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| L-R: The Branch Leader, Trans-Amadi 1 Port Harcourt, Bob Anyanwu representing the Regional Bank Head Rivers and Bayelsa 1 & South Commercial, Ibisiki Eretoru; one of the beneficiaries of the Food Bank Donation, Ogechi Friday; The Clan Head, Ozuzu Etche, HRH Eze Josiah Nwagwu; the Team Lead, CSR, Fidelity Bank Plc, Victoria Abuka; and the CEO, Reach Nigeria Foundation, Benedicta Ebi; during the Fidelity Food Bank Distribution in Ihie Community, Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State recently. |
In a powerful demonstration of its commitment to community development and poverty alleviation, Fidelity Bank Plc, one of Nigeria’s leading financial institutions, has extended food support to over 1,500 residents of Ihie Town, Etche Local Government Area, Rivers State, through its Fidelity Food Bank initiative.
Speaking at the donation event, Mr. Ibisiki Eretoru, Regional Bank Head for Rivers/Bayelsa 1 & South Commercial, Fidelity Bank Plc, emphasised the bank’s belief in aligning business success with the well-being of the communities it serves.
“The Food Bank Initiative is our way of contributing to the well-being of our host communities through regular food support. Each month, with the support of our network of dedicated partners, we distribute food packs to individuals and families across the country,” Eretoru stated.
He noted that the initiative, launched in April 2023, is part of the bank’s broader Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy to fight hunger and improve livelihoods nationwide. The project also aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 2, which seeks to achieve zero hunger.
“To date, we have distributed over 200,000 food packs through similar outreaches aimed at supporting individuals, strengthening businesses, and transforming entire economies,” he added.
The food distribution in Ihie Town was executed in partnership with The Reach Nigeria Foundation, a non-profit organisation focused on sustainable development. Speaking at the event, Benedicta Ibiyemie Ayarete, CEO of the Foundation, explained the choice of Ihie:
“Though Ihie is an agrarian community, we identified it as needing food support during the post-planting and pre-harvest period. The peaceful nature of the community also makes it a viable location for Fidelity Bank to sustain and grow its presence. We are proud to contribute to this impactful initiative.”
His Royal Highness, Eze Richard Amadi, the paramount ruler of Ihie community, expressed gratitude to Fidelity Bank, describing the intervention as “a stitch in time” and a commendable response to the needs of the people.
Similarly, Mr. Stephen Asoh, Chairman of the Ihie Community Development Committee, thanked the bank for the generous donation, noting its significance for many families in the community.
One of the beneficiaries, Mr. Mike Okere, lauded Fidelity Bank for its compassion and called on other financial institutions to emulate its community-centric approach.
The Fidelity Food Bank continues to serve as a beacon of hope for underserved communities across Nigeria, reflecting the bank’s unwavering commitment to social impact, inclusive growth, and sustainable development.