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BishopEzeokafor Hails Fidelity Bank, Urges Others to Follow Suit

By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu

Fidelity Bank Plc, in conjunction with the Justice Development and Peace Caritas (JDPC), Awka Diocese, on Thursday, 14th August, 2025, distributed different food items to over 600 vulnerable people in Anambra State.<!--more-->

Speaking before the distribution of the items, the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship Most Reverend Paulinus Ezeokafor, said the gesture had been a ritual of the Church, which it did every month, and every Easter, which it called "Easter with the Poor".

Identifying air, food, and shelter as essentials of life, he appreciated God for granting the bank the opportunity to meet the food needs of the people.

Remarking that nothing given to the people would be enough to meet their needs, the Bishop called on government and other spirited individuals to emulate the gesture, including providing jobs for the masses so they could cater for themselves

Each food pack contained staples such as garri, rice, beans, wheat, soup ingredients, beverages, milk, and seasoning, among others.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Nosa Orumwense, Regional Bank Head, Awka, noted that the initiative was part of the bank’s broader mission to combat hunger and improve living conditions in the communities it served.

"As a socially responsible organization, we do not operate in isolation. Through our CSR initiatives, we support both the government and our host communities to provide relief to the less privileged,' he stated.

He further explained that the food bank programme, which was launched in April 2023, had already distributed over 200,000 food packs across Nigeria.

'This initiative is one of several CSR programmes by Fidelity Bank aimed at addressing pressing socio-economic challenges, particularly in light of the growing issue of food insecurity,” Dr. Orumwense added.

Earlier, the Executive Director of JDPC, Awka Diocese, Reverend Father Levi Ndubuisi Ukor, expressed gratitude to God for the gesture.

'We're excited to partner with Fidelity Bank. This is the first time we're doing this kind of thing here.

'I'm so happy because there are so many people suffering from hunger. For the bank to decide to share foodstuffs to over 600 shows they're concerned for them.

'We pray this relationship is sustained, especially as it has to do with the poor and vulnerable.

'My message to other banks and public spirited individuals is for them to emulate this gesture in order to ameliorate the suffering of the people.

'A lot of people are dying of hunger because they can't afford to eat three times a day, while the sick ones don't have money to visit hospitals,' he concluded

For his part, the Mayor of Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, Prince Chinedu Okafor, lauded the initiative, describing it as one of its kind and expressed happiness that a financial institution like Fidelity Bank was coming out to give succour to the vulnerable. He added that Fidelity Bank remained his bank and that of the Anambra State Government.

Okafor commended Bishop Ezeokafor, as well as JDPC,Awka Diocese, for all the Diocese was doing for the poor in society .

Distribution of food items to the needy , group photographs, speeches, and Thanksgiving formed the highpoints of the occa­sion.