L-R; Cynthia Sanyaolu Head, Talent Management, Polaris Bank; Bukola Oluyadi, Group Head, Customer Experience & Value Management, Polaris Bank; Olanrewaju Oyekunle, Ag. Chief Talent & Culture Officer, Polaris Bank; Rasheed Bolarinwa, Head, Brand Management & Corporate Communications, Polaris Bank; Abimbola Ozomah, Executive Director, Corporate & Investment Banking, Polaris Bank; Njideka Nwabueze, Head, Retail Banking, Polaris bank & Olamide Adeyeye, Leaning & Development Officer, Polaris Bank at the “Bring Your Child to Work” event in Lagos recently
By Peace Udugba
Polaris Bank has hosted children of some of its employees for a day of fun, learning and workplace discovery as part of efforts to strengthen employee engagement and create meaningful experiences for staff and their families.
The initiative, tagged “Bring Your Child to Work,” welcomed children aged six years and above, giving them an opportunity to visit their parents’ workplace, meet colleagues and gain a better understanding of their parents’ professional responsibilities.
The children were selected through an internal trivia draw conducted for staff and participated in a variety of activities designed to promote learning, creativity, teamwork, interaction and curiosity.
A major highlight of the programme was a guided tour of the bank’s premises. The children visited the banking hall and various departments, giving them firsthand exposure to the banking environment and showing them how different teams and functions contribute to the operations of a financial institution.
Speaking at the event, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Polaris Bank, Kayode Lawal, welcomed the children and encouraged them to make the most of the experience.
“At Polaris Bank, we believe that work is more than meetings and desks. It is about solving problems, helping people, making life easier, learning, and making a meaningful contribution. So, while you are here today, be curious, ask questions, learn, and most importantly, have fun,” Lawal said.
The CEO, who was represented by the Head of Human Resources, Okanwaju Oyekunle, said the programme was designed to help children better understand their parents’ professional lives while inspiring them to consider the possibilities available to them in the future.
He encouraged the children to remain open-minded about their career choices, noting that some of them could eventually become bankers, entrepreneurs, doctors, engineers, technology experts or leaders of major organisations.
Another highlight of the programme was an interactive session facilitated by the bank’s Executive Director, Corporate and Investment Banking, Abimbola Ozomah.
Ozomah introduced the children to the fundamentals of banking in a simple and engaging manner, explaining how banks operate, the importance of saving money, responsible financial habits and the role banks play in helping individuals and businesses manage their finances.
The interactive session also encouraged the children to ask questions and share their understanding of the lessons.
The participants were further encouraged to make new friends and interact with one another throughout the programme. They shared their experiences, including people they had met and lessons they had learnt about the banking environment.
For the participating parents, the initiative provided an opportunity to share an important aspect of their daily lives with their children while helping them understand the values of work, responsibility, collaboration and service.
The programme also promoted curiosity and continuous learning, encouraging the children to explore different career paths and ask questions about the world of work.
Polaris Bank said the “Bring Your Child to Work” programme reflects its continued focus on employee wellbeing and engagement, recognising the close relationship between employees’ professional and family lives.
By creating opportunities for staff to share their workplace experiences with their families, the bank continues to promote an inclusive and people-focused workplace culture where employees and their families feel valued and connected.
For the children, the experience went beyond a visit to their parents’ workplace. It offered an opportunity to learn about banking, explore a professional environment, make new friends, ask questions and see their parents in a different light as professionals contributing to the growth of an organisation.
