Yemisi Izuora
STERLING Bank Plc says it is fully committed to the environmental sustainability of the country saying 11 states in the country, as well as the Federal Capital Territory, would get a makeover on August 12, as the bank prepares to embark on this programme under its Sterling Bank Environmental Makeover, STEM.
Henry Bassey, chief marketing officer, Sterling Bank, stressed the need to create a cleaner environment for a sustainable nation, saying the STEM project was expected to have a lasting impact on the country particularly in respect to the environment. The states to benefit from the programme are Lagos, Oyo, Rivers, Abia, Kano, Kaduna, Kwara, Plateau, Enugu, Delta and Imo, as well as the Federal Capital Territory.
The bank, which is partnering a host of others including Lagos state government, DaarCommunications, as well as environment oriented companies, said it has also taken its environmental initiatives which it started with the Lagos Waste Management Agency, LAWMA, to 14 other states in the country.
“As a bank, we are big on the environment and are clearly going to sustain that. One of the ways to sustain this initiative is to build on the success of the STEM Programme which covers the provision of uniforms to street cleaners in 14 states, national cleaning exercise by Sterling Bank employees, and tree planting in Bauchi, Gombe and Plateau states to address the challenge of desertification.
“We cannot live a healthy life, conduct business and create wealth amidst waste or in a toxic environment. Without clean air, water, land and energy, our collective humanity is endangered. This makes it necessary for us to keep our environment orderly and functional through sustainable living actions and regular cleaning. Our goal is to lead the movement promoting environmental sustainability in Nigeria”, Bassey said.
He said STEM had evolved to become a movement which now touches lives. According to him, the bank wants to leave a lasting impact on the environment.