami is the holder of the legal conscience of the nation and reflects the public interest and out-cry generated by the mismanagement that NDDC exhibited. With him in this assignment is Mr Boss Mustapha, Secretary to Federal Government. Both constitute “Fed. Govt.” on the one part as far as NDDC board inauguration is concerned. They seem to acknowledge the scope of their responsibility when they said: “The issues in contention, that is the composition, formation and inauguration of the NDDC board as well as application of the recommendations and/or implications of the report of forensic audit on NDDC are work in progress”. But if there is no time frame for the “work in progress” it may linger into limbo and equity defeated. A peep into the Report reveals the general laxity of people entrusted with public funds to be forthright with the high level of financial discipline and accountability. The controversy over the total sum in issue in the 18 years covered by the report (N6 trillion v. N2.4 trillion) should not be treated with levity. That should also be viewed alongside the questionable integrity of a report produced under unprofessional modalities. The recommendation by the Report for board members to serve on part-time basis should quickly be dismissed and tackle other recommendations, unless the NDDC Act is first and foremost amended. How could a government leaving office in approximately 1 year achieve this? The critical issue of appointment of board members and their eligibility criteria should urgently be addressed. If a glimpse into the past appointments is anything to go by, political consideration remains overwhelming. That shouldn’t be so. Federal government is controlled by APC, a fortiori board members representing oil producing communities are their card carrying members or coloration. What about apolitical persons and groups? For proper integration and social hegemony, community leaders, decision makers and informal business persons should be considered eligible board members. The issues raised here are not the totality of the forensic audit report but the cogent ones that could enable the government hit the ground running before people and communities get totally frustrated. If the indicted contractors are not up to something as alleged, just wondering how the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council would view the continued delay? Corporate Attorney/Consultant IKECHUKWU O. ODOEMELAM & CO http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0075RXXLE COMPANY SECRETARIES HANDBOOK http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005783S6SDIRECTORS http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005MKCESY MEETINGS: Dynamics and Legality https://tapestri.io/members/join/now/ideaworkshop