‘Issues of the environment and climate change should always be on the front burner’

By Walter Akpani

(Text of remarks by Mr Walter Akpani, Managing Director/CEO, ProvidusBank on the occasion of the World Poetry Day 2021 with the theme Voices in the Cause of Earth)

PERMIT me to begin my remarks by quoting the respected Wangari Maathai, winner of the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize, when she said:

“The issue of climate change…does bring home the fact that we are on one planet, and that some of the impact of what human beings do in one corner of the world is going to affect people in a distant corner of the world. So, we may still feel very far from each other, but we are really very close to each other….” 

Issues of the environment and climate change should always be on the front burner. They should always be a talking point and part of the conversation we have in our everyday lives on preserving the earth, which was given to us and which we will also leave for the generations that will occupy after we have all departed.

This year’s World Poetry Day celebration by ProvidusBank focuses on climate change and the environment with the special theme: Voices in the Cause of Earth.

Just in case we are still at a loss about what the issues are, please permit me to quote Sir David Attenborough when he said: “The truth is the natural world is changing. And we are totally dependent on that world. It provides our food, water, and air. It is the most precious thing we have, and we need to depend on it.” 

Indeed, Sir Attenborough was a voice in the cause of the earth.

We have gathered other voices today to amplify the need to protect the earth and these voices come from Nigeria. 

The World Poetry Day event for 2020 was cancelled at the eleventh hour. I suppose that much of the world was put on hold in a year that could be aptly described as Annus Horribilis. Following the pandemic, a new normal has been instituted upon the world, which has necessitated us staging this event here in Eko Hotel instead of the cozy ambience of our banking hall.

I must, however, on behalf of ProvidusBank, thank Prof. Wole Soyinka for putting together these voices and literary minds. As you would come to find out, some are young, impressionable, and budding. They will be supported by other stronger voices and literary personages. These include our Special Guest Poet, Odia Ofeimun who turned seventy last year. I am also aware that Prof will be joined in the grand finale performance by the legendary matriarch of stage and television, Taiwo Ajai-Lycett, who also turned 80 last month. They both will be joined by another dyed-in-the-wool actor, Bimbo Manuel. 

Before I vacate the podium and take my seat to enjoy today’s feast of words, I thought to also mention that ProvidusBank partnered with Nigeria Climate Innovation Center (NCIC), towards a mutual collaboration to drive and develop the growth of the Nigerian Green Economy by providing debt financing support to eligible climate-friendly or green businesses across the country.

An initial sum of N500 Million has been earmarked by ProvidusBank to achieve the primary objective of this partnership.

In addition, we have also set up an in-house Green Desk in conjunction with NCIC to drive issues relating to conservation and environment sustainability in the Bank. We hope our little efforts will go more than a mile.

Lastly, I wish to thank you all for honouring our invitation to this year’s event. I now invite you to sit back, relax and enjoy the ensuing feast of poetic fervour.