BY PRINCEWILL EKWUJURU
Overtime,there’s been two trends of development; social and economic developments, arising from major development school of thought: Neo-liberal and Marxist.

However, the end of the 1980s marked the temporary triumph of the neo-liberal market development school of thought. In this triumph, economic growth and market forces became not only the driving force for change, but the determinant of the present and future well-being of the society.

Given the fact that governments made statutory and voluntary demands on their citizens and had an inverse responsibility to deliver good governance and social welfare in the public interest, many businesses functioned under a laissez faire milieu underscored by the notion that they only existed to cater for the needs of their immediate stakeholders which they did by meeting a need in society in exchange for profit.

Thus, the attitude of businesses  to society was parasitic and carefree and often tended to elicit cynicism and some level of ambivalence on the part of the public.

Today, the failure of businesses not to conduct their activities above board usually give rise to pressure, sometimes of an unquantifiable dimension, which hinders the ability of businesses to deliver on the expectations of its shareholders.

To this end, current shifts in societal expectations demonstrates a bias towards businesses that behave ethically and responsibly in return for the freedoms and opportunities that society bestows on them. To be seen to maintain such reputation is essential for survival.

With the rapid transformation of business landscape and the attendant altering of the society framework, the rule of the game has suddenly changed. Leaders of corporations have to grapple with the fact for businesses, the license to operate has moved beyond merely fulfilling a consumption need in society in exchange for profit, to becoming a bulwark for positive social transformation.

These reasons informed the signing by Guinness to the Convention on Business Integrity (CBI), which empowers business transactions in and within Nigeria to tackle corruption and corrupt practices.

However, the vision of the agreement was to move the society towards a state of visible zero tolerance for corruption.  And it is hoped that in time the pact will reposition the idea that Nigeria businesses are fraudulent and instead foster international relationships that can lead to meaningful exchange.

Just like, Mr. Soji Apampa, an Executive Director of CBI, said that CBI does not assume that Guinness is perfect, but rather, “it is one which is uncomfortable in a culture of corruption, making appreciable efforts to ensure that as a matter of internal business processes, it controls its operations to ensure it is compliant at least with minimum, universally acceptable standards of business integrity.”

On his part, Paul Walsh, CEO, Diageo, parent company of Guinness Nigeria, said, “the government of Nigeria has shown its commitment to tackling endemic corruption in order that robust, credible and transparent institutions can be built to spear head the development,”which he described as commendable.

Speaking, Dr. Christopher Kolade, Chairman, CBI Governing Board, said in making Nigeria a place of loftier standards and better discipline all in positions must be  involvedand contribute meaningfully. For this reason, he said it is important for individuals, enterprises and institutions to acknowledge the need for definite changes in the way businesses are operated and managed.

Signing on to the convention means that we are committed to working for the institution of higher standards in the management of our businesses and social affairs.