Polaris Bank is offering free breast cancer screenings to 100 women nationwide as part of its activities for World Cancer Day, which falls on 4 February. The initiative is in partnership with Care Organization and Public Enlightenment (C.O.P.E), a non-governmental organization focused on community health awareness.

Why it matters

Early detection is widely recognized as one of the most effective tools in fighting cancer. By removing financial barriers, Polaris Bank hopes to empower women to seek timely medical intervention, contributing to better health outcomes and supporting broader economic and social wellbeing.

The bank is also continuing its free prostate cancer screening programme, previously launched for men aged 40 and above, which has provided testing for 250 participants nationwide. The prostate screenings take place at the Men’s Clinic, 18 Commercial Avenue, Sabo, Yaba, Lagos.

Community and Expert Voices

Rasheed Bolarinwa, Group Head of Brand Management & Corporate Communications at Polaris Bank, highlighted the importance of preventive care:

“Early detection remains one of the most effective tools in the fight against cancer. By bringing screening services closer to communities, we are empowering individuals with the knowledge and resources they need for timely medical intervention.”

Healthcare professionals from C.O.P.E will lead the breast cancer screenings, offering both tests and educational guidance on prevention, self-examination, and follow-up care.

Medical experts note that integrating screening into community programs helps reduce late-stage cancer diagnoses. Dr. Ifeoma Chukwu, a Lagos-based oncologist, said:

“Community-centered initiatives like this are critical. They provide women with access to services they might otherwise delay due to cost or lack of awareness.”

Social Impact and SDG Alignment

The initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being: Promotes preventive healthcare and early detection.

SDG 5 – Gender Equality: Prioritizes women’s health and empowerment.

SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals: Leverages collaboration with civil society organizations to achieve community impact.

Educational campaigns and digital outreach will accompany the screenings, reinforcing awareness about lifestyle choices, regular medical check-ups, and early detection.

Event Details

The flagship breast cancer screening will be held on Saturday, 21 February 2026, at the C.O.P.E Centre, 39B Adeniyi Jones Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Participation requirements include:

Women must be Polaris Bank account holders.

Pre-registration is required. Selection is based on confirmed early submissions.

Eligible participants can register here: bit.ly/BCS2026.

Polaris Bank encourages men to support the health of their families by urging their female relatives to register. Men aged 40 and above can also take advantage of the ongoing free prostate cancer screening programme.

As Nigeria’s festive season peaks, Pernod Ricard Nigeria and the Federal Road Safety Corps are stepping up efforts to tackle drunk driving on Lagos roads.

Pernod Ricard Nigeria has launched a new road safety campaign with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) aimed at reducing alcohol-related crashes and fatalities, particularly during the busy festive period.

The campaign, tagged “Don’t Drink and Drive”, was unveiled in Lagos and focuses on encouraging responsible drinking and safer behaviour among motorists and other road users.

Why it matters

Drunk driving remains one of the leading causes of road accidents in Nigeria, according to the FRSC.

Lagos State is considered especially vulnerable due to its dense traffic, large vehicle population, and active nightlife economy.

Road safety advocates say festive periods often record a spike in crashes as social gatherings increase alcohol consumption and night travel.

Corporate and government voices

Speaking at the launch, the Managing Director of Pernod Ricard Nigeria, Michael Ehindero, said the initiative reflects the company’s long-standing commitment to responsible drinking.

“At Pernod Ricard Nigeria, we believe in encouraging responsible choices and promoting a culture of safety on our roads,” he said.

The FRSC Lagos State Sector Commander, Kehinde G. Hamzat, represented by Deputy Corps Commander Edith Eloka, stressed that preventing road crashes requires joint action.

“Road safety is a shared responsibility, and we must work together to prevent crashes and save lives,” he said.

What the campaign involves

The “Safe Roads” initiative includes public sensitisation programmes targeting commercial drivers, private motorists and pedestrians.

Organisers say the campaign will also leverage partnerships with government agencies, civil society organisations and private sector players to expand its reach.

At key locations including Ikeja City Mall, The Event Centre, and ABC Transport Company, the campaign recorded 1,500 safety pledges from participants.

Industry and stakeholder reactions

Goodwill messages were delivered by representatives of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), the Ministry of Transportation, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO).

Industry observers say involving transport unions and regulators increases the likelihood of behavioural change among commercial drivers, who account for a significant share of road travel nationwide.

Expert and operational perspective

While addressing motorists, Corps Road Safety Commander Godwin Uweni, Head of Operations at the Ikotun Unit Command of the FRSC, urged drivers to obey traffic rules at all times.

He advised motorists to prioritise safety, warning that impaired driving puts lives at risk beyond the driver alone.

Road safety experts note that consistent enforcement, public education and corporate responsibility campaigns can help reduce preventable crashes over time.

Engaging road users

At the ABC Motor Park, drivers took part in a trivia competition focused on road safety, with branded gifts and stickers carrying the “Don’t Drink and Drive” message.

Participants were also encouraged to share their experiences and pledge messages on social media using the campaign hashtag #DontDrinkAndDrive.

Global and sustainability context

Pernod Ricard Nigeria said the campaign aligns with its global Sustainability & Responsibility roadmap and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3, which promotes good health and well-being.

The company’s global purpose statement commits it to “being a responsible and sustainable company, creating a better tomorrow for all our stakeholders”.

Last year, the firm partnered with the FRSC and other stakeholders on a similar “Don’t Drink and Drive” campaign, alongside its responsible drinking activation, “Drink More Water.”

What’s next

Organisers say the campaign will continue beyond the festive season, with plans to expand sensitisation efforts across more transport hubs and public spaces.

Authorities hope sustained messaging will lead to safer roads and fewer alcohol-related accidents nationwide.

Fidelity Bank Plc has paid hospital bills for indigent patients and donated ante-natal kits to pregnant women at the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (ESUTH), providing relief to families struggling with the rising cost of healthcare.

The intervention also included financial support for children receiving long-term treatment for chronic illnesses such as cancer and sickle cell disease.

The outreach was carried out under the bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility initiative, the Fidelity Helping Hands Programme (FHHP).

Why this matters

Healthcare costs remain a major barrier for low-income families in Nigeria, often forcing patients to remain in hospitals long after treatment because they cannot afford to pay their bills.

For many families at ESUTH, the support meant the difference between spending Christmas in a hospital ward or returning home to loved ones.

A staff-led community project

The project was funded and executed by newly inducted employees of Fidelity Bank, known as the Optimizers Inductees Class, as their community impact initiative.

The bank provided matching financial support to expand the reach of the programme.

Fidelity Bank’s response

Speaking during the outreach, the Divisional Head of Brand and Communications at Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr Meksley Nwagboh, said the initiative reflects the bank’s wider social responsibility commitments.

“This project reflects the spirit of who we are as a bank. Beyond providing financial services, we are committed to touching lives within the communities where we operate. Today, we are donating ante-natal kits to pregnant women and also supporting indigent patients who have remained in the hospital due to unpaid bills. Some of the children also require long-term medical care, so we have given additional financial support to aid their continued treatment,” he said.

He added that the timing of the intervention was deliberate.

The support, he said, would allow many families to reunite and celebrate the festive season without the burden of hospital debt.

Hospital reaction

The Chief Matron of the Children’s Ward at ESUTH, Esther Nnaji, described the intervention as critical for families facing prolonged hospitalisation.

“There are so many families here in desperate need. Some of the children are battling cancer, sickle cell disease and other chronic conditions. Fidelity Bank’s support will go a long way in relieving their pain. Because of what you have done, some of these children will now be able to see their siblings again,” she said.

Voices from beneficiaries

For parents whose children’s bills were cleared, the support came at a moment of deep uncertainty.

Mrs Adaeze Ilo, whose baby’s medical bill was fully settled, said her family had exhausted all options.

“After spending months in the hospital, we had no idea how to raise the money,” she said.

“Fidelity Bank came through for us when we needed it the most. We are deeply grateful.”

Another parent, Jane Anthony, said her family had resigned themselves to spending Christmas in the hospital.

“God used Fidelity Bank to send us home to enjoy Christmas. My heart is full,” she said.

Industry and public perspective

CSR initiatives led by private sector institutions have increasingly filled critical gaps in Nigeria’s healthcare system, particularly for vulnerable populations.

Experts say partnerships between hospitals and corporate organisations help reduce pressure on public health facilities while delivering immediate social impact.

What’s next

Fidelity Bank says the ESUTH outreach is part of its broader strategy to strengthen community well-being across Nigeria through employee-driven and community-focused CSR projects.

The bank operates its social interventions across four pillars, including health, education, youth empowerment and social welfare.

About Fidelity Bank

Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-service commercial deposit money bank serving over 9.1 million customers through digital platforms, 255 business offices in Nigeria, and its UK subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.

The bank has received multiple local and international awards, including recognition for digital transformation, MSME banking, mobile banking innovation and export financing.