Communities Archives | Trendbrio.com

SEDC, REA Partner to End Power Outages in South East Communities with Renewable Energy

Our Reporters18 hours ago20 hours ago03 mins

The South-East Development Commission (SEDC) has finalized plans with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to expand power supply to rural communities across the Southeast, utilizing the National Renewable Energy Project established under Section 127 of the 2023 Electricity Act. The announcement was made on Friday following a strategic meeting between the Managing Director/CEO of SEDC, Mark Okoye, and the Managing Director of REA, Abba Aliyu. Both agencies agreed to collaborate on extending electricity to underserved and unserved areas of the Southeast in a cost-effective manner, ensuring sustainable returns through appropriate tariffs designed to support the region’s social, industrial, and agricultural development. A key focus of the discussions was the deployment of renewable energy solutions, particularly Solar Mini-Grid projects, to power thousands of homes, especially in remote areas. Okoye emphasized the urgent need to attract private sector investment and engage key stakeholders to align with the Federal Government’s renewable energy drive. He also highlighted the significant power deficit in the Southeast, which continues to hinder the region’s economic growth and industrialization. Okoye urged the REA to support SEDC’s renewable energy initiatives, particularly those aimed at powering critical infrastructure projects set to launch soon. “Our discussions centered around deploying renewable energy solutions in unserved and underserved communities across the Southeast. We also explored how the REA can back alternative energy solutions for upcoming key infrastructure projects,” Okoye said. He reaffirmed the SEDC’s commitment to working with the REA to address the electricity shortages that are impeding the region’s development. In response, Abba Aliyu assured Okoye that the Southeast would fully benefit from the Federal Government’s energy initiatives. He reiterated the REA’s commitment to working closely with the SEDC to achieve its electrification goals. Aliyu also outlined several major projects under the REA, including the Rural Electrification Fund (REF), Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP), Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES), and several other initiatives aimed at electrifying rural and underserved communities to drive economic growth and improve the quality of life for Nigerians.

Fidelity Bank Distributes Food Packages to Communities in the FCT

Our Reporters3 weeks ago3 weeks ago04 mins

As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts, Fidelity Bank Plc recently provided food packs to residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja. The initiative, called the Fidelity Food Bank, saw the bank’s representatives distribute food supplies to seven communities within the Mabushi district of the FCT. At the distribution event, Mr. Sufiyanu Garba, the Executive Director for the North at Fidelity Bank, highlighted the bank’s commitment to supporting community development and its alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 2, which focuses on eradicating hunger. “This initiative is a reflection of our deep-rooted responsibility to assist underserved communities and combat hunger across Nigeria,” said Mr. Garba. “At Fidelity Bank, we believe that addressing the underlying causes of poverty and hunger allows us to create lasting change. While we cannot solve all societal issues, our contributions are making a real difference, as shown by the positive responses we continue to receive.” He further emphasized the bank’s dedication to empowering communities: “We understand the importance of promoting growth and prosperity within the areas where we operate. By investing in the well-being of these communities, we are helping build a more sustainable and just society.” The Fidelity Food Bank is a core part of the bank’s CSR strategy, focusing on health and social welfare. The nationwide initiative aims to provide food relief to underserved communities, with a special focus on women and children. Mr. Hassan Danagna, the District Head of Mabushi Community, expressed gratitude for the bank’s support, calling it “unprecedented” and noting the relief it brings to vulnerable households. “Fidelity Bank’s generosity has had a profound impact on our community, providing much-needed relief to struggling families. With the current economic climate, this support is particularly timely as we approach the holy month of Ramadan,” said Mr. Danagna. One of the beneficiaries, Mr. Mukhtar Mohamed, also shared his appreciation, acknowledging the positive impact of the food distribution. Fidelity Bank Plc, a fully-fledged commercial bank, serves over 9.1 million customers across its 251 business locations and various digital platforms in Nigeria and the United Kingdom. The bank has received numerous local and international accolades, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award from the BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards, the 2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application Award for its Fidelity Mobile App from Global Business Outlook, and the 2024 Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider Award from Global Brands Magazine. Additionally, Fidelity Bank was named the Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence and the Export Financing Bank of the Year by the BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.