In continuation of its commitment to empower the girl child in select public secondary schools, Polaris Bank, Nigeria’s Best Digital Bank
has donated Kano, hundreds of school bags, uniforms, sandals, books and other educational items to indigent students in Abuja, Kano and Kogi States.
Over the course of five days, officials of the Bank visited the Government Girls Secondary School, Kundila, Kano; the Junior Secondary School, Maitama, the Government Secondary School, Garki, both in Abuja; and the Fortune Schools International, Lokoja, Kogi State where they inspired the children to go give their best in school and not give up despite life challenges.
Speaking on the Bank’s commitment and its huge investment in the programme, Polaris Bank’s Group Head, North 1 & Abuja, Mr Osazuwa Igbinoba, who represented the Bank at the events, said that the programme was one of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) interventions, and noted that over time, it has partnered with several NGOs on the project.
“This project is the Girl Child Education initiative. The aim of the
Bank is to support the Girl Child in Nigeria by empowering them. In
the last few years, we have partnered with the Evolve Charity, and we
have been able to distribute educational materials all over the
country.
“Polaris Bank is also a member of the United Nations Environment
Programme Finance Initiative working with UNESCO to sustain education
in third world countries. According to available research, Nigeria has
about 10 million out-of-school children, of which six million of them
are girls. So, for us as an organisation, we thought of how we could
contribute our own quota towards reducing the number of out-of-school
children, and that’s how we came about partnering on this project with
Evolve Charity. And our aim is to empower 50,000 children in five
years and that’s why we are here,” Igbinoba said.
He disclosed that the programme, is in its third year, and has seen
the distribution of vital educational items in schools in Lagos, Kano,
Abuja, and Kogi.
The vice principal, Administration of Government Secondary School,
Garki, Mrs Onuoha Goodluck, thanked Polaris Bank for the donations,
saying that it would help the children in many ways.
“Many of our children come from poor homes, where feeding is a
problem, and paying school fees is even a bigger challenge for their
parents. Some of them are always ashamed to even bring out their
school bags because of the state they are in. Now, with this
initiative, you will see them in a different light from next week in
their new bags, new school uniforms and new sandals. We thank Polaris
Bank for this and for doing it yearly because they were here last
year, and we saw the impact,” she said.
One of the beneficiaries, Fatima Kabir, a JSS3 student of Government
Secondary School, Garki, said the gesture by Polaris Bank would aid
her in her aim to become a lawyer in the future.
“I want to thank Polaris Bank because these school materials will
assist me in my dream to become a lawyer and fight for justice for
other girls,” said Kabir. “I know I can do it even though it will be
hard, but with God and the support of others, it is possible.”
At the government Girls Senior Secondary School in Kundila, Kano, the
Polaris Bank team was welcomed by hundreds of excited students and
teachers. They were happy to receive the items and cheered loudly when
The beneficiaries were called out.
The principal of the school, Aisha Shehu Yakasai, described the
gesture from Polaris Bank as “timely and wonderful”.
“Our girls here struggle with getting to and from school because their
parents have little money. Many carry their books in their hands and
wear old uniforms, so these items are timely and wonderful. We are
most grateful for this donation,” she said.
Speaking in the same vein, the principal, Fortune Schools
International, Lokoja, Kogi State, Mrs Abu Omanyo Esther said “Our
school benefited from this initiative last year and we are so elated
to be among the beneficiaries again this year. The impact of providing
these educational materials for these kids cannot be overemphasised
as without them, learning can become an uphill task. With a reported
six million girl children out of school in Nigeria, all hands must be
on deck to remedy the situation and this is why we thank Polaris Bank
for this initiative.”
The Polaris Bank, Evolve Charity Girl Child Education school essential
items presentation project train will be in Rivers and Imo states in
the coming days.
Polaris Bank is a digital-forward Bank dedicated to forging a
customer-focused future through innovative partnerships that reshape
individuals, businesses, and communities.
