By Seun Ibiyemi
Fidelity Bank Plc, in partnership with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), has donated three large recycling bins to Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Lagos, to promote environmental sustainability and encourage recycling among students.
The donation was a highlight of the 2025 “Walk for Nature” event, which took place at the institution over the weekend.
The event, themed “Lagos, Let’s Beat Plastic Pollution,” was a collaborative effort involving the NCF and the Lagos State Government, designed to raise awareness about the dangers of plastic pollution and the importance of adopting sustainable environmental practices.
Speaking at the event, Cynthia Ogbonna, Fidelity Bank’s Head of Brand Management, confirmed the donation aligns with the bank’s deep commitment to reducing waste and fostering environmental consciousness, particularly among the youth.
“In line with our sustainability agenda, we are donating three large recycling bins to YABATECH to encourage recycling among students,” Ogbonna stated. “We believe that lasting change begins with everyday habits that protect our environment.”
Fidelity Bank highlighted its broader environmental initiatives, which include ongoing recycling partnerships with schools, tree planting campaigns, and the promotion of eco-friendly infrastructure across communities in Nigeria.
The bank reaffirmed its long-standing partnership with the NCF and the Lagos State Government, emphasizing that collective action is essential for combating plastic pollution and fostering a cleaner, greener future.
The event drew participation from government officials, corporate partners, students, and environmental advocates who joined the awareness walk within the YABATECH community.
Hon. Justice R.I.B. Adebiyi, Chairman of the NCF National Executive Council, delivered a keynote address, describing the initiative as a critical step in addressing plastic pollution, one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time.
Justice Adebiyi noted the urgency of the matter, citing that Lagos State, with over 15 million residents, generates thousands of tonnes of waste daily, necessitating continued leadership in sustainable waste management practices.
She explained the significance of hosting the event at the institution: “For the first time, we are taking this awareness campaign directly to a tertiary institution because young people represent the energy and innovation needed to build a cleaner future.”
She stressed that the donated bins are not merely waste containers but “symbols of learning, responsibility, and change.”
Justice Adebiyi commended the Lagos State Government for its “progressive and visionary policy” to ban single-use plastics below 40 microns, noting that the measure will significantly reduce waste generation and promote recycling across the state.
Solving the problem of plastic pollution, she concluded, fundamentally requires behavioral change and community involvement. “If we can change how people think, we can change how they act. And if we can change how they act, we can change the future of our environment,” she stated.