Emma Elekwa
Wife of Anambra State Governor, Dr (Mrs) Nonye Soludo on Saturday distributed 1,950 sewing and grinding machines, solar-powered school bags as well as Food Bank Packs to women, school children and other individuals in the state.
While sewing and grinding machines were given to 200 women to strengthen their livelihoods and economic independence, 250 students benefitted from solar school bags to support learning and inspire academic excellence.
A total of 1,500 persons benefited from the Food Bank Packs under the empowerment initiative.
Speaking during the distribution, Soludo described the gesture, powered by Fidelity Bank/Healthy Living in partnership with Nonye Soludo as significant as it reflected power of partnership and shared responsibility.
According to her, the event is not merely to distribute items or celebrate another social impact initiative, but to reaffirm her commitment to investing in their future.
She said, “Every woman supported, every child supported and every family assisted represents a step towards building a stronger, healthier and more prosperous Anambra State.
“It is this belief that brings us together today under this remarkable partnership between Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo and Fidelity Bank Plc.
100 sewing machines
“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.
While clarifying that her NGO had no government financial backing for its programmes and interventions, governor’s wife said its interventions were sustained through goodwill, strategic collaborations and the support of organizations and individuals who share its 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.
“Yet, the confidence that our partners place in us is built on the impact our programmes have continued to make across Anambra State.”
Earlier, Managing Director, Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe described the event as landmark intervention, bringing together three of the bank’s flagship corporate social responsibility programmes under one platform for the first time.
She reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to social development and community empowerment through initiatives aimed at supporting vulnerable families, promoting education, and enhancing women’s economic participation.
“Anambra is the first beneficiary of the unique convergence of the Fidelity Food Bank Initiative, Lighting Young Minds Programme, and Give Her Power Initiative.
“Fidelity Bank, through the initiative has continued to provide essential food support to vulnerable households across Nigeria, particularly at a time when many families are facing economic challenges,” she added.
