Unity Bank Plc has received accolades from one of Nigeria’s foremost environmentalists, Mr. Desmond Majekodunmi for its unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability.
Mr. Majekodunmi, the founder of Lufasi Nature Park, Lagos – Nigeria’s only urban forest reserve, praised the Bank for its consistent investment in sustainability programmes and initiatives.
The commendation was made at the Bank’s Beach Cleaning and Tree Planting exercise, held to commemorate the World Earth Day 2023.
The event marked the third year in a row that Unity Bank is holding the volunteer initiative in partnership with 3 non-government organizations – Recycling Scheme for Women and Youth Empowerment (RESWAYE), MEDIC, and KBG, aimed at promoting environmental sustainability through the Beach Cleaning Initiative.
Majekodunmi, who joined over 200 volunteers comprising members of staff of Unity Bank, the RESWAYE team, and the Lagos Kids Beach Garden, applauded the volunteers for their effort in picking and removing over 100,000 plastic bottles from the beach, to reduce pollution and rid the beach and ocean of plastic waste.
The Bank also carried out a Tree Planting exercise in 23 locations across the country, with members of staff participating in planting at least a tree in each of the locations.
Speaking at the event, the Divisional Head, Resources, Unity Bank Plc, Mr. Hillary Ajuebon reiterated the Bank’s commitment to promoting climate action and reducing environmental pollution through initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable practices.
He cited recent reports on ocean pollution and decried gloomy statistics stating that of the over 380 million tons of plastic produced globally every year, about 10 million tons of plastic waste escape into the oceans from different coastal plains.
Ajuebon said plastic pollution has become one of the world’s most pressing environmental issues, and Unity Bank would continue to join collaborative efforts aimed at eliminating plastic pollution in our oceans.
He further recalled that in addition to the Beach Cleaning and Tree Planting exercise, the Bank had throughout the month of April embarked on aggressive sensitization on environmental sustainability, reinforcing the Bank’s culture of prioritizing sustainable practices.
The Bank has also promoted corporate and business philosophy that encourages low paper usage, recycling, and adoption of renewable energy through increased investment in solar-powered branches and ATMs.
