Polaris Bank has sustained its focus on girl-child empowerment through health education and practical support, as it distributed hygiene essentials to female students of Kuramo Junior and Senior Secondary School and Victoria Island Junior and Senior Secondary School in Lagos. The outreach formed part of the bank’s Adolescent Health and Hygiene Support Programme and followed activities marking its 2025 International Women’s Day celebration.
The bank said the initiative was designed to address key challenges facing adolescent girls, particularly issues around menstrual hygiene, self-confidence and school attendance. Through its Girl-Child Support and Hygiene Education Initiative, Polaris Bank aims to improve awareness about menstrual health, promote dignity and confidence among young girls, and reduce absenteeism caused by lack of access to sanitary products.
The event brought together school authorities, students and representatives of Polaris Bank, who engaged the girls through interactive sessions and health education talks. Hygiene packs containing essential items such as sanitary pads and personal care materials were distributed to the students to support them in managing their menstrual cycle and daily hygiene needs.
Speaking during the outreach, the Group Head, Customer Experience and Value Management at Polaris Bank, Mrs Bukola Oluyadi, addressed the students on the importance of maintaining proper hygiene, especially during menstruation and puberty. She explained that personal hygiene plays a critical role in overall health, confidence and academic performance, particularly at a stage when young girls are experiencing physical and emotional changes.
Mrs Oluyadi gave practical advice on the correct use of sanitary pads, stressing the need for regular changing to prevent infections and discomfort. She also spoke on the importance of wearing clean underwear daily, bathing regularly, and maintaining good body hygiene with deodorants and proper washing routines. According to her, these habits are essential not only during menstruation but as part of everyday life.
She encouraged the girls to see personal hygiene as a form of self-respect and self-care, noting that how they take care of their bodies can influence their confidence and wellbeing. She urged them to seek accurate information about their bodies, ask questions when necessary, and speak openly about their health needs without fear or shame.
Mrs Oluyadi told the students that good hygiene goes beyond appearance, adding that it helps them stay healthy, comfortable and confident both in school and in their interactions with others. She advised them to adopt healthy habits early in life, as these habits would serve them well into adulthood.
Also present at the event was a Non-Executive Director of Polaris Bank, Mrs Subulade Giwa-Amu, who delivered a motivational talk focused on self-care, confidence and personal presentation. She reminded the students that caring for their hygiene and appearance contributes significantly to building a positive image and a successful future.
Mrs Giwa-Amu told the girls that success is not measured only by academic achievements but also by how individuals present themselves and relate with others. She explained that first impressions often play an important role in opportunities people receive, and personal hygiene is a key part of making a good impression.
She encouraged the students to build confidence from within, emphasising that self-confidence begins with self-awareness and self-respect. According to her, when young girls take care of their bodies and appearance, they develop a sense of pride and confidence that reflects in their behaviour, communication and outlook on life.
Mrs Giwa-Amu also urged the girls to make self-care a daily habit and to see it as an investment in their future. She advised them to remain conscious of their personal hygiene as they transition into womanhood, adding that confidence and discipline developed at a young age can shape their personal and professional lives later on.
School officials at the event welcomed the initiative and described it as timely, noting that many students face challenges accessing menstrual hygiene products. They said such programmes help to create awareness, reduce stigma around menstruation and encourage girls to stay in school during their menstrual period.
Polaris Bank stated that the outreach aligns with its broader corporate social responsibility and sustainability strategy, which focuses on education, health and social inclusion. The bank explained that empowering the girl-child through access to essential resources and knowledge is central to improving long-term outcomes in education and community development.
According to the bank, initiatives like the Adolescent Health and Hygiene Support Programme are aimed at creating a supportive environment where young girls can learn, grow and pursue their goals without avoidable barriers. By providing hygiene essentials and health education, the bank said it hopes to contribute to improved school attendance, better health outcomes and increased self-confidence among female students.
The bank reaffirmed its commitment to supporting programmes that promote gender inclusion and youth development, noting that investments in the wellbeing of young girls have lasting benefits for families, communities and the wider society. It added that similar initiatives would continue as part of its efforts to make a positive social impact across Nigeria.
