Titus Eleweke, Editor South East
AWKA, Anambra – Fidelity Bank Plc, in partnership with Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo, has empowered 200 women in Anambra State with sewing and grinding machines to boost livelihoods and promote economic self-reliance.
The partners also distributed 250 solar-powered school bags to students under the Lighting Young Minds Initiative, designed to support learning and academic excellence.
At the event held at the Banquet Hall, Lighthouse, Awka, 100 women received sewing machines, while another 100 received grinding machines to help establish sustainable sources of income.
Speaking at the ceremony, the founder of Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo and wife of the Anambra State Governor, Dr. Mrs. Nonye Soludo, said the programme was about investing in people and building a stronger, healthier, and more prosperous Anambra.
She disclosed that, in addition to the empowerment items and school bags, 1,500 individuals would benefit from Food Bank Packs, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 1,950.
Soludo highlighted the impact of the NGO’s interventions, noting that over 350,000 sanitary pads had been distributed to schoolgirls in the last two years through the Healthy Living Pad Bank Programme.
She added that more than 25,000 hybrid non-GMO seed packs had been distributed through the Living Seed Packs Programme, while the Healthy Living Pap Initiative had delivered over 25,000 nutrition packs through 326 primary healthcare centres, contributing to a 57 per cent reduction in the state’s malnutrition shortfall.
She commended Fidelity Bank for supporting people-centred development and urged continued collaboration in areas such as women’s empowerment, education, nutrition, agriculture, youth development, and healthcare.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to community development, describing the event as the first time three flagship Corporate Social Responsibility programmes—the Fidelity Food Bank Initiative, Lighting Young Minds Programme, and Give Her Power Initiative—had been implemented together on one platform.
According to her, Anambra is the first state to benefit from the combined intervention.
“Our purpose goes beyond banking services. We believe that when communities thrive, businesses thrive; when families prosper, societies become stronger; and when people are empowered, possibilities become endless,” she said.
Onyeali-Ikpe explained that the Food Bank Initiative provides support to vulnerable households, while the Lighting Young Minds Programme equips students with solar-powered school bags that enable them to study after dark, especially in areas with limited electricity.
She added that the Give Her Power Initiative supports women with equipment and resources to build sustainable livelihoods and improve economic participation.
“We are not merely distributing equipment; we are creating opportunities, unlocking potential, and investing in brighter futures,” she said.
Also speaking, Fidelity Bank’s Divisional Head, Brand and Communications, Dr. Meksley Nwagboh, said the bank remained committed to education, women’s empowerment, and food security through sustainable social intervention programmes.
He noted that the bank donated 250 solar-powered school bags to students in Anambra and reaffirmed its commitment to empowering women through initiatives that promote economic independence.
Nwagboh thanked stakeholders for supporting the programme and reiterated Fidelity Bank’s dedication to driving social impact through education, empowerment, and humanitarian interventions.
