Port Harcourt – First Bank of Nigeria PLC on Saturday empowered about 100 women in the Niger Delta with equipment to help strengthen their businesses.
The donated items included sewing machines, hair dryers, hand dryers, makeup sets, ring lights, and cooking utensils such as deep fryers and gas cylinders, among others.
Mrs Uchenna Onwudiewe, Group Head of Commercial Banking South-South at First Bank, presented the equipment to beneficiaries during a brief ceremony held in Port Harcourt.
She explained that the empowerment initiative was organised to commemorate First Bank’s 2025 Corporative Responsibility and Sustainability (CRS) Week, themed “SPARK – A Way of Life.”
According to her, the women had undergone three months of various vocational training in various fields, including, fashion design, catering, hairdressing, and cosmetology.
“This initiative is not just an event but a reaffirmation of First Bank’s commitment to empowering women and fostering inclusive growth across Nigeria.
“We believe that women are central to nation-building because when you empower a woman, you empower the family, community, and an entire generation,” she said.
Onwudiewe stated that the bank remained passionate about investing in initiatives that enhance women’s access to finance, skills, and opportunities for success.
She explained that through the programme, the bank had been providing business equipment and tools to support women who aspired to start or expand their enterprises.
According to her, we are here to ignite hope, stimulate growth, and unlock the potential that already exists within every woman.
Onwudiewe further noted that the initiative aligned with the bank’s flagship women-focused programme, FirstGem, which promotes financial inclusion, independence, and literacy among women.
She described FirstGem as both a savings product and a lifestyle platform designed to helps women build wealth, access financial education, and benefit from business advisory and networking opportunities.
“It is one of the many ways we continue to walk the talk in our commitment to women’s development.
“Over the years, our CR&S Week has enabled us to touch lives in orphanages, schools, healthcare centres, and local communities across Nigeria and beyond.
“As we empower these women today, we are not only giving them tools but restoring hope, promoting dignity, and strengthening the economic fabric of our society,” she concluded.
Mr David Ojukwu, Manager of Olyrose Care Foundation, stated that the foundation, in collaboration with First Bank, decided to empower women as they remained the bedrock of society.
He explained that the initiative was designed to improve the lives of beneficiaries and their families while also creating employment for others.
“We live in difficult economic times, which is why we always seek to act in ways that alleviate the suffering of our mothers and women.
“If you give someone fish, the person will eat it, and it will finish. But if you teach that same person how to fish, then fish will never be lacking in their life,” Ojukwu said.
