NSE bags Best CSR company of the year

The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has been presented with the “Best Corporate Social Responsibility Award” at the 2015 African Business Awards which held in New York.

The African Business Awards, launched in 2008 by African Business magazine, is designed to celebrate excellence in African business, by recognizing the individuals and companies that are driving Africa’s rapidly transforming economy and creating new economic opportunities for citizens and communities all over the continent.

Mr. Oscar N. Onyema, Chief Executive Officer, The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) with Ms. Olajobi Makinwa, Chief, Anti-Corruption & Transparency and Africa, United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) while receiving the Best Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Company Award at 2015 African Business Awards held in New York, USA

The Managing Director of IC Publications and Group Publisher of African Business magazine, Mr. Omar Ben Yedder said “It is encouraging to read the many achievements that are taking place all over the continent, despite the headwinds and difficult global environment.

The continent continues to be blessed with some remarkable individuals, who are driven and relentless in their ambitions to playing a transformative role.

The calibre of entries is very high and continues to reflect and recognise Africa’s outstanding individuals and businesses.

These entries are assessed by a judging panel of renowned individuals who are chosen for their expertise on the African Business Industry, with scores based on a set of qualitative and quantitative criteria”.

Receiving the award, the Chief Executive Officer, NSE, Mr. Oscar N. Onyema, expressed appreciation for the honour and reiterated the Exchange’s commitment to providing a platform for sustainable growth and development in the African economy.

“The NSE is devoted to taking a leading role in creating a more sustainable and inclusive economy for our stakeholders. Sustainability is a critical component of our business strategy.

It is about responsible and inclusive investment services, increasing opportunity, preserving resources, improving lives, creating jobs and meeting the needs of the various stakeholders that we serve. We will continue to leverage our CSR platforms to share how, through efficient utilization of resources, support of our committed employees and partners, we are transforming lives and communities.”

Onyema said, the NSE is leveraging its unique position as the biggest Exchange in West Africa, to champion sustainability along four key impact areas of Marketplace, its platform for promoting market-based approach to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) imperatives; Community, where the NSE makes contributions to positively impact lives; Workplace, through which the Exchange facilitates diversity, wellbeing and harness the talent and skills of its people; and the Environment as it focuses on reducing its environmental impact.

The Nigerian Stock Exchange in July 2015 affirms its core value of transparency when it released its first Sustainability Report titled ‘Connecting Nigeria to the world through a Sustainable Capital Market’.

The report demonstrates The Exchange’s commitment to increased disclosure, expanded stakeholder engagement and thought leadership on sustainability.

This award brings to four the number of awards received by the NSE so far in 2015. It first received the “African Regulator of the year award” at the 6th African Business Leadership Awards in London.

Then, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry presented it with the “Award for promoting best practice reporting and corporate disclosure’ and received the ‘Financial Institution of the year award’ at The Oil & Gas Year Award Nigeria.