...Bishop Ezeokafor Hails Fidelity Bank, Urges Others to Follow Suit
Fidelity Bank Plc, in conjunction with Justice Development Peace Caritas (JDPC) , Awka Diocese, on Thursday, 14th August 2025, distributed different food items to over 600 vulnerable people in Anambra State.
Speaking before the distribution of the items, the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Bishop Paulinus Ezeokafor, said the gesture had been a ritual of the church, which it does every month, and every Easter 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 stomach needs of the people. 'I know there's nothing given to the people that would be enough to meet their needs.
He 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 seasonings, among others.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Nosa Orumwense, Regional Bank Head, Awka, noted that the initiative is part of the bank’s broader mission to combat hunger and improve living conditions in the communities it serves. '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 program, which was launched in April 2023, has already distributed over 200,000 food packs across Nigeria. 'This initiative is one of several CSR programs 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 Almighty for the gesture. According to him, '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 show 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 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 don't want to 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, saying that he was happy that a financial institution like Fidelity Bank coming out to give to the vulnerable, adding that Fidelity Bank remained his bank and that of the Anambra State government. He commended Bishop Ezeokafor as well as JDPC Awka Diocese for all the Diocese is doing for the poor in society .
Distribution of food items to the needy , group photographs, speeches, and Thanksgiving formed the highpoints of the occasion.
