Indigenous energy solutions provider, Oando, has pledged support for the United Nations (UN’s) inclusive multilateralism Statement for Renewed Global Cooperation, by endorsing the development agency’s 75th anniversary on corporate governance.
Oando, the only indigenous Nigerian oil and gas company with signatories to the Statement including Coca-Cola, Microsoft, HSBC, Johnson & Johnson, Nokia, PwC, L’Oréal among others, committed to further enhancing corporate governance, modelling ethical leadership, and tackling systemic inequalities as well as injustices in the world.
The business leaders expressed a renewed global cooperation among public and private entities to strengthen institutions as well as laws and systems, nationally and internationally. They are also committed to demonstrating accountability and conducting business in an ethical, inclusive transparent manner.
The statement of support was presented to UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, by Sanda Ojiambo, the CEO & Executive Director of the UN Global Compact, at the opening of the Private Sector Forum, on the sidelines of the high-level meeting of the General Assembly.
Commenting, Ojiambo said: “The statement is a resounding endorsement of inclusive multilateralism. In no uncertain terms, it says that cooperation must cross borders, sectors and generations for us to adapt to changing circumstances. In the course of just one month after we issued the statement, it has been signed by 1,294 CEOs from large, medium and small enterprises in virtually every industry and region. We deeply appreciate their commitment to global cooperation at a pivotal time for the UN and the world at large.”
The statement endorsed by CEOs states: “We, the business people, recognize that peace, justice and strong institutions are beneficial to the long-term viability of our organizations and are foundational for upholding the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Now is our opportunity to learn from our collective experiences to realign behind the mission of the UN and steer our world onto a more equitable, inclusive and sustainable path. We are in this together, and we are united in the business of a better world.”
Commenting, Chief Compliance Officer, Oando PLC, Ms. Jagun Jagun, said: “Governments are under a lot of pressure financially to be able to deliver on the SDGs. The private sector also needs to take centre stage and responsibility to support the realisation of the SDGs.”
Businesses today must pivot; they can no longer be only about the bottom line. They must show compassion in how they conduct business to create a positive multiplier effect. At Oando, we are intentional about how we think and act as a business, our goal – ensuring that in everything we do we can positively impact people, the community, environment and planet.”
