Fidelity Bank Plc, one of the country’s most diversified
financial institutions has been adjudged the “Best Green Partner 2015” by the
Lagos State Government at the recently concluded 2016 Tree Planting Day. The
organisers of the event said that Fidelity Bank was given the award in
recognition of the Bank’s outstanding contributions towards the protection and improvement
of the environment. Specifically, they said that the Bank which is the
first Nigerian financial institution to win the award showed relentless support
for initiatives aimed at identifying and promoting the preservation, protection
and beautification of the environment.
Speaking at the event held at the National Youth Service
Corps (NYSC), Camp in Lagos, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of
Fidelity Bank Plc, Nnamdi Okonkwo, reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to support
the State’s laudable greening policy as it aligns strongly with the Bank’s
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) focus on conservation and
environmental protection.
“Fidelity Bank works in collaboration with public
institutions – state and local governments – to create and maintain green parks
in chosen locations. The beautification of the Falomo Roundabout in Lagos
State, in partnership with the Lagos State Government, is a typical example of
what the Bank seeks to achieve in this area,” he said. While promising to work with
the State to create and maintain green parks in chosen locations Okonkwo noted
that the Bank has successfully executed several beautification projects across
the country. Some of these projects include Onikan, Milverton, Dopemu and
Matori Roundabouts in Lagos State; RSUT in Rivers State, Rangers Avenue
junction in Enugu State, Mbaise Road in Owerri, Imo State, Abia Towers in
Umuahia, KrikaSama Roundabout in Maiduguri, Borno State amongst others.
He also disclosed that the Bank supports environmental advocacy
groups like the Nigeria Conservative Foundation (NCF) in their advocacy
programmes, one of which is the annual “Walk For Nature”, an annual event
designed to create awareness about nature conservation and good environmental
practices. “We also undertake green initiatives that assist the environment. In
this regard, we have become the first, and perhaps, the only Bank in Nigeria
that dispenses cash with recycled biodegradable cash bags instead of
polyethylene bags used by others, which is destructive to the ecosystem.”
Fidelity Bank also assents to relevant international Accords and Protocols
aimed at promoting sustainability, like the Equator Principles.
In his keynote address themed, “Lend a Hand to Save Trees”,
Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, noted that planting of trees was
crucial for the environment as trees provide oxygen, helps conserve energy,
saves water, and prevents erosion among others. He disclosed that the state
plans to plant 10 million trees by 2020. The Governor who was represented by
the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Tunji Bello commended Fidelity for
initiating the drive for a greener environment and called on other corporate
bodies and public spirited individuals to join hands with the state to conserve
nature and make Lagos an environmentally friendly place for all to live.
7 Comments
Congratulations
ReplyDeleteThat's a a huge recognition
ReplyDeleteCongrats to them.
ReplyDeleteNice one. ..
ReplyDeleteGood to hear..
ReplyDeleteGood to hear.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good one
ReplyDelete