Climate change: Polaris Bank flags off tree planting scheme in Ogun

The Executive Director of Polaris Bank, Chris Ofikulu has identified forest regeneration through tree planting as one vital way to fight devastating effects of climate change and enhance sustainability of the environment.

Ofikulu disclosed this on Monday when the bank flagged off its tree-planting scheme at Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, near Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State

He said that the pilot project which is being done in partnership with Nigeria Conservation Foundation involved planting of 500 tree seedlings in the university is to further give bite to the bank’s serious commitment to fighting environmental degradation.

 

Ofikulu said “this initiative was borne out of our commemoration of the World Environment day in June 2024.

“The 2024 theme focuses on “Land Restoration, Desertification, and Drought Resilience,” which aligns with the United Nation 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.

“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 (ESG) principles”.

Ofikulu said that the tree planting scheme demonstrated the bank’s dedication to encouraging sustainable economic growth and appreciating the importance of environmental preservation.

He said “this project aligns perfectly with the World Environment Day, in addition to reducing carbon footprints and enhancing our natural ecosystem. It also aims to promote Public Awareness regarding the importance of environmental preservation.

“The benefits of our tree-planting initiative cannot be overemphasized.
It will contribute significantly to the restoration of degraded areas, the prevention of soil erosion, and the enhancement of overall environmental health.”

The banker disclosed that the choice of TASUED as the starting Port for the Bank’s Tree Planting Project is borne out of the long standing relationship with the University, which dated back to 2007, promising that the bank will always be willing to be partners in progress with the ivory tower.

Speaking during the programme, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Oluwole Banjo thanked the bank for his committed interest in partnering with the University over worthy causes such as the issue of tree-planting which is being canvassed all over the world to mitigate effect of climate change such as the unbearable heat, drought, flooding among others.

Banjo represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof Adekunle Adeogun has however demanded for more collaboration from the bank saying that with a student population of about 30,000, there is a lot of mutual benefits that both the bank and the university stand to benefit from such partnership.

In his address at the occasion, Ayodele Alamu, Senior Manager, Partnerships, NCF said that the whole essence of the initiative is to achieve Afforestation and restore the forest cover in Nigeria.

Alamu said the vision of the NCF is to achieve at least 25% of forest cover in the country within the next 30

He said that “today, deforestation is a big challenge such that our forest cover which used to be 30% years back is now in between 6 to 8% and the consequences of this is land degradation, erosion, among others

“However, efforts such as this Tree-Planting Project being done in partnership with Polaris Bank and TASUED will really help to arrest this challenge and enhance sustainability of our environment. It is what everyone of us must get involved in to fight the climate change and the attendant negative consequences”.