By Bose Adelaja

Determined to promoting environmental sustainability, FirstBank is collaborating with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, NCF to create awareness of the need to preserve wild life and biodiversity among school children in Nigeria.

The bank’s conservation initiative was flagged off last week with the planting of 120 trees at the Lagos State Civil Service Model College, Igbogbo, Ikorodu. The bank also formally set up a conservation club in the school.

The conservation initiative lays emphasis on tree planting and students’ conservation clubs which will serve as vehicles to drive environmental protection and conservation. The Head, Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability in FirsBank, Mr. Ismail Omamegbe said it was part of the bank’s long-term approach to sustainability and minimising direct and indirect impacts on the environment.

“This has made us focus on three priority areas which are; minimise carbon footprint, carbon offsetting, conservation and preservation of wildlife and biodiversity,” he said. He explained that FirsBank’s partnership with the NCF is strategic because NCF’s leadership role in promoting environmental conservation and sustainable development in Nigeria which ties in with the bank’s desire to see the environment sustained because it is a socially responsible entity.

FirstBank, he said is supporting conservation clubs in schools because they will become agents of promoting environmental education in schools and their communities. “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 .

“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.”  He explained that climate change was having serous impact on the environment which can be seen in flooding, agriculture, health and others which have seriously affected the environment.”

He said. NCF’s Director, Technical Programmes, Dr. Joseph Onoja, said NCF is pleased that  Lagos State Civil Service Model College, Igbogbo, Ikorodu will be the pace setter for the conservation clubs . “Today we are going to plant 120 trees in commemoration of FirstBank’s 120 years in existence.

We are very proud to be associated with them in this achievement and that is why we partnering with them as a socially responsible entity to be able to care for the environment. In line with that, we are setting up the conservation clubs in this school so that these trees are catered for,” he said