Fidelity Bank Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to social responsibility by donating relief materials to inmates at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre in Lagos, as part of efforts to support rehabilitation and welfare.
The intervention was carried out under the bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) platform, the Fidelity Helping Hands Programme (FHHP). Through the initiative, the bank’s Human Resources Department presented household items and other essentials to the management of the facility. FHHP enables staff across Fidelity Bank’s branches nationwide to identify pressing community needs, mobilise funds, and execute projects, with management matching employee contributions.
Speaking at the presentation, Mr. Charles Nwachukwu, Chief Human Resources Officer, said the initiative reflects Fidelity Bank’s broader commitment to transforming lives and promoting inclusive development. “At Fidelity Bank, we believe that every individual deserves a second chance. By contributing to the welfare of inmates, we are supporting rehabilitation and encouraging reintegration as productive members of society,” he stated.
In response, Dr. Julius Ogueri, Deputy Controller of Corrections at Ikoyi Custodial Centre, commended the bank for the gesture and urged Nigerians to shun cybercrime and avoid stigmatizing former inmates. He highlighted challenges facing correctional facilities, noting that the Ikoyi centre, built for 800 inmates, currently houses over 3,000, including 396 convicted inmates and more than 3,600 awaiting trial.
Ogueri underscored the importance of sustained rehabilitation programmes, revealing that 72 inmates are enrolled with the National Open University of Nigeria, while about 120 have benefited from support for WAEC and GCE examinations.
Fidelity Bank’s outreach underscores its focus on community development and social reintegration. The bank, which serves over 9.1 million customers through digital platforms, 255 business offices in Nigeria, and its UK subsidiary, has received multiple awards for innovation in digital transformation, SME banking, and export financing.
By Kehinde Ibrahim, Lagos
