Gokada partners with Lagos State Government to plant 100,000 trees

Gokada announces a new partnership with the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK), in its quest to help the Lagos State Government achieve a greener and more livable city.

Together, Gokada and LASPARK have committed to planting 100,000 trees in Lagos over the next five years, starting with 10,000 trees this year. This is the single largest tree-planting initiative by a private sector player in Nigeria.

The partnership serves to demonstrate the company’s commitment to a carbon-neutral business model, designed to offer sustainable solutions for Nigeria’s critical transportation challenges.

This strategic partnership also marks the launch of LASPARK’s “100x25” Initiative, which seeks to bring together 25 private sector companies committed to planting at least 100,000 trees each, in support of the State’s objective of planting 10 million trees by 2020.

The partnership agreement was signed by Mr Kayode Adegbola, Director of Government and Regulatory Affairs for Gokada, and Mrs Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola, General Manager of LASPARK at the latter's Head Office in Lagos.

Kayode Adegbola said "Gokada is excited to partner with LASPARK on this important initiative, which deepens our relationship with Lagos State and forms a critical part of our strategy to operate a climate-neutral and environmentally conscious business; while addressing the State’s transportation challenges. We look forward to using this as a springboard to delivering cleaner in addition to safer and faster intra-city transportation for all Lagosians".

Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola adds “Lagos State has planted over 7.5 Million trees in the last 11 years. Gokada is our anchor partner and the first company to sign up to the initiative. Our intention is to bring together more forward-looking companies like Gokada, willing to take a bold step in the quest towards a greener Lagos”.

BONUS: Commentary from Benjamindada.com

So, this is a good move for four entities. One, Gokada—the company doing this, as it helps their brand perception as a forward-thinking and environmental-friendly organisation—simply, brand building.

Brand valuation is an intangible asset. So, good for balance sheet and looks good to investors.

Two, LASPARK—the environmental agency affiliated with Lagos State.

Metaphorically, Mrs Adebiyi-Abiola gets to advance her aim of migrating Lagos to a greener state (hence, seen to be delivering). And also, seduce other companies into following suit. Hence, the more companies partner with LASPARK, the faster they get to their 10-million-tree planting goal.