- Safiu Kehinde
First Bank Group and the Nigerian Conservative Foundation (NCF) have extended their tree planting project to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The tree planting initiative, as contained in a statement issued by First Bank earlier today, is part of the banks 2024 Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability week, which began on Monday.
Leading the tree planting exercise in Abuja, Aishatu Bubaram, the Group Executive, Commercial Banking, North, emphasized the bank’s commitment to planting 50,000 trees nationwide in an effort to promote environmental conservation.
“The essence of planting these trees is environmental conservation. These are economic trees that we believe will outlive our generation and benefit future generations.
“First Bank’s goal, initiated during our Corporate Sustainability Week in 2023, is to plant 50,000 trees by 2024.
“We are well on our way to achieve this, with 30,000 trees this year.” She said.
Aishatu further stressed on the environmental importance of trees, which she described as ‘indispensable’,
She said planting trees is one of the most effective ways to restore balance to our ecosystems and taking the exercise to Abuja was done with the intention of contributing to the well-being of the city.
This, according to Aishatu, will reduce carbon emissions, improve air quality, and enhance the natural beauty of the city’s urban landscape.
Also speaking at the event, NCF Zonal Coordinator, Muhammad Garba Beyo, expressed the Foundation’s dedication to the tree planting initiative.
Beyo stressed on the Foundation’s focus on biodiversity conservative and sustainable development.
While commending First Bank for their partnership with the Foundation, he harped on their Green Recovery initiative which is designed to improve Nigeria’s vegetation cover.
“The Nigerian Conservative Foundation established 42 years ago, focuses on biodiversity conservative and sustainable development.
“Our Green Recovery initiative is designed to improve Nigeria’s vegetation cover, which currently stands at less than 3%- a critical issue given the environmental challenges we face.
“We are grateful to FirstBank for supporting this endeavor.
“We assure you that we will take care of the seedlings planted today so that they grow into mature trees.” He said