Polaris Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to empowering the Nigerian girl-child through health education and social 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.
According to the bank, the initiative was carried out as part of its 2025 International Women’s Day activities and falls under its ongoing Adolescent Health and Hygiene Support Programme, which focuses on improving the wellbeing and confidence of young girls.
The outreach, implemented through Polaris Bank’s Girl-Child Support and Hygiene Education Initiative, is designed to strengthen menstrual hygiene education, promote dignity and self-esteem, and reduce school absenteeism caused by limited access to sanitary products among female students.
Addressing the students at the event, the Group Head, Customer Experience and Value Management at Polaris Bank, Mrs Bukola Oluyadi, delivered an interactive health talk focused on proper hygiene practices, particularly during menstruation and adolescence.
Mrs Oluyadi educated the girls on essential personal care routines, including the correct use of sanitary pads, the importance of wearing clean underwear daily, and maintaining overall body hygiene through regular bathing and the use of deodorants, especially during puberty.
She stressed that good hygiene plays a vital role in physical health, emotional comfort, and self-confidence. According to her, young girls who understand and care for their bodies are better positioned to thrive academically and socially.
“Your body is precious, and how you take care of it determines your confidence and wellbeing,” she 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 further encouraged the students to develop lifelong healthy habits, become knowledgeable about their bodies, and speak confidently about their health needs without fear or shame.
Also present at the event was the Non-Executive Director of Polaris Bank, Mrs Subulade Giwa-Amu, who delivered a motivational session centred on self-care, confidence, and positive self-presentation as foundations for future success.
In her address, Mrs Giwa-Amu emphasised that personal hygiene and appearance play an important role in shaping how individuals are perceived and how they perceive themselves. She noted that success extends beyond academic performance to include self-respect and confidence.
“A clean girl equals a successful woman,” she said. “People see you before they know you, and first impressions always last. Loving yourself and caring for yourself should be a daily habit.”
She encouraged the students to build confidence from within, remain self-assured, and consciously practise good hygiene as they transition into womanhood, adding that confidence is reflected in how one speaks, walks, and interacts with others.
Polaris Bank stated that the initiative aligns with its broader sustainability and corporate social responsibility strategy, which prioritises girl-child empowerment through education, access to essential resources, and social interventions that enhance health outcomes and academic performance.