By Ojugbele Omotunde
Polaris Bank, in collaboration with the Nigeria Conservation Foundation (NCF) at Tai Solarin University of Education in Ogun State, has embarked on afforestation initiative by embarking on a tree planting project involving planting of 500 tree seedlings.
During the launching event which took place on Monday, the Executive Director of Polaris Bank, Chris Ofikulu emphasized the importance of forest regeneration through tree planting in combating climate change and enhancing environmental sustainability.
Ofikulu stated that the launching is an initiative to combat environmental degradation, marking World Environment Day in June 2024 as 250 tree seedlings will be planted in Ogun University, with the remaining in other parts of the state.
He added that the 2024 theme focuses on Land Restoration, Desertification, and Drought Resilience, aligning with the United Nations Decade of Ecosystem Restoration and that polaris Bank is committed to sustainable practices and land restoration, focusing on Ogun as its starting point.
He said that the bank’s decision-making is informed by environmental, social, and governance principles and that its goals are to empower society, encourage sustainable economic growth, and encourage responsible banking.
Ofikulu added that TASUED was chosen as the starting point because the bank has a long-standing relationship with the university and that the bank’s tree-planting initiative displays its commitment to sustainable economic growth and environmental preservation.
In his own address at the event, Senior Manager, Partnerships, NCF, Ayodele Aminubsaid explained that the whole essence of the initiative was to achieve afforestation and restore the forest cover in Nigeria.
The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Oluwole Banjo who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Adekunle Adeogun expressed gratitude to the bank for its commitment to partnering with the university for tree planting initiatives and requested further collaboration.