|
|
While I continue to ponder on all the aforementioned issues, I also ponder on who exactly is expected to enforce legislation ensuring that organizations observe their corporate social responsibility. Most corporate organizations have failed to recognize the importance of the exercise or have lost direction or guidance in observing these social responsibilities. In my opinion, most individuals at the helms of affairs in such organizations have either forgotten that they belong to the larger society or have simply been derailed from their responsibility as citizens while making a living.
The issue of accountability comes into play in ensuring that proper checks and balances are put in place to ensure that corporate organizations observe this exercise appropriately and effectively. Accountability, in this context, refers to compliance. Legislation must not only create laws, it must also take into consideration accountability to the laws, how this accountability is measured, and how it is enforced. Of course, if all these are taken into consideration, there will be a sharp contrast with what obtains in our society today.
Legislation must not fall short of this exercise as it will be tantamount to being unaccountable. While we thank those corporate organizations that have been held accountable in observing their corporate social responsibility, we equally task organizations that have fallen short of "legislated expectations" to be more accountable to the course.
Recently, corporate organizations in the oil and gas industry were forced to observe their corporate social responsibilities at high speed after a series of kidnappings by Niger-Delta militants. Must we wait for the situation to deteriorate into revolts or protest before we begin to observe our social responsibility?
Imagine, if we practiced our various professions at the expense of the development of our society. We would eventually get to a point where we would no longer thrive be able to thrive at the hands of growing deterioration in larger society. I therefore call on the general public to join in this campaign to help corporate organizations to be more honorable in observing corporate social responsibility rather than following the cosmetic approach of our present society.
|
Tags
You must be logged in to add tags.
|
Writer Profile
editorkay
Olukayode Ajayi-Smith is an alumnus of the prestigious LEAP Africa Youth Leadership programme. A graduate of the Olabisi Onabanjo University, he read Computer Science with Economics. Kayode is a core Humanitarian. Whilst a student, he was Editor-in-Chief of an inter-campus magazine entitled Campus-Icon Magazine for three years.
He also helped in championing the first ever Students’ Union Magazine at the Olabisi Onabanjo University where he served as the Deputy Editor-in-Chief. He was the only Nigerian youth delegate to the first ever Civicus youth assembly in Glasgow, Scotland, May 2007.
Kayode has also contributed to the work of various civil societies through his volunteering work. He was a volunteer at LEAP Africa (Lekki, Lagos), African Youth for Transparency (Ikeja, Lagos), Oxfam Charity Shop (Slough, London) and was an intern at the National Assembly as a researcher with the Women’s Right to Education Programme, Abuja. He also had a stint with Transparency and Anti-Corruption Campaign in Africa. This is a Non-Governmental-Organisation based in Abuja. Kayode served as the Head of Logistics and Operation on the Faith in Nigeria project.
Kayode specialises in developing youth development programmes and assisting civil society organisations with logistics and planning of programmes. His ‘Youth Volunteer Card Scheme’ recently received endorsement from UNESCO Nigerian office in Abuja and is currently being explored by the African Citizens Development Foundation for execution. He is currently putting finishing touches to his book titled “MDG Success: Our Role as Young People”. The book is expected to be a guide to youth participation in the success of the Millennium Development Goals.
Kayode is currently a member of the Editorial team at Development Report Magazine, an online magazine. He is also assisting the Nigerian Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organization to realise its goal of kick-starting the activities of the body fully in Nigeria. ‘Kayode is looking forward to a successful career with the United Nations; a dream he has been nursing for a very long time.
|
Comments
You must be a TakingITGlobal member to post a comment. Sign up for free or login.
|
|
