The management of Central Securities Clearing System Plc (CSCS), on Wednesday, donated a fully equipped and insured state-of-the-art Ambulance to the Capital Market Support Committee for COVID-19 (CMSCC), an initiative of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
The donation was received by Ariyo Olushekun, chairman of the CMSCC, according to a statement by the CSCS, was in addition to cash, as part of complementing the effort of the Federal and State Governments to check the spread of the novel coronavirus which has undermined economic and social activities across the world.
As a further demonstration of its strong Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) effort, CSCS says it is partnering other stakeholders in the distribution of 100,000 reusable facemasks aimed at providing free reusable facemasks to the most vulnerable, low – income households across the country.
Presenting the ambulance and cash donation to CMSCC, Managing Director and Chief Executive of CSCS, Haruna Jalo-Waziri ntoted noted the “imperative to collaborate with other stakeholders in the capital market in this war against COVID-19. The safety of Nigerians and the growth of the economy is a collective responsibility that we cannot leave to the government alone.
“We have committed N100million to this war against COVID-19, as we are also supporting the efforts of other stakeholders. Whilst we continue to support the society through CSR initiatives, we believe our most impactful support to the capital market and broader Nigerian economy is through our services. I am excited that we have operated seamlessly through this crisis, leveraging our investment in technology and people, in ensuring efficient depository and settlement of capital market transactions across multiple capital trade points, including the Nigerian Stock Exchange, the FMDQ Exchange and the NASD-OTC”.
Jalo-Waziri appreciated the company’s board “for taking this crucial decision for us to join well-meaning, responsible corporates and other stakeholders in the fight against this novel coronavirus. Whilst it is a challenging time for businesses, it is sacrosanct for corporate leaders to make all possible sacrifice towards this cause, which is perhaps pertinent to the sustainability of businesses and the broader economy.”
Receiving the Ambulance and cash donation, Olushekun applauded the CSCS for responding to the SEC-led clarion call on capital market stakeholders. He noted that CSCS has in its usual practice demonstrated commitment to the wellbeing of the Nigerian public and more precisely its support for the growth and development of the capital market.
“I am impressed by this kind gesture of CSCS to the capital market community and indeed Nigeria at large, particularly as this comes at a challenging time for most businesses, globally. CSCS has always proven its critical role as the capital market infrastructure, not only in delivering requisite depository and securities settlement services to the broad capital market but also in its corporate social responsibilities,” he stressed.
“We will continue to ensure judicious use of the donations to CMSCC, even as we implore everyone to take personal responsibility by maintaining basic safety protocols such as the use of facemasks in public, regular washing of hands with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds or the use of sanitizers, maintenance of social distancing measures amongst other protocols being advised from time to time by relevant health authorities”, he added.
The Nigerian Capital Market Community, led by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) inaugurated the market-wide Committee to coordinate the Capital Market Community’s effort in mitigating the medical and economic impact of the pandemic on the vulnerable and the less privileged.
CSCS said in a statement that its CSR pillars are built on Community, Environment and People. The company has consistently been at the forefront of championing various charitable causes towards People With Intellectual Disability (PWID), the physically challenged amongst others.
Caption: L-R: Stephen A. Falomo, Director, Lagos Zonal Office, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC); Ariyo Olushekun, Chairman, CMSCC; Haruna Jalo-Waziri, Managing Director/CEO, CSCS Plc; Onome Komolafe, Divisional Head, Shared Services, CSCS Plc, at CSCS’ official presentation of a fully-equipped ambulance and cash donation on Tuesday in Lagos.