FCMB CSR project yields results in making handicrafts from water hyacinths

The social intervention training programme organised by First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited, a member of FCMB Group Plc is yielding positive results.

The project in partnership with MitiMeth which was meant for the people of Bayeku community in Ikorodu, Lagos State was geared towards the conversion of water hyacinths to make handicrafts. Participants have commenced the production of key-rings and other accessories for commercial purposes.

The training was initiated and sponsored by FCMB Limited as part of its environmental sustainability and poverty alleviation effort to curb the menace of water hyacinths –that is weeds that infest waterways that disrupt water transportation and fishing, while promoting general increase in several diseases. Infestation by water hyacinth is usually heavy on the waters surrounding Bayeku community at various times of the year, negatively impacting livelihoods – transportation, fishing and health – in the area.

During the training which took place between October and December 2015 at the community and coordinated by MitiMeth, a capacity building enterprise that specialises in making handicrafts from invasive aquatic materials, members of the community were trained on how to convert the hyacinth in making handicrafts such as baskets, lamps, vases, etc, for commercial purposes while at the same time preserving the environment.

Commenting on the strides recorded as a result of the initiative, the Team Lead, CSR and Sustainability of FCMB, Temitayo Ade-Peters, expressed excitement about the development. According to her the Bank’s intervention was borne out of its CSR mantra of, “Teach a man to fish’’. She added that, “With this capacity building and empowerment programme, we have been able to preserve the environment and empower people in the community to create additional sources of income thereby reducing poverty’’.

While commending the artisans for their commitment and feat attained so far, Mrs. Ade-Peters assured that, ‘’We will continue to innovatively devise means of converting challenges posed by the environment to opportunities in line with our values as a reliable and helpful financial institution. Additionally, we are committed to championing and supporting initiatives to make our planet a safe haven for us and the future generation’’

Upon successful completion of the workshop, co-operatives focused on converting the hyacinth to handicrafts such as baskets, lamps, vases, etc were established in the affected communities. With the new skills learnt, women and youths of Bayeku community have been empowered to turn a disadvantage into a source of income.

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited is a member of FCMB Group Plc, which is one of the leading financial services institutions in Nigeria with subsidiaries that are market leaders in their respective segments. Having successfully transformed to a retail and commercial banking-led group, FCMB expects to continue to distinguish itself by delivering exceptional services, while enhancing the growth and achievement of the personal and business aspirations of its customers.

 

IHEANYI NWACHUKWU