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Polaris Bank Champions Accelerating Action at International Women’s Day Seminar

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Cross Section of Secondary School Students who attended Polaris Bank’s IWD Seminar held in Lagos

Lagos, Nigeria – March 24, 2025 – Polaris Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment through its International Women’s Day (IWD) Seminar, themed: “Accelerating Action: Breaking Barriers & Creating Equal Opportunities”. The event provided a platform for thought leaders, professionals, and advocates to emphasize the urgent need to accelerate action towards gender equality by breaking barriers and creating equal opportunities for women across all sectors. Speaking at the event, Polaris Bank’s Executive Director, Mrs. Abimbola Ozomah conveyed greetings from the Managing Director/CEO, Management, and Staff of the Bank, highlighting the importance of the day. “International Women’s Day is a moment to recognize the remarkable achievements, contributions, and struggles of women throughout history and across all sectors of society. However, it is also a call to action. This year’s theme, ‘Accelerate Action,’ urges us to take swift and decisive steps toward achieving gender equality by breaking down systemic barriers and biases that hinder women’s progress.”
Reinforcing Polaris Bank’s commitment to gender inclusivity, Mrs. Ozomah, stated, “At Polaris Bank, we believe that real progress happens when organizations go beyond conversation and actively implement policies that support women’s growth. Empowering women and ensuring their inclusion in every sphere of society, is at the core of our values. This seminar is part of our broader mission to create an inclusive and equitable society for all.”
The seminar featured an insightful conversation with industry experts who shared practical strategies for overcoming systemic barriers, fostering leadership opportunities, and enhancing financial inclusion for women.
In her experience sharing session, Ayaba M. Ayo-Joseph, a Non-Executive Director with Polaris Bank, advocated that women should be supportive of each other, stating, “We as women should help each other and not bring each other down. These efforts should not be restricted to just International Women’s Day or a day just in March. This should be practiced all the time. She also shared 8 Ways to Accelerate Action for women’s empowerment.
Economic independence for women, stepping out into leadership roles as we need more women in leadership positions, advocating for gender-friendly workspaces, being a mentor to uplift others, practicing self-care, creating safe spaces for women, collaborating with other women to build strength in unity, and being digitally savvy to leverage technology for growth. She concluded her session with a powerful reminder to womenfolk saying: “The change we wish to see starts with us. Let’s keep pushing the boundaries and support each other as we go.”
Mrs. Subulade Giwa-Amu, a Non-Executive Director, Polaris Bank, stated the role of character and purpose in achieving success, saying, “Success is built on character, resilience, and purpose. Challenges will arise, but integrity is the key to overcoming them.” She also highlighted the importance of financial independence and self-investment, adding, “Financial independence starts with vision and focus. Work-life balance is essential, but prioritization is crucial at different stages of life.”
She further advised women to continuously invest in themselves, saying, “Invest in yourself, continuous learning and personal growth are non-negotiable for success.” Speaking on women’s empowerment, she urged collaboration over competition: “There is room for everyone at the top. Women must support and uplift each other, rather than compete unnecessarily.”
Tolulope Makinwa-Adeniyi, Executive Director, Muazu Africa, reiterated the power of relationships and personal development: “Relationships are invaluable. Express admiration, nurture connections, and build a network that will open doors for you.” She also encouraged personal growth, saying, “Do the hard things, growth comes from embracing challenges, stepping out of comfort zones, and pushing beyond limitations.”
She further stressed the importance of Mastery, stating, “Mastery is power. Stay ahead by continuously upgrading your skills, embracing new technologies, and refining your expertise”. Calling for a mindset shift, especially amongst the school girls from the five selected schools in Lagos state present at the event. She remarked, “The ‘Cinderella Complex’ must end—women don’t need to be saved; they need to take charge of their own destinies.”
Ndidi Ukaonu, MD/CEO of Parthian Partners, called for action over conversation: “It’s time to move beyond discussions about gender equality and start implementing real change.” She encouraged individuals to define their impact and take ownership of their success, challenging them to ask, “What am I known for? What legacy am I building? How am I contributing to change?”
She also reinforced the need for confidence and taking initiative, saying, “Stop waiting for permission to be great—own your power and walk in it.” Closing with a rallying call, she urged participants to, “Accelerate action, break barriers, and create opportunities. The world is waiting for you to step up. The time is now”.
Polaris Bank remains steadfast in its mission to drive change, ensuring that women are not only heard but also empowered to lead.

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EDUCATION

Engr. Kayode Ojo Felicitates With Teachers, Says, They are Impetus In Nation Building

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A governorship Aspirant under All Progressives Congress APC in Ekiti State Engr. Kayode Ojo greets the teachers on World Teachers Day, describing them as great impetus and steam for the development of any society.

“Teachers’ roles at modelling both children and youths towards nation building cannot be under estimated”, hence the need to always prioritise their welfares. “

Engr. Kayode Ojo made the assertion in a statement issued and made available to newsmen in Ado Ekiti on this year’s Teachers Day celebration.

The APC governorship Hopeful described Ekiti Teachers as partners in progress if properly renumerated, especially with prompt salary payment, training, retraining, incentive, motivation, and promotion, among others.

He commended them over their sacrifices to impact positively on the lives of both Students and Youth in the State, despite numerous challenges facing them at discharging their duties due to what he called systematic errors under the present administration in the State.

“Teaching profession needs to be treated with desired respect and dignity because of its foundational roles at developing the society by incurcating both academic and social values on the lives of the People.

The current Pro Chancellor and Chairman Governing council, University of Nigeria Nsukka UNN, commended President Bola Tinubu for prioritising Teachers Welfares as one of the cardinal policies of his administration, hence the need for various State Governors to compliment and support the president policy.

The industrialist and engineer turned Politician assured teachers in Ekiti State of more conducive atmosphere to operate if voted into power during this month APC governorship primary and 2026 elections in the State.

According to him, teachers in Ekiti will be compensated with incentives, training, prompt payment of salary, and general motivation.

While congratulating all Teachers in Ekiti on this year celebration, Ojo urged them to continue to put in their best to develop the state.

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EDUCATION

Stakeholders confirm Ifako-Ijaiye becoming most educated LG in Lagos

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…As lawmaker distributes educational materials to students

Ifako-Ijaiye has been named one of the most educated local government area of Lagos state by stakeholders in the education sector of Lagos state.This was as the lawmaker representing Ifako-Ijaiye Constituency I at the State House of Assembly, Hon. Adewale Temitope Adedeji, distributed thousands of school materials to students of the local government as part of his ‘Back To School Support Initiative’.The event, which took place at Fagba Junior Grammar School, Ifako-Ijaiye, attracted hundreds of schoolchildren, parents, teachers, community leaders, and stakeholders.Items distributed by the lawmaker included 500 school bags, 6,000 exercise books, 10,000 writing materials, 500 mathematical sets, 1,000 pairs of socks, and 500 water bottles.Speaking at the event, Hon. Adewale said the gesture, which is the 5th, was aimed at easing the financial burden of parents while motivating pupils to excel in their studies.Adewale, who distributed GCE and JAMB forms to candidates earlier in the year, said his effort was to complement the unwavering commitment of President Bola Tinubu in the education sector.

“Many people do not understand that service and leadership start from the grassroots. This is one thing that has kept Asiwaju Tinubu formidable over the years. His passion to bring education to children while as governor of Lagos state remains the most effective education strategy in recent times.“Today, we recognize him as the best President Nigeria has had. This is why I also encourage people to do the little that they can. The education of our children cannot be left to the government and parents alone,” he said.Adewale said education remains one of his top priorities as a legislator, describing it as the “bedrock of human and societal development.”He assured the students that as they excel, they would benefit from the free GCE and JAMB forms initiative as well as the scholarship scheme of the Adewale Temitope Adedeji Educational Initiative (ATA-EI).In his remarks, the Lagos Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Tolani Ali-Balogun, said Ifako-Ijaiye has been projected to become one of the most educated local government area in the state.Commending the lawmaker for his investment in education and support for the government, in he urged the beneficiaries to be focused on their studies as a way to encourage the lawmaker to do more.On his part, Dr. Afolabi Abiodun Tajudeen, Special Adviser on Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, tasked the students to focus on their studies so they could enjoy a brighter future.The Tutor-General and Permanent Secretary, Education District 1, Dr Oyetola Olufunke Idowu, further confirmed that the lawmaker’s support for the government’s education stride saying this had started yielding results in the area looking at examination results of 2023 and 2024.Some of the beneficiaries promised to use the materials judiciously.

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EDUCATION

Tinubu’s Education Policy Will Boost Literacy In Nigeria By 100% – Lawmaker

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By 2031, Nigeria would have achieved 100 percent literacy level across the country, a Lagos lawmaker, Hon. Temitope Adedeji Adewale, has said.

Adewale, who represents Ifako-Ijaiye Constituency I at the State House of Assembly, made the assertion after inspecting the screening session for the distribution of his free GCE forms to prospective candidates in Lagos on Saturday.

The lawmaker commended the Federal Government for the various initiatives aimed at pulling the youth off the streets and engaging them in meaningful ventures including education.

He noted that since the introduction of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) by the President Bola Tinubu administration, more Nigerians are eager for admission into tertiary institutions in the country.

“You see, Mr. President is doing everything possible to boost the literacy level in the country. And given the way the government is going, by the end of President Tinubu’s second term in 2031, Nigeria will be boasting a 100 percent literacy rate and this would include resolving the issue of out-of-school kids,” Adewale said.

As at April, 2025, NELFUND said over 500,000 students had applied for loans across Nigeria.

The lawmaker described the figure as encouraging adding that it would help the government with future projections.

“It also gladens the heart that the state governments continue to support the Federal Government with various initiatives. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu attended the graduation ceremony of 5,300 residents from the Lagos Skill Acquisition Programmes. This means 5,300 residents are off the labour market.

“We are giving out 400 forms this year. We also give out JAMB forms because we know that education remains the strongest tool we can use to change lives and shape the future.

“This programme is part of my promise to ensure no student misses an opportunity because of financial constraints. Our goal remains to make Ifako-Ijaiye the most educated local government in Nigeria by 2031,” he said.

He said that through the Adewale Temitope Educational Initiatives (ATA-EI), he has given out over 8000 free GCE and JAMB forms so far with at least 120 students on scholarships in various tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

“This says a lot about the government’s interest in the youth and, given another term with President Tinubu and our party in power, Nigerians will look back sometime in the future and thank God that we had this chance,” he added.

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