L-R: Mrs. Nanbam Danjuma-Lot, Project Coordinator, Plateau State SDGs; Mr. Shunom Leo, Branch Leader, Fidelity Bank University of Jos Branch; Mrs. Caroline Dafur, Plateau State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development; Mr. Sunday Amuna, Executive Chairman, SUBEB; Mr. Saje Joseph, Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Plateau State Ministry of Education; and Mrs. Victoria Abuka, Team Lead, Corporate Social Responsibility, Fidelity Bank Plc, during the Fidelity Helping Hands Programme (FHHP) Back-to-School outreach in Plateau State.
By Peace Udugba
Fidelity Bank Plc has reinforced its commitment to education and community development by donating back-to-school packs to over 600 pupils across Plateau State.
The beneficiaries, randomly selected from the 17 Local Government Areas of the state, received school bags containing exercise books, writing materials, mathematical sets, and water bottles as part of the bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative aimed at supporting learning and encouraging academic excellence.
The outreach, held in Jos, was facilitated by staff of Fidelity Bank’s University of Jos Branch under the Fidelity Helping Hands Programme (FHHP), a key component of the bank’s CSR strategy. The programme enables employees to identify and support impactful community projects, with management matching staff contributions to broaden the reach of interventions.
Speaking during the presentation, the Divisional Head of Brand and Communications at Fidelity Bank, Dr. Meksley Nwagboh, described education as a critical driver of national development and emphasized the importance of investing in young people.
“Investing in young people is one of the most impactful ways to build a brighter future. Education equips children with the knowledge, confidence and opportunities needed to contribute meaningfully to society,” he said.
Nwagboh noted that the initiative reflects the bank’s commitment to creating lasting social impact through programmes that improve lives and promote sustainable community development. He urged the pupils to remain focused on their studies, stressing that Nigeria’s future depends on educated, determined and inspired young people.
Also speaking, Branch Leader of Fidelity Bank’s University of Jos Branch, Mr. Shunom Leo, said the intervention was a deliberate investment in the future of Plateau State.
“This is more than a donation of school items. It is an investment in the promise these children represent. Fidelity Bank remains committed to initiatives that support education, improve lives and strengthen communities across Nigeria,” he stated.
Representing Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Caroline Dafur, commended Fidelity Bank and the Plateau State Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Office for the initiative.
She described the outreach as a timely and meaningful investment in the future of Plateau children, adding that the state government would continue to prioritize education, healthcare, social protection and child welfare.
Dafur also called for stronger partnerships between the public and private sectors to advance sustainable development across the state.
In her remarks, the Project Coordinator of the Plateau State SDGs Office, Mrs. Nanbam Danjuma-Lot, praised Fidelity Bank for collaborating with the agency to positively impact the lives of schoolchildren.
According to her, partnerships such as the FHHP demonstrate the power of collaboration in addressing societal challenges and fostering community development.
Similarly, the Executive Chairman of the Plateau State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Mr. Sunday Amuna, described the donation as a foundation-building initiative that would yield long-term benefits for the beneficiaries.
“The strength of any structure depends on its foundation. The foundation we provide for these children today will determine the stability of their future.
Fidelity Bank has made a meaningful contribution to that foundation,” he said.
The programme also catered to physically challenged children, underscoring Fidelity Bank’s commitment to inclusion and equal opportunities for all.
Through the Fidelity Helping Hands Programme, the bank continues to support education, community empowerment and sustainable development initiatives across Nigeria, further strengthening its reputation as one of the country’s leading financial institutions.
