Fidelity Bank, Anambra Government Reach 1,950 Residents with Joint Empowerment Drive

By prince Benson Davies

Awka played host to a large-scale social impact programme recently as Fidelity Bank Plc partnered with the Anambra State Government to deliver direct support to 1,950 residents. The 2026 Fidelity Empowerment Programme combined tools for trade, education support, food relief, and business capital in one outreach, implemented alongside Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo, the NGO led by the wife of the Anambra State Governor, Dr. Mrs. Nonye Soludo.

The event saw 200 women entrepreneurs receive sewing and grinding machines to grow their businesses. In addition, N25 million in seed capital was disbursed to beneficiaries to help them scale their ventures. Vulnerable households went home with 1,500 food packs, while 250 pupils received solar-powered school bags designed to aid reading and homework in areas with poor electricity supply.

Speaking during the distribution in Awka, Fidelity Bank’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, said the programme reflects the bank’s view that real progress starts when people have practical tools and opportunities. She explained that Anambra became the first state to host three of the bank’s major social initiatives at once: the Fidelity Food Bank Initiative, Lighting Young Minds Programme, and Give Her Power Initiative.

“This is more than an empowerment event. It is our way of showing that we are invested in people’s aspirations. Our work does not stop at banking. We are focused on helping individuals rise above challenges and build stable lives. When families are stronger, communities are stronger, and that creates room for businesses and society to grow,” Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe said.

She noted that the Fidelity Food Bank Initiative was created to respond to the needs of households facing economic pressure. By providing food support, the bank aims to ease immediate hardship, restore dignity, and promote inclusion for families under strain.
Tv
On education, she said the Lighting Young Minds Programme addresses a clear gap. Many pupils in underserved communities struggle to study after dark due to lack of power. The solar-powered bags provide a safe, steady light source that allows children to read and do assignments at home, improving learning outcomes without relying on candles or kerosene lamps.

Through the Give Her Power Initiative, the bank is also pushing for wider economic participation by women. The vocational tools and financial support handed out in Awka are meant to help women start or expand small businesses, increase household income, and contribute more actively to local economies.

Dr. Mrs. Nonye Soludo, wife of the Anambra State Governor, described the intervention as timely and aligned with the state’s development priorities. She said investing in women, children, and families is the surest way to secure the future of Anambra. “Every woman we support and every child we empower adds to the strength of our state. This is how we build a healthier, more prosperous Anambra,” she stated.

She thanked Fidelity Bank for working with the state to deliver measurable impact beyond ceremonial donations. According to her, the partnership shows how private institutions can play a direct role in advancing development, improving living standards, and supporting government efforts to reduce poverty.

The Fidelity Empowerment Programme sits within the bank’s wider social investment strategy, which covers education, entrepreneurship, food security, healthcare, and community development across Nigeria.

Fidelity Bank Plc operates as a full-service commercial bank with over 10 million customers. The bank runs 255 business offices across Nigeria and has a United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited. Its digital channels serve customers nationwide.

The bank’s work has earned multiple recognitions. In 2025, it received the Development Bank of Nigeria Innovation Award for MSME support, the Best Retail and SME Bank Award from Independent Newspapers, and Best Bank for Export & Trade Finance as well as Most Innovative Bank of the Year at the BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions Awards. It was also named Nigeria’s Best Private Bank at the 2025 Euromoney Awards. Other honours include the Most Improved Commercial Bank of the Year award from Nairametrics, SME Bank of the Year by NewsDirect, the Straight-Through Processing Excellence Award from Citi Group, and an Excellence in Community Empowerment award from Global Brands Magazine.