NEW APPROACH ON CSR SORT IN TELECOMS

L-R:   ZTE Chief Finance Officer, Mr Philip Qin ,   Deputy Managing Director, Brielle Gao, Director of  Education, Nigeria Police, DCP Ibrahim kabiru and Representative of the Chinese Embassy in Lagos, Mr. XU Yuansheng,during the commissioning of the modern ICT centre donated by ZTE Nigeria Limited to Police Children School Ikeja,Lagos.

ONE of the mobile operators, Etisalat is canvassing for a two-pronged integrated approach in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) for organisation. It will emphasized the importance of sustainability and integration of Corporate Responsibility practices in business practices by all organizations.

Currently being practiced in the telecoms industry by Etisalat as its external CSR strategy, the approach empowers various socio-economic levels, and ensures development and sustainability.

This was made known by the Director, Brands and Communications, Etisalat, Enitan Denloye at the Masterclass organised by the Etisalat CSR Centre of the Lagos Business School, Pan-African University.

 The Master class is designed to address emerging trends in sustainability, stakeholder engagement, and the concept of shared value, the future direction of CSR in Nigeria, confronting risks and creating opportunities through responsible management of the supply chain, amongst other pivotal issues.

 According to him, “At Etisalat, Corporate Social Responsibility means creating value through sustainable products and services, minimizing its environmental impact and striking a balance between contributing to the well-being of the society and meeting the expectations of our stakeholders”.

 He explained: “This approach empowers various socio-economic levels, and ensures development and sustainability,” adding, “at the top, business leaders, policy and decision makers are trained on the significance of CSR best practices to enable them become genuine influencers and positively impact on those at the lower socio-economic levels.”

 He observed that “Many organizations tend to neglect the top-down approach to CSR practice. However, there’s a lot of research and knowledge on CSR to be harnessed”, saying “Etisalat CSR Centre focuses on the creation, dissemination and application of CSR knowledge.

 He stated that Etisalat believes on responsibility to stakeholders whom it depends on for the survival and growth of its business saying “We are committed to being sustainable and thriving in the future; while facilitating the sustainable development of our host communities. And so we pledge to continue providing socially responsible products and services”.