• Thursday, March 28, 2024
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Sterling Bank, Bonnie Bio lead Nigeria’s multi-city beach cleanup

Sterling Bank, Bonnie Bio lead Nigeria’s multi-city beach cleanup

Sterling Bank through its Sterling One Foundation in collaboration with Bonnie Bio and other corporate organisations are leading the charge in a multi- city cleanup initiative to save Nigeria’s beaches and coastlines.

To this end, a five-man governance board was constituted to provide support, guidance, and oversight to the continent’s most ambitious clean- up programme seeking to keep Nigeria’s beaches along the 853km coastal line clean and fresh.

“And to be clear, we are not just cleaning beaches to feel good. We are protecting marine life, creating jobs in coastal communities and recycling waste to promote project sustainability,” said Abubakar Suleiman, CEO, Sterling Bank Plc, who also initiated the multi- city beach clean-up exercise.

According to Suleiman, the initiative is about acting proactively for a better society. He opined that the multi-city beach clean-up showcases what happens when the people take centre stage towards sustainable development.

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On the governance board, Suleiman said the committee members will bring their vast experience in recycling, environmental management and science to benefit the over 2000 volunteers who are committed to keeping beaches clean and safe from a leadership perspective.

Lanre Adesida, MD/ CEO, Bonnie Bio Nigeria Ltd, said the company aligned with the initiative because of the environmentally friendly nature of the multi- city beach cleanup.

“Our products are all made from natural corn and vegetable ingredients with no chemical additives to ensure non-toxicity and allow for complete composting and biodegradability, yet they are as sturdy as traditional plastic,” said Adesida.

Taiwo Adewole, executive director, Recycle Points, a waste recycling and social benefit venture based in Lagos, said the initiative will empower community people with the over 40 recycling companies in Lagos.

The governance board members consist of environmentalists like Taiwo Adewole, a member of the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management (IIRSM), and International Solid Waste Association ( ISWA). Bilikiss Adebiyi- Abiola, experienced administrator and social entrepreneur, is the director- general, records and archives and founder of Wecyclers. And, Akanbi Williams, a director of the International Ocean Institute ( IOI- Nigeria) and chief research officer at the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research in the Fisheries Resource Department (Marine Biology section).