Fidelity Bank Plc has provided essential food items to more than 1,000 vulnerable families in Kogi State as part of its ongoing efforts to combat food insecurity and improve the welfare of underserved communities.
The relief distribution, held at the Youth Centre in Lokoja under the bank’s Fidelity Food Bank Initiative, is part of the financial institution’s broader Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme aimed at supporting families facing economic hardship.
Since its launch in April 2023, the Fidelity Food Bank has reached hundreds of thousands of beneficiaries across Nigeria, providing food assistance to vulnerable households and contributing to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 2, which focuses on ending hunger.
Speaking during the exercise, the Regional Bank Head, North Central II, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mrs. Blessing Onwumere, described the initiative as one of the bank’s most impactful CSR interventions.
She said the programme was designed not only to provide immediate relief to families struggling with food insecurity but also to strengthen community resilience and improve the wellbeing of beneficiaries.
“Today’s distribution will provide essential food supplies to over 1,000 beneficiaries. This initiative goes beyond the distribution of food items; it is about uplifting lives, strengthening communities, and supporting families with resources that contribute to their wellbeing and resilience,” Onwumere said.
She expressed appreciation to the Lokoja community, the Abbasid Foundation and other partners for their support in making the outreach possible.
Representing Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, the Commissioner for Water Resources, Engr. Yahaya Faruk, commended Fidelity Bank for its intervention, describing it as a demonstration of responsible corporate citizenship.
Faruk said the initiative would complement the government’s efforts to improve the welfare of vulnerable residents, particularly women and youths.
“We commend Fidelity Bank for extending a helping hand to vulnerable members of our society, particularly women and youths. This is a laudable initiative that complements government’s efforts to improve the welfare of our people,” he said.
He added that the state government would continue to provide an enabling environment for responsible businesses to operate and contribute to development, urging other corporate organisations to emulate Fidelity Bank’s example.
Also speaking, the Kogi State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Aridaojo Monday Anyebe, described the intervention as timely, particularly for young people and families affected by economic pressures.
Anyebe thanked the bank for its continued commitment to community development and expressed optimism that the partnership would be strengthened to reach more beneficiaries across the state.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Zainab Abubakar, expressed gratitude to Fidelity Bank, saying the food items would provide significant support for her household.
“This is the first time I am receiving this kind of assistance, and I am truly grateful to Fidelity Bank. These food items will go a long way in supporting my family,” she said.
The initiative reinforces Fidelity Bank’s commitment to using its resources and partnerships to create meaningful social impact while supporting vulnerable Nigerians.
Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged commercial deposit money bank serving more than 10 million customers through digital banking channels and its 255 business offices across Nigeria, alongside its United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.
The bank has received several local and international recognitions, including the 2025 Development Bank of Nigeria Innovation Award for MSME support, Best Retail and SME Bank Award from Independent Newspapers, Best Bank for Export & Trade Finance and Most Innovative Bank of the Year at the 2025 BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions Awards, and Nigeria’s Best Private Bank at the 2025 Euromoney Awards.
It has also been recognised by Nairametrics, NewsDirect, Citi Group and Global Brands Magazine for various achievements in banking, SME development, payment processing and community empowerment.
