Ofala Festival 2026: Fidelity Bank Distributes 2,000 Food Packs to Support Onitsha Residents

By Praise Chinecherem

ONITSHA, Anambra State — In a blend of cultural celebration and community support, Fidelity Bank Plc has distributed 2,000 food packs to selected beneficiaries in Onitsha, Anambra State, as part of activities marking the 2026 Ofala Festival of the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe.

The distribution, carried out under the bank’s Fidelity Food Bank initiative, formed part of its sponsorship of the annual festival and reflects its efforts to address food insecurity while celebrating the cultural heritage of the Onitsha kingdom.

The Ofala Festival is one of Onitsha’s major cultural celebrations, marking the reign of the traditional ruler and showcasing the kingdom’s rich heritage through royal ceremonies, traditional dances and colourful cultural displays.

Speaking during the exercise, Fidelity Bank’s Regional Bank Head, Onitsha, Ozioma Anyanonu, said the initiative demonstrated the importance of linking cultural celebrations with practical interventions that improve people’s welfare.

“As a bank, we recognise that the prosperity of any community is closely connected to the wellbeing of its people. Through the Fidelity Food Bank, we are supporting families, easing the burden of feeding and strengthening the resilience that enables communities to move forward,” Anyanonu said.

He explained that the distribution was part of the bank’s broader efforts to support vulnerable households and promote sustainable community development.

Anyanonu disclosed that the Fidelity Food Bank had distributed more than 300,000 food packs across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones since the programme was launched in April 2023.

The initiative contributes to efforts to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 2, which focuses on ending hunger, improving nutrition and promoting sustainable food systems.

“Today, we are pleased to extend this initiative to the Ofala Festival with the distribution of 2,000 food packs to selected beneficiaries. This is our way of sharing in the joy of the festivities while contributing tangibly to the wellbeing of the Onitsha people,” he said.

Reflecting on the festival’s theme, “Igba Mbo, Iga N’Iru” (Strive and Advance: From Resilience to Progress), Anyanonu said the message aligns with the bank’s focus on empowering communities and supporting long-term development.

“The theme reminds us that meaningful progress is built on resilience and collective effort. We are proud to celebrate the rich heritage of Onitsha while supporting the people whose shared values and traditions sustain this remarkable community,” he stated.

He commended Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe and the Onitsha community for their hospitality and continued commitment to preserving the kingdom’s cultural heritage.

He also acknowledged the bank’s partners for their role in facilitating the food distribution exercise.

The Fidelity Food Bank is one of Fidelity Bank’s flagship corporate social responsibility programmes. Launched in April 2023, it focuses on addressing hunger and malnutrition by supporting communities affected by food insecurity.

With more than 300,000 food packs distributed nationwide, the initiative represents the bank’s contribution to community welfare and efforts to improve access to food for vulnerable Nigerians.

Fidelity Bank Plc serves more than 9.1 million customers through its digital banking platforms and 255 business offices in Nigeria, alongside its United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.

The bank has received several industry awards, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award at the BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions Awards, the 2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application award from Global Business Outlook, and the 2024 Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider award from Global Brands Magazine.

It was also recognised as the Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence and Export Financing Bank of the Year at the BusinessDay BAFI Awards.
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