Polaris Supports Fight against Gender-based Violence

Polaris Bank has donated a building to serve as a ‘Sexual Assaults Referral Centre’ at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu, Ogun State, as its contribution to combating the incidence of gender-related assaults in the country.

The initiative which was done in collaboration with Ogun State government and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), is aimed at providing support to victims of gender-based violence with a view to properly rehabilitating and reintegrating them into the larger society.

In a statement, Polaris Bank, disclosed that the decision to support the initiative was taken following the spate of incidences bordering on gender-related assaults in the country.

The Bank’s Group Head, South West 1, Dr. Abimbola Akorede, who represented the Managing Director whilst handing over the building to the Ogun State Government decried the unfortunate spate of gender-based violence, especially cases involving minors with its attendant consequences on victims and the society at large. Akorede noted that all hands must be on deck to reverse the menace.

In her keynote address, the wife of Ogun State Governor, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, lauded efforts of the partners Polaris Bank and United Nations Population Fund (UNPF) for the initiative noting that such partnership is intended to provide support and succour to victims of gender-related assault.

According to the Ogun State First Lady, “The menace has become the order of the day in our society but with the inauguration of the referral centre, we are assuring that in this state, the government will do everything within its capacity to ensure justice for victims.”

Also speaking at the inauguration, Akingbolahan Adeniran, Ogun State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, noted that the state would ensure proper investigation and prosecution of cases relating to gender-based violence.