Polaris Bank Targets 500 Trees Plantation to Commemorate World Environment Day

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…Kick Starts with 250 trees at TASUED

As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility, Polaris Bank has launched a tree planting project at Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, to commemorate World Environment Day.

The initiative aims to plant at least 500 trees as part of the bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility. The project focuses on land restoration, desert

Speaking at the event Executive Director, Polaris Bank, Chris Ofikulu stated that the initiative was borne out to commemorate World Environment Day in June 2024. The 2024 theme focuses on “Land Restoration, Desertification, and Drought Resilience,” which aligns with the United Nations Decade of Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030).

He posited that Polaris Bank has committed to sustainable practices and land restoration by planting Trees nationwide in Regions affected by erosion, such as Ogun, noting that the initiative commenced with Ogun State.

He maintained that the project aligns with World Environment Day, in addition to reducing carbon footprints and enhancing the natural ecosystem, which also aims to promote Public Awareness regarding the importance of environmental preservation.

” At Polaris Bank, sustainability is not just a catchphrase. It is our ethos, It is a journey in which we are committed to walking 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.

“Our choice of TASUED as the starting point for the Bank’s TreePlanting Project is borne out of our long-standing relationship with the University, which commenced with the erstwhile SKYE BANK in 2007”.

Ofikulu maintained that the tree planting exercise at the Institution (Tai Solarin University of Education) in collaboration with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) is a testament to their commitment to sustainability principles.

He highlighted that the benefits of the tree-planting initiative will contribute significantly to the restoration of degraded areas, the prevention of soil erosion, and the enhancement of overall environmental health.

Also speaking, Ayomide Alamu, senior manager of Nigeria Conservation Foundation (NCF) noted that It hasn’t always been 8% in the 60s when Nigeria had as much as 30% of total land covered by forest in Nigeria.

He explained that over time it has been depleted significantly such that today is between 68% of everyone is cutting down trees for furniture, the economy, and others, so we are trying ti stop the rate of deforestation.

Alamu posited that Tress do a lot in terms of ecosystem service, windbreak, pointed out that trees can stop wind erosion, and reduce the impact of heat, and help to have clean air because we breathe out carbon dioxide and breathe in oxygen, and without trees we can have a health issue.

Meanwhile, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Profesor Prof Oluwole Banjo, who was represented by Deputy Vc Prof Adekunle Adeogun appreciated the gesture from Polaris Bank.

He assured me that always opens the door for more developmental projects and collaboration.

Presents at the event are: Deputy VC Prof. Oluwole Banjo, Chris Ofikulu the Executive Director Polaris Bank, Rasheed Yusuf Group Head, Ondo/ Ekiti Group, Abiodun Daramola Group Head Ogun/Oyo Group, Yemi Akinrelere Head of Sustainability and Consumer Protection, Abiola Akinwole Business Development Manager Ijebu-Ode, Rasheed Bolarinwa Head of Corporate Communication, and 18 others

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Yusuf Adeleke

Yusuf Adeleke is a grassroots journalist with four years of experience, he has been practicing consistently, and he has attended many workshops and trainings to upkeep his journalism skills.

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