Fidelity Bank Plc has stepped up its commitment to social impact in Osun State by donating essential food items to more than 4,500 residents and distributing 500 Point of Sale (POS) machines to small business owners. The bank’s latest gesture forms part of its ongoing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities aimed at addressing hunger, poverty, and economic empowerment across Nigeria.
The two-day outreach, which took place in Abere and Modakeke communities in Ile-Ife, was organised in partnership with the Osun State Ministry of Cooperatives and Empowerment and the Esther Adeleke Foundation. The initiative is under the banner of the Fidelity Food Bank, the bank’s flagship CSR programme focused on food security and community support.
Speaking at the event, Fidelity Bank’s Managing Director/CEO, Mrs. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, who was represented by Morenike Olabisi, the Regional Bank Head for Southwest II, said the bank remains dedicated to reducing hunger and contributing to Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger).
“This marks the third time we are distributing food items in Osun State this year. Our aim is not only to provide immediate relief but also to create long-term solutions by empowering people economically,” Olabisi explained.
She also announced that the bank had donated 500 POS machines to the Osun State Government through the Ministry of Cooperatives and Empowerment. These devices, she noted, would help residents—especially small-scale entrepreneurs—generate income and sustain their businesses.
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, who was represented at the outreach by Bayo Ogungbangbe, the Commissioner for Cooperatives and Empowerment, praised Fidelity Bank for its consistent contributions to the state. He urged other private sector players to follow the bank’s example in supporting grassroots development.
“This is not the first time Fidelity Bank is intervening in Osun State. Their contributions continue to show that the welfare of our people is part of their corporate agenda. We are grateful and hopeful that more organisations will emulate this,” Ogungbangbe stated.
The wife of the Governor, Erelu Ngozi Adeleke, who is also the founder of the Esther Adeleke Foundation, also attended the event and expressed gratitude for the bank’s support. She said her foundation’s partnership with Fidelity Bank was in line with her personal commitment to supporting the needy and uplifting the vulnerable.
“My desire to reduce poverty in Osun is why I partnered with Fidelity Bank. There is serious economic hardship in the country, and we must work together to ensure that no one is left behind,” she said.
Fidelity Bank’s CSR efforts extend beyond food and financial empowerment. It was recently reported that the bank has launched a new initiative focused on providing supportive spaces and resources for children with special needs. The programme will also include emotional and psychological support for their parents and caregivers, recognising the wider impact of raising children with special challenges.
These programmes underscore Fidelity Bank’s broader commitment to sustainable development and social responsibility across Nigeria. From financial empowerment to inclusive support systems, the bank continues to take a multi-dimensional approach to nation-building
