Polaris Bank, in partnership with the Nigeria Conservation Foundation (NCF), has extended its nationwide tree planting campaign to three key locations.

A statement on Friday by the Bank’s media unit said the locations are Lekki Conservation Centre in Lagos State, the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Ogun State and the Sardauna College, Kaduna State.

The initiative, is part of Polaris Bank’s commitment to combating climate change, reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable environmental practices across Nigeria 

The Lagos edition, which held at the Lekki Conservation Centre, was attended by Polaris Bank’s Executive Directors, Chris Ofikulu and Sharafadeen Muhammad, alongside partners from NCF.

Speaking at the event, Executive Director, Commercial and Retail, Chris Ofikulu, expressed appreciation to all participants at the tree-planting exercise 

He said the initiative highlighted the importance Polaris Bank attached to environmental sustainability, while recalling leading the bank’s first tree planting activity after its launch in 2024.

He added that the exercise aligned with the United Nations Decade of Ecosystem Restoration, a global movement dedicated to securing a greener future for generations to come.

He noted that Polaris Bank saw sustainability not merely as a responsibility but as a business imperative.

According to him, through the initiative, Polaris Bank reaffirms its role beyond banking services and remains firmly in line with the collective goal of planting 10,000 trees.

Also speaking at the event, Executive Director, Operations, Sharafadeen Muhammad, said protecting the environment and the planet was a shared responsibility for the benefit of all.

He described the initiative as a commendable effort and encouraged the establishment of reserves that conserve nature while creating economic value.

He further reaffirmed Polaris Bank’s commitment to supporting the tree-planting initiative.

In Ogun State, the Divisional Head, Polaris Bank, Ogun/Oyo, Yetunde Okeleye, said that the tree-planting initiative reflected the bank’s unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability.

“By planting economic trees across the country, including Ogun State, we are demonstrating that sustainability is not just a responsibility but part of our ethos as a bank.

“Our partnership with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, underscores our resolve to restore degraded land, prevent soil erosion, and combat climate change.

“Through this initiative, Polaris Bank reaffirms its role as a driver of environmental stewardship and community well-being, while contributing to a greener and more sustainable future for generations to come,” Ms Okeleye said.

In Kaduna State, Acting Group Head, Polaris Bank, North West, Kabir Lawal, alongside the bank’s staff from Kaduna business locations, reiterated that sustainability was not just a catchphrase but the bank’s culture, a journey pursued with conviction.

Mr Lawal said the bank’s decisions were guided by Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles, ensuring that it addressed environmental issues, while empowering communities and driving inclusive growth.

He further said that the exercise at Sardauna Memorial College, in partnership with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, was a testament to this commitment.

“Beyond reducing carbon footprints, our tree-planting initiative restores degraded areas, prevents soil erosion, improves environmental health and raises awareness on the importance of preservation,” Mr Lawal added.

The NCF commended Polaris Bank’s leadership, stressing that the selected trees comprising fruit bearing and shade providing species would serve multiple benefits, including erosion control, wind breaking, shade provision and food security.

Community representatives from FUNAAB and Sardauna College in Kaduna expressed gratitude to Polaris Bank and the NCF for spearheading the initiative, describing it as timely and impactful in addressing the global climate challenge. 

(NAN)