Sterling Bank Plc has challenged media practitioners to embrace self and national sustainability as a means of stimulating Nigeria’s economic growth and development.
Mrs Bunmi Ajiboye, Chief of Staff to the Executive Director of Sterling Financial Holdings Company, made the call at a two-day virtual workshop for media practitioners held across the country on Wednesday.
The training, organised by Sterling Holding Company in partnership with Climate Africa Media Initiative and Centre (CAMIC), was part of activities to mark the 2025 National Sustainability Week.
Speaking on Sterling’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes, Ajiboye said the role of the media in helping Nigeria eradicate poverty and achieve its developmental goals could not be overemphasised.
She noted that Sterling Bank’s collaboration with the media would significantly impact the lives of Nigerians, particularly women and youths.
Ajiboye explained that the bank’s CSR initiatives are embedded in its core business strategy, known as the H.E.A.R.T sectors — Health, Education, Agriculture, Renewable Energy and Transport.
According to her, the bank deliberately partners with relevant organisations to achieve progress in the five sectors.
“We believe that if we can fix these five sectors, which are major components in our service as a bank, Nigeria will be great,” she said.
Ajiboye, who is also an environmental technologist, disclosed that Sterling Bank customers no longer pay money transfer and maintenance charges as part of efforts to ease financial burdens and promote inclusion.
In a separate presentation, Mr Pius Alabi advised media practitioners not to rely solely on predictable sources of funding to survive.
He urged media organisations to explore diverse revenue streams, noting that despite the challenges confronting the media industry, owners must develop high-value business-to-business products, adopt value-for-value models and build audience-centric revenue strategies to ensure sustainability.