Polaris Bank has continued its commitment to empowering the Nigerian girl-child through health education and essential support, as it distributed hygiene essentials to female students of Kuramo and Victoria Island Junior and Senior Secondary Schools, Lagos.
According to the bank, the initiative stems from Polaris Bank’s 2025 International Women’s Day celebration and forms part of its 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, emphasising 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 lifelong 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 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,” 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 asserted that its support for the girl-child aligns with its 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.
