Deaconess Oborevwori, Fidelity Bank Empower 500 Delta Women With ₦40 Million Grants, Equipment
500 Women Receive Cash Grants and Business Equipment
DELTA State First Lady and Founder of the You Matter Charity Foundation, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori, has partnered with Fidelity Bank Plc to empower 500 market women across the state with cash grants, sewing machines, and grinding machines aimed at boosting small-scale businesses and improving livelihoods.
The empowerment programme, held at the Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba, formed part of the bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility initiative known as “Give Her Power,” designed to strengthen women-led enterprises and promote economic inclusion.
Addressing beneficiaries during the event, Deaconess Oborevwori described the initiative as more than a welfare intervention, noting that it was a strategic effort to restore hope and strengthen families through economic empowerment.
₦40 Million Intervention Targets Grassroots Businesses
According to the organisers, 400 beneficiaries initially received cash grants amounting to ₦20 million, while 50 women were presented with sewing machines and another 50 received grinding machines to support their trades and improve household income.
However, the Delta First Lady later announced an additional ₦20 million contribution from the You Matter Charity Foundation, effectively doubling the financial support for the 400 women beneficiaries from ₦50,000 to ₦100,000 each.
She urged the women to utilise the funds responsibly by expanding their businesses, supporting their families, and contributing to economic activities within their communities.
Observers at the event noted that the intervention reflects a growing trend among corporate organisations and non-governmental initiatives seeking to address economic hardship through targeted grassroots support.
Women Seen as Drivers of Community Development
Deaconess Oborevwori stressed that women remain central to social and economic stability, arguing that investments in women often produce wider benefits for families and communities.
“Empowering women means strengthening homes, communities, and the broader economy,” she said, while commending Fidelity Bank for aligning its corporate social responsibility efforts with community development goals.
She also called on more private sector organisations to partner with government and non-governmental bodies in tackling poverty and unemployment, particularly among women and vulnerable groups.
Fidelity Bank Highlights Social Impact Commitment
Speaking at the event, Pamela Shodipo, Executive Director, South, at Fidelity Bank Plc, explained that the initiative was implemented under the bank’s Fidelity Helping Hands Programme, a platform through which employees identify and support impactful social projects nationwide.
According to her, empowering women creates ripple effects that extend beyond individual beneficiaries to families, local businesses, and wider communities.
Regional Bank Head, Augusta Anyanwu-Egbom, also advised beneficiaries to embrace prudent financial management, improve customer relations, and maintain quality standards capable of sustaining business growth.
Beneficiaries Express Appreciation
One of the beneficiaries, Joy Osegbuwa, expressed appreciation to the Delta First Lady and Fidelity Bank, describing the support as timely amid prevailing economic challenges.
Many of the women present said the intervention would help them stabilise and expand their businesses, especially in the face of rising costs of goods and limited access to credit facilities.
