Damilola Adebara , a senior staff of the Polaris Bank, has found herself in the hot seat after sending a controversial email asking Muslim staff not to attend Jummah prayer.
Team@orientactualmags.com learned trouble began for Damilola when the controversial email entered public domain, she had noted that the bank does not have a policy that allows any employee to go for religious activities during working time.
‘Dear All, It has been observed that on Fridays, you leave your work desks to attend the Jumat service bearing in mind the impact of your absence on the work flow and productivity of Yes Center.
Kindly note that there is no provision made anywhere in the Bank’s policy for employees to attend any religious activities during working time. Going forward such permissions would not be granted on the Yes Center platform and any infraction of this directive would be dealt with accordingly. You are all expected to acknowledge the receipt of this email. Thank you’ she had submitted.
Following the subjection of Damilola’s action to severe criticism , Polaris Bank had since noted that she ‘is on her own’ adding that her submission does not represent its position as a corporate entity.
‘The attention of the Bank has been drawn to a shared screenshot of an email sent by a supervisor to staff in her department in respect of Friday prayers.
This is to clarify that Nigeria is a secular nation and our Bank is guided by this standard. Accordingly, there is no policy in the Bank that forbids staff from practicing the religion of their choice; hence the said staff had acted in ignorance and we have since addressed the issue internally.
We assure all staff, customers, and the public that we will continue to respect the fundamental rights and freedom of worship of every employee’ the bank submitted
Social media users in Nigeria had since condemned Damilola’s action .
Yusuf Shehu Ahmodu claimed that the situation is ‘applicable to all commercial banks in Nigeria except Zenith and Union Bank’ saying ‘This happened to me during my days in Diamond Bank. I had to beg, kneel for my supervisor before she could allow me to go and pray’.
‘I was about to offer an advice, especially to Muslims, not invest or trade with any Bank where workers’ right (Muslim and Christian) alike are not protected’ Isma’eel Musa said
‘This bank (Polaris) does not like Muslims. A staff of the bank is threatening her subordinates that they should not go for jumuat prayers. Damilola I. Adebara Muslims are watching you. We were created to serve God not Polaris’ Coolex tweeted.
‘It is well, In Polaris Bank, supervisors are next to God.. Subordinate are unfortunate’ Samson Ogunsakin said- Team@orientactualmags.com
Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08059100286, 09094171980. Thank you
