Polaris Bank Limited, in collaboration with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), has launched a nationwide tree-planting project at Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) in Ogun State.
The initiative, which commenced on July 1st, 2024, is part of the bank’s commemoration of World Environment Day 2024 and its Corporate Social Responsibility efforts.
Chris Ofikulu, Executive Director of Polaris Bank, emphasized the project’s significance at the launch event.
Ofikulu highlighted that the initiative aligns with the 2024 World Environment Day theme, “Land Restoration, Desertification, and Drought Resilience” and supports the United Nations Decade of Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030).
“At Polaris Bank, sustainability is not just a catchphrase. It is our ethos,” Ofikulu noted.
The choice of TASUED as the starting point stems from a long-standing relationship between the University and Polaris Bank, dating back to 2007. The tree-planting initiative aims to restore degraded areas, prevent soil erosion, and enhance overall environmental health.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Oluwole Banjo,represented at the event by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof Adekunle Adeogun, welcomed the partnership and urged Nigerians to commit to environmental sustainability through tree planting.
Mr. Ayodeji Alamu, Senior Manager of NCF’s Business Development and Communications Department, highlighted the critical state of deforestation in Nigeria. “Our forest cover, which used to be 30% years back, is now between 6 to 8%,” he noted, emphasizing the consequences of land degradation and erosion.
The bank plans to extend the tree-planting initiative to other regions affected by erosion across Nigeria.
Different species of trees were presented to TASUED’s IVOTRA Director, Prof. Akiyode Olawumi.
The event was attended by key University officials, including the Registrar, Mr Dapo Oke fcia, the Bursar,Mr Kabiru Ogunneye, Deputy Registrar, Media and Corporate Relations,Mr Babatunde Odugbesan among others.
On the entourage of Polaris Bank were, the Group Head, CX & Value Management, Bukola Oluyadi; Group Head, Ondo/Ekiti Group, Rasheed Yusuf; Group Head, Ogun/Oyo Group, Abiodun Daramola; Yemi Akinrelere, Head Sustainability & Consumer Protection, Rasheed Bolarinwa, Head, Corporate & Product Marketing (Brand Management and Corporate Communication and Abiola Akinwole, Business Development Manager, Ijebu Ode.
While on the entourage of NCF were, Mr Chidi Ugwuapeh, Senior Officer, Corporate Membership & Fundraising (Business Development and Communications Department) and lastly Mr Olayomade Adeyemo, South West Zonal Coordinating Officer.