Fidelity Bank Plc has distributed essential food items to over 4,500 residents and donated 500 Point of Sale machines to support small business owners in Osun State as part of its ongoing Corporate Social Responsibility initiative.

The two-day outreach, held in the Abere and Modakeke communities in Ile-Ife recently, was executed in collaboration with the Osun State Ministry of Cooperatives and Empowerment and the Esther Adeleke Foundation.

Speaking at the distribution event, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank, Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, represented by the Regional Bank Head, Southwest II, Morenike Olabisi, said the initiative, known as the Fidelity Food Bank, reflects the bank’s commitment to addressing hunger and poverty across Nigeria.

“This is the third distribution exercise in Osun State this year, and our aim is to achieve zero hunger and contribute to Sustainable Development Goal 2. We are not just providing temporary relief but empowering people to improve their livelihoods,” Olabisi stated.

She added that the bank would be donating 500 POS machines to the state government through the Ministry of Cooperatives and Empowerment for onwards distribution to residents, noting that the devices would serve as income-generating tools for families and small businesses.

In his remarks, the Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, represented by the Commissioner for Cooperatives and Empowerment, Bayo Ogungbangbe, commended Fidelity Bank for its continued support of the people of the state.

“This is not the first time Fidelity Bank is giving back to the state, and this shows that the well-being of the people is a top priority for the bank. We appreciate their sacrifice and encourage other corporate organisations to emulate this laudable initiative,” he said.

Also speaking, the founder of the Esther Adeleke Foundation and wife of the Osun State Governor, Erelu Adeleke, expressed her appreciation to Fidelity Bank for sustaining the partnership, adding that the food distribution initiative is in line with her commitment to fighting poverty and supporting vulnerable groups in the state.

“My resolve to help the needy and alleviate poverty necessitated my partnership with Fidelity Bank. There is hardship in the country, and I am doing my best to support the governor in catering to the people of Osun,” she said.

The PUNCH reported that Fidelity Bank Plc has launched an initiative that will provide supportive spaces and activities for children with special needs while addressing the psychological and emotional well-being of their parents and carers.