By JKNewsMedia
EXPANDING BUSINESS opportunities and strengthening regional commerce took centre stage as Polaris Bank reaffirmed its commitment to small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) through the commissioning of the new Everyday Supermarket store in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
The initiative marks another stride in the bank’s drive to promote economic growth across Nigeria’s South-South region.
The store’s grand opening, held at Bay Bridge Junction on the Kpansia–Epie Expressway, signifies the retail chain’s official entry into the Bayelsa market and reinforces ongoing private-sector efforts to stimulate local enterprise and consumer access to quality retail services.
The new outlet is part of a broader partnership between Polaris Bank and the Everyday Group, designed to advance retail infrastructure and economic inclusion in the Niger Delta region.
Addressing guests at the ceremony, Mr Raphael Abaziem, Directorate Head, Polaris Bank, South-South, described the launch as a reflection of the bank’s vision to foster growth through strategic collaboration.
He said the event demonstrated how partnerships between financial institutions and private enterprises could drive sustainable development.
“This milestone represents more than the opening of a new outlet. It speaks to our shared vision of economic expansion, local enterprise development, and improved access to quality goods and services for the people of Bayelsa State,” Mr Abaziem stated.
He noted that the Yenagoa store builds on previous achievements, particularly the financing of the Everyday Group’s flagship shopping complex in Port Harcourt earlier in February 2025.
That partnership, he explained, laid the groundwork for expanding retail access and boosting local economies across the southern corridor.
“When we partner, we empower, expand, and raise the bar for retail development across Nigeria. Polaris Bank is proud to have supported this journey and to stand with Everyday Supermarket as it extends its footprint and impact,” Abaziem said.
“We look forward to deepening our collaboration and continuing to support businesses that are creating opportunities, empowering communities, and driving sustainable development across the country.”
In his remarks, Mr Yemi Osindero, Chairman of Everyday Supermarket, expressed enthusiasm about the group’s continued growth and its new presence in Bayelsa.
He noted that the expansion aligns with the group’s mission to deliver accessible retail services while contributing to employment and investment in emerging markets.
“Everyday Group is 28 years old, with 15 stores across the South-East and South-South, including Owerri, Asaba, and Abakaliki. We are excited to be in Yenagoa for the first time and look forward to opening more stores in Bayelsa. Plans are also underway to expand into Aba, Benin, Uyo, Enugu, and Abuja,” Mr Osindero said.
The chairman acknowledged Polaris Bank’s instrumental role in enabling the supermarket’s regional expansion, highlighting how access to structured financing has allowed the retail brand to strengthen its supply chain and create sustainable jobs.
He commended the bank’s focus on long-term business support, which he said aligns with the government’s goal of diversifying Nigeria’s economy beyond oil.
The event drew business leaders, local entrepreneurs, and representatives of community organisations who described the new store as a positive development for Bayelsa’s economy.
Attendees noted that the supermarket’s establishment would encourage entrepreneurship, support small traders, and enhance consumer access to affordable products in a modern retail setting.
Polaris Bank has maintained a consistent record of empowering small and medium-sized enterprises through targeted financial products and business advisory services.
The bank continues to collaborate with local businesses to strengthen market resilience, drive innovation, and promote sustainable value chains within Nigeria’s evolving retail sector.
Industry observers view the launch of Everyday Supermarket in Yenagoa as a practical demonstration of the bank’s commitment to regional economic integration.
The partnership not only boosts consumer spending but also contributes to logistics and supply-chain expansion across the South-South and South-East regions.
For Polaris Bank, the initiative reflects a broader agenda of supporting inclusive economic growth by providing financing solutions that allow businesses to scale efficiently.
The bank’s focus on SMEs underscores its role as a critical player in advancing financial inclusion and promoting development through strategic private-sector collaboration.
The Everyday Group’s entry into Bayelsa highlights a growing confidence in the region’s business environment and signals opportunities for other enterprises to explore expansion into the state.
Industry stakeholders said the development would likely stimulate complementary services, including transportation, warehousing, and local sourcing, contributing to a stronger commercial ecosystem.
Representatives from the bank noted that Polaris Bank remains dedicated to leveraging its financial expertise to help businesses unlock value and achieve sustainable growth.
The bank reiterated that its ongoing partnerships with indigenous enterprises serve as a model for how financial institutions can play an enabling role in driving Nigeria’s economic transformation.
The commissioning event concluded with expressions of appreciation to Polaris Bank and Everyday Group for their contribution to regional commerce. Guests commended the collaboration as a demonstration of effective corporate partnership geared towards inclusive development.
The opening of the Yenagoa branch adds to the growing network of Everyday Supermarket outlets across the country and reinforces the bank’s commitment to expanding access to finance for small and medium businesses.
By fostering partnerships that encourage innovation and economic participation, Polaris Bank continues to position itself as a leading advocate of enterprise development and sustainability in Nigeria’s retail sector.
Through consistent investment in local businesses, Polaris Bank remains focused on empowering entrepreneurs, stimulating employment, and supporting the federal government’s vision for a diversified economy driven by private-sector growth.
The bank reaffirmed its resolve to extend financial support to enterprises that demonstrate potential for expansion, job creation, and community impact.
