Fidelity Bank deepens humanitarian support with food relief for Plateau IDPs

L-R: CEO/Founder, ABBASID Charity Foundation, Hajiya Hauwa Abbas; Branch Manager, Fidelity Bank Plc, University of Jos Branch, Mr. Shunom Leo; Project Coordinator of the Plateau State Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Mrs. Nanbam Danjuma-Lot; and Team Lead, Corporate Social Responsibility, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mrs. Victoria Abuka, at the Fidelity Food Bank Initiative outreach in Mangu Local Government Area, Plateau State, recently.

Stanley Ihedigbo

Fidelity Bank Plc has extended a major humanitarian lifeline to more than 1,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, providing essential food items to families affected by displacement and prolonged socio-economic hardship.

The intervention, implemented under the bank’s Fidelity Food Bank Initiative, was carried out in collaboration with the Plateau State Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Office, with support from the ABBASID Charity Foundation.

The food relief distribution, which targeted displaced families residing in transit camps across the community, included essential household food items such as rice, noodles and tomatoes, among other provisions aimed at helping beneficiaries cope with the challenges of food insecurity.

The initiative is part of Fidelity Bank’s broader Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts to support vulnerable populations and contribute to the national response to hunger and humanitarian challenges facing communities across Nigeria.

Speaking during the distribution exercise, the Divisional Head, Brand and Communications, Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr. Meksley Nwagboh, said the intervention was driven by the bank’s commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of vulnerable Nigerians.

Nwagboh explained that the Fidelity Food Bank Initiative was established as a platform for providing sustenance and relief to vulnerable groups, particularly those facing difficult circumstances as a result of displacement, economic hardship and food insecurity.

According to him, the bank was delighted to bring the initiative to Mangu and provide immediate support to families who have been affected by displacement.

“The Fidelity Food Bank Initiative was conceived as a way of giving sustenance to the society and supporting vulnerable groups across Nigeria. Today, we are delighted to be in Mangu to extend this support to families affected by displacement.

“We hope this intervention helps nourish households and contribute to reducing the burden of hunger currently affecting them,” he said.

He noted that access to adequate food remains a major concern for many vulnerable communities, stressing that Fidelity Bank would continue to explore impactful interventions capable of improving the welfare and livelihoods of underserved Nigerians.

According to him, the Fidelity Food Bank has increasingly become an important component of the bank’s social impact efforts, enabling it to contribute to national efforts aimed at reducing hunger and supporting communities facing economic and humanitarian difficulties.

The intervention in Mangu is particularly significant against the backdrop of the challenges experienced by communities in parts of Plateau State, where violence and displacement have disrupted livelihoods and forced many families away from their homes and sources of income.

Speaking on the intervention, the Project Coordinator of the Plateau State Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Office, Mrs. Nanbam Danjuma-Lot, described the initiative as timely, noting that many families displaced by attacks and destruction in the area continue to face serious hardship.

Danjuma-Lot commended Fidelity Bank, the ABBASID Charity Foundation and other humanitarian stakeholders for coming together to assist the affected population.

“Following the attacks and destruction experienced by these communities in recent years, many families continue to face significant hardship.

“We are pleased to partner with Fidelity Bank and other humanitarian organizations to bring succor to those affected. This reflects our collective commitment to supporting affected persons and helping them rebuild their lives,” she stated.

She stressed the importance of sustained interventions for displaced communities, noting that humanitarian assistance remains critical to meeting the immediate needs of families while efforts continue towards restoring peace and enabling affected persons to return to their ancestral homes.

The Founder of ABBASID Charity Foundation, Mrs. Hauwa Abbas, also underscored the importance of collaboration among private-sector organisations, government agencies and humanitarian groups in tackling the growing challenge of food insecurity.

Abbas said the partnership with Fidelity Bank had enabled the foundation to extend food assistance to vulnerable communities in different parts of the country.

She disclosed that the organisation had so far reached between 32 and 40 communities nationwide, providing essential food support to families affected by hunger, displacement and economic hardship.

“Our collaboration with Fidelity Bank has enabled us to extend food support to vulnerable communities nationwide. So far, we have reached between 32 and 40 communities across the country, providing much-needed assistance to families affected by hunger and economic hardship,” she stated.

The intervention was welcomed by beneficiaries, who described the food distribution as a major relief to families struggling to meet their basic needs.

Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, the Village Head of Changal Community, Mr. Titus Abednago, expressed appreciation to Fidelity Bank, the Plateau State Government and other partners for remembering displaced families and providing them with much-needed assistance.

Abednago said the intervention had restored hope among many families who had been confronted with difficult living conditions as a result of displacement.

“This intervention has brought hope and relief to many families. We sincerely thank Fidelity Bank and all stakeholders for remembering our people during these challenging times.

“We also appeal for continued efforts to restore lasting peace so that our people can return to their farms and rebuild their livelihoods,” he said.

The traditional leader’s appeal highlighted the long-term aspirations of many displaced families, who seek not only immediate humanitarian assistance but also the restoration of peace and security that would allow them to return home, resume farming and rebuild their economic lives.

The Fidelity Food Bank Initiative is therefore positioned as part of Fidelity Bank’s continuing efforts to complement broader humanitarian and development interventions through targeted support for vulnerable Nigerians.

The bank’s latest intervention in Plateau State further underscores the growing role of private-sector institutions in supporting communities affected by poverty, hunger and displacement, while strengthening partnerships with government and civil society organisations to deliver meaningful social impact.