Polaris Bank, in partnership with Evolve Charity Trust, has successfully concluded its 2025 nationwide distribution of school essentials to 1,000 students across ten public secondary schools in five states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The initiative is part of the Bank’s sustained Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts to keep more children, especially the girl child, in school.

This year’s exercise adds to a growing intervention that has supported more than 24,000 students in public schools across 49 locations since 2021.

This year’s beneficiaries received a complete learning kit consisting of a school uniform, school bag, a pair of sandals, six exercise books and pens. According to school authorities, these materials continue to improve attendance, boost confidence and support academic performance.

In delivering the programme, Polaris Bank also stimulated the local economy by sourcing uniforms from local tailors, procuring books from bookshops and purchasing sandals and bags from community traders, thereby supporting small businesses across the beneficiary states.

Polaris Bank’s Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Kayode Lawal, reaffirmed the Bank’s five-year promise to champion the education of Nigeria’s girl child, noting that the materials are symbols of belief in the students’ potential to become scholars, innovators and future leaders.

School administrators across the country expressed gratitude for the timely support, noting that the essentials meet real and urgent needs, ease the burden on families and positively impact academic performance. Many students come from homes where parents cannot afford these items and the gesture has restored pride among beneficiaries.

Representatives of the Bank reiterated their commitment to improving access to education, championing access to quality learning, and encouraging students to make the best use of the materials and stay committed to success.

The 2025 distribution covered the following schools: Government Girls Secondary School, Kundila, Kano; Model Junior Secondary School, Maitama, Abuja; Government Junior Secondary School, Area 10, Garki, Abuja; Fortune Secondary School, Lokoja, Kogi State; National High School, Arondizuogu, Imo State; Iheme Memorial Secondary School, Iheme, Imo State; Akokwa High School, Akokwa, Imo State; Opebi Junior Grammar School, Opebi, Lagos; Gbaja Girls Junior Secondary School, Surulere, Lagos; and Gbaja Girls Senior Secondary School, Surulere, Lagos.

Expressing gratitude for the timely support, Hajiya Aisha Shehu Yakasai, Principal of Government Girls Secondary School in Kundila, Kano, said the essentials “meet real and urgent needs” and have eased the burden on families. Aso, Madam Maji-Abu Omanyo Esther, Principal of Fortune Secondary School, Lokoja, described the gesture as one that “brought joy and will positively impact academic performance.”

Commending the Bank for restoring pride among beneficiaries, Mrs. Erdoo Lortyom, Vice Principal at Model Junior Secondary School, Maitama, Abuja, noted that many students come from homes where parents cannot afford these items while Mrs. Dabiri Nwabuoku Adetoun Iyabo, Principal of Gbaja Girls Junior and Senior Secondary Schools, Surulere, thanked Polaris Bank for its “consistent yearly gesture,” assuring that the materials will be put to excellent use.

Representatives of the Bank reiterated their commitment to improving access to education.

In Kano, Branch Head, Mr. Madiebo Godwin, reaffirmed the Bank’s dedication to “championing access to quality learning,” while in Lokoja, Business Development Manager, David Ojonugwa, encouraged students to “make the best use of the materials and stay committed to success.”

Speaking in Imo State, the Bank’s Business Development Manager for Urualla Branch, Mr. Peter Nnamani, urged students to aim high, noting that every career dream “begins with dedication in school.”

Project Manager of Evolve Charity Trust, Mr. Godwin Ejeh, noted that investing in a child’s education “lights a candle that brightens entire communities,” noting the ripple effect witnessed across states visited during the distribution.

The initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 5: Gender Equality, by promoting inclusive access to education and reducing gender-based barriers that keep girls out of school.

Polaris Bank affirmed its continued commitment to partnering with credible development organisations to deliver sustainable educational impact across Nigeria.

In a bold move to promote environmental sustainability and inspire a culture of responsible waste management amongst Nigerians, leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc has donated large-capacity recycling bins to Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Lagos.

The donation was made during the 19th edition of the Walk for Nature event held on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at YABATECH. The event, themed “Lagos, Let’s Beat Plastic Pollution,” was organized by the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) in collaboration with the Lagos State Government to raise awareness on plastic pollution and promote sustainable waste management practices.

Speaking at the event, Divisional Head, Brand and Communications, Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr Meksley Nwagboh, affirmed the bank’s commitment to driving environmental consciousness and sustainability through consistent advocacy and impactful community initiatives.

“As a socially responsible institution, we integrate sustainability into our business and community impact programmes. Beyond reducing our carbon footprint through renewable energy deployment across our branches and ATM network, we are also deepening our advocacy for recycling and waste reduction.

“Through recycling partnerships with schools, tree planting campaigns, and environmental beautification projects in urban as well as underserved communities, we are committed to building a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future. In line with this commitment, we are donating three large recycling bins to YABATECH to encourage responsible waste management and recycling among students,” he said.

Dr Nwagboh equally applauded the Nigerian Conservation Foundation and the Lagos State Government for their collaborative efforts in driving environmental awareness, urging individuals and organizations to adopt eco-friendly lifestyles and reduce dependence on single-use plastics.

“Beating plastic pollution requires more than policies. It starts with each of us making conscious choices. By rethinking our consumption habits, reducing single-use plastics, and embracing recycling, we can make Lagos a model megacity for environmental stewardship,” he emphasised.

In her address, the Chairman, National Executive Council, NCF, Hon. Justice R.I.B. Adebiyi, emphasized that plastic pollution remains one of the most pressing environmental challenges globally.

“This year’s Walk for Nature is unique because, for the first time, we are taking the awareness campaign directly to a tertiary institution. Young people represent the innovation and energy needed to build a cleaner future. Fidelity Bank’s donation of recycling bins to YABATECH is not just symbolic, it represents learning, responsibility, and change,” Justice Adebiyi stated.

Representing the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, the Special Adviser on Environment, Engr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, also noted that plastic pollution has become a silent global crisis.

In appreciation of the donation, the Rector, Yaba College of Technology, Dr. (Engr.) Ibraheem Adedotun Abdul, thanked Fidelity Bank and the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), which also donated two additional bins to the institution.

“On behalf of Yaba College of Technology, we express our heartfelt appreciation to Fidelity Bank and the Lagos State Government for this thoughtful gesture. The recycling bins will be strategically positioned across campus and judiciously used to promote a culture of sustainability among our students,” he said.

The initiative, which aims to encourage students to adopt eco-friendly habits, strengthen the institution’s recycling, and waste management systems, is the latest of the bank’s ongoing environmental awareness and sustainability efforts.

Ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 9.1 million customers through digital banking channels, its 255 business offices in Nigeria and United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.

The Bank is a recipient of multiple local and international Awards, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award by BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards; the 2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application award for its Fidelity Mobile App by Global Business Outlook, and the 2024 Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider award by Global Brands Magazine. Additionally, the Bank was recognized as the Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence and as the Export Financing Bank of the Year by the BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.

L-R: Area Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs (PGPA), Field Operations, Chevron Nigeria Limited, Mr. Rilwanu Momodu; Chairman, Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) National Executive Council, Hon. Justice R. I. B. Adebiyi; Special Adviser on Environment to the Lagos State Governor, Engr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu; Head, Brand Management, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mrs. Cynthia Ogbonna; and Chairman, House Committee on Environment, Hon. Olarenwaju Affinni; at the 19th edition of the NCF environmental advocacy program, tagged Walk for Nature in Lagos, recently.

A group of concerned citizens in Ekiti state has called on Tunji Alausa, minister of education, to take action on a committee’s report which allegedly uncovered financial inconsistencies amounting to ₦387,231,000 at the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE).

The group urged the minister not to overlook the committee’s findings, which it said pointed to irregularities under the leadership of the outgoing management of the institution.

They expressed concern over what they described as recurring cases of corruption within the university since the beginning of the tenure.

In recent years, Abayomi Fasina, vice-chancellor of the institution, has faced various public allegations and criticisms. The group said the latest development — the discovery of the committee’s report — has further heightened public scrutiny of his administration.

The report, titled “Report of assessment committee on Institute of Part-Time Studies” and dated October 2024, was compiled by a four-member panel chaired by Bosede Adenigba, with Chinagorom Ugwu as secretary, and Patric Fadamiro and Muyiwa Olubo as members.

The committee, which assessed and audited the financial operations of FUOYE’s Institute of Part-Time Studies (IPTS) between 2021 and 2024, produced a 37-page document outlining the findings.

According to the report, the committee uncovered “a trend of yearly monetary channeling to unknown land” in the institute’s financial records.

The committee alleged an administrative portal maintenance fees amounting to ₦278,808,000 were not captured by the accountant.

It also claimed that screening fees from 2021 to 2024 — totalling ₦38,684,000 — were omitted from the accountant’s report.

“Payments for handbooks and orientation fees from the 2022 to 2024 academic sessions, amounting to ₦24,322,000, were also reportedly unrecorded,” the group said.

“The report further stated that medical insurance fees totalling ₦15,696,000, paid by students, were not reflected in the financial accounts.

“An additional ₦2,001,000 in school fees for the 2021/2022 academic session was said to have been underreported, while student debtors amounting to ₦27,720,000 were also unrecorded.

“In total, the committee said it discovered financial inconsistencies amounting to ₦387,231,000 within the IPTS between 2021 and 2024.”

The group asked how such discrepancies could have occurred, who was responsible, and whether any sanctions followed the committee’s discovery.

It also raised concerns about whether similar issues might exist in other institutes and centres within FUOYE.

For instance, Prof. Fasina’s administration as the Vice-Chancellor of FUOYE has been heavily criticized for the ongoing selection process for a new Vice-Chancellor expected to take over from him in February 2026.

The criticism was said to be based on facts that the selection process was designed to appoint a preferred candidate of Prof. Fasina and the Chairman of FUOYE’s Governing Council, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba.

Some of the allegations of corruption and outright disregard for the rule of law were also linked the the lawmaker, who according to findings, was instrumental to many cover-ups of corruption and sexual harassment allegations against Prof. Fasina and his loyalists.

The group urged Alausa to investigate the matters diligently, ensuring that those responsible are held accountable and most importantly facilitate the suspension of the ongoing Vice-Chancellorship selection process to give adequate room for a fair selection process of a new VC.