Community development: Olu of Warri advocates socially responsible business practices
The Olu of Warri, His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III has advocated for socially responsible business practices as a means of strengthening deep societal bonds and uplifting the community through business.
The monarch said so in a speech at the Africa Leadership Summit organized by the organization Africa Leadership at the Dorchester Hotel, UK.
Ogiame Atuwatse III spoke on the theme: "Business Beyond Profit—Expanding the Boundaries of CSR and Community Development for Africa's Development."
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King Warri accompanied by his wife, Queen Consort of the Warri Kingdom, Olori Atuwatse III at the colorful event was honored with the “2023 African Leadership Outstanding Public Service Impact Award (Royal Category). While Olori was decorated with the "Pearl 2023 from African Leadership Magazine".
He noted that the starting point is an approach where businesses are not just engines of wealth, but are inherently enablers of societal transformation.
Olu de Warri recalled that Africa has a rich history of community-oriented business practices.
"In our traditional markets, businesses and marketplaces were more than just places for economic transactions. They were the heart of our communities, serving as centers of shared prosperity, cultural exchange, and social development.
"Business was community-centric, you saw market women coming together to help send a co-worker's child to school or help their co-worker pay a hospital bill.
>"African businesses were traditionally community-centric until they were eclipsed by modern capitalism, which has a profit-driven model," he said.
He regretted that despite booming businesses, increased profits for these companies and the Community Social Responsibility (CSR) implemented by these organizations, the level of poverty in their operating environment remains high.
He posited that business must push the boundaries of CSR if Africa is to be transformed.
According to him, “Year after year, companies engage in corporate social responsibility activities across communities. So why are big budgets for activities and donations not doing much? to advance the needle of our continent's development?
“For far too long, we have made CSR a charity, following a model that sees CSR as an act of philanthropy rather than a central part of business strategy. This often leads to ad hoc and superficial activities that do not produce a lasting impact.
"If, instead, we design CSR as an integral part of our business strategies, aligned with our core businesses and value proposition, we can create lasting and scalable impact while strengthening our business.< /p>
"As business leaders and government officials, we have the opportunity and indeed the responsibility to redefine the role of business in Africa.
“Beyond communities, the role of government in promoting CSR and creating an enabling environment is also paramount, from adopting policies to providing incentives.
"Indeed, a unified approach to CSR and community development promises a more inclusive and sustainable future for Africa."
Talking about his reign in Warri, the Olu who has likened himself to an ambassador for development, said he focused on strategies and networking between international, national and sub-national stakeholders, to foster unity and boost socio-economic development in the Warri Kingdom.< /p>
“At Warri, we know the potential of such an approach, so our goal in the Kingdom is to create lasting impact. Not through donations or isolated interventions, but by equipping our employees with the resources, knowledge and opportunities to unlock their long-term potential.
“Our initiatives, from skills acquisition and teacher training programs to support for entrepreneurship and financial inclusion, address the root causes of lack of development and lay the foundation for long-term results. term.
“We are not a company, but we work with companies to achieve our goals. More than that, we know intimately what it will take to achieve development in our communities,” he said.
Tags: AfricaCSROlu de Warri
The Olu of Warri, His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III has advocated for socially responsible business practices as a means of strengthening deep societal bonds and uplifting the community through business.
The monarch said so in a speech at the Africa Leadership Summit organized by the organization Africa Leadership at the Dorchester Hotel, UK.
Ogiame Atuwatse III spoke on the theme: "Business Beyond Profit—Expanding the Boundaries of CSR and Community Development for Africa's Development."
Similar Items
King Warri accompanied by his wife, Queen Consort of the Warri Kingdom, Olori Atuwatse III at the colorful event was honored with the “2023 African Leadership Outstanding Public Service Impact Award (Royal Category). While Olori was decorated with the "Pearl 2023 from African Leadership Magazine".
He noted that the starting point is an approach where businesses are not just engines of wealth, but are inherently enablers of societal transformation.
Olu de Warri recalled that Africa has a rich history of community-oriented business practices.
"In our traditional markets, businesses and marketplaces were more than just places for economic transactions. They were the heart of our communities, serving as centers of shared prosperity, cultural exchange, and social development.
"Business was community-centric, you saw market women coming together to help send a co-worker's child to school or help their co-worker pay a hospital bill.
>"African businesses were traditionally community-centric until they were eclipsed by modern capitalism, which has a profit-driven model," he said.
He regretted that despite booming businesses, increased profits for these companies and the Community Social Responsibility (CSR) implemented by these organizations, the level of poverty in their operating environment remains high.
He posited that business must push the boundaries of CSR if Africa is to be transformed.
According to him, “Year after year, companies engage in corporate social responsibility activities across communities. So why are big budgets for activities and donations not doing much? to advance the needle of our continent's development?
“For far too long, we have made CSR a charity, following a model that sees CSR as an act of philanthropy rather than a central part of business strategy. This often leads to ad hoc and superficial activities that do not produce a lasting impact.
"If, instead, we design CSR as an integral part of our business strategies, aligned with our core businesses and value proposition, we can create lasting and scalable impact while strengthening our business.< /p>
"As business leaders and government officials, we have the opportunity and indeed the responsibility to redefine the role of business in Africa.
“Beyond communities, the role of government in promoting CSR and creating an enabling environment is also paramount, from adopting policies to providing incentives.
"Indeed, a unified approach to CSR and community development promises a more inclusive and sustainable future for Africa."
Talking about his reign in Warri, the Olu who has likened himself to an ambassador for development, said he focused on strategies and networking between international, national and sub-national stakeholders, to foster unity and boost socio-economic development in the Warri Kingdom.< /p>
“At Warri, we know the potential of such an approach, so our goal in the Kingdom is to create lasting impact. Not through donations or isolated interventions, but by equipping our employees with the resources, knowledge and opportunities to unlock their long-term potential.
“Our initiatives, from skills acquisition and teacher training programs to support for entrepreneurship and financial inclusion, address the root causes of lack of development and lay the foundation for long-term results. term.
“We are not a company, but we work with companies to achieve our goals. More than that, we know intimately what it will take to achieve development in our communities,” he said.
Tags: AfricaCSROlu de Warri
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