By Dipo Olowookere
On Thursday, July 18, 2019, a forum to help organisations develop more innovative approaches in the communication of their sustainability initiatives and their contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was held at Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel in Lagos.
The event was sponsored by IHS Towers Nigeria and was driven by the need to raise awareness on the inherent economic opportunities and social impact businesses can achieve by aligning their operations towards the achievement of the SDGs.
It was hosted by X-Academy, a knowledge platform of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in partnership with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI).
The forum was in line with NSE’s ongoing partnership with GRI to advance sustainability reporting among listed companies in Nigeria, offering a peer-to-peer knowledge-sharing platform for sustainability thought leaders and practitioners to exchange best practice approaches which they have successfully applied in aligning their business operations and reporting the progress achieved in the actualization of the goals.
Speaking on the event, Mr Bola Adeeko, Head, Shared Services Division, said, “Corporate ambition around SDGs is on the increase as businesses recognize the need to operate within stable economies.
“Conversely, poverty, gender inequality, climate, and water issues pose serious threats to almost any business model. While various businesses are investing independently in capacity building in sustainability, it is important to create a platform where key actors can share knowledge and learn from each other with the aim of achieving sustained impact.”
“The NSE understands its unique role as an engine for economic growth and earlier this year hosted a sustainability reporting implementation workshop where it unveiled its Sustainability Disclosure Guidelines for listed companies with support from GRI.
“We will continue to strengthen our partnerships with various local and international organizations to provide the requisite knowledge for market participants to improve their Environment, Social and Governance (SDG) reporting practices”, added Mr Adeeko.
The event was headlined by Douglas Kativu, Director, Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Africa, who said, “Businesses have key roles in addressing the development deficit across the continent. The call to business is not premised on charitable contributions, SDGs present significant opportunities for investment, business growth and sustained returns.
“Platforms such as this provide opportunities for companies to exchange and learn from one another with regards to their contributions towards the attainment of the SDGs, sustainability reporting, and addressing common challenges with the aim to scale up impact”.
Modupe Gbadeyanka 
Adedapo Adesanya