Polaris Bank, in partnership with Evolve Trust Charity, has extended its school essentials program to Gbaja Girls (Junior and Senior) High School, Surulere, Lagos. The initiative, which took place on Wednesday, is part of the bank’s ongoing commitment to empowering students in public schools across Nigeria.
Since the partnership began in 2021, over 15,000 students across 35 public schools in nine states, including Lagos, Kano, Kogi, Imo, and the FCT, have benefited. The initiative provides essential school items such as bags, uniforms, sandals, books, and pens while also offering brain training techniques, emotional intelligence education, and teacher training—all fully sponsored by Polaris Bank.
Speaking at the event, Polaris Bank’s Executive Director, Corporate and Investment Banking, Mrs. Abimbola Ozomah, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to promoting quality education, particularly for the girl-child. She highlighted that Polaris Bank, as a signatory to the United Nations’ Principles for Responsible Banking, aligns its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“This event is not just about distributing educational materials but empowering girls for bigger roles because educated girls grow into informed women. At Polaris Bank, we are committed to bridging the educational gap, empowering girls, and building sustainability in line with global frameworks,” Ozomah stated.
According to data from UNESCO, Nigeria has about 10.5 million out-of-school children, with six million of them being girls. Ozomah encouraged the students to embrace education as a tool for personal and national development, assuring them of the bank’s continued support.
“Education is the most powerful tool at your disposal, and you must utilize it to the maximum. Polaris Bank will not relent in supporting this mission to empower girls who will drive the needed change to better our country and world,” she added.
Programme Manager at Evolve Trust Charity, Ejeh Godwin, expressed gratitude to Polaris Bank for its unwavering support since the partnership began in 2021.
“We couldn’t have come this far without Polaris Bank’s support. Thanks to them, we have expanded our reach and hope to bring more schools on board this year,” he said.
The Principal of Gbaja Girls Junior High School, Mrs. Dabiri Nwabuoku Adetoun Iyabo, also appreciated the bank for including the school in its intervention program.
“You can feel the energy in the hall—the students are happy, and so are the staff. This has boosted our morale, and we are incredibly grateful,” she noted.
One of the beneficiaries, Assistant Senior Girl Bankole Oreofeoluwa Emmanuella, thanked Polaris Bank for the gesture, promising to put the items to good use.
“My friends and I are happy about this gesture from Polaris Bank. These items will further ease our learning, and we promise to not only use them well but also maintain them properly,” she said.
The event concluded with the presentation of school essentials to the students by officials from Polaris Bank and Evolve Trust Charity.