A useful guide for CEOs on how to make ethical decisions in business

Chief executive officers (CEOs), like ordinary citizens, are driven by their values and convictions. These may not necessarily be just ‘good for business’. Examples abound. Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, speaks strongly for the LGBT community. Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff speaks strongly against pay inequality. Laurence Douglas Fink, chairman and CEO of BlackRock, is passionate about the incorporation of environmental, social, and governance risks in investment decisions and is against shareholders taking very short-term views.

In this article by Kenneth Amaeshi, University of Edinburgh,One thing common among these examples is that the debate on how good or bad leaders’ convictions are for business is not yet settled.

When it comes to social injustice or politics, business leaders can no longer stand by and watch from the sidelines. They must take action: their employees, customers and society expect them to. But their political views might not align with some of their employees or corporate partners, so how are they supposed to take a stand and please everybody at the same time?

New ways to relate to society

Stakeholders are not unreasonable. They understand that individuals are free to uphold and air views they are passionate about. They respect such leaders, even when they disagree with them. What they do not like is prevarication and hypocrisy. They can easily see through that when it happens.

The former CEO of Unilever, Paul Polman, was passionate about sustainable development goals. He did not hide this passion. He even challenged the market on quarterly reporting of performance, preferring a long-term agenda. Unilever did not suffer as a result.

Contrary to Polman’s position on sustainability was the view of Steve Jobs, the former CEO of Apple. Despite his stance, he was believed as someone who stood for his passion in technology and innovation.

In other words, the problem is not necessarily having a political view. But what happens when a leader’s decisions have an indirect negative impact on the business? An example could be boycotting a market because of social injustice, and this leading to reduced revenues.

Imagine a situation where a CEO decides to take a strong stand against bribery and corruption. Or perhaps the business operates in an environment where bribery and corruption is rife and normal or where wielders of state power are inclined towards poor governance. This is common in many emerging economies with very weak market and democratic institutions.

In such situations, it would appear that doing the right thing is a luxury (unless it pays). The incentive to act responsibly would be very low –- leading to a fragmented two-tier market system. How can a CEO who still wants to do the right thing compete in such a harsh environment?

Innovation and creativity might hold the key to success here. Colleagues and I have published a book, Africapitalism, Sustainable Business and Development in Africa, that sets out new ways for businesses to relate to society and meet its needs.

In it we share what we call C.L.E.A.R. strategies, each letter standing for an action businesses can take to contribute to sustainable development goals.

Five courses of action

Collaborate. The idea here is for CEOs to enrol other actors in their institutional change initiatives (such as setting standards). This might involve partnerships with non-business actors like the NGOs. There are also occasions when it might be better for CEOs to go it alone, especially where there is a clear competitive advantage to be gained by doing so. A CEO needs to decide on when and how to collaborate in pursuing a responsible business practice agenda.

Lobby. CEOs keen to do the right thing in challenging and threatening environments are usually better off lobbying the relevant authorities and governance actors. They can ask that the players adhere to the rules, where they exist, or ask for the rules to be changed where they do not support doing the right thing.

Educate. Sometimes doing the right thing is not appropriately rewarded because stakeholders lack an understanding of the issues. For example, consumers may not be prepared to pay for green products and sustainable innovation. Then the CEO may want to engage and educate the relevant stakeholder groups. Enlightened consumers could become a new market or pressure group to raise the bar for the entire industry. The same applies to other stakeholder groups such as regulators, employees and investors.

Align. The CEO needs to be consistent in practice, while ensuring good internal and external alignment with the values and purpose of the business. He or she does not want to be seen as “green-washing”. A good example of this would be the leaders of BP in the early 2000s. At that time, BP claimed to aspire towards good green (environmental) credentials, but it was part of a coalition lobbying the US government against climate change policies that would have catalysed the emergence of the green economy in the US. This can be damaging.

Renewal. All of the strategies highlighted above will need to be continuously reinforced, and not just treated as one-off activities. That way, the CEO recreates and adapts to the ethical demands of the operating environment.

In sum, ethical challenges and dilemmas will never go away. But the way responsible leaders deal with them will make or break them. Sticking to one’s beliefs and convictions, stepping aside – or down – when beliefs and convictions become overwhelmingly detrimental to business, and being innovative at doing the right thing appear to hold the key to effective responsible leadership.

NECA wants FG, ASUU To Reach Understanding Over IPPIS Enrolement.

The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association has called on the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities to find a meeting point on the issue of enrolment of members of the union on the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System.

According to a story in PUNCH, Speaking on the feud between the Federal Government and ASUU over the implementation of the IPPIS, the Director General of NECA, Dr Timothy Olawale, urged the Federal Government and ASUU to find a common ground.

He cautioned both parties against allowing the situation to degenerate into an industrial action that would further cripple and slow down the education sector.

Olawale said there were processes for resolving disagreements in the country’s industrial relations system, adding that either of the parties could initiate the process.

He said, “Both the Federal Government and ASUU have their respective views and positions, which is quite understandable. However, it is very critical and important for both parties to find a meeting point on the issue.

“Our educational system needs to be protected against unwarranted disruption. The interest of the students and the society should also be considered.”

While appreciating the importance of implementing IPPIS, the NECA boss also stressed the peculiarity of the university system.

He said the nature of the work of academics might not be suitable for IPPIS, and called for further consultations between the Federal Government and ASUU

WORLD RENOWED EVANGELIST REINHARD BONNKE DIES AT 79

Globally renowned preacher and Popular German-born evangelist, Reinhard Bonnke is dead.

In a post by his family on his official Facebook page, Bonnke died at the age of 79.

Pls find post below..

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

It is with sorrow that the Bonnke Family would like to announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on December 7, 2019. For the past 60 years, he has preached the glorious Gospel of Jesus throughout the entire world. We want to thank you on behalf of him and our family, for your kind love and unwavering support, which enabled him to preach the matchless message of salvation to countless people.

He preached Jesus…

“Great and marvellous are Your works,
Lord God Almighty!
Just and true are Your ways,
O King of the saints!
Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name?
For You alone are holy.
For all nations shall come and worship before You,
For Your judgments have been manifested.”
Revelation 15:3-4

In Christ,
Anni Bonnke and Family

We kindly ask, in lieu of flowers, to please make a donation to Christ for all Nations – Africa Crusade.

NGIGE MAKES LIST OF 9 NEW PERMANENT SECRETARIES APPROVED BY PRESIDENT BUHARI.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday December 4, 2019  approved the appointment of nine permanent secretaries.

Mrs Folasade Yemi-Esan, acting Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), made this known in a statement by Mrs Olawunmi Ogunmosunle, Director, Communications, office of the HCSF.

According to Yemi-Esan, the new Federal Permanent Secretaries are; Mr Musa Hassan Borno State; Mr Ahmed Aliyu from Niger State; Mrs Olushola Idowu from Ogun State and Mr Andrew Adejoh from North–Central Zone.

Others are Mr Umar Tijjani from North–East Zone; Dr Nasir Gwarzo from North–West Zone; Mr Nebeolisa Anako from South–East Zone; Mr Fashedemi Peter from South–West Zone and Dr Evelyn Ngige from South–South Zone.

Yemi-Esan said their swearing-in and assignment of portfolios would be announced in due course

SHOCK!!! From Jan. 2, 2020 Nigerian Teenagers among Million others will not have access to their bank accounts, if they Don't Pay Tax.

It is a shocking news that Nigerians are in for a cracker as the Finance Bill currently passed by National Assembly has amended sections 33, 49 & 58 of the Personal Income Tax Act. Thus, individuals are required to produce their Tax Identification Numbers (TIN) before they can operate existing or new bank accounts in Nigeria.

What this means is that, if you don't have TIN, you will not be able to operate your bank account. This may come as shock to many, but the important thing to do at this point is to ensure you have a TIN as the date for implementation has been set for 2nd of January 2020. The minister of finance, Zainab Ahmed, made this known to the public.

If you run a registered business and have dealings with government, there is a likelihood you already have your TIN, so you should not have issues. The idea of this new law is to get more Nigerians into the tax net.

Obtaining TIN is FREE of charge, you should not pay for it. Also there are no age limits in having TIN as teenagers are obliged to pay Tax if they receive income from a company. The only exemptions are on certain thresholds of income.

If you want to verify your TIN or to know if you have one, you can go to the Joint Tax Board website. https://tinverification.jtb.gov.ng

Or Federal Inland Revenue Website https://apps.firs.gov.ng/tinverification/

NIPOST WORKERS UNDER SSASGOC PROTEST AT NASS OVER ATTEMPT TO MOVE STAMP DUTY COLLECTION TO FIRS

An affiliate of the trade union Congress of Nigeria,  the senior staff Association of statutory Government companies, SSASGOC is raising alarm over 9,000 direct and and about 5 million indirect jobs may be lost  in the Nigeria postal services and related agencies over moves to transfer stamp duty collection to the federal inland revenue service

Ayo Olirunfemi   secretary general of SSASGOC who led protesters to the National assembly on thursday said  the Nigeria Postal industry is about to be made redundant folliwong plans to move stamp duty collection to the federal inland revenue  Service

"...since government created the ministry of communication and digital economy, NIPOST wev went ahead to develop electronic device, which the minister of finance and the FIRS are plotting to take it over.

The bill has passed final reading in the House of representatives and waiting harmonisation of the senate whether or not to transfer stamp duty collection responsibility from NIPOST to  FIRS

"we are saying that if we allow this to sail through in NIPOST the same thing may eventually happend with NPA...and by then we will shutdown the ports for the first time..."

Acting spokesman to the Senate, Senator Godiya Akwashiki and Senator Sulaiman Abdu Kwari gave the workers the assurances of the Senate president that fue deligence will be done in the matter

ILO DG Guy Ryder, ITUC/NLC Global President, Ayuba Wabba And TUC President Qadiri Olaleye call on Africa to work towards a human-centred future of work

In a speech at the opening of the 14th ILO African Regional Meeting in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, the ILO Director-General spoke of Africa’s world of work challenges and opportunities. 

ILO Director-General Guy Ryder addresses the opening session of the 14th African Regional Meeting. © ILO ABIDJAN (ILO News) – International Labour Organization Director-General, Guy Ryder, has called on African countries to seize the opportunities that exist on the continent to advance towards a human-centred future of work.

A Press release in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire  by  Jennifer Patterson Regional Communication and Public Information Officer said

He was speaking at the opening of the ILO’s 14th African Regional Meeting  in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, which brings together the ILO’s tripartite constituents representing governments, workers and employers from 54 African countries. They will be reviewing the progress made in implementing the ILO’s Decent Work Agenda  and charting a course towards a future with decent work in the region.

Ryder referred to projections for economic growth in Africa that are higher than the global average; a ‘demographic dividend’ that will see labour force numbers rising to 60 per cent; the continent’s unique potential for creating renewable energy; and opportunities for development that could be opened up by advances in technology.

‘"Africa has every reason to regard the future with confidence. Young, rich in resources, dynamic and creative, it offers possibilities which in many ways, do not exist in other regions. However, as always, there are challenges.’

"Among these is the need to create twenty-six million jobs every year in Africa to meet the objectives of the UN Sustainable Development Goals . Other challenges, he said, include a social protection financing gap amounting to 68 billion US dollars a year; economic, social and migratory pressures; and the impact of climate change and globalization.

“What we seek is a future of work with social justice as the surest guarantee we can have of peace and prosperity in African and in the world. This is the unfinished business of our 100 year old Organization which we must take forward together.”

During his speech, Ryder focused on the ‘human-centred’ approach outlined in the ILO Centenary Declaration for the Future of Work  that was adopted at the International Labour Conference  (ILC) in June 2019.

This ‘human-centred’ approach is based on investing in people’s capabilities, the institutions of work that ensure that labour is not a commodity, and in decent and sustainable work, particularly in the green, rural and health care economies.

Ryder also outlined particular priorities for Africa:

The formalization of the informal economy, which accounts for 80 per cent of the workforce.

• The structural transformation of production.
• Economic diversification.
• Creating an enabling environment for the creation of decent jobs.
• Tackling inequality.
• Actions to promote full and equal participation of women in the labour force.

He also called for accelerated action to implement the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the Global Compact on Safe and Orderly Migration, as well as promises made by governments to tackle climate change.

‘We should not avert our eyes from the reality that in most aspects, the international community is well off-track in delivering the 2030 Agenda and that the planet is fighting back hard in the war that we humans have abusively launched against it. And because decent work is so deeply involved in all of these challenges, we are, very clearly, called upon to do better.’

Trade union Congress of Nigeria President, Qadiri Olaleye In his reaction to ILO D.Gs report

The report of the Director-General has given us the opportunity to lay emphasis on some salient workplaces and communities, national economies issues that deserve urgent attention for our continent and the global world of work. Chairperson, as we draw the curtains on the ILO 100 Centenary celebration and set agenda for another centenary framed along the contours of the United Nation Agenda 2030 within the Sustainable Development Goals and importantly, deliberations on the mechanisms for the attainment of the African Union Agenda 2063.  

From the above Chairperson, allow me to focus on the workplace, communities and national economies issues that touch on women and their wellbeing and their contributions to work, productivity, wealth creation and progress.  

We want to point out that the care economy is growing and will play a critical role in the future of work. Given the gains from medicine and improved sanitation and health care, life expectancy rates across the globe are improving. What this means is that we will have more old and elderly persons in our economies. Similarly, our continent remains a young one and estimates suggest that it will remain so for another three decades. One of the implications of this population growth will be the need for more children and nursing mothers’ care-givers. Chairperson, the benefit of the care economy cannot be overemphasized – it provides the opportunity for us to have more women in the labour market whilst ensuring their children and elderly ones are well taken care of. The care economy also provides societies and national economies the benefits of caring for the different categories of persons needing care necessary to facilitate work, production and productivity. We must take steps to better account for these contributions and to remunerate for them fairly.  

Chairperson, violence against women in all kinds and forms notably verbal and physical assaults, sexual harassment and rape, which has now been elevated to a weapon of war, as well as the growing rate of femicide are worrisome development that hampers work, productivity and wellbeing of women in the world of work. This 14th ARM must categorically speak out against all forms of Gender-Based Violence and commit to actions on awareness and education, accountability measures against perpetrators and redress remedies for victims, which can include but not limited to psychological counselling, protective shelter provisions, support for economic empowerment.     

 

Finally, Chairperson, we are having this 14th ARM in the same year that the ILO made a loud, bold and commendable statement through the adoption of Convention 190 on Violence and Harassment (in the world of work). Chairperson, we consider the adoption of this convention as a big feat and firm demonstration of the collective will of the ILO to respond to workplace, community and economy issues that touches on the physical integrity, morale and general wellbeing of men and women, especially the latter who is disadvantage given the asymmetry of power relations that is skewed against them. We, therefore, want to call on the African governments to make the necessary commitment to ratify and apply the provisions of this convention in its full letters and spirit. Chairperson, we also want to say we workers in Nigeria fully support the campaign to make this very important Convention to be part of the existing Fundamental Conventions.  

 

Delegates will discuss the Director-General’s report to the Conference on Advancing social justice: shaping the future of work in Africa , with a view to formulating policy recommendations for inclusive growth and social progress.

The meeting takes place as the ILO celebrates its Centenary and it 60th year since it established its first permanent presence on the African continent.

At the opening session Pascal Abinan, Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of labour and social protection was elected President of the 4-day meeting. Paul Mavimba (Zimbabwe) was elected Government Vice-Chair; El Mahfoudh Megateli, (Algeria) was elected Employer Vice-Chair and Francis Atwoli, (Kenya) was elected Worker Vice-Chair.

Ayuba Wabba, Global president international Trade union Congress, ITUC and President, Nigeria Labour  congress who formed the panelists in discussing presidential approach to the future of work in Africa, call for more function public institutions and the payment of living wages to workers by government and other employers of labour

I’ve Been Sleeping with My Dad Since I Was 18- Married Woman Confesses

A married woman has given a narration on how she has been sleeping with her dad since she was 18 years old.

According to THE CHEER NEWS Online, While speaking on a show Tales from the Powder room hosted by Shirley E.F Tibilla aka Cookie Tee on GHOne TV, the young lady who is 34 years old and married with 2 children, revealed her father as the biological father of all her two children but her husband does not know any of that.

She went on to explain that, her mother found out when she was 22 years old and died shortly after that. She has since had the death of her mother on her conscience.

The young lady went on to explain that, all her past relationship failed because she was never satisfied with any of their sexual prowess; she always preferred her dad’s.

She went on to recount how she sneaks from time to time to sleep with her father and her husband thinks they are just close because of her mother’s death.

The purpose of the letter to Tales from the Powder room is to seek help on how to stop this act since she does not want to lose her husband. She also does not want to hurt her father either.

"No Means No" End RAPE Now' Campaign Get Support of Mrs Osinbajo, Mrs Sanwo-Olu and NANS.

President of National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, Comrade  Danielson Akpan on Wednesday in Lagos spoke in the same vein with wife of the Vice President of Nigeria, Mrs Dolapo Yemi Osinbajo, Lagos State first lady, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu and other dignitaries in mobilizing against gender based violence.

According to THE CHEER NEWS, The event, organized by the United Nations Women was  held at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos.

They lamented that our female students are daily confronted with harassment and abuse, even sexually that threatens their academic, psychological and social being.

With the hatch tag, #Stopsexualabusenow, they urged all and Sundry to rise against sexual abuse among girls in our society.

V.C University of Portsmouth, prof. Chris Chang Says Brexit will hahave no effect on Nigerian students in the U.K

The UK government  has dismissed the fear of some Nigerian students that outcome of brexit negotiation could have devastating effect on their studies, in the wake of uncertainties trailing the ongoing Brexit talks

The Pro Vice-Chancellor, Global Engagement at the University of Portsmouth, United Kingdom, Prof. Chris Chang, who spoke to newsmen in Abuja, said that such reassurance and explanation was part of the reason for his maiden visit to Nigeria.

In addition to that, he said his visit was also to strengthen the bond and fraternity among members of the Alumni of the university and to also strengthen partnerships with officials of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

He said: "No fewer than 200 Nigerian students enrol each year on undergraduate, postgraduate programmes in our September and January intakes. Majority of them are students sponsored by TETFund, NDDC and other funders.

"We have strong Alumni in Nigeria with prominent people, notably the Inspector General of Police, Adamu Abubakar, the Chief Executive Officer, Centre for Satellite Technology Development, Prof. Spencer Onuh, among several others who could serve as pointers to the academic and non-academic qualities of the university."

He maintained that UK institutions desire cultural and racial diversity, hence the decision of UK government to reopen the post-study work opportunity for foreign students for two years. 

He said: "UK government strongly value relationships and partnership with global community particularly commonwealth countries. So, Brexit should not cause concerns for Nigerian students. There's possibility that it could end in their favour.

"Howbeit, one thing I want to reassure Nigerian students is that Brexit has no negative effect on their academic destiny, because they are in UK to acquire education and skills for global relevance.

"Students from across the world are usually welcomed in UK because we want diversity in UK universities that would create richness in culture and diversity. 

"At the end of day, we are working in a global village and the ability to work across cultures with people of different ideology, believe, social and religious disposition, are some of the major skills we give our graduates. There presence also enrich our concept of global village."