By JKNewsMedia
MORE THAN 4,500 residents of Abere and Modakeke communities in Ile-Ife, Osun State, received essential food items during a two-day distribution programme organised by Fidelity Bank Plc.
The initiative, delivered in partnership with the Ministry of Cooperatives and Empowerment and the Esther Adeleke Foundation, forms part of the bank’s sustained push towards community welfare through its Fidelity Food Bank project.
Representing the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank, Dr Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, at the event was the Regional Bank Head for Southwest II, Mrs Morenike Olabisi, who highlighted the broader objective behind the outreach.
She noted that the Fidelity Food Bank was launched in April 2023 and has since impacted communities across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
The exercise in Osun marked the third such intervention in the state this year. “Our aim is to achieve zero hunger in Nigeria and contribute meaningfully to Sustainable Development Goal 2,” Mrs Olabisi stated.
“This initiative is about more than food—it’s about empowering people and enhancing livelihoods,” she added.
To complement the food relief, Fidelity Bank said it is donating 500 Point of Sale (POS) machines to the Ministry of Cooperatives and Empowerment.
The devices are expected to bolster micro-businesses across the state by offering residents sustainable income-generating opportunities.
Governor Ademola Adeleke, represented by Commissioner for Cooperatives and Empowerment, Bayo Ogungbangbe, acknowledged the significance of Fidelity Bank’s consistent interventions in Osun.
“This is not the first time Fidelity Bank is giving back to our state,” he said. “We are grateful for their commitment to the people, and we encourage other corporate organisations to follow suit.”
Erelu Ngozi Adeleke, founder of the Esther Adeleke Foundation and wife of the Governor, underscored the collaborative impact of the programme.
She revealed that the latest edition followed a successful pilot held at Asubiaro Hospital in Osogbo.
“My resolve to help the needy and alleviate poverty informed my decision to partner with Fidelity Bank,” she explained.
“We appreciate the bank’s unwavering dedication to Osun people, and we assure them of our continued support.”
Fidelity Bank Plc ranks among Nigeria’s leading financial institutions, serving over 9.1 million customers through a network of 255 business offices and digital channels, alongside its UK subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.
The bank has received numerous accolades, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award by BusinessDay BAFI Awards and the 2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application by Global Business Outlook.
It was also honoured as the 2024 Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider by Global Brands Magazine and named Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by Euromoney Awards for Excellence, in addition to clinching the Export Financing Bank of the Year award by BusinessDay BAFI Awards.
