Zenith Bank’s Group Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, has
emerged CEO of the Year for a second consecutive year at the
Sustainability, Enterprise and Responsibility (SERAS) CSR Africa Awards
held at the weekend in Lagos. According to the judges, he was selected
for a number of reasons, including engendering a culture that promotes
the continued investment in social initiatives in support of the United
Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Under his leadership, the
Zenith Bank’s social investments totalled NGN3.285 billion in 2020,
representing nearly 2% of the Bank’s profit after tax.
The judges found him worthy for his commitment to promoting
sustainability and responsible business practices in Nigeria, by his
frontal leadership of sustainability in Zenith Bank, thereby enabling
best industry practices in the banking sector, and for his passion for
reducing carbon emissions in the Bank’s operations.
Zenith Bank Plc also emerged winner in four other categories at the
SERAS CSR Africa Awards, carting home the awards for “Best Company in
Reporting and Transparency”, “Best Company in Infrastructure
Development”, “Best Company in Gender Equality and Women Empowerment”,
and the coveted “Most Responsible Organisation in Africa”.
Zenith Bank was adjudged the Most Responsible Organisation in Africa,
winning the overall best sustainability award, for its continued
commitment to the tenets of Sustainability and Corporate Social
Responsibility, within its immediate community and in the society at
large.
The Bank also emerged as the winner in the category for Reporting and
Transparency for its consistency in disclosing and communicating its
sustainability journey and progress annually vis-a-vis environmental,
social, and governance (ESG) goals, in line with the guidelines and
protocols set by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), Nigeria
Sustainable Banking Principles (NSBP), NigerianExchange (NGX), United
Nations Global Compact (UNGC), and United Nations Environment Programme
Finance Initiative (UNEP FI). The Bank also ensures the assurance of its
sustainability report by reputable independent third parties. In 2021,
the Bank’s 2020 sustainability report was assured by
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and disseminated through the Bank’s website
for the public and sent to all relevant stakeholders, including the
United Nations Global Compact (UNGC).
In the infrastructure development category, the Bank was voted winner
for its nation-building initiatives and investments, including
supporting efforts towards establishing basic services and functional
security, governance, and economic and infrastructure systems,
especially in Nigeria. As a testament to this and in demonstration of
its commitment to the development (often referred to as reform,
restructuring and rebuilding) of the Nigeria Police Force for the
preservation of law and order, protection of life and property, and law
enforcement in Nigeria, the Bank supported the Lagos State Security
Trust Fund with N500,000,000.00 for the provision of security-enhancing
facilities and infrastructure. This is in addition to contributions to
other state security trust funds.
Zenith Bank was adjudged winner in the category for the Best Company in
Promotion of Gender Equality and Women Empowerment for its Z-Woman
initiative, which offers credit facilities to women-owned businesses at
a single-digit interest rate and for a gender-balanced workforce (Women
make up about 50% of employees). During the reporting period, the number
of women and women enterprises supported by the Bank, through the
Z-Woman initiative, grew by 88.7%, from 391 in 2019 to 738 in 2020.
The Sustainability, Enterprise and Responsibility Awards (SERAS) is an
initiative of TruCSR which celebrates and promotes investments by
corporate organisations in the society through CSR and sustainability
initiatives. It made its debut in 2007, and participation was opened to
other countries of Africa in 2016.
The 2021 awards featured 387 projects by 97 organisations across Africa.
The SERAS Jury Board consists of global thought and best-practices
leaders from around the world such as Maria Sillanpaa (Finland); Nyasha
Gwatidzo (Zimbabwe); Adesuwa Onyenokwe (Nigeria); Amjed Achour
(Morocco); Charles Ojei (Nigeria); Ellen Gunning (Ireland); Gina
Din-Kariuki (Kenya); Indira Kartallozi (England); Lampe Omoyele
(Nigeria); Paul Kapelus (South Africa); and Scott Walker (England).