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Polaris Bank Strengthens Legacy of Excellence with Major Renovation of Historic Faculty Building at University of Ibadan
In a powerful demonstration of its dedication to deepening educational advancement and human capital development in Nigeria, Polaris Bank, has made significant funds available towards the full renovation of the Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences Building at the prestigious University of Ibadan.
This landmark intervention revives a historic structure originally gifted to the University in 1985 by one of Polaris Bank’s legacy institution, the defunct International Bank for West Africa (IBWA). For over four decades, the building has stood as a beacon of academic excellence, shaping generations of Nigerian professionals in critical disciplines.
The facility previously served as the home for the highly regarded MBA and MSc Banking and Finance (Professional) programmes until 2016. It continues to function as essential lecture spaces for MSc and PhD students in Economics, having hosted thousands of lecture hours across various programmes. Well over 500 students have directly benefited from the building, many of whom have emerged as influential leaders and experts driving Nigeria’s financial services industry, the academia and broader economy.
As part of its robust Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy focused on Education and Human Capital Development, Polaris Bank’s support aims to transform the ageing infrastructure into a modern, world-class learning environment that fosters innovation, critical thinking, and cutting-edge research.
At the formal cheque presentation ceremony held at the University, last Thursday, Polaris Bank’s Managing Director/CEO, Kayode Lawal, underscored the strategic importance of the bank’s intervention.
According to the Polaris Bank’s CEO, who was represented by the Head of Retail Banking, Njideka Nwabueze said, “Education is the most powerful catalyst for national transformation. “By renovating this historic Faculty building, we are not only preserving a proud institutional legacy, but also creating a conducive, inspiring space for the next generation of economists, bankers, accountants, and financial experts who will shape Nigeria’s economic future.”
He added that the intervention goes far beyond physical upgrades: “This project reflects our deep belief in investing in the minds that will drive sustainable economic growth, innovation, and leadership across the nation and beyond. Disciplines such as ; Economics, Banking & Finance, and Accounting are the bedrock of a resilient economy, and we are proud to strengthen the infrastructure that nurtures talent in these vital fields.”

L-R; Sola Gabriel,Head, Strategic Planning, Polaris Bank; Omowunmi Odunlade, Ag. Divisional Head, Ibadan; Professor A. O. Folawewo, Dean, Faculty of Economics & Management Sciences; Professor Akin Lewis( Dean Students Affairs),Representative of the Vice Chancellor and Njideka Nwabueze, Head, Retail Banking, Polaris Bank during the official presentation of the cheque by Polaris Bank to the University of Ibadan recently.
The renovation which is scheduled for completion within six weeks. Once completed, will provide enhanced lecture theatres, improved amenities, and better research spaces, significantly elevating the quality of teaching and learning for current and future students.
This intervention aligns seamlessly with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth. It further reinforces Polaris Bank’s long-standing commitment to supporting Nigeria’s tertiary institutions and bridging infrastructure gaps that hinder academic excellence.
Polaris Bank remains steadfast in its mission to empower Nigeria’s youth through targeted investments in education. By partnering with leading institutions like the University of Ibadan, the Bank continues to play a pivotal role in building a knowledge-driven economy and producing high quality talents equipped to tackle national and global challenges in the short to medium and long term basis.
Polaris Bank remains committed to driving sustainable development through responsible banking and impactful Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives that address critical social, environmental, and economic challenges. Guided by Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles
News
How 2018 Federal Legal Advice Exonerated Saraki In Offa Robbery Case
In light of the Kwara State Government’s fresh prosecution of Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki and his successor over the Offa robbery, fresh facts have emerged on why the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Mr. E. U. (Etsu Umar) Mohammed gave the duo a clean bill of health.
The Federal Director of Public Prosecutions cleared former Senate President Bukola Saraki of involvement in the Offa bank robbery in 2018, citing no evidence of a connection.
It was gathered that the DPP reviewed a 16-page police report prepared and signed by Abba Kyari, a Deputy Commissioner of Police and then head of the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team (IGP-IRT) at Force Headquarters, Abuja. The report detailed investigations into the April 5, 2018, multiple bank robbery attack in Offa, Kwara State.
The DPP in his first report dated June 22, 2018 and signed on behalf of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, prepared a five page legal advice in which he noted in paragraph 5 (f) that “for the Senate President (Saraki) and the Kwara State Governor (Ahmed), his office is unable to establish from the evidence in the interim report a nexus between the alleged offence and the suspects. Hence, it is our advice that further and thorough investigation in this regard be carried out”.
Following the submission of a second report by the police investigating team to his office on July 27, 2018, the DPP prepared a second legal advice, which was dated August 23, 2018. The three-page legal advice also has only three paragraphs.
In paragraph 3 (vi), he noted that “with regards to the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, since there is no departure from the earlier findings in the interim report, this office is still unable to establish any prima facie case against him for any offences of criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, and culpable homicide punishable with death”.
Both legal advices had recommended six people for prosecution. They are: Ayoade Akinnibosun, Ibikunle Ogunleye, Adeola Ibrahim, Salawudeen Azeez, Niyi Ogundiran, and Michael Adiukwu.
One of the suspects, Michael Adiukwu, later died in police custody, while the other five had since been tried at the High Court in Ilorin.
During the trial, the suspects revealed how they were coerced into incriminating Senator Bukola Saraki.
They mentioned several inducements dangled before them, including money and the promise of a visa to travel out of the country.
The suspects have since been convicted and their convictions confirmed by the Court of Appeal. The matter is now pending before the apex court, the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
News
₦400m Ransom Demanded As Gunmen Abduct Another Kwara Ruler
Terrorists have abducted a traditional ruler in Olayinka community, located in the Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Oba Salman Olátúnjí Aweda and are demanding a ₦400 million ransom for his release.
The abduction occurred on April 18, 2026, when armed men, suspected to be militia herdsmen, invaded the community and took the monarch, his wife, and another resident into the forest.
According to JomogNews, residents who witnessed the incident said the terrorists, numbering over 10, invaded the monarch’s residence around Saturday midnight, forced the door open, and abducted him alongside another person in the house.
The assailants reportedly led both victims into the bush.
Chairman of Ifelodun Local Government Area, Mr Abdulrasheed Femi Yusuf, visited the community on Saturday on a sympathy visit and assured residents that efforts were underway to secure the monarch’s release.
“We are deeply concerned about this incident, and we are taking swift and decisive action in collaboration with security agencies,” he said.
News
Living Faith Church Founder Declares Week Of Vengeance Against Insecurity Sponsors
Bishop David Oyedepo, General Overseer of Living Faith Church Worldwide, has declared that bandits and their sponsors will face divine judgment and retribution within seven days.
Speaking on Sunday, April 19, 2026, during a service themed “Covenant Day of Vengeance” at the church’s headquarters in Ota, Ogun State, the cleric stated that those responsible for killings and kidnappings would face imminent consequences.
“I declare judgement on those who caused these tragedies and their supporters in the name of Jesus,” he said.
The cleric further asserted that divine retribution would occur within a short timeframe.
“Unless I am not sent, this will happen in the next seven days,” he added.
Oyedepo also expressed confidence that Nigerians would soon witness outcomes of what he described as divine intervention, noting that the coming days would bring “testimonies of vengeance.”
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