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