Polaris Bank has continued its commitment to empowering the Nigerian girl-child through health education and essential support, with the successful distribution of female hygiene essentials to female students of Kuramo and Victoria Island Junior and Senior Secondary Schools, Lagos.
This initiative stems from Polaris Bank’s 2025 International Women’s Day celebration and forms part of our ongoing Adolescent Health and Hygiene Support Programme.
Through the Bank’s Girl-Child Support and Hygiene Education Initiative, the outreach aims to improve menstrual hygiene education, build confidence and dignity among young girls, and reduce school absenteeism resulting from lack of access to sanitary products.
Speaking at the event, Group Head, Customer Experience & Value Management, Polaris Bank, Mrs. Bukola Oluyadi, delivered a practical health talk to the girls, emphasizing the importance of maintaining proper hygiene during their menstrual cycle and in their daily lives.
She advised the students on essential personal care practices including the appropriate use of sanitary pads, the importance of daily use of clean underwear, and maintaining good body hygiene with deodorants and regular washing, especially during puberty when their bodies are developing.
“Your body is precious, and how you take care of it determines your confidence and wellbeing,” Mrs. Oluyadi told the students. “Good hygiene is not just about looking clean; it is about staying healthy, feeling comfortable, and showing up confidently in school and everywhere you go.”
She also encouraged the girls to cultivate life-long healthy habits, be informed about their bodies, and speak confidently about their health needs.
Also present at the distribution was the Non-Executive Director of Polaris Bank, Mrs. Subulade Giwa-Amu, who delivered a powerful motivational session on self-care, confidence, and self-presentation.
In her address, she reminded the girls that taking care of their appearance and hygiene contributes significantly to building a successful future.
“A clean girl equals a successful woman,” Mrs. Giwa-Amu affirmed. “Success is not only about your academic performance; it is also about how you present yourself. People see you before they know you, and first impressions always last. Loving yourself and caring for yourself should be a daily habit.”
She further encouraged the students to build confidence from within, stay self-assured, and always be conscious of their personal hygiene as young girls stepping into womanhood.
“Confidence starts with knowing who you are and being proud of yourself,” she added.
“When you take care of your body, you build respect for yourself, and others see that confidence reflected in how you speak, walk, and show up in the world.”
Polaris Bank’s support for the girl-child aligns with the Bank’s broader Sustainability and CSR strategy, which includes empowering young girls through education, access to essential learning materials, and social support systems that improve their health and academic performance.
The Bank believes that sustained investment in girls’ wellbeing ensures equal opportunity, reduces school dropout rates, and helps drive long-term social and economic development.
The female hygiene essentials distribution initiative directly addresses barriers that affect school attendance among adolescent girls, especially those who lack access to basic hygiene products.
By equipping students with knowledge and materials, Polaris Bank is helping to normalize conversations around menstruation, reduce stigma, and support healthier outcomes for young girls.