Sterling Bank promotes environmental sustainability

Sterling Bank Plc is taking a fresh look at ways of preserving the environment. The lender, in line with its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, has shown exceptional commitment to projects that promote environmental sustainability. These have earned it recognition at home and abroad.

From partnership with waste management authorities in over 15 states of the federation, tree planting projects, nationwide environmental cleanliness under the Sterling Environmental Make-Over (STEM), Sterling Bank has indeed given a new meaning to the concept of CSR and commitment to the good of society.

Right thinking organisations understand that their operations and the societies in which they conduct their business are in a symbiotic relationship. Hence, they see Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as core to their business existence because a company is only as successful as the communities where it operates.

For Sterling Bank Plc, the protection, preservation, cleaning, and beautification of the environment remain a priority. Its efforts in this direction have earned it recognition locally and internationally.

As a responsible organisation, the lender believes the government has a major role to play in fixing the myriad of problems in every community. It also thinks private organisations and business enterprises can partner with government in solving societal problems, especially as it concerns the environment.

The lender has CSR initiatives that are tailored towards meeting these needs of the society. For instance, over the years, it has supported initiatives aimed at identifying and promoting the preservation, protection and beautification of the environment. The bank works in collaboration with public institutions – state and local governments – to create a better environment.

These initiatives have made Sterling Bank’s name synonymous with the environment, earning it both local and international accolades. The reason for this is simple: the environment remains part of the Bank’s CSR focus.

From its waste management partnership with the various waste management authorities in over 15 states of the federation; its tree planting activities with target to plant a million trees in the next one year to checkmate desertification and deforestation; nationwide environmental cleaning exercises under its Sterling Environmental Make-Over (STEM) initiative, Sterling Bank has indeed given a new meaning to the concept of CSR in the country.

Abubakar Suleiman, Sterling Bank’s executive director explained that these projects were meant to create positive impact on the environment and society at large. Suleiman said: “We want to keep on doing the small things while we plan the big audacious ones. Each time you reach out to a child, mentor a troubled teen or join street sweepers to clean the streets, you are part of an unstoppable force to make our world a better place and that is what we want to achieve with this exercise. What Sterling Bank is doing is to preserve lives. When you look at primary healthcare, you will observe that the Bank sees life preservation as key to the growth of the society”.

Speaking further, he said “our experience has shown that corporates in Nigeria are desirous of partnering with financiers with insight into the workings of modern finance as many of these companies continue to seek more cost efficient ways of leveraging their balance for profit without necessarily relying on traditional bank borrowings. Many of these companies have partnered with Heritage Bank because of our cash management and electronic solutions which reduced operational cost.”

HOPE MOSES-ASHIKE