3

Polaris Bank, in partnership with the Nigeria Conservation Foundation (NCF), has extended its nationwide tree planting cam­paign to three key locations: The Lekki Conservation Centre in La­gos State, the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FU­NAAB), Ogun State and Sardau­na College Kaduna, Kaduna State.

The initiative, first launched in 2024 during the Bank’s World Environment Day commemo­ration, is part of Polaris Bank’s broader commitment to com­bating climate change, reducing carbon emissions, and promoting sustainable environmental prac­tices across Nigeria.

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

Speaking at the event, Chris Ofikulu, Executive Director, Com­mercial and Retail expressed his appreciation to all participants at the Tree-planting exercise, noted that the initiative highlights the importance Polaris Bank attaches to environmental sustainability. He recalled leading the Bank’s first tree planting activity after its launch in 2024 at TASUED, Ogun State.

He further noted that the emonstre aligns with the United Nations Decade of Ecosystem Restoration, a global movement dedicated to securing a greener future for generations to come.

He emphasised that Polaris Bank sees sustainability not merely as a responsibility but as a business imperative.

He added that, through this 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, Sharafadeen Muhammad, Ex­ecutive Director, Operations, emphasized that protecting the environment and the planet is 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, Ogun/Oyo, Yetunde Okel­eye emonstrat that the tree-plant­ing initiative reflects Polaris Bank’s unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability. By planting economic trees across the country, including Ogun State, we areemonstrate­ing that sustainability is not just a responsibility but part of our ethos as a Bank.

Our partnership with the Ni­gerian Conservation Foundation 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.”