The 19 Northern states owners of the New Nigeria Development Company Limited (NNDC) have introduced a new Code of Ethics and business conduct for investors interested in doing business in the region.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Head of Corporate Relations, Mohammed Abdullahi and made available to newsmen in Kaduna over the weekend.
The launch of the code held at Hamdala Hotel, Kaduna according to the statement is a prelude to the reforms at repositioning NNDC as an apex holding institution.
“The Executive Governor of Kaduna State, Sen. Uba Sani, ably represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Abdulkadir Muazu Meyere, unveils NNDC’s Code of Ethics and Business Conduct Booklets.
While the Secretaries to the Government of the nineteen northern states, captains of industries, opinion leaders and other important dignitaries were present during the launching ceremony.
Governor Uba Sani in his keynote address stated that as the gateway and hub of the Northern Region, the significance of Kaduna State for NNDC is much more than being a host. He said that the launch of the Code was a remarkable step in further boosting investment confidence and securing the timeless goodwill NNDC has built over the years.
He restated Kaduna State’s timeless commitment to continuing to partner with the NNDC for the benefit of the region and the nation at large.
The Governor further emphasised that the Kaduna State Government will continue to provide world-class infrastructure that is conducive for business activities, as well as local and international facilitation.
In his message contained in the code, the Chairman, Board of Directors of NNDC, Malam Tanimu Yakubu, said’ “To further drive our successes, we introduced and used the NNDC Code of Ethics and Business Conduct as our guidebook for putting our values into practice.
“We set out a clear standard of conduct to ensure that we always make the right choices, providing the appropriate framework to safeguard the Company’s operations and sustainability. The Code was conceived on the premise of ensuring that we hold ourselves accountable and how we do business to a high standard”.
Tanimu Yakubu also said’ “The Board of Directors is upgrading the policy by instituting a Corporate Compliance and Ethics Program to ensure abidance with subsisting laws, regulations, and procedures to further propel the Company on the path of responsible operations”.
The NNDC Group Managing Director, Mal. Shehu Mai-Bornu stated that’ “the development of the new NNDC Code of Ethics and Business Conduct, recently approved by the Board of Directors, captures the desire to update our business practices and ensure adherence to best practices of corporate governance. It is essential that our core values of Professionalism, Integrity, Efficiency & Effectiveness, Positive Corporate Social Responsibility, Innovativeness, and Unity of Purpose as well as compliance with applicable laws and regulations are embedded in our corporate culture to become the basis of our corporate behavior. This must be evident in our dealings with all stakeholders”.
Mal. Shehu Mai-Bornu, further stated that “Our commitment to adhere to the new Code will assist us in keeping up with the best practices required in our quest to build a respected and successful NNDC”.
