The SSCI has become the reference programme for institutions
that intend to take issues of sustainability initiatives seriously. Since
aligning with the provisions of the SSCI, DBN has been able to drive a deeper
understanding of its already established mandate of serving society, providing
financial viability, and environmental sustainability within its operations.
As part of DBN’s commitment to sustainability, the Bank
recently celebrated World Environmental Day, where it undertook the commitment
of restoring green spaces on school grounds.in select schools in Abuja and
Lagos. The bank also set up a financial endowment fund to “Green Clubs” in
these schools.
The bank also announced its partnership with MOE +Art
Architecture, a local sustainability-enabled design and architecture firm
focused on creating sustainable practices and methodologies, to research, test,
and archive local indigenous sustainable materials from four geographical
locations in Nigeria.
Upon being awarded the SSCI completion certificate, DBN has
been inducted into the local and global European Organization for Sustainable
Development (EOSD) family, which houses banks across Africa, Asia, Europe, and
South America, which are already a member-institutions of the initiative.
The Bank’s Managing Director, Tony Okpanachi appreciated the
World Development Finance Forum for the award, assuring that the bank will not
relent in efforts to deepen its investments around sustainability standards.
In his words “The award shows the strides we are achieving
as an organization. Since we were inducted into the SSCI last year, we have
realized a lot of benefits. Some of which are increased innovation in key
sustainability-related processes, development of high-impact goals and purpose
statements, creating an innovation and stakeholder management framework.
“This has enabled us at DBN to be a part of this historic
event as DBN is the only Development Finance Institution in Nigeria and one of
the very few in Africa earning the highest accreditation level (Level 5) and
look forward to deepening our commitment to sustainability in the days ahead,”
he said.
We also realize the benefit of attaining the highest
possible level of Stage 5 rating in an elite accreditation forum such as the
Sustainability Standards and Certification Initiative (SSCI) and we do not take
it for granted.”
While receiving the award on behalf of the Bank, Executive
Director, Finance and Corporate Services; Ijeoma Ozulumba said “We have
envisioned increased opportunities for internal development, collaborations,
and partnerships, and since we have been a part of the SSCI, we have experienced
nothing short of that, we have created a system that works best for our
structure and have held ourselves accountable to our stakeholders”
The Development Bank of Nigeria was conceived by the Federal
Government of Nigeria in collaboration with global development partners to
address major financing challenges facing Micro, Small, Medium Enterprises
(MSMEs). The Bank’s main objective is to mobilize financing for Nigeria’s
economic diversification, serve the unserved and underserved MSME market
segment while facilitating innovative and eco-friendly solutions for the
marketplace.
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