Global Compact Launched in Nigeria

(New York, 7 June 2006) - A new Global Compact network was officially launched today in Nigeria during the 12th Annual Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja. The launch was attended by Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, and fifteen Nigerian businesses joined the Global Compact on the occasion. The launch represents a significant step forward for the Global Compact in Africa.

The launch of the Nigerian Global Compact was the result of a collaboration between the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), the African Leadership Forum (ALF), the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) and the Executive Office of the Secretary-General of the United Nations. The new network will consist of several institutions and civil society organizations in addition to local companies. Several Nigerian companies have already signed on to the Global Compact, and were presented with certificates of membership of the Global Compact Initiative Nigeria by Dr. Osita Ogbu, Economic Adviser to Nigeria’s President. These include Coca Cola –West Africa, BHL  Holdings Nigeria Ltd, MTN Nigeria Communication Ltd, Okunnade Sijuade Holding Limited (OSHL), Equity Line Insurance Company Ltd, SAP Nigeria, SANTON Nigeria Ltd, Super power Nigeria Ltd, Neimeth Pharmaceuticals Plc and Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd.

 

In a message to Summit participants read by Georg Kell, Executive Director of the Global Compact Office, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan emphasized the critical role that business can play to address social injustice and spread the benefits of globalization to people in less developed countries.

He further pointed to the overlapping interests between the business community and society in helping countries reach the Millennium Development Goals and achieve broad-based sustainable development. The launch of a Global Compact local network in Nigeria is an important step towards this – connecting the business community with other sectors of society to find solutions the world's most pressing problems.

Download the full report with images from the event here .

Please contact Mr. Kola Badejo (badejo@un.org) for more information.