Polaris Bank has launched a tree-planting initiative in Ogun State as one vital way to fight the effects of climate change and enhance the sustainability of the environment.
At the exercise at Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, near Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, on Monday, the Executive Director of Polaris Bank, Chris Ofikulu, identified forest regeneration as key to tackling climate change impact.
He said that the pilot project, which is being done in partnership with Nigeria Conservation Foundation, involved the planting of 500 tree seedlings in the state to show the bank’s commitment to fighting environmental degradation.
Ofikulu explained that 250 tree seedlings will be planted in the university while the remaining will be planted in another part of the state to be determined soon.
Ofikulu said, “This initiative is to commemorate the World Environment Day in June 2024. This year’s theme focuses on ‘Land Restoration, Desertification, and Drought Resilience,’ which aligns with the United Nations Decade of Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030).
“In support of this, Polaris Bank has committed to sustainable practices and land restoration by planting trees nationwide in regions affected by erosion, such as Ogun. It is noteworthy to mention that we are commencing this initiative with Ogun State. At Polaris Bank, sustainability is not just a catchphrase. It is our ethos. It is a journey in which we are committed to walk in with conviction.”
He added, “Our sustainability practices involve promoting responsible banking, empowering people and society, addressing environmental issues, and sustainable economic growth. We aim to ensure that every decision we make, from investments to operations, is guided by the Environmental, Social, and Governance principles.”
Speaking during the programme, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Oluwole Banjo, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof Adekunle Adeogun, thanked the bank for its interest in partnering with the university over worthy causes such as tree-planting, which is being canvassed all over the world to mitigate the effect of climate change such as the unbearable heat, drought, flooding among others.
In his address at the occasion, the Senior Manager of Partnerships, NCF, Ayodele Alamu, said that the essence of the initiative was to achieve afforestation and restore the forest cover in Nigeria.
Alamu said, “Today, deforestation is a big challenge such that our forest cover which used to be 30 per cent years back is now between 6 to 8 per cent and the consequences of this are land degradation, and erosion, among others.
“However, efforts such as this tree-planting project being done in partnership with Polaris Bank and TASUED will help to arrest this challenge and enhance the sustainability of our environment.
“It is what every one of us must get involved in to fight climate change and the attendant negative consequences.”