In a statement on Thursday, the partnership was formalised during a memorandum of understanding signing ceremony held at the IITA headquarters in Ibadan.
The initiative, which aligns with LAPO Microfinance Bank’s commitment to environmental sustainability, seeks to address environmental degradation and its impact on communities across Nigeria. Through this partnership, LAPO and IITA will work together to plant thousands of trees in key locations, contributing to reforestation efforts and promoting biodiversity.
The tree-planting initiative will involve community participation, with local residents, schools, and organizations encouraged to take part in the project. The goal is not only to plant trees but also to educate communities on the importance of environmental stewardship and sustainable practices.
Speaking on the partnership, Executive Director, Corporate Services, LAPO Microfinance Bank, Mrs. Gloria Bako, emphasized the importance of the initiative.
According to Bako, “LAPO Microfinance Bank has been in the forefront in championing environmental causes in Nigeria, this partnership is in alignment with our ESG objectives and will further the realization of our goals to challenge the effect of climate change and impact our environment and communities positively. We are proud to work with IITA, a leading institution in agricultural research, to make a tangible impact in the fight against climate change.”
In his remarks, the Deputy Director-General, Partnerships for Delivery, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Dr. Kenton Dashiell noted: “The significance of this partnership is to provide the small support that catalyzes into a big impact. We hope that this will be the case here.
“As we collaborate on this tree-planting partnership, along with other areas of mutual interest, we hope it will result in multiple positive outcomes.”
The partnership between LAPO Microfinance Bank and IITA represents a major milestone in efforts to build a more sustainable and resilient environment. The first phase of the tree-planting initiative will focus on Oyo and Ogun states, later expanding to other regions across the country.
Left-Right: Brandie Stevens-Igbe, Head, Sustainability, LAPO Microfinance Bank; Mrs. Gloria Bako, Executive Director, Corporate Services, LAPO Microfinance Bank; Dr. Kenton Dashiell, Deputy Director-General, Partnerships for Delivery, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and Morenike Abu, Head, Legal Services, IITA at the MOU signing ceremony between International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and LAPO Microfinance Bank which held at the IITA-Nigeria office in Ibadan, Oyo State.
This initiative will involve community participation, with local residents, schools, and organizations encouraged to take part. Beyond tree planting, we will educate communities on the importance of environmental stewardship and sustainable practices
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