Leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc, has reinforced its commitment to women’s economic empowerment by providing financial support, business equipment and food supplies to 300 women in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Delivered through the Give Her Power Initiative and Fidelity Food Bank Programme, in partnership with the Golden Initiative For All (GIFA) and the Office of the First Lady of Akwa Ibom State, the intervention included 50 sewing machines, 50 grinding machines, N25 million in financial support for small businesses and 500 bags of food items.
Speaking at the event in which held at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, the Executive Director, South, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mrs. Pamela Shodipo, said the bank’s intervention reflects its conviction that supporting women with the right tools, capital and opportunities can generate wider economic benefits for families and communities.
“At Fidelity Bank, we believe that empowerment is about giving people the tools, the capital, the opportunities and the confidence to turn their potential into possibilities and their possibilities into prosperity. That is the philosophy behind our Give Her Power Initiative, and it is why we are delighted to partner with the Golden Initiative for All and the Office of the First Lady of Akwa Ibom on this important programme”, Shodipo said.
She noted that the bank’s contribution was designed to provide practical resources that could translate into sustainable livelihoods, adding that the value of the programme extended beyond the items and funds being distributed.
“These are not simply machines, food items or financial resources being presented today. They are instruments of possibility. A sewing machine can become a fashion business; a grinding machine can become a sustainable source of daily income, while the N25 million financial support can become working capital, inventory, business expansion and employment opportunities. We hope that the beneficiaries would transform this support into thriving enterprises and stronger households,” she emphasised.
Shodipo further explained that the intervention was part of Fidelity Bank’s broader commitment to Akwa Ibom, citing the recent inauguration of the bank’s new branch on Grace Bill Road in Eket Local Government Area as evidence of its expanding footprint in the state.
“Our decision to deepen our footprint in Akwa Ibom is deliberate because we see entrepreneurs who need capital, businesses ready to grow and young people with ideas, energy and ambition. We want to be part of that story, not merely as a bank, but as a long-term partner in the economic development of Akwa Ibom,” Shodipo said.
In her remarks, Coordinator, Office of the First Lady of Akwa Ibom and Chairperson of GIFA, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, expressed appreciation to Fidelity Bank for supporting the empowerment programme, noting that the intervention would increase the number of women impacted by GIFA to about 7,000.
“Today is not just another ceremonial gathering. It is a decisive turning point for female enterprise across every corner of our 31 local government areas. We thank Fidelity Bank for partnering with us to make this possible through their donations,” she said, urging the beneficiaries to deploy the equipment and financial support responsibly to grow their businesses.
She disclosed that the empowerment programme would be implemented in phases, with beneficiaries receiving sewing machines, grinding machines and financial support, including POS machines and cash grants. She assured women who had been vetted but were yet to receive their equipment that they would not be excluded from the programme.
The intervention reinforces Fidelity Bank’s commitment to supporting inclusive economic growth by providing women with the resources needed to build sustainable livelihoods and contribute to their communities. Through initiatives such as Give Her Power and the Fidelity Food Bank, the bank continues to leverage strategic partnerships to deliver practical support that creates lasting impact for individuals, families and communities across Nigeria.
Ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 9.1 million customers through digital banking channels, its 255 business offices in Nigeria and United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.
The Bank is a recipient of multiple local and international Awards, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award by BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards; the 2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application award for its Fidelity Mobile App by Global Business Outlook, and the 2024 Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider award by Global Brands Magazine. Additionally, the Bank was recognized as the Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence and as the Export Financing Bank of the Year by the BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.
