The Olu of Warri, His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III has advocated for socially responsible business practices as a way to enhance deep societal linkage and community upliftment through businesses.
The monarch stated this in a speech at the Africa Leadership Summit organised by the Africa Leadership organisation at Dorchester Hotel, UK.
Ogiame Atuwatse III spoke on the topic: “Business Beyond Profits—Expanding The Frontiers Of CSR And Community Development For Africa’s Development.”
The Warri King accompanied by his wife, the Queen Consort of Warri Kingdom, Olori Atuwatse III to the colourful event was honoured with “African Leadership Outstanding Public Service Impact Award 2023 (Royal Category). While Olori was decorated with “African Leadership Magazine’s 2023 Pearl”.
He noted that the starting point is an approach where businesses are not just engines of wealth but are inherently catalysts for societal transformation.
The Olu of Warri recalled that Africa had a rich history of community-oriented business practices.
“In our traditional markets, businesses and marketplaces were more than just locations for economic transactions. They were the heartbeats of our communities, serving as centres for shared prosperity, cultural exchange, and social development.
“Business was community-centric, you would see market women rally together to contribute to send a fellow colleague’s child to school, or help their colleague pay a hospital bill.
“African Business traditionally was community centred until it became overshadowed by modern capitalism, which has a profit-first model,” he stated.
He regretted that in spite of booming businesses, increased profits for these businesses and the Community Social Responsibility (CSR) put in place by these organisations, the poverty level in their operational environment remained high.
He posited that businesses must expand the frontiers of CSR if Africa is to be transformed.
According to him, “Year after year, companies engage in corporate social responsibility activities across communities. So, why are the large budgets dedicated to activities and donations not doing much to move the needle of our continent’s development?
“For far too long, we’ve done CSR as a charity, following a model that treats CSR as an act of philanthropy rather than a core part of business strategy. This often leads to one-off, superficial activities that fail to deliver lasting impact.
“If, instead, we craft CSR as an integral part of our business strategies, aligned with our core operations and value proposition, we can create lasting, scalable impact while also strengthening our businesses.
“As business leaders and government officials, we have the opportunity and, indeed, the responsibility to redefine the role of business in Africa.
“Beyond communities, Government’s role in promoting CSR and creating an enabling environment is also paramount, from enacting policies to providing incentives.
“Indeed, a united approach to CSR and community development promises a more inclusive and sustainable future for Africa.”
Speaking on his reign in Warri, the Olu who likened himself a Development Ambassador, said he is focused on strategies and networking among international, national, and subnational stakeholders, to foster unity and spur socio-economic development in Warri Kingdom.
“In Warri, we know the potential of such an approach, so our focus in the Kingdom is to create sustainable impact. Not through handouts or isolated interventions, but by equipping our people with the resources, knowledge, and opportunities to unlock their potential long-term.
“Our initiatives, from skill acquisition and teacher training programs to supporting entrepreneurship and financial inclusion, address the root causes of lack of development and lay the foundation for long-term results.
“We are not a business, but we work with businesses to achieve our aims. More than that, we know intimately what it will take to achieve development in our communities,” he stated.
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