There were smiles on the faces of the internally displaced persons (IDP) in Benin, Edo State, recently when Fidelity Bank, one of the nation’s most capitalised financial institutions, renovated and equipped blocks of hostels at the IDP Camp. Working under the aegis of the Fidelity Helping Hands Programme (FHHP), one of the bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) vehicles, staff of Risk Management Group of the bank, as part of the Fidelity’s ‘Back to School’ project, contributed money from their salaries to refurbish the hostel blocks and donate books, branded school bags, pencils, pens and other educational materials to displaced persons many of whom are women and children and vulnerable host communities in Nigeria. This is in fulfilment of the Bank’s CSR objectives, which rests on a tripod: Education, Health and Environment.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc, Nnamdi Okonkwo, said the lender remains determined in its efforts to advance the cause and wellbeing of communities where it does business. He noted that the bank takes great pride in its modest accomplishments of entrenching the culture of true and responsible citizenship among its staff. “It is this passion for our country and our people that has motivated this staff-driven initiative, which we fondly call the FHHP,” Okonkwo said.

Alluding to the fundamental role of government in fixing the myriads of problems facing every community, the bank chief said that government alone cannot solve the problems of mankind especially now that it is faced with daunting economic challenges. He called on private sector organisations and corporate bodies to lend their support to government, particularly as it relates to the provision of basic infrastructure and social amenities.

As a responsible organisation, Okonkwo disclosed that Fidelity Bank has channeled significant human and financial resources towards improving the lives and property of its host communities. “Taking responsibility is the only way that lives can be enriched in Nigeria today; and if every citizen, be they Corporate or Individual can play their part, our nation will truly rise above its current challenges,” he said.

Okonkwo, who was represented by Regional Bank Head, Midwest, Fidelity Bank Plc. Ovie Mukoro, promised to maintain high standards of integrity in its relations with states and host communities.

The Fidelity Bank helmsman noted that the lender has commissioned quite a number of such impactful projects across all the geo-political zones of the country. “We recently concluded the ‘Back to School’ project in Maidugari, Borno State. “We also renovated the school for the blind, deaf & dumb in Yelwa, Bauchi State. As part of our CSR drive, the bank provided an Information Communications Technology (ICT) Centre in Girls Secondary School, Mabushi, Abuja. We also constructed motorised borehole in Hope for Survival Orphanage Home Gishiri, Abuja,” he stated.

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