Lafarge Africa emerges Best Company in Stakeholder Engagement and Most Outstanding Company of the Decade at 2016 SERAs
Lafarge Africa Plc, a leading construction solutions company in Nigeria has emerged Best Company in Stakeholder Engagement in Nigeria at the 10th edition of the Social Enterprise Report Awards (SERAs), in recognition of its unflinching commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR), stakeholder engagement and consistent contribution to sustainable development.
The building materials giant was also one of the three companies that got an award as the Most Outstanding Company of the Decade (10th anniversary honourary award) at the event held on Friday, 11 November 2016, at the MUSON Centre in Lagos and which attracted various dignitaries and top executives of frontline organizations in Nigeria and other parts of Africa.
While receiving the awards on behalf of Lafarge Africa Plc, the Communication and Public Affairs Director, Folashade Ambrose-Medebem commended the organizers of SERAs for conceiving and sustaining the initiative, which has become the wheel for driving sustainable development in Africa. She emphasized that stakeholder engagement is entrenched in Lafarge Africa's sustainable development strategy and declared that the company's 2030 Plan is its roadmap to continue to make a net positive contribution to the society.
"This is not about philanthropy, it is about defining our role towards the society while at the same time creating value for our shareholders, customers, employees, communities and the society at large Adding value to our stakeholders and the lives of Nigerians, especially in communities where we operate remain a focal point in Lafarge Africa's CSR activities", she remarked
Folashade assured corporate Africa that the awards will spur Lafarge Africa to remain committed to sustainable social investments across the country, particularly in the areas of safety, environment, youth empowerment, health, provision of infrastructure, and also to engage in comprehensive and transparent dialogue with our stakeholders.
Lafarge Africa beat seven other companies to emerge winner of the Stakeholder Engagement category. For consistent involvement in CSR, participation in the SERAs Awards and winning eleven categories so far with 290 points; Lafarge Africa emerged was recognized as the Most Outstanding Company of the Decade, alongside MTN and Nigerian Breweries. It would be recalled that Lafarge Africa won the Most Socially Responsible Company in Nigeria Award in the 2014 SERAs
The award jury comprised of high-level professional within and outside Nigeria and headed by Indira Kartallozi, Founder and Director of Chrysalis Family Futures, who served as the President.