Pernod Ricard Nigeria,conservation foundation join forces for environmental sustainability

Pernod Ricard Nigeria, a subsidiary of the Pernod Ricard group, a global leader in wines and spirits, has partnered with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) to plant 3,000 trees across Nigeria. The tree planting exercise is under the Nurturing terroir pillar of Pernod Ricard’s sustainability and responsibility roadmap for 2030.

Business A.M gathered that the development is an ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability aimed at creating a greener and more sustainable environment that would guarantee a healthy future for Nigerians and other societies across the world.

Pernod Ricard, in  a statement, disclosed that the 2023  tree planting exercise kicked off with a symbolic event at Pan-Atlantic University, Lekki with employees of Pernod Ricard Nigeria and other guests participating in the tree planting exercise.

“A total of 3000 trees were planted across various locations of Nigeria including the Old Oyo National Park in Sepeteri, Oyo State, Omu Forest Reserve in Ogun State, Okomu National Park in Edo State, and Pan-Atlantic University (PAU) in Lagos State,” the company said.

The tree planting process was overseen by the NCF across the various locations,

ensuring the trees are properly cared for and maintained to ensure their growth. The 3000 trees planted in 2023 is an addition to the  2000 trees planted by Pernod Ricard and the NCF  across different locations across Nigeria in 2022.

Commenting on the exercise, Sola Oke, the managing director at Pernod Ricard Nigeria, emphasised the relevance of preserving agricultural lands.

This, Oke explained, is why the company is committed to nurturing every terroir and its biodiversity, and responding to the challenges of climate change to ensure quality ingredients now and for generations to come.

“All our products come from nature and take their distinct character from the land where they were grown. Our business is inherently dependent on the vitality of our agricultural ingredients,” he noted.

The managing director added that through the partnership, Pernod Ricard Nigeria aims to raise awareness about the need to protect and take care of the environment while encouraging individuals and organisations to take proactive steps towards building a sustainable future.

Joseph Onoja, director general, NCF, expressed the foundation’s excitement to see corporate organisations such as Pernod Ricard Nigeria committed to saving the planet through restoration and afforestation activities like tree planting.

In his words, ”The fresh air we breathe freely, the food we eat and enjoy, the drugs we take for healing, the shelter we have, are all derivatives of the forest.”

Onoja added that by engaging employees and the wider community, the organisation hopes to inspire a collective commitment to environmental conservation and create a lasting impact.