Polaris Bank, Evolve Trust Charity Provide School Essentials to Gbaja Girls Secondary School
Polaris Bank, in partnership with Evolve Trust Charity, has extended its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative to Gbaja Girls (Junior and Senior) High School, Surulere, Lagos, as part of its ongoing efforts to support education and empower young learners, particularly the girl-child.
The school intervention, held on Wednesday, saw the distribution of essential learning materials, including school bags, uniforms, sandals, books, and pens, to students. Additionally, the program featured brain training techniques, emotional intelligence education, and teacher training, all sponsored by Polaris Bank.
Since its inception in 2021, the partnership between Polaris Bank and Evolve Trust Charity has impacted over 15,000 students across 35 public schools in nine states, including Lagos, Kano, Kogi, Imo, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of Corporate and Investment Banking at Polaris Bank, Mrs. Abimbola Ozomah, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to bridging the educational gap and supporting the girl-child. She noted that as a signatory to the United Nations’ Principles for Responsible Banking, Polaris Bank aligns its initiatives with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in promoting quality education and gender equality.
“This event is not just about distributing educational materials but about empowering girls for bigger roles because educated girls grow into informed women,” Ozomah said. “At Polaris Bank, we are committed to bridging the educational gap, empowering girls, and building sustainability in alignment with global frameworks.”
According to UNESCO data, Nigeria has approximately 10.5 million out-of-school children, with six million of them being girls. Ozomah emphasized that Polaris Bank’s intervention aligns with its sustainability efforts aimed at reducing the out-of-school population and increasing access to quality education.
“Education is the most powerful tool at your disposal, and you must utilize it to the maximum,” she urged the students. “Polaris Bank will not relent in supporting this laudable mission to empower girls who will drive the change needed to better our country and the world.”
Ejeh Godwin, Programme Manager at Evolve Trust Charity, lauded Polaris Bank’s unwavering support since the partnership began in 2021.
“We couldn’t have done this alone or come this far without Polaris Bank’s support,” Godwin said. “We’ve expanded our reach and hope to bring more schools on board this year, all thanks to their commitment.”
The Principal of Gbaja Girls Junior High School, Mrs. Dabiri Nwabuoku Adetoun Iyabo, expressed gratitude to Polaris Bank for including the school in the 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 said.
One of the beneficiaries, Assistant Senior Girl Bankole Oreofeoluwa Emmanuella, also thanked Polaris Bank for the initiative, promising to make good use of the items provided.
“My friends and I are happy about this gesture from Polaris Bank, and we will use these materials well,” she said.
With this initiative, Polaris Bank continues to demonstrate its commitment to fostering education and empowering future leaders in Nigeria.
