Lagos, Nigeria - November 27, 2023 - CSR-in-Action Group, an international sustainability advocacy and consulting firm, recently concluded the 12th Sustainability in the Extractive Industries (SITEI) Conference at Four Points Hotel Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria. The event was sponsored by the global philanthropy giant, Ford Foundation, and supported by the Nigerian multinational commercial bank, Access Bank.
Themed 'The SDGs and the Extractive Sector: Aligning Governance, Policies, and Practices,' the Conference aimed to align Nigeria's extractive sector with global development goals by evaluating governance, policies, and their execution.
Bekeme Masade-Olowola, Chief Executive, CSR-in-Action, and Convener of SITEI, stated, "CSR-in-Action's mission is to facilitate collaboration, ensuring that governmental policies and mediating organizations play a pivotal role in enforcement. The transition to clean and renewable energy is driven not only by a commitment to public health but also by its potential to generate jobs and stimulate economic growth, creating a cleaner, more sustainable environment."
Prominent figures in attendance included Beatrice Eyong, Country Representative (Nigeria), UN Women and ECOWAS; Mr. Dayo Okusami, Co-Head, Energy and Resource Practice at Templars; Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan, Group Head, Sustainability, Access Holdings Plc; Osayi Alile, CEO, Aspire Coronation Trust (ACT) Foundation; Dr. Uwem Ite, Head, Community and Government Relations at Oriental Energy Resources Limited; Dayo Omolade, CEO, Hybrid Group.
Distinguished luminaries present included Tengi George-Ikoli, Senior Officer, Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI); Mr. Adamu Garba, COO, Nigerian Climate Innovation Center (NCIC); Gamawa Murjanatu, Head, Business Ethics, NNPC; Oluwakemi Ajakaiye, Executive Director, AMPAK; Daniel Oladoja, Strategic Communications Lead, Global Strategic Communications; Dr. Mina Ogbanga, Country Director/CEO, Centre for Development Support Initiative (CEDSI) and CSO Lead, NEITI; Adewole Lawal, Senior Manager, Sustainability at Mazars; and Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, Executive Secretary, Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), who gave the keynote address virtually.
In the current global landscape, the imperative for environmental responsibility and a transition to cleaner energy sources is more evident than ever. As nations commit to international agreements like the Paris Agreement, the need for concrete actions becomes apparent.
During the first plenary session, focusing on the importance of energy transition for a cleaner and more sustainable world, Murjanatu Gamawa, Head of Business Ethics at the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), reminded the audience that "Nigeria is a signatory to the Paris Agreement, and we must embrace this transition. NNPC is dedicated to prioritizing natural gas as a transitional energy source and investing in renewable and cleaner energy alternatives, despite the current cost barriers."
Dayo Okusami emphasized the practical significance of economic viability in policy implementation, particularly in the context of environmental policies and the energy transition. He stated, "Effective policy implementation pivots on economic viability that caters to both consumers and suppliers. Our dedication to this transition must exhibit a steadfast and enduring nature."
The event, organized annually in partnership with the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, Ford Foundation, and Zenera Consulting, among other key institutions, continues to provide a pivotal platform for fostering high-level discussions to propel positive transformations and nurture an environmentally conscious extractive sector.
CSR-in-Action remains at the forefront of sustainability advocacy and the implementation of government policies. With a commitment to driving change and fostering a more responsible and environmentally conscious extractive industry, CSR-in-Action continues to lead the way in promoting sustainability and making a positive impact on society and the planet.
The Conference culminated with the unveiling of the research on the progress of implementing the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) within host communities, focusing specifically on its implications for women within the host communities. Since its enactment in 2021, the PIA aimed to address various endemic challenges and foster equitable development in the oil extractive regions in Nigeria. However, there is currently a lack of academic evidence regarding the actual impact of the Act almost two years after its enactment.
With this research, CSR-in-Action presents a detailed analysis of the implementation of the PIA by oil companies in the three largest oil-producing states in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria - Akwa Ibom, Delta State, and Rivers State. The study specifically assesses gender equity in PIA implementation, particularly the impact on women in oil-producing communities and the consequences of their inclusion or otherwise in decision-making processes within the industry. The executive summary is accessible at https://www.sitei.org/pia-research.
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CSR-in-Action
Media Contact:
Babajide Jimoh
Email: comms@csr-in-action.com
Telephone: 09062634111
ABOUT CSR-IN-ACTION
CSR-in-Action (CiA) is a prominent international sustainability consulting firm with offices in Ontario, Canada, and Abuja and Lagos, Nigeria. The organization offers a range of services, including CSR strategy development, sustainability reporting, and CSR and sustainability training. CiA is responsible for producing the Corporate Sustainable Investor Report (CSIR) featuring the 3C-Index. This index provides a specific sustainability ranking system for businesses, adhering to global standards such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) Principles, and local guiding principles like the Nigerian Sustainable Banking Principles (NSBPs).
Advocating Women's Inclusion and Transparency
L-R: Bekeme Olowola, Chief Executive and Convener, CSR-in-Action, SITEI Conference; Dapo Omolade, CEO, Hybrid Group; Beatrice Eyong, UN Women Representative, Nigeria and ECOWAS; Dr. Uwem Ite, Head of Community and Government Relations, Oriental Energy Resources Limited; Dr. Mina Ogbanga, Country Director and CEO, Centre for Development Support Initiative (CEDSI) and CSO Lead, NEITI; and Tengi George-Ikoli, Senior Officer, Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI); at the 12th Sustainability in the Extractive Industries (SITEI) Conference held recently in Lagos, Nigeria.
Media Contact
Company Name: CSR-in-Action
Contact Person: Babajide Jimoh
Email: Send Email
Phone: 09062634111
Country: Nigeria
Website: https://www.csr-in-action.com
