THE ZENITH BANK EXAMPLE IN CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

[Society for Ethics in Nigeria]

Zenith Bank Plc is once again blazing the trail in corporate Nigeria by
the recent announcement of the commitment of 1% of its profit after tax
annually to meet its Corporate Social Responsibility obligations.
(Source:
http://www.financialnigeria.com/EconomicReport_Category_Details.aspx?category=7&item=60)

It is worthy to note that the bank has also just completed a 2.6km road
leading to their head office in Victoria Island, Lagos recently for an
estimated N1.0bn including landscaping of the surroundings.

We wish to commend the efforts of the bank in this regard especially
when one considers the fact that there are other big corporate concerns
on this road and indeed the whole of Victoria Island, Lagos, (which is
presently fast becoming a shadow of its former self) but who are
awaiting the government to perform such duties on their behalf.

To these ones we wish to implore to emulate the good corporate
citizenship displayed by Zenith Bank Plc and also to remind them that
CSR is good business ethics which will be of immense benefit to their
business on the long run.

The Society for Ethics in Nigeria calls on the management of Zenith
bank Plc not to relent in their efforts but also to extend this
practice to the masses of the country, where its impact will be most
felt and the bank further recognised by the populace. The bank should
in the coming year earmark projects designed towards ameliorating the
harships currently being experienced by Nigerians in the area of
education, food and shelter to name a few. We also call on other big
corporations in the country to realise that CSR is not being
philanthropic, but is mandatory for the ultimate economic and social
benefits of all and therefore should be good citizens by adopting a
policy on it today.

We wish to also call on the government of the day to set up without
delay, an Ethics Commission or Agency to ensure monitoring of and
compliance with, all our ethics laws especially those involving
corporate stewardship in the country.

Regards

Whiskey, I.U.
President/National Coordinator