Lagos State and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have praised First Bank of Nigeria Limited for its support of a mangrove restoration project linked to the recently held E1 Lagos GP, an all-electric powerboat racing championship.
The initiative, spearheaded by Team Drogba in collaboration with E1 and the local organising committee, included a tree planting event at Eco Park, Akodo-Ise in the Ibeju Lekki area of Lagos on Sunday. This project forms part of a broader strategy to protect communities bordering the Lagoon through environmental conservation efforts.
Samuel Egube, deputy chief of staff and chairman of the E1 Lagos GP local organising committee, acknowledged First Bank’s vital role in this venture during his speech at Eco Park. He expressed his gratitude, stating, “This initiative aligns with Lagos state’s plan to ensure that communities bordering the Lagoon are well protected. We commend First Bank for their unwavering support.”
Rosemary Agbo, senior programme assistant to the national coordinator of UNDP – Global Environment, Facilities and Small Grants, also highlighted the importance of corporate partnerships in environmental sustainability. “It’s truly exciting to see a force for good like First Bank supporting this project,” Agbo remarked. “We look forward to such partnerships across the country.”
Responding to the commendations, Olayinka Ijabiyi, acting group head of marketing and corporate communications at First Bank, reiterated the bank’s dedication to sustainability. “Supporting sustainability is one of our key business drivers,” he noted. “We are committed to enhancing the resilience of Lagos’s coastal environment and communities. The act of planting trees here is crucial for us, and we are delighted to be part of the E1 Lagos GP. This initiative shows that we are deeply woven into the fabric of society.”
The E1 Lagos GP, notable as Africa’s first all-electric powerboat racing championship, features teams owned by prominent figures in sports and entertainment, further underscoring the spirit of innovation and environmental responsibility in the region.
