As part of efforts to preserve the environment, Continental Reinsurance is collaborating with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) to plant 2,000 trees.
The tree planting initiative was launched at the Lekki Conservation Centre in Lagos State, with sponsorship from Continental Reinsurance and was led by Chukwuemeka Akwiwu, the Executive Director, Technical Operations for the tree planting.
Akwiwu pointed out that the initiative, which promotes a green environment, will be a continuous support to NCF, added that “At Continental Re, we are pleased to support this noble cause with the initial donation of 2,000 trees for now, which will be used as we foster a healthier, greener Nigeria. This is just the beginning and I intend that we should be having this conversation on an annual basis.”
The partnership between Continental Reinsurance and NCF began last year when it was highlighted at the ninth Continental Reinsurance CEO Summit in Zimbabwe, where NCF’s participation inspired insurance industry leaders by showcasing the vital work NCF does and demonstrating how companies can support such impactful initiatives and has since grown stronger.
According to Akwiwu, the tree planting session is not just a ceremonial act, but a symbol of hope and a tangible step towards combating climate change, restoring the ecosystem and securing a sustainable future for generations to come.
Uchenna Achunine, Director of Business Development and Communications, Nigerian Conservation Foundation, said Continental Reinsurance is a special partner in the advocacy for nature conservation and activities that are geared towards building a better environment for all.
Achunine highlighted the importance of partnerships in achieving ambitious environmental goals and emphasised the role of NCF in helping restore Nigeria’s forest cover to 25 percent by 2047.
“Today, we have between four and eight percent forest cover, depending on whose statistics you are using. Some statistics say it is four percent, some say seven percent, but it is not more than eight percent of the quality forest cover we have today and it is quite well below what the standard is. Before, we had more than 25 percent forest cover. So, our project is targeted at trying to see if we can recover Nigeria’s forest cover to 25 percent by 2047,” Achunine stated.
Continental Reinsurance is the largest private pan-African composite reinsurer that writes businesses in more than 50 African countries and they are serviced from its six client service centres in Nigeria, Cameroon, Kenya, Côte d’Ivoire, Botswana and Tunisia.