Citibank Nigeria Limited, Citi Nigeria, employees across the country joined more than 40,000 colleagues across 78 countries for Citi’s annual Global Community Day event.

According to a statement signed by Mrs. Ogochukwu Ekezie, Public Affairs Officer of the bank, this year’s event marks the sixth installment of the volunteer drive for Citi, with nearly 400 volunteers, including families and friends of Citi Nigeria employees, organizing green projects and donation drives across the country to support various charitable homes, centers and schools.

She said that Citi Nigeria volunteers in Lagos visited Child Life Line (CLL) in Ifako, Gbagada, a non-profit organization that caters to the needs of street kids in Lagos.

According to her, the Gbagada center is a day center which provides daily shelter, at least one meal a day and basic Math and English lessons to the kids who visit the center daily.

She said, “CLL also runs another home in Ibeshe, Lagos which is a boarding home for boys between the ages of 13 and 19.

“Citi volunteers spent the day with about 50 street kids beautifying surroundings of the centre by planting trees and other plants.

“Four abandoned fish tanks were restored and this is expected to generate income for the center while teaching the kids who visit fish farming skills for future employment.

“Volunteers also donated food and other items to the center. The day ended with sale of some items made by the kids such as bags, African print shirts and handmade greeting cards.”

Speaking on the programme, Mrs. Funmi Ogunlesi, Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer, Citibank Nigeria Limited, said “The work that the Child Life Line are doing with the street kids in Lagos goes to the essence of Citi’s Global Community Day and demonstrates clearly for us how we can impact our communities and the less fortunate among us if we dedicate a little of our time, effort and resources.”

Mrs. Ogunlesi along with directors of CLL planted the first tree of the day at the event.

Other Citi Nigeria branches participated in Global Community Day activities including Abuja, Port-Harcourt, Warri, Kano and Aba.

Ekezie further explained that volunteerism is a cornerstone of the Citi employee experience, with many employees regularly engaging in community service year-round.

According to her, Global Community Day is an opportunity for Citi to showcase and reinforce that shared commitment by inviting employees, families and friends to collaborate as a single global volunteer team.