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Ikeja Electric Says Customers Crucial to Achievement of Goals
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Chairman of Ikeja Electric, Mr Kola Adesina, has explained the critical role customers play in achieving some of the goals set by the energy firm.
Mr Adesina, while commenting on the 2018 Sustainability Report of the company titled Committed to Excellence – Half a Decade of Bringing Energy to Life, stated that, “Our customers and other stakeholders are crucial to the achievement of our goals; and we believe that a business can only be deemed strong and successful when its stakeholders are satisfied with the services provided.”
Speaking further, he said in view of this, “The board will continue to support initiatives that promote its sustainability agenda while creating value in the coming years.”
Business Post reports that the 2018 Sustainability Report reflects IE’s performance, accomplishments, challenges, passion for its business and its growth opportunities in the year under review.
Being the first and only electricity distribution company in Nigeria to produce a sustainability report, the publication covers the firm’s sustainability journey post-takeover with the inherent accomplishments including rebranding, infrastructure investments, smart technology investment, business process investment and performance improvement among other successes attained from the takeover period up to December 2018.
The 2018 Sustainability Report is the fourth report published by IE in successive order, and commemorates five years of the takeover of the company’s operation by its core investors following privatization on November 1, 2013.
“The scope of IE’s sustainability reports has moved beyond merely communicating financial risks to performance reporting aimed at fostering stakeholder confidence, long-term risk management, building the Company’s reputation and refining its corporate vision and strategy.
“Through the yearly publication of sustainability reports, IE has demonstrated its commitment to accountability, responsibility and transparency, which have unarguably, distinguished the Company in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI),” Mr Adesina said.
“Since we took over in November 2013, we have put in place, strategies that will steer the electricity distribution arm of the electricity sector value chain to greater heights,” he added.
“We have assembled a strong leadership team with extensive experience, robust industry and consumer knowledge, focused on innovation and growth. In addition, we have reinvigorated our legacy of sustainability with the introduction of customer-centric initiatives, which are geared towards assuring all stakeholders of a business built on accountability, responsibility, transparency and fairness.
“We have demonstrated that with the right leadership, the Company can continue to grow and improve its performance as expected by all stakeholders,” the Chairman further said.
“We do not report data because it is popular, or because others do so. We track our sustainability performance because it helps us make better decisions, helps to de-risk projects, discover new opportunities and deliver real value for our business.
“We acknowledge that there is still work to be done and we will continue to do all we can to ensure we maintain our brand promise – bringing energy to life,” he noted.
Ikeja Electric said it aims to publish its Sustainability Reports on an annual basis and the intended audience for this report are key stakeholders, which include customers, employees, shareholders, suppliers, government and regulatory bodies. These stakeholders directly impact and are also directly impacted by the activities of the company.
The report, which is developed by the organisation’s Governance & Compliance Office, highlights that in 2018, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aided the company in securing its social license to operate and build the trust of its stakeholder groups.
Businesses cannot succeed in societies that fail, and as such, the company invested in the achievement of SDGs such as; ensuring healthy lives and promoting wellbeing for all at all ages; ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education; promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all; achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls.
The company also contributed to the achievement of the SDGs by providing access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all; building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization; fostering innovation and promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development.
Other contributions include provision of access to justice for all; building effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels; strengthening the means of implementation and revitalizing the global partnership for sustainable development.
Ikeja Electric reported that within the period under review, it established better technology-driven processes, leveraged data to measure performance for a more consistent growth pattern, optimised its network to drive efficiency and enhanced its security management system.
It also deepened its Quality Health, Safety and Environment (QHSE) processes and procedures through learning and development programs such as Target Zero and QHSE at a glance which impacted positively on employees, vendors and contractors.
Over the years, the company has strengthened its stakeholder engagement and partnership to foster better relationships and maintain a social license to operate, whilst building a committed workforce by treating its employees fairly through reward and recognition initiatives put in place to incentivize the excellent performance of employees.
The 2018 Sustainability Report was organised and presented in accordance with the Sustainability Reporting Standards of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). The GRI Standards seek to achieve consistency amongst organizations reporting on their sustainability activities.
Full access to Ikeja Electric’s 2018 Sustainability Report is available on https://www.ikejaelectric.com/corporate-governance/ or https://bit.ly/2SDQbK6
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, has disclosed that the state government has not restricted the movement of people during the re-introduced monthly environmental sanitation exercise.
Responding to an enquiry by an X user, Faveo Autos, on Saturday, he said the exercise was not brought back to restrict the movement of residents, noting that arresting anyone during the sanitation was unlawful and not backed by law.
However, he encouraged Lagosians to use the period to keep their surroundings clean.
“What is the fine for movement during environmental [sanitation]?” Mr Wahab was asked by Faveo Autos today.
In his response, the Commissioner said, “For clarity, there is no restriction on movement during the monthly environmental sanitation exercise. Consequently, arresting anyone on the basis of movement during the exercise is unlawful and does not represent the position or policy of the Lagos State Government.
“The monthly environmental sanitation exercise was reintroduced primarily to restore and strengthen the culture of environmental cleanliness across the state.
“The initiative is backed by the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law, 2017. However, the law does not provide for any restriction on movement during the exercise.
“Our focus is on encouraging Lagosians to embrace environmental sanitation as a civic responsibility and a shared commitment to maintaining a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable Lagos, rather than relying on enforcement measures.”
Life is full of unexpected moments that test our patience, strength, and perspective. Everyone experiences setbacks, disappointments, and periods of uncertainty. While these moments can feel overwhelming, they also provide opportunities for personal growth and self-discovery.
One of the most valuable lessons we learn is that difficult situations rarely last forever. Time, reflection, and a willingness to adapt often help us move beyond even the toughest circumstances. Maintaining a positive outlook and focusing on practical solutions can make a significant difference.
Relationships also play an important role in overcoming hardships. Support from family, friends, or mentors reminds us that we are not alone. At the same time, learning to let go of anger and resentment can free us from emotional burdens that prevent us from moving forward.
The only way out of the labyrinth of suffering is to forgive. It is nothing to die. It is frightful not to live. Everything was beautiful and nothing hurt.
Personal growth is not about avoiding challenges but about responding to them with resilience and wisdom. Every experience, whether positive or negative, contributes to the person we become. By embracing change and practicing gratitude, we can create a more meaningful and fulfilling life.
In the end, moving forward requires courage, forgiveness, and hope. When we choose to focus on what we can control instead of dwelling on the past, we open ourselves to new opportunities and a brighter future.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The establishment of four new army divisions has been approved by President Bola Tinubu, bringing the total to 12.
In a statement on Thursday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, it was stated that the President also authorised the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel to strengthen national security.
The new divisions created include 5 Division, with the headquarters in Makurdi covering Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi States; 9 Division, with the headquarters in Ilorin covering Kwara and Niger States; 10 Division, with the headquarters in Jalingo covering Taraba and Adamawa States; and 83 Division, with the headquarters in Benin City covering Edo, Delta and Bayelsa States.
It was disclosed that the establishment of the new Divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City will significantly improve command and control, decentralise operational decision-making, strengthen border security, enhance the protection of critical national infrastructure, improve counter-insurgency and internal security operations, and ensure faster military response to emerging threats nationwide.
Implementation of the new force structure will be done in two phases. The first phase, covering the establishment of the 5, 9, and 10 Divisions and the reorganisation of existing formations, will be completed by September 2026. The second phase, involving the establishment of the 83 Division and further reorganisation, is expected to be completed by December 2026.
The statement said the expansion of the Nigerian Army’s structure from eight to twelve divisions will improve the operational effectiveness of the security agency and strengthen national defence capabilities further.
Before now, the Nigerian Army operated 1 Division, with the headquarters in Kaduna covering Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa States; 2 Division, with the headquarters in Ibadan covering Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo States; 3 Division, with the headquarters in Jos covering Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe States; 6 Division, with the headquarters in Port Harcourt covering Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States; 7 Division, with the headquarters in Maiduguri covering Borno and Yobe States; 8 Division, with the headquarters in Sokoto covering Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States; 81 Division, with the headquarters in Lagos covering Lagos and Ogun States; and 82 Division, with the headquarters in Enugu covering Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo States.
Mr Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s determination to continue investing in the Armed Forces, ensuring they remain adequately equipped, highly motivated, and fully capable of protecting the nation and guaranteeing the safety and security of all Nigerians.
He lauded the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, and all officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for their dedication, professionalism, and steadfast commitment to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
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