According to the judges, he was selected for a number of
reasons, including engendering a culture that promotes the continued investment
in social initiatives in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs). Under his leadership, the Zenith Bank’s social investments
totalled NGN3.285 billion in 2020, representing nearly 2% of the Bank’s profit
after tax.
The judges found him worthy for his commitment to promoting
sustainability and responsible business practices in Nigeria, by his frontal
leadership of sustainability in Zenith Bank, thereby enabling best industry
practices in the banking sector, and for his passion for reducing carbon
emissions in the Bank’s operations.
Zenith Bank Plc also emerged winner in four other categories
at the SERAS CSR Africa Awards, carting home the awards for “Best Company in
Reporting and Transparency”, “Best Company in Infrastructure Development”,
“Best Company in Gender Equality and Women Empowerment”, and the coveted “Most
Responsible Organisation in Africa”.
Zenith Bank was adjudged the Most Responsible Organisation
in Africa, winning the overall best sustainability award, for its continued
commitment to the tenets of Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility,
within its immediate community and in the society at large.
The Bank also emerged as the winner in the category for
Reporting and Transparency for its consistency in disclosing and communicating
its sustainability journey and progress annually vis-a-vis environmental,
social, and governance (ESG) goals, in line with the guidelines and protocols
set by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), Nigeria Sustainable Banking
Principles (NSBP), NigerianExchange (NGX), United Nations Global Compact
(UNGC), and United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI).
The Bank also ensures the assurance of its sustainability report by reputable
independent third parties. In 2021, the Bank’s 2020 sustainability report was
assured by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and disseminated through the Bank’s
website for the public and sent to all relevant stakeholders, including the
United Nations Global Compact (UNGC).
In the infrastructure development category, the Bank was
voted winner for its nation-building initiatives and investments, including
supporting efforts towards establishing basic services and functional security,
governance, and economic and infrastructure systems, especially in Nigeria. As
a testament to this and in demonstration of its commitment to the development
(often referred to as reform, restructuring and rebuilding) of the Nigeria
Police Force for the preservation of law and order, protection of life and
property, and law enforcement in Nigeria, the Bank supported the Lagos State
Security Trust Fund with N500,000,000.00 for the provision of
security-enhancing facilities and infrastructure. This is in addition to
contributions to other state security trust funds.
Zenith Bank was adjudged winner in the category for the Best
Company in Promotion of Gender Equality and Women Empowerment for its Z-Woman
initiative, which offers credit facilities to women-owned businesses at a
single-digit interest rate and for a gender-balanced workforce (Women make up
about 50% of employees). During the reporting period, the number of women and
women enterprises supported by the Bank, through the Z-Woman initiative, grew
by 88.7%, from 391 in 2019 to 738 in 2020.
The Sustainability, Enterprise and Responsibility Awards
(SERAS) is an initiative of TruCSR which celebrates and promotes investments by
corporate organisations in the society through CSR and sustainability
initiatives. It made its debut in 2007, and participation was opened to other
countries of Africa in 2016.
The 2021 awards featured 387 projects by 97 organisations
across Africa. The SERAS Jury Board consists of global thought and
best-practices leaders from around the world such as Maria Sillanpaa (Finland);
Nyasha Gwatidzo (Zimbabwe); Adesuwa Onyenokwe (Nigeria); Amjed Achour
(Morocco); Charles Ojei (Nigeria); Ellen Gunning (Ireland); Gina Din-Kariuki
(Kenya); Indira Kartallozi (England); Lampe Omoyele (Nigeria); Paul Kapelus
(South Africa); and Scott Walker (England).
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