To increase Nigeria’s vegetation cover, FirstBank and the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) have partnered to start a significant tree-planting program.
As part of its 2024 Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Week, FirstBank’s Aishatu Bubaram, Group Executive, Commercial Banking, North, hosted a tree-planting event, according to the bank.
According to the bank, planting 50,000 trees at Government Secondary School (GSS), Karshi, Abuja, is part of a larger initiative to tackle climate change by lowering carbon emissions and protecting the environment.
Bubaram emphasised that the benefits of a greener Nigeria go beyond national boundaries and benefit the environment worldwide as he urged other financial institutions and individuals to join the effort.
Additionally, Muhammad Garba Beyo, the NCF’s Zonal Coordinator, reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to the project, citing it as a natural fit with its missions of sustainable development and biodiversity protection.
Beyo stated: “The Nigerian Conservation Foundation established 42 years ago, focuses on biodiversity conservation 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.”
He emphasised the value of collaborations and expressed gratitude to FirstBank for funding this project: “We are grateful to First Bank of Nigeria Limited for their willingness to support this effort. We assure you that we will take care of the seedlings planted today so that they grow into mature trees.”
Beyo pointed out that the planting location was strategically chosen at GSS Karshi, taking into account the school’s limited area as well as the elderly trees on the grounds.
The vice principal (administration) of GSS Karshi, Tanko Madugu Wando, was also in attendance, BrandSpur national brand news story reports.
