TheCable

Students of the Lagos State Civil Service Model College, Ikorodu, on Tuesday planted 120 trees to promote the health of the environment and significantly celebrate the 120 years existence of First Bank Plc.

The students did this during the launch of the first phase of the bank’s conservation initiative.

The oldest commercial bank in Nigeria entered a partnership with the Nigeria Conservation Foundation (NCF) to reduce the negative impact of climate change and encourage planting of trees across the country.

Joseph Onoja, NCF’s director of technical programmes, commended the bank for the initiative, noting that it would go a long way in boosting the environment.

“Today we are going to plant 120 trees in commemoration of First Bank’s 120 years in existence,” he said.

“120 trees will seem a small number but imagine 120 trees in 120 places in 120 countries in 120 different communities.

“We are very proud to be associated with them in this achievement and that is why we are partnering with them as a socially responsible entity to be able to care for the environment.

“In line with that, we are setting up a conservation club in this school so that these trees can be catered for.”

Speaking at the occasion, Ismail Omamegbe, the bank’s head of corporate responsibility and sustainability, said the aim of the project is to create awareness on the need to preserve wild life and biodiversity among “school children” in Nigeria.

Omamegbe said such was critical to the survival of human beings and  the environment.

“Part of our long-term approach to sustainability is minimising our direct and indirect impacts on the environment,” he said.

“This has informed our efforts at enhancing responsible lending and partnering to conserve resources and it has also made us focus on three priority areas which are; minimise Carbon footprint, Carbon Offsetting Conservation and Preservation of wildlife and biodiversity.”

He explained that FirsBank’s partnership with the NCF is strategic because of its leadership in promoting environmental conservation and sustainable development in the country.

He also commended the school.

“We clearly know in terms of record that Lagos State Civil Service Model College, Igbogbo, Ikorodu is a fantastic school through what they have done in terms of conservation. And so through this partnership we can begin to address the issue of climate change,” he said.

“The conservation initiative is two pronged with emphasis on tree planting and students conservation clubs which will serve as vehicles to drive environmental protection and conservation.

“As students of this school, the primary objective of the conservation club will be to enlighten and educate your class mates on the challenges of climate change.”