Tier-one lender, Fidelity Bank Plc, has reaffirmed its commitment to community development and educational empowerment with the donation of essential learning materials to schoolchildren in Makoko Community, Yaba, Lagos under its Fidelity Helping Hands Program (FHHP).

The outreach, which was facilitated by the bank’s Legal Services Division, saw the presentation of school bags, notebooks, mathematical sets, writing materials, and other learning materials to pupils of Makoko Anglican Nursery and Primary School; Aiyetoro Nursery and Primary School, and Adekunle Anglican Nursery and Primary School in Lagos.

Speaking during the presentation, Divisional Head of Legal Services, Fidelity Bank Plc, Kingsley Ohiri, explained that the gesture forms part of Fidelity Bank’s broader CSR initiatives centered on empowering young people, supporting education, and enhancing social welfare in vulnerable communities.

“The Fidelity Helping Hands Program is our staff volunteer program that enables employees to identify and execute impactful CSR projects,” he said. “Through this program, staff volunteers from the Legal Services Division are here today in Makoko to distribute back-to-school materials such as school bags, notebooks, pencils and other essential learning tools. This aligns strongly with one of our CSR pillars: education.”

Ohiri further emphasized the bank’s focus on improving access to quality education for children in public schools, especially those from indigent backgrounds.

“Over 500 school bags, more than 2,000 exercise books and several other learning items were distributed today. We at Fidelity Bank are proud to give back to Makoko community. We believe that by supporting these pupils with the tools they need to learn, we are helping to build a stronger future for the pupils, the community and Nigeria,” Ohiri added.

Aimed at enhancing the learning experience of children in one of Lagos’ most underserved riverine communities, the gesture received warm appreciation from school leaders, teachers, and parents who
expressed gratitude for the bank’s support.

“We sincerely appreciate Fidelity Bank for selecting our school as one of the beneficiaries. This gesture will go a long way in helping our pupils improve academically. Recognizing students who placed 1st to 10th in their classes is also a great motivation for our children”, stated the Head Teacher of Adekunle Nursery and Primary School, Mrs. Tinubu Abimbola.

Similarly, the School Manager of Makoko Anglican Nursery and Primary School, Mr. Laoye Joseph, described the donation as a profound act of compassion and responsibility, saying, “We truly appreciate Fidelity Bank and the continuous support for the educational development of our children. Many families here struggle to provide basic learning materials due to economic hardship, so this intervention is highly impactful. We pray that God continues to uplift the bank.”

Teachers present at the event also noted that many pupils often attend classes without basic supplies, a challenge that affects participation and performance. They commended Fidelity Bank for easing the financial burden on parents, especially amid rising household expenses.

Through FHHP, Fidelity Bank Plc’s staff identify impactful projects in their communities and raise funds to support them. The bank’s management matches these contributions, amplifying their reach and impact.

Ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 9.1 million customers through digital banking channels, its 255 business offices in Nigeria and United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.

The Bank is a recipient of multiple local and international Awards, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award by BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards; the 2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application award for its Fidelity Mobile App by Global Business Outlook, and the 2024 Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider award by Global Brands Magazine. Additionally, the Bank was recognized as the Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence and as the Export Financing Bank of the Year by the BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.

L–R: Head Teacher/School Manager, Aiyetoro African Church Primary School, Okoro Chineye Patricia; School Manager, Adekunle Anglican Nursery & Primary School, Tinubu Abimbola; Head, Legal Services Division, Fidelity Bank Plc, Kingsley Ohiri; School Manager, Makoko Anglican Nursery & Primary School, Olaoye Joseph; and Team Lead, Corporate Social Responsibility, Fidelity Bank Plc, Victoria Abuka; during the presentation of educational kits to pupils of Adekunle, Makoko, and Aiyetoro Nursery and Primary Schools in the Makoko area of Yaba, Lagos.

The Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has mourned the passing of the revered Oba of Badagry (Paramount Ruler of Badagry Kingdom) and Permanent Vice Chairman of the Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs, Oba Babatunde Akran, the Wheno Aholu Menu-Toyi I, who joined his ancestors at the age of 89.

Governor Sanwo-Olu, in a statement issued on Monday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Gboyega Akosile, described the departure of Oba Akran as a great loss not only to the people of Badagry but also to Lagos and Nigeria at large because of his remarkable impact as a respected monarch in Nigeria.

He said the revered king, who was on the throne for nearly 49 years, is a traditional ruler known for his wisdom, cultural preservation, and advocacy for Badagry’s development, adding that he rendered selfless service to the people and left behind a legacy of unity, tradition, uplifting and modern development.

Governor Sanwo-Olu commiserated with the people of Badagry and the family of the late Oba Akran of Badagry, over the passage of the paramount ruler, saying his departure is a great loss to the traditional institution in the State.

He said: “On behalf of my wife, the government and people of Lagos, I commiserate with the people of Badagry, the deceased’s family, friends, associates and traditional institutions on the transition of the paramount ruler of Badagry Kingdom and Permanent Vice Chairman of the Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs, Oba Babatunde Akran, Wheno Aholu Menu-Toyi I.

“The death of Oba Akran is a great loss to the people of the ancient town of Badagry, and he will be greatly missed. He was a respected journalist. As a traditional ruler, he made positive impacts during his lifetime and contributed meaningfully to the growth and development of his community, Lagos State and Nigeria.

“Oba Akran, as a first-class traditional ruler, left a lasting legacy that the people of Badagry Kingdom will continue to cherish. He served as the custodian of Badagry’s traditions, customs, and cultural heritage for nearly 49 years. He was a stabilising force known for uniting diverse interests within his kingdom and promoted Badagry’s historical sites and cultural festivals nationally and internationally, fostering tourism and cultural exchange.

“He also used his position to attract growth and development to the ancient town. I urge his family, friends, subjects and associates, as well as the entire people of Badagry, whose interests the departed traditional ruler represented and worked tirelessly for during his lifetime, to work towards immortalising him.

“I pray that Almighty God be pleased with the soul of the late monarch and grant the royal family and the people of the Badagry kingdom and Lagos State the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”

The Sudanese government has returned to Khartoum after operating for almost three years from the eastern city of Port Sudan, following the outbreak of the country’s civil war.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Prime Minister Kamil Idris said the “government of hope” was officially back in the capital and would begin restoring services for residents affected by years of fighting.

Sudan’s military leadership was forced out of Khartoum in 2023 when conflict erupted between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The army regained control of the capital in March, marking a turning point in the war.

Khartoum has been recovering from prolonged conflict. According to the United Nations, about five million people fled the city at the height of the fighting.

Residents who remained described an RSF occupation marked by looting and the takeover of civilian homes, while large parts of the city remain damaged.

In October, UN official Ugochi Daniels said basic services in Khartoum were “barely functioning.”

On Sunday, Idris said the government would focus on restoring electricity, water, healthcare, and education in the capital.

He also said 2026 would be a “year of peace” for Sudan, where at least 150,000 people have died since the war began.

The UN has described the conflict as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, with around 12 million people displaced across the country.

The war started after a power struggle between the army chief, General Abdel Fattah-al Burhan, and his former deputy, General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, who leads the RSF.

Both the RSF and the Sudanese military have been accused of committing atrocities during the conflict.

Attempts by international actors to broker peace have so far failed, with both sides receiving backing from foreign powers.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has faced scrutiny over allegations of supporting the RSF, claims it has strongly denied.

(BBC)