The wife of Anambra State governor, Dr Nonye Soludo, in collaboration with Fidelity Bank Plc, has empowered no fewer than 2,000 beneficiaries, mainly women and children, with equipment, working tools/materials, as well as entrepreneurial support, as part of efforts to build sustainable development, strengthen their livelihoods and economic independence.
In the exercise conducted under the ‘Fidelity Bank/Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo Empowerment Programme’, the women received, among other items, sewing machines, grinding machines and food bank packs.
The children also received solar-powered school bags to support learning and inspire academic excellence.
Speaking during the event held at the Banquet Hall of the Light House, in Awka, on Saturday, Soludo said the programme was designed to promote economic inclusion, adding that every woman supported and every child supported represents a step towards building a stronger, healthier and more prosperous community.
The Anambra first lady highlighted the significance of the empowerment, saying it reflects the power of partnership and shared responsibility founded on the conviction that healthy people build healthy communities, and healthy communities build prosperous societies.
She said, “We gather today, not merely to distribute items or celebrate another social impact initiative, but to reaffirm a simple truth — when we invest in people, we invest in the future.
“It is this belief that brings us together today under this remarkable partnership between ‘Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo’ and Fidelity Bank Plc.
“Today, through the ‘Give Her Power Initiative’, 100 women will receive sewing machines, while another 100 women will receive grinding machines to strengthen their livelihoods and economic independence.
“Through the ‘Lighting Young Minds Initiative’, 250 schoolchildren will receive solar-powered school bags to support learning and inspire academic excellence.
“In addition, 1,500 persons will benefit from our ‘Food Bank Packs’. In all, 1,950 beneficiaries will be directly touched by this intervention, and that is indeed a cause for celebration.
“As an NGO, we do not receive government funding for our programmes and interventions. Our work is sustained through goodwill, strategic collaborations and the support of organisations and individuals who share our passion for improving lives.
“This is why partnerships such as the one we celebrate today are not only valuable but essential. They enable us to reach more people, expand our interventions and deliver meaningful solutions to the challenges facing our communities. Our dreams are big, but our resources are quite insufficient.”
She commended Fidelity Bank, adding that such interventions from corporate organisations continue to demonstrate that sustainable transformation becomes possible when people are equipped with the right knowledge, support and opportunities.
“Whether in women’s empowerment, agro support, education, nutrition, youth development, environmental sustainability or preventive healthcare, there remain countless opportunities to transform lives through strategic collaboration.
“To all our beneficiaries, I congratulate you. The items you receive today are more than material support; they are tools of opportunity, symbols of hope and investments in your future. I encourage you to make good use of them, to grow from them and to become ambassadors of positive change in your homes and communities.
“Together, through partnership, compassion and shared purpose, we can continue to build a healthier, stronger and more prosperous Anambra State and Nigeria,” she added.
Also speaking, the Divisional Head, Brand and Communications at Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr Meksley Nwagboh, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to education, women’s empowerment, and food security through a series of impactful social intervention programmes.
Nwagboh said the bank remains passionate about improving the lives of Nigerians, particularly children and women, through sustainable initiatives, adding that the bank donated 250 solar-powered school bags to students in Anambra State as part of the programme.
Highlighting the bank’s commitment to gender inclusion, he said Fidelity Bank has continued to champion women’s empowerment, noting that women occupy key leadership positions within the institution, including the Chairman and Managing Director.
“As a bank, we are committed to empowering women and placing economic power in their hands. Our support goes beyond words; we are taking practical steps to improve livelihoods,” he stated.
He revealed that since its inception, the initiative has distributed more than 300,000 food packs across Nigeria, reaching over 300 communities in all states of the federation.
