Business
FirstBank, NCF Extend Tree Planting to FCT, Target 50,000 Trees Nationwide
FirstBank, in partnership with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), has launched a major tree-planting initiative to enhance Nigeria’s vegetation cover.
According to the bank, the tree planting exercise led by Aishatu Bubaram, the Group Executive, Commercial Banking, North, FirstBank, is part of its 2024 Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Week.
The bank stated that the tree-planting event at Government Secondary School (GSS), Karshi, Abuja, which involves planting 50,000 trees, is part of a broader goal to combat climate change by reducing carbon emissions and preserving the environment.
Bubaram emphasised the bank’s commitment to planting 50,000 trees nationwide at the event. “The essence of planting these trees is environmental conservation,” she said. “These are economic trees that we believe will outlive our generation and benefit future generations.” “FirstBank’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 achieving this, with 30,000 trees planted this year,” she added.
“Trees play an indispensable role in our environment. They purify the air we breathe, stabilise the climate, prevent soil erosion, and provide habitats and food for diverse species, including humans. In a world increasingly threatened by climate change, planting trees is one of the most effective ways to restore balance to our ecosystems.
“By planting trees in Abuja, we are actively contributing to the health and well-being of the city. Each tree planted is a step towards reducing carbon emissions, improving air quality, and enhancing the natural beauty of our urban landscape,” she said.
Bubaram encouraged other financial institutions and individuals to contribute to a greener Nigeria, emphasising that the impact extends beyond the nation and benefits the global environment.
Also, the zonal coordinator, NCF, Muhammad Garba Beyo, expressed the Foundation’s dedication to the initiative, aligning with its biodiversity conservation and sustainable development mission.
“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 said.
He highlighted the importance of partnerships and thanked FirstBank for supporting this endeavour. “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,” he said.
Beyo noted that the choice of GSS Karshi as the planting site was strategic, considering the school’s available space and the ageing trees on the premises.
Tanko Madugu Wando, the vice principal (Administration) at GSS Karshi, was also present at the event.
Culled from Leadership
The World Bank has expressed desire to partner with the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, to develop the maritime sector in line with the vision of the ministry.
Leading a team of the group on a courtesy visit to the minister, Adegboyega Oyetola, the leader of the World Bank team, Ms. Lia Sieghart , noted that the team was at the ministry to discuss the government’s vision for the development of a sustainable and integrated blue economy and sustainable fisheries, and to also identify areas where the World Bank could provide expertise and knowledge.
She commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for establishing the ministry, saying it was a strong signal that the Nigerian government was desirous of developing the sector.
Responding, the minister appreciated the team for the visit and informed them of the steps taken to map the country’s marine and Blue Economy resources, just as he informed the team that developing the fishery and aquaculture remains topmost priority of the ministry.
“Fishery is the flagship of ministry. We are doing everything to regulate the activities in that sector. We are designating terminals for fishing activities. We want to do a sustainable fishery programme on a sustainable basis and make it attractive to the youths. We intend to reduce importation and encourage production here, in Nigeria. Therefore, we are willing and ready to have you support our efforts, so as to realise our vision for the ministry, ” Oyetola added.
The minister was joined in the meeting by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Oloruntola Olufemi; Director, Maritime Safety and Security, Babatunde Bombata; and Prof. Busayo Fakinlede, Technical aide to the minister, among others.
Unity Bank Plc has hosted a capacity-building workshop to support the Association of Nigerian Women in Business Network (ANWBN) in a move aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs with the necessary skills required to thrive in today’s digital economy.
The initiative for the workshop stems from the growing advancement in technology and its impact on business hence the theme: “Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: AI and Digital Marketing Strategies,” which sought to equip women with practical knowledge on how to harness the power and take advantage of emerging technology.
As a platform that drew the participation of businesses from diverse sectors, attendees were provided with tools for leveraging digital platforms for expanding market reach, building efficiency in business operations, engaging customers, and increasing brand visibility.
Renowned industry experts and speakers such as Dr. Opeyemi Ojesina, the Chief Executive Officer of Jesshill Consulting, Nkechinyere Ojiego, General Manager, of Simba Group, and Mrs. Adenike Abimbola, Divisional Head, of Retail and SME Banking, Unity Bank Plc, led impactful sessions at the workshop designed to help participants grow their businesses by leveraging cutting-edge technologies and customer-centric marketing strategies
Addressing the media after the event, Mrs. Adenike Abimbola said the capacity-building initiative was inspired by the need to empower women entrepreneurs to take advantage of the growing opportunities presented by the evolving digital marketing landscape.
She said, “The growing digital landscape presents a unique opportunity for women to scale their businesses. There are over 70% of women entrepreneurs in Nigeria who desire this kind of capacity-building programme to improve their businesses, helping them learn how to transition from traditional business methods to one powered by technology, as this will become a differentiator”
While commending the partnership with ANWBN and emphasizing the importance of digital technologies, Mrs. Ambimbola pledged Unity Bank’s commitment to supporting SMEs, adding that the Bank will often pay priority attention to female-led ventures to improve relationships and collaboration with women businesses in Nigeria.
She added: “We are proud of our partnership with ANWBN and the success of this workshop. Empowering women entrepreneurs is key to driving economic growth and ensuring sustainable development. We look forward to more initiatives that support and uplift women in business.”
One of the participants, Mrs. Yetunde Adeniran, a fashion designer, shared her learning experience explaining that with the insights gained here, she has now found more ways of integrating digital technology into many facets of her business. She also highlighted the advantages of Unity Bank’s Yanga Account, which she noted as a crucial tool for small business owners, providing financial support tailored to their specific needs.
In 2022, Unity Bank launched Yanga Account to facilitate financial inclusion for Women. The success of the workshop underscores Unity Bank’s ongoing commitment to supporting female entrepreneurs in Nigeria as the Bank seeks to empower women in business by providing access to valuable resources, financial tools, and educational opportunities that will help them thrive in an increasingly competitive market.
Ecobank Nigeria, a subsidiary of the Ecobank Group, the leading pan-African banking group, is partnering the Women in Mining In Nigeria (WIMIN) for its annual Gold & Gemstone Conference & Exhibition.
The 3-day event scheduled for Thursday, September 26th to Saturday, September 28th will be held at the Ecobank Pan African Centre (EPAC) on highbrow Victoria, Lagos, National Association of Online Security News Publishers, NAOSNP can report.
The Women in Mining in Nigeria (WIMIN) Gold and Gem Conference and Exhibition (GGCE) is set to make a significant impact on the country’s mining industry. Under the visionary leadership of its Founder, Honorable Engineer Janet Adeyemi, WIMIN has been instrumental in empowering women and driving innovation in the sector.
This year’s GGCE marks a milestone as it merges with the African Gem and Jewellery Conference and Exhibition (AGJEC), attracting participants from across the continent. The event will showcase stunning gold and gemstone jewelry, cutting-edge mining technologies, and sustainable practices.
Mrs. Adesuwa Dan-Princewill, Chairman of the WIMIN Gold and Gemstone Conference and Exhibition, emphasized the importance of value addition in the mining sector and the need for collaboration and partnership: “WIMIN GGCE Lagos provides a unique platform for the jewelry trade in Nigeria. By bringing together women from across the continent, we are fostering innovation and driving value addition in the mining sector.”
The conference will offer a diverse range of activities, including:
● Exhibition: Showcasing African gems and jewelry.
● Workshops: Hands-on training in jewelry making, gemstone identification, and business development.
● Networking: Opportunities to connect with industry peers and potential partners.
● Panel Discussions: Addressing key topics related to gender equality, sustainability, and innovation.
Honorable Engineer Janet Adeyemi expressed her excitement about the growth of WIMIN and the impact of the GGCE: “This event is a testament to the power of women in the mining industry. By providing a platform for collaboration and empowerment, we are driving positive change and shaping the future of Nigeria’s gemstone sector.”
Head of SMEs, Partnerships and Collaborations at Ecobank Nigeria, Omoboye Odu, said the support is in line with the bank’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals, adding that the initiative supports Ecobank’s mission of supporting professional organizations that are contributing to the development of the nation’s economy.
According to her, “the guiding principle of Ecobank’s CSR activities is to contribute to the economic development and financial integration of Africa. We are committed to helping professional organisations to succeed. By this, we are contributing to Nigeria’s long-term economic and social development. We believe the conference will be of immense benefit to participants and open new opportunities in mining and jewelry-making industries.”
