A 400-metric tons per day mega rice mill which was financed by Fidelity Bank has been commissioned in Kano State.
CBN Governor
The project was commissioned by the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, who was joined by representatives of the Managing Director of Fidelity Bank Plc, Mrs. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe and other dignitaries, including two state governors.
The rice mill was constructed by Gerawa Group of Companies.
Speaking at the commissioning of the mill and the foundation laying of an additional 560 metric tons rice mill, the CBN Governor stated that before 2015 Nigeria had less than 10 functional integrated rice mills with a combined capacity less than 350,000 metric tons, but with the coming of President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration, the statistic has grown to over 60 integrated mills with a combined capacity of over 3 million metric tons.
Mr. Emefiele said that there are about 10 new integrated mills scheduled to be commissioned this year, emphasising that the growing number of integrated mills have been complemented by hundreds of small-scale mills located across the states of the federation in an effort towards boosting the nation’s food security.
He explained that the private sector investment that has been unlocked in the establishment of these rice mills is a testimony to the conducive environment created in the rice value chain through the CBN-led initiatives and stakeholders’ cooperation.
Commenting on Fidelity Bank’s support for the project, the Managing Director/CEO, Mrs. Onyeali-Ikpe, who was represented at the event by the Bank’s Executive Director, Northern Businesses, Mr. Hassan Imam, said that, “At Fidelity Bank, we are known for facilitating transactions such as this where the impact is phenomenal and often on a national scale. We are pleased to be associated with this project because of its potential to not only improve the lives of many small-holder farmers in Jigawa, Kano and environs but to also develop the country’s rice value chain and ensure food security.”
The chief host at the well-attended event and Chairman, Gerawa Group of Companies, Alhaji Isa Muhammed Gerawa stated that the establishment of the rice mill was a testimony of the efficacy of the federal government’s agricultural development policies in encouraging farming and other related activities with support from the CBN. He added that the intended 560 metric tons capacity rice mill will be completed in November 2022.
The occasion was attended by Governors Mohammed Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa State, and Abubakar Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State, as well as captains of industry and several heads of corporate organizations.
Meanwhile, 10 customers of Fidelity Bank have become N1 million richer after receiving their cash prizes for emerging winners in the January draw of the Bank’s Get Alert in Millions savings promo, Season 5 (GAIM 5).
The prizes were presented at an event held at Fidelity Bank, Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos and at several branches across the six geo-political zones of Nigeria.
One of the winners, an obviously elated Stanley Okpoto said, “I am more than happy to receive this cash prize from Fidelity Bank. Being a long-time customer and follower of the bank, I feel special and grateful that as little as 2K earned me so much money. I am looking forward to how this money will further transform my business. I encourage my friends and family to take advantage of this life-changing opportunity”.
Also speaking at the well-attended event, the promo Chairman and Executive Director in charge of the bank’s Lagos and South-West Directorate, Dr. Ken Opara, said the ceremony marks a special celebration for the bank, being the first prize presentation for the year and therefore sets the tone for the remaining prize presentations to be held in the year. “It gives me great pleasure to announce the presentation of the sum of N1 million to Ajoma Rachael Iyowo and Stanley Sunday Okpoto who emerged winners in the second GAIM 5 monthly draw which held last week. Asides Stanley and Ajoma, eight other customers of Fidelity Bank will receive cash prizes at similar events holding simultaneously at some of our branches across Nigeria. These customers only had to maintain a minimum of N2,000 in their Fidelity Bank accounts to emerge winners. That is the beauty of the GAIM 5 savings promo”.
He said Fidelity Bank remains committed to empowering its customers with the resources, expertise and solutions they need to meet their strategic business goals.
Whether it is the right loan product, appropriate payment channel or in this case, the benefits for saving their money with us, we are all about providing platforms and solutions to help our customers grow,” explained Dr. Opara, who was represented by the Bank’s Chief Digital Officer, Lanre Showunmi.
The Get Alert in Millions Promo, Season 5, is an 8-month long scheme that was launched in November 2021. So far, Fidelity Bank has enriched the lives of over 520 customers with cash prizes ranging from N10,000 to N1 million in weekly consolation draws and monthly draws respectively. Qualifying requirements for the scheme are maintaining an account balance of at least N2,000 in a Fidelity Bank savings account and activating a debit card.
According to the bank, the promo employs a ticketing approach whereby each N2,000 in customers’ accounts represents a ticket in the draws.
