The New Experience Newspapers Online News Indepth, Analysis and More
FIDELITY BANK SECURES SHELTER FOR ABUJA SPECIAL NEEDS ORPHANAGE THROUGH EMPLOYEE-LED CSR INITIATIVE
By Prince Benson Davies
Fidelity Bank Plc has extended critical funding support to JKS Special Needs Academy in Abuja, ensuring continued shelter and care for children with special needs. The intervention was carried out under the bank’s Fidelity Helping Hands Programme (FHHP), an employee-driven corporate social responsibility initiative.
The project was facilitated by Team Valorem, a group of the bank’s newly recruited employees, as part of their induction activities. Under the FHHP framework, employees identify social causes, contribute fifty percent of the required project funding, and the bank matches the amount to deliver impact. This structure is designed to deepen staff involvement in community development while addressing pressing social needs.
Speaking during the outreach, Dr Meksley Nwagboh, Divisional Head, Brand and Communications Division, Fidelity Bank Plc, said the intervention aligns with the bank’s CSR pillars of health and social welfare, as well as youth empowerment. He noted that the funding will cover the orphanage’s accommodation for an additional year, providing a stable and safe environment for the children.
“This intervention reflects our belief that building a better society is a shared responsibility. Through the Fidelity Helping Hands Programme, we empower our employees to actively contribute to meaningful social causes. The support guarantees that these children continue to have a place they can call home,” Nwagboh stated.
He also commended the caregivers at JKS Special Needs Academy for their dedication and urged greater emphasis on skill acquisition for children with disabilities. According to him, beyond meeting basic needs, society must create opportunities for these children to develop skills and achieve self-reliance.
“Beyond providing basic needs, we must provide these children with opportunities to develop skills and become self-reliant. Everyone, regardless of their physical or socio-economic status, has a role to play in the society,” he added.
Responding, Director of JKS Special Needs Academy, Mrs. Nifemi Ajileye, expressed gratitude to Fidelity Bank and its staff for the timely support. She explained that caring for children with disabilities involves high costs, including continuous medical attention and therapy, which often stretch the facility’s resources.
“We are truly grateful to Fidelity Bank for this support. It will significantly improve the welfare of the children under our care and help us sustain our operations. Many of the children require continuous medical attention and therapy, which are quite expensive. Support like this helps us bridge critical gaps and continue delivering quality care. This support from Fidelity Bank is timely and it means the world to us and to these children,” Ajileye said.
She further called for sustained assistance from other corporate organisations and well-meaning individuals to ensure children with special needs receive adequate care and opportunities.
Fidelity Bank continues to drive inclusive growth through initiatives that impact communities across Nigeria. The bank serves over 10 million customers through digital channels, 255 business offices in Nigeria, and its United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK.
Ranked among Nigeria’s leading financial institutions, Fidelity Bank has received several local and international recognitions. These include the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award by BusinessDay BAFI Awards, Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application by Global Business Outlook for its Fidelity Mobile App, and Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider by Global Brands Magazine. The bank was also named Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence and Export Financing Bank of the Year by the BusinessDay BAFI Awards.
