A non-governmental organisation, Sterling One Foundation, has pledged to strengthen its partnership with the Lagos State Government on environmental sustainability.
Its Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Olapeju Ibekwe, disclosed this in an interview on the sidelines of the Lagos International Water Conference (LIWAC) in Lagos.
Ibekwe said the Foundation was excited at the vision of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu in ensuring that Lagos State becomes one of the global mega cities in the world.
“We are proud of such a vision.
“We are also committed to supporting Mr Governor with reference to the environment in Lagos State.
“We are excited about the partnership because Sterling One Foundation is committed to enabling partnerships for the sustainable development goals,” Ibekwe said.
According to her, water is one of the major areas under the environment.
She said that water constituted over 50 per cent of the environment and was critical as a basic right and for the achievement of the sustainable goals of the United Nations.
Ibekwe said that water played a critical role at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic because of its use in the regular washing of hands in conformity with the pandemic protocol.
“Water is also critical for good health for women and children,” she said.
Also, Mr Raheem Owodeyi, Executive Director, Sterling Bank, said that the bank had always prioritised the environment as one of its key pillars and focus areas when it comes to CSR.
He said that Sterling Bank was also prioritising the “HEART” ( acronym for Health, Education, Agriculture, Renewable energy and Transport) sectors for its financial and social investment.
“At Sterling Bank, we believe that these sectors are essential for the development of any economy across the world.
“Supporting LIWAC is completely in line with our strategy in the HEART sectors and also in line with our focus on the environment as our focus sector for CSR,” Owodeyi said.
He said that LIWAC 2021 was the debut of the bank, but it had been supporting the environment sector for over a decade.
“We have spent over a billion Naira this decade in supporting the environment — waste management, not just in Lagos State, but over 20 states across Nigeria.
“We have supported environment sustainability, water mañagement, including water waste and also safeguarding the environment from water pollution, and will continue in this light,” Owodeyi said.
By Fabian Ekeruche
