Sterling Bank, Leads Charge Against Plastic Pollution

Nume Ekeghe

Sterling Bank in collaboration with other stakeholders has mobilised volunteers to clean and restore Elegushi Beach in Lagos to its pristine state to commemorate World Environment Day.

The annual event, led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and observed globally every June 5th, creates awareness, and evokes action to protect the environment.

The 2023 World Environment Day theme is ‘Solutions to Plastic Pollution’ with the hashtag #BeatPlasticPollution.

Speaking at the beach cleaning exercise held in Lagos at the weekend, the Chief Executive Officer of Sterling Bank, Abubakar Suleiman, said: “Plastic pollution severely threatens our environment, ecosystems, and the well-being of present and future generations.”

According to him, it is up to individuals to make bold, decisive decisions and work towards a sustainable future.

Chief Executive Officer of Sterling One Foundation, Olapeju Ibekwe, added, “We are commemorating both World Environment Day and World Oceans Day because we have realised that plastic has become a menace to our environment, health, and the sustainability of the earth.”

She said reducing plastic pollution is something that the Foundation has always prioritized. “We prioritise climate action and one of the ways we ensure that is by executing beach adoptions as part of our programming.

The Chief Scientist Officer of the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Bolaji Osinowo, spoke on behalf of the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, saying that the 2023 edition of World Environment Day’s focus on combating plastic pollution is timely, as that type of pollution is a major challenge to the global economy and the environment.