SDGs: Orelope-Adefulire advocates better CSR action

This, she noted, will also be in line with the determination of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to improve the lot of vulnerable Nigerians.

“In re-echoing the avowed resolved of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, I would like to use this opportunity as a call to action to revitalize our collective resolve to improve the lives of the poor.

She therefore called for the partnership of the private sector with the Federal Government for the delivery of SDGs through the platform of CSR.

“This is a responsibility that is cross-cutting, one that needs a multi-sectoral approach in view of the multi-dimensional nature of poverty. There is therefore the need to work together and build synergies in order to reduce vulnerabilities, build resilience, reduce inequality gap and to scale up social protection for those who fall at the margins of the society.”

“As you may be aware, Corporate Social Responsibility, (CSR) refers to the social demands on corporate entities to initiate, partner and add value to the host communities (ie ploughing back to the communities where it conducts business the much needed social and infrastructural amenities). It also describes effort made by corporate organisations to improve society and contribute towards sustainable development, as well as initiatives taken by such organisations to evaluate and take responsibility for their impact on a number of issues ranging from human rights, to protecting the environment, making efforts to address social problems such as poverty, deprivation, hunger etc.”

Orelope-Adefulire, who noted that that CSR is about an organisation taking responsibility for the impacts of its decisions and activities on all aspects of the society, community and environment, insisted that it is more than just donating money. “It’s about contributing to the health and wellbeing of society, operating transparently and ethically. As a public valued organisation, social responsibility and public value must remain at the core of the mission for all. Organisations should be driven by public value and a desire to impact positively in the lives of the citizens at all levels.”

Orelope-Adefulire further added that in keeping faith with the SDGs Agenda, Nigeria, under the Administration of President  Buhari, has kept faith with delivering social goods to the people.

“In doing this, emphasis is on bringing about significant, positive change that will substantially and suitably address the various pressing social needs of the citizenry. Bearing in mind that effective and efficient social impact can only be achieved through a deliberate and systematic implementation of carefully designed policies and programmes, the government has continued to build and forge strategic partnerships with all critical stakeholders.”

Some of the high impact initiatives targeted at the lower-end of the society according to the presidential aide include: an ambitious Social Investment Scheme targeted at the extremely poor and vulnerable, Government enterprise and empowerment programme for unemployed youths and women economic empowerment, N-Power Programme for job creation for the youths as well as Women’s Economic Empowerment Scheme and the Conditional Grant Scheme, which has continued to function as a social development project at the sub-national level.