"The business of business is business," said Milton Friedman, economist back in the 1960s. A business exists to make a profit for its shareholders, full stop. That is its sole responsibility and its contribution to society.
While this might still make some sense to a lot of business leaders, Globacom, national telecom operator has caught the world’s attention for showing how a company can do good and equally make profit.
It was a simple act of care and sympathy for the people of Haiti who experienced the worst humanitarian crisis in decades with the recent devastating earthquake which at last count has claimed more than 200,000 people and affected another 3 million.
Globacom elevated the mobile giving to new heights when it has inaugurated an appeal to raise funds for the rehabilitation of victims of the recent earthquake.
The Haitian earthquake disaster has seen almost total destruction of Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital.
Amongst the widespread devastation and damage throughout Port-au-Prince, and elsewhere, vital infrastructure necessary to respond to the disaster was severely damaged or destroyed. This included all hospitals in the capital; air, sea, and land transport facilities; and communication systems.
Many countries have responded to appeals for humanitarian aid, pledging funds and dispatching rescue and medical teams, engineers and support personnel.
But in the midst of the massive amounts of uncoordinated relief efforts in the ravaged country, one has stood out distinctly. It is the Globacom’s touching appeal.
Globacom, now a Pan–African operator launched the appeal to ensure that Nigerians had an opportunity to contribute their quota to the rehabilitation of the people of Haiti as being done globally.
Some Haitians and Nigerians share some common ancestral origins. As a result, the tragedy seemed too close to home.
Mohamed Jameel, group chief operating officer, Globacom said that “this is a human disaster of almost unimaginable proportions and most Nigerians who are willing to help do not know how to contribute towards the relief effort. “To this end, we have decided to launch this appeal by the creation of a short code through which Nigerians can make donations to help the Haitian people,” he said.
The company called on Nigerians, especially its subscribers, to make contributions of a minimum of N50 by sending the word HAITI to the short code 33090. Subscribers, however, are free to donate as many times as they wish to the relief effort by sending multiple SMS at the cost of N50 per SMS.
All donations made by Nigerians through the short code would be presented on a monthly basis on behalf of the Nigerian people to the Nigerian Red Cross.
Glo has also given assurance that none of the proceeds would be withheld as the project was being undertaken on compassionate grounds and in line with the company’s corporate responsibility obligations.
To indicate its seriousness and commitment, Jameel, said Globacom had given support to an online campaign which would be run through the social networks such as facebook, MySpace and Twitter; while Classic 93.7 FM had committed to help raise awareness by giving free hypes and airtime.
We join in all well meaning commendations from across the globe and call on Nigerians to support this unique effort.
Well done Globacom
