Sterling One Foundation has announced its partnership with First Exploration & Petroleum Development Company to adopt two beaches for two years each.
This is in commemoration of World Cleanup Day. The adoption aims to build capacity and create jobs for women and youth in the coastal communities through education on proper waste recycling and weekly sanitation activities on the beaches.
Speaking on the partnership, the General Manager, Corporate Services or First E&P, Mr. Emmanuel Etomi, said “FIRST E&P is wholeheartedly committed to carbon footprint reduction, environmental conservation, and protection. The collaboration with the Sterling One Foundation on the beach clean-up project has provided an opportunity to expand our efforts.
Our commitment to this project is strengthened by our unique ambition to develop a bold African-focused Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) agenda. Our approach supports diversity and inclusion through improved community livelihood, as well as environmental protection.
We are committed to creating a positive impact on women and youths in these communities that will empower and support the growth of a circular economy. We are proud to be partners on this sustainable long-term approach.”
Mrs. Olapeju Ibekwe, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Sterling One Foundation expressed appreciation to FIRST E&P on the partnership stating that the Foundation is excited at the possibilities of improved quality of life and health it portends for the youth and women in the coastal communities and the immediate environment.
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“The Sustainable goals can only be achieved when stakeholders unite and harness resources towards fighting climate action while ensuring poverty reduction in all its forms. This is why we are excited and grateful for this partnership with FIRST E&P as we are always looking to collaborate with like-minded impact focused organizations to empower youth, create jobs, promote a cleaner, healthier environment with the sole aim of reducing inequalities, creating wealth, increasing inclusion, and reducing poverty. We are confident our partnership with First E&P will achieve all these and more and we are grateful for this opportunity”.
She expressed delight in welcoming the volunteers who turned out to join in the execution of the clean-up exercise of the beaches stating that the beach adoption and clean up exercise, which began with Eleko, and Alpha beaches were part of the programme designed by the foundation to rid Nigeria’s beaches of waste and make them a better environment for tourists while fighting plastic pollution. The programme was also designed to build the capacity of the youth and women in the community on recycling and proper waste management including creating jobs for them.
She expressed gratitude to the community leadership, partners, and volunteers for making the exercise an extremely successful one.
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The CEO noted that the foundation was passionate about creating an environment that would be safe and healthy for all to live in and reiterated commitment to working with various partners across the public and private sectors including civil society groups to heed the call to keep our environment orderly and functional through sustainable living actions, initiatives, and regular cleaning.
She highlighted that the Foundation began its beach adoption earlier this year with the adoption of Eleko and Alpha beaches adding that the adoption of Lafiaji and Iwerekun beaches brings to four the number of adopted beaches. The World Clean-up Day unites over 180 countries, communities and over 50 million volunteers across the world for clean-up exercises, promoting the need for proper management of waste and raising global awareness and action for a cleaner planet.