Polaris Bank over the weekend, added
yet another feather to its cap by winning the Sustainability, Enterprise, and
Responsibility Awards (SERAS), Africa’s most renowned and prestigious Sustainability/Corporate
Social Responsibility (CSR) recognition, for its consistent and
impactful critical community interventions across Nigeria over the years.
At the 18th edition of the SERAS Awards, held at the Oriental
Hotel, Lekki, Lagos, recognition came the way of Polaris Bank in what
the organisers described as “the Bank's unwavering commitment to sustainable
development and impactful community interventions across Nigeria”.
The SERAS Awards, widely regarded as Africa’s gold standard in Sustainability
and CSR, celebrates organizations that exemplify innovation, impact, and
excellence in advancing sustainable development. The awards spotlight large
corporations, SMEs, and nonprofits that champion solutions with lasting
societal and environmental benefits.
This year’s ceremony brought together an elite gathering of business leaders,
global sustainability experts, policymakers, and CEOs dedicated to shaping
Africa’s sustainable future. For Polaris Bank, the recognition reaffirmed its
leadership in driving transformative change through its strategic
Sustainability and CSR interventions.
Polaris Bank’s extensive portfolio of Sustainability, ESG and CSR initiatives
which earned it” “Best in Rural Population Integration” award at the SERAs,
underscores its commitment to improving lives and fostering sustainable growth
in rural and underserved communities. Over the years, the Bank has implemented
critical interventions across Nigeria, ranging from providing basic
infrastructure to supporting vulnerable groups. Some of its notable
achievements include:
Sponsoring the Acquisition and Planting of 2,000 economic trees across
communities in Nigeria...e.g Ajingi community in Kano State.
Donation of equipment and renovation of the Ibeju-Lekki Skill Acquisition
Centre
Installation of boreholes in key but underserved communities to provide
access to clean water in rural areas.
Delivering educational resources/essentials —including libraries,
sandals, bags, uniforms, books, and pens—to over 15,000 indigent students
across public secondary schools in Nigeria, ensuring their continuous education
with many in remote communities.
Providing over a decade free breast cancer screening support to some
20,000 women and retreat/experience sharing for survivors has reduced the
mortality rate in Nigeria.
Establishing hospitals, and reconstruction/rehabilitation centres for
victims of sexual violence, and vocational centres for women.
Donating ICT laboratory to IWD Skills Acquisition Center and promoting
financial literacy programs in schools.
Launching medical outreach programs and supporting Internally Displaced
Persons (IDPs) through significant donations.
These interventions have not only improved living standards, but have also
stemmed rural-to-urban migration by making the communities more attractive,
conducive and habitable and self-reliant.
Polaris Bank recently demonstrated its commitment to community resilience with
the reopening of its Sagamu branch, which was destroyed during the cash crunch
riots following the Naira redesign policy. Following an appeal from
stakeholders within the community, the Bank’s management approved the complete
reconstruction and re-equipping of the branch The reopening marked a turning
point for the Sagamu community, restoring access to critical banking services
and underscoring Polaris Bank’s role as a trusted partner in economic recovery.
Speaking on the award, Polaris Bank’s Managing Director, Kayode Lawal,
highlighted the Bank’s dedication to sustainability and social impact. “We
thank SERAs for the recognition of our bank’s strategic intervention and
consistent investment across communities on projects that impact positively on
the people and the environment”.
In Polaris Bank, Kayode says, “Sustainability is not just a cliché, and it is
not a destination, but a journey. Our involvement in community development
projects is something borne out of our deliberate effort to impact the citizens
through enhanced socio-economic interventions that reduce the impact of climate
change on our environment, as it affects the economy and people at large.” he
stated.
Participants at the award ceremony leveraged the classy evening, “to connect
with like-minded professionals and organizations championing sustainable
business practices at an event that celebrated Africa’s sustainability leaders
and reaffirmed the shared vision of driving positive, lasting change across the
continent.
As a trailblazer in Sustainability and CSR, Polaris Bank remains
steadfast in its mission to uplift communities, foster economic growth, and
champion innovative solutions that address pressing societal challenges.
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