By Barnabas Esiet.
The need to preserve and restore the global habitat through sustainable environmental practices was the crux of discussion at a forum organised by Union Bank, one of Nigeria’s foremost financial institutions, in partnership with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation to commemorate this year’s World Environment Day.
Held on June 5th, 2024, at the Lekki Conservation Centre in Lagos State, the programme brought together stakeholders from diverse fields of endeavours including environmental rights activists, international partner agencies, corporate institutions, government agencies, and students of select secondary schools, to deliberate and engage in activities marking World Environment Day.
One of the highlights of the event was a tree-planting exercise involving various participants and stakeholder representatives.
In keeping with this year’s celebration theme, “Land Restoration, Desertification, and Drought Resilience,” the tree-planting activity demonstrates the need for rejuvenation and revitalisation of land devastated by deforestation, erosion, and desertification globally and in Nigeria in particular.
Patricia Iwhewhe, Head of Citizenship and Sustainability at Union Bank, echoed the importance of preserving our environment.
She highlighted the need for for everyone to be involved in reclamation and restoration of parts of our environment badly impacted by deforestation and desertification adding that stakeholders and policymakers can afford to ignore or gloss over this.
“Union Bank, as a sustainability champion committed to the preservation of our dear planet, appreciates and recognises the responsibility we have as humanity to look after our environment.
“We will continue to support and participate in programs dedicated to protecting and enriching our precious habitat”. Iwhewhe stated.
The invaluable contributions of stakeholders including the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) alongside Union Bank have been crucial in helping to preserve and protect nature and its resources.
NCF’s advocacy over the decades has positively impacted and influenced Nigeria’s environmental policy. Union Bank will continue to be a dependable ally in supporting this noble cause of environmental preservation.
Union Bank, through its diverse range of projects and interventions, has demonstrated its unwavering commitment to bequeathing a safer, healthier, and more sustainable environment.
The bank’s generous contributions to preserving the environment serve as a beacon of hope, inspiration for a brighter and more sustainable future for everyone.
Comment here