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Do Ethics and Reputation Matter in Africa?
Ethics is the invisible driving force on many aspects of people’s lives. It enables people to achieve their personal visions and helps them to do their daily activities in the right way. This is one of the key findings of the African Public Relations Association’s (APRA’s) second ethics and reputation research study, powered by reputation research agency, Reputation Matters. The research results were presented at APRA’s 31st annual conference, hosted in Kigali, Rwanda yesterday. With the theme ‘Africa and Storytelling: Changing the Narrative’, APRA 2019 brought together thought-leaders and practitioners in the communication and marketing arena from across the continent to learn more and share best practices about storytelling; a powerful public relations (PR) tool, and how ethical storytelling can help change the narrative of Africa.
The ethics and reputation study surveyed 225 CEOs, executives, directors, senior management and public relations individuals across Africa, with the overarching goal to better understand how ethics and reputation play a role in our daily lives and on a business and country level. “The results, which were presented at the APRA conference yesterday, highlighted that ethics are perceived to be principles of good behaviour, rules, standards, and values. On an individual and organisational level, ethics and reputation are of the utmost importance and form part of storytelling and shaping a realistic narrative,” says Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, president of APRA.
“It is apparent that to facilitate positive storytelling, ethics and reputation need to be communicated on all levels in a business environment. The research found that there is a disconnect between how top management (CEO’s and directors) perceive ethics and reputation versus junior and senior managers; top management scored their organisations’ ethical practices 12% higher than junior and senior managers did. Also, leaders need to be the example in all business dealings and ethics should be the invisible driving force in all business matters,” says Regine le Roux, managing director of Reputation Matters, who presented the results at the conference.
Participants were asked whether they regard their own country to be ethical. “The results are clear, respondents do not feel that ethics is the driving force on a country level, which scored an average of only 39%. Participants also feel that African countries do not consider ethics when it comes to financial management and service delivery. The main ethical compromise is corruption at government level,” adds le Roux.
Botswana was again voted as being perceived to be the most ethical country in Africa, with the host country, Rwanda, coming in second. “What is very interesting about this finding is that participants from Botswana only made up 4% of the respondents who participated, highlighting the importance that reputation is strongly influenced by perceptions of stakeholders,” says le Roux.
“Now, more than ever before, leaders of countries have the responsibility to lead by example in order to influence the narrative and drive the way that stories are told on the African continent. Ethics should be part of every individual’s, organisation’s and country’s DNA and needs to be communicated from the top down, on all levels in order to have a positive effect on storytelling,” says Badejo-Okusanya.
“Leaders, CEO’s and directors are urged to become the custodians of ethics and reputation which will, in turn, have a positive impact on the narrative of the African continent. It is vital to enhance Africa’s narrative, as this will have a positive impact on the continent’s reputation. This will ultimately impact foreign investment and tourism which is the catalyst for economic growth,” concludes Badejo-Okusanya.
APRA assists in setting standards, creating and enabling a professional environment for accurate perception, goodwill and understanding of necessary and effective PR practices. For more information about APRA visit https://www.afpra.org/ or send a mail to [email protected].
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Nigeria’s trusted hybrid and integrated electromechanical energy provider, JMG Limited, has completed the installation of solar power systems at three key fuel stations of NIPCO Plc.
The clean energy source was installed at NIPCO’s petrol dispensing outlets in Gwagwalada Abuja, Lekki Lagos, and Mpape Abuja.
This will help the organisation eliminate diesel reliance, and unlock more than N44 million in annual energy cost savings.
The installations feature advanced hybrid systems, combining solar arrays, lithium battery storage, and smart inverters to provide 24/7 energy for fuel pumps, lighting, and office operations. Each site has reported zero use of electricity or generator power since the systems were installed.
The three NIPCO stations now run on an advanced hybrid solar system that combines high‑efficiency PV panels, intelligent lithium‑battery storage and smart inverters.
Since commissioning, the sites have operated with zero grid or generator power, providing silent, clean, uninterrupted electricity for pumps, lighting and administration.
“We are proud to help NIPCO lead the energy transition at the retail level.
“The scalable architecture can be sized to each location and has already delivered significant savings, about 88,535 kWh/year, N44.4 million in annual cost savings and a 43.8‑tonne reduction in CO₂ emissions,” the Head of JMG’s Hybrid Solar Division, Mr Abbass Hussein, stated, adding that, “Collaborating with NIPCO on this initiative demonstrates a practical pathway for other firms to reduce both emissions and energy expenses.”
Also commenting, NIPCO’s Station Manager at Gwagwalada, Mr Idoko Jacob, said, “The stations have not relied on electricity or generator power on bright-weather days since commissioning. The solar systems fully meet our daily energy needs during such periods. On days with poor weather, we supplement the solar system with generator power to ensure uninterrupted operations.”
Business Post gathered that the NIPCO Gwagwalada Station has a solar output of 42,450 kWh/year, annual savings of N15.6 million, and CO₂ reduction of 15,332.76 kg/year, with a system installed consisting of a 20kW Deye LV Hybrid Inverter, 26.8kWp Solar PV, and 51.2kWh Lithium Battery Storage.
The NIPCO Lekki Station has a solar output of 3,635 kWh/year, annual savings of N12 million, and CO₂ reduction of 13,130.1 kg/year, with a system installed consisting of a 25kW Must Hybrid Inverter, 22.95kWp Solar PV, and 76.8kWh Lithium Battery Storage.
As for the NIPCO Mpape Station, it has a solar output of 42,450 kWh/year, annual savings of N16.8 million, and CO₂ reduction of 15,332.76 kg/year, with a system installed consisting of a 20kW Deye LV Hybrid Inverter, 26.8kWp Solar PV, and 61.44kWh Lithium Battery Storage.
MAGGI, the culinary brand from Nestlé Nigeria, has announced the launch of its festive campaign, Taste of Christmas, designed to celebrate the sights, sounds, and flavours that define the Nigerian Christmas experience.
Central to the campaign is a collaboration with Nigeria’s fast-rising pop star Qing Madi and the renowned Loud Urban Choir, resulting in a new Christmas anthem titled Taste of Christmas.
Now available across all major music streaming platforms, the song blends contemporary sound with cultural warmth, evoking the joy of family, togetherness, and shared meals that characterize the season.
Extending beyond music, the Taste of Christmas campaign will roll out a curated series of festive recipes and culinary inspiration over a 12-day period. The collection features creative twists such as Coco Bongus, alongside beloved Nigerian classics, encouraging families to explore new flavours while enjoying MAGGI’s trusted range of seasonings.
Commenting on the campaign, the Category Manager for Culinary at MAGGI, Ms Funmi Osineye, said, “Christmas is a time when family, culture, and shared experiences come alive. With the Taste of Christmas campaign, we set out to create a platform that resonates strongly with today’s young adults while still celebrating the warmth of home. Partnering with Qing Madi and The Loud Urban Choir allows us to connect music and food in a way that feels authentic, modern, and deeply Nigerian.”
The campaign further reflects MAGGI’s commitment to celebrating home-grown talent, nurturing culinary creativity, and strengthening the role of food as a unifying force in Nigerian homes.
Consumers can access festive recipes, campaign content, and the Taste of Christmas anthem on MAGGI’s digital platforms and social media channels. Conversations around the campaign can be followed using #MAGGIChristmas.
MAGGI is a leading culinary brand from Nestlé Nigeria, committed to inspiring better cooking habits and bringing families together through delicious, nutritious meals.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The decision of the federal government to suspend the ban on alcohol produced in sachets has been welcomed by the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA).
The Director-General of the group, Mr Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, described it as a right step in the right direction because it respects existing National Assembly resolutions and restores regulatory clarity.
Recall that recently, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) ordered the suspension of the policy due to concerns raised by the House of Representatives Committee on Food and Drugs Administration and Control.
In a statement, the NECA chief said the immediate suspension of all enforcement actions relating to the proposed ban on sachet alcohol and 200ml PET bottle products, pending the conclusion of consultations and the issuance of a final policy directive, was good for the industry and the economy.
According to him, the sachet and PET segment of the alcoholic beverage industry accounts for a significant portion of the estimated N800 billion invested in the sector and supports thousands of direct and indirect jobs in manufacturing, packaging, logistics, wholesale and retail.
He stressed that in an economy already struggling with high unemployment and rising business costs, abrupt policy measures that threaten existing jobs and legitimate investments would be counterproductive.
“We fully acknowledge the need to address public health concerns, especially regarding children and young people, but the solutions must be evidence-based and carefully designed so as not to drive activities into the informal and unregulated economy or encourage illicit products.
“We are looking forward to a deepened consultation to enable the protection of jobs, livelihoods and legitimate investments, etc., while also ensuring that public health objectives are effectively and sustainably achieved,” Mr Oyerinde said.
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