Fidelity Bank Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting education and community development by donating back-to-school packs to more than 600 schoolchildren across Plateau State.
The initiative, carried out in Jos under the bank’s Fidelity Helping Hands Programme (FHHP), benefited randomly selected pupils from all 17 Local Government Areas of the state. Each beneficiary received a school bag containing exercise books, writing materials, a mathematical set and a water bottle to support their academic pursuits.
The outreach was facilitated by staff of Fidelity Bank’s University of Jos Branch as part of the bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts aimed at improving access to quality education and empowering young learners.
Speaking during the presentation, the Divisional Head, Brand and Communications, Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr. Meksley Nwagboh, described education as one of the most effective tools for national development, stressing that investing in children today would help build a brighter future for the country.
He said the intervention reflects the bank’s unwavering commitment to creating sustainable social impact through initiatives that improve lives and strengthen communities.
“Investing in young people is one of the most impactful ways to build a brighter future, as education equips children with the knowledge, confidence and opportunities needed to contribute meaningfully to society,” he said.
Nwagboh encouraged the beneficiaries to remain focused on their studies, noting that their dreams are achievable and that Nigeria’s future depends on well-educated, determined and inspired young people.
Also speaking, the Branch Leader of Fidelity Bank’s University of Jos Branch, Mr. Shunom Leo, whose team championed the project, described the initiative as a strategic investment in the future of Plateau State.
“This is more than a donation of school items. It is a deliberate investment in the future of Plateau State and in the promise these children represent. Across Nigeria, Fidelity Bank has remained committed to projects that improve lives, support education and strengthen communities,” he said.
Representing Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, at the event, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Ms. Caroline Dafur, commended Fidelity Bank and the Plateau State Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Office for what she described as a timely intervention.
She noted that the donation of school bags and learning materials was not merely an act of charity but a meaningful investment in the future of Plateau children.
Dafur reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to prioritising education, healthcare, social protection and child welfare, while calling for stronger partnerships with the private sector to accelerate sustainable development.
In her remarks, the Project Coordinator of the Plateau State SDGs Office, Mrs. Nanbam Danjuma-Lot, praised Fidelity Bank for partnering with the agency to positively impact children across the state.
According to her, collaborations between the public and private sectors remain essential in addressing societal challenges, expressing hope that more corporate organisations would emulate Fidelity Bank’s example by investing in their host communities.
The Executive Chairman of the Plateau State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Mr. Sunday Amuna, also applauded the initiative, describing it as a foundation for the beneficiaries’ future success.
He said the quality of opportunities provided to children today would determine the stability and prosperity of society tomorrow, adding that Fidelity Bank had made a significant contribution towards securing that future.
Notably, the outreach also included physically challenged children with varying degrees of disability, highlighting the bank’s commitment to inclusion and equal opportunities for all.
The Fidelity Helping Hands Programme remains a cornerstone of Fidelity Bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility strategy. Under the initiative, staff identify impactful community projects and raise funds, which are matched by the bank’s management to increase the scale and impact of interventions.
Through initiatives such as the FHHP, Fidelity Bank continues to demonstrate its commitment to supporting education, empowering communities and contributing to sustainable development across Nigeria.
