NSE, GRI host sustainability reporting workshop

…Unveils Sustainability Disclosure Guidelines

By Chioma Obinagwam

The Nigerian Stock Exchange (the Exchange or NSE) in partnership with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), supported by UK aid, hosts a half-day workshop on sustainability reporting where the NSE Sustainability Disclosure Guidelines will be unveiled.

The NSE disclosed in a statement on Friday.

According to the NSE, the event is scheduled for Tuesday, March 19, 2019, at the Stock House in Lagos.

This workshop, the Exchange stated, will bring together C-level executives, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Sustainability experts, non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders to an interactive session to share insights on the imperative of good sustainable practices and reporting.

Confiance News learnt from the statement that the conversation at the workshop will seek to address the implementation of sustainability reporting, key metrics in the guidance, the GRI Sustainability Reporting Standards, reporting process and enhancement of corporate transparency and ultimately performance on environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues.

Speakers at the event include Mr. Bola Adeeko, Head, Shared Service Division, NSE; Bekeme Masade-Olowola, GRI Board Member and Executive Director, CSR in Action; Olumide Orojimi, Head, Corporate Communication, NSE; Godstime Iwenekhai, Head, Listing Regulation Department, NSE.

The NSE added that the panel discussion will feature Temitope Oguntokun, Country Lead, Sustainability and Stakeholder Management, International Breweries Plc; Ken Egbas, Founder/CEO at TruContact CSR Nigeria; Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan, Head, Sustainability, Access Bank Plc on sustainability and Emilia Asim-Ita, Practice Director, AML.

Commenting on the planned workshop, Olumide Orojimi, Head, Corporate Communications, NSE, stated that, “A wide range of investors and other stakeholders are increasingly demanding more disclosure of information and data from issuers on how they are addressing sustainability issues, including ESG factors and other non-financial risks and opportunities.”

“As a sustainable Exchange, we are committed to helping organizations within our ecosystem implement reporting structure in line with global practices and their business peculiarities. This event will spotlight corporate social responsibilities beyond just practices and reveal how companies can create value through sustainability and reporting,” he continued.

GRI Head of Capital Markets Engagement, Eszter Vitorino, added, “Ensuring the sustainability of development in Nigeria can only be achieved through the proactive contribution of all members in the investment chain. We therefore give a warm congratulations to the NSE for walking the talk and driving corporate sustainability disclosure, which is the pivotal building block of responsible investment decisions”.

Recall that The NSE recently secured approval of its Sustainability Disclosure Guidelines from Securities Exchange Commission (SEC). The Guidelines set out recommendations for good practice in thirteen thematic areas under four core principles in ESG reporting. With the implementation of Guidelines, investors can look forward to a consistent approach to ESG reporting from Issuers listed on The NSE.

Thee NSE is a company limited by guarantee, services the largest economy in Africa (Nigeria) and is championing the development of Africa’s financial markets.

GRI, on the other hand, is an independent international organization that has pioneered sustainability reporting since 1997.