Photo Caption:
L-R: Sunday Olasupo, Assistant Controller, Ikoyi Correctional Centre; Nwamaka Kalu, Head, Human Resource Business Partnerships and Communication, Fidelity Bank Plc; Sunday Ogundele, Assistant Controller, Ikoyi Correctional Centre; Obiora Mbaekwe, Head, HR Shared Services, Fidelity Bank Plc; Dr. Julius Ogueri, Deputy Controller, Ikoyi Correctional Centre; Charles Nwachukwu, Chief Human Resources Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc; and Dr. Chidi Nwankwo, Assistant Controller, Ikoyi Correctional Centre, during the Fidelity Helping Hands Programme (FHHP) donation of essential materials to inmates at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre in Lagos, recently.
Leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc, has reinforced its commitment to social impact with the donation of essential relief materials to inmates at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre in Lagos.
The donation was carried out under the bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, Fidelity Helping Hands Programme (FHHP), an employee-driven intervention platform designed to address pressing needs within local communities.
As part of the initiative, the bank’s Human Resources Department formally presented various household tools and gift items to the management of the correctional facility to support inmates’ welfare and rehabilitation.
The FHHP model allows staff across Fidelity Bank’s branches nationwide to identify critical needs in their communities and voluntarily raise funds to execute selected projects. The bank’s management matches the staff contributions with an equal amount to ensure impactful implementation.
Speaking during the presentation ceremony, the Chief Human Resources Officer of Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr. Charles Nwachukwu, reaffirmed the institution’s dedication to transforming lives beyond banking services.
He noted that sustainable progress is not solely defined by financial performance but also by the ability to uplift vulnerable members of society and create opportunities for reintegration.
“At Fidelity Bank, we believe that every individual deserves a second chance. Our CSR philosophy is anchored on empathy and inclusion. By supporting inmates today, we are contributing to their rehabilitation and preparing them to return to society as responsible and productive citizens,” Nwachukwu stated.
Responding to the gesture, the Deputy Controller of Corrections at Ikoyi Correctional Centre, Dr. Julius Ogueri, commended the bank for its intervention and appealed to Nigerians to shun cybercrime and desist from stigmatizing former inmates.
Ogueri highlighted the operational challenges confronting correctional facilities nationwide, noting that the Ikoyi centre, originally built to accommodate 800 inmates, currently houses over 3,000.
He disclosed that out of the total population, 396 inmates are convicted persons, while a significant number remain awaiting trial, underscoring the urgent need for reforms and decongestion efforts.
The Deputy Controller further emphasized the importance of rehabilitation through education and skills acquisition programmes within the facility.
According to him, 72 inmates are currently pursuing academic programmes with the National Open University of Nigeria, while 120 inmates have benefited from WAEC and GCE examination support initiatives.
He expressed appreciation to Fidelity Bank for contributing to the welfare of inmates and supporting the broader goal of correctional reform.
Fidelity Bank’s outreach to the Ikoyi Correctional Centre underscores its commitment to driving meaningful community impact and strengthening rehabilitation efforts across Nigeria.
Ranked among the leading commercial banks in the country, Fidelity Bank Plc serves over 9.1 million customers through digital channels and 255 business offices across Nigeria, as well as its United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.
The bank has received multiple recognitions, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation and MSME Banking Award by the BusinessDay BAFI Awards, the 2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application Award by Global Business Outlook, and the Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria award by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence.
