Fidelity Bank rewards students with millions in Read2Lead initiative

As part of its educational development efforts, Fidelity Bank Plc awarded multi-million naira cash prizes to Iremide Ogunyemi, Mfeheke Okoko, and Daniella Orji, the top three finalists in the first Read2Lead writing competition.

At the prize presentation for this CSR initiative, Mfeheke Okoko and Daniella Orji received N1.5 million and N1 million respectively as first and second runners-up, while Iremide Ogunyemi won N2 million cash, a publishing deal worth N2 million, and an additional N2 million to enhance her school’s library. All three girls are from The Ambassadors’ College, Ota, Ogun State.

In her welcome speech, Fidelity Bank’s MD/CEO Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe highlighted that Read2Lead is one of several initiatives aimed at improving Nigeria’s educational standards.

“The Read2Lead initiative, encapsulates our approach to instilling a culture of reading and writing among young people. As highlighted by the esteemed American journalist, critic, and social reformer, Margaret Fuller, ‘Today a reader, tomorrow a leader’; we believe that igniting our youths’ imagination early can unlock their potential and set them on a path to success.

“Beyond Read2Lead, Fidelity Bank is committed to various initiatives aimed at enhancing the standard of education and ensuring the next generation is well-equipped to drive our nation’s future. Recently, we hosted our second webinar focused on businesses within the education sector, where industry leaders discussed ways to maintain educational standards amidst rising operating costs”, explained Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe who was represented by the Executive Director, South Directorate, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mrs. Pamela Shodipo.

Executed under the Education pillar in the bank’s CSR strategy, Read2Lead is a creative writing competition for secondary school students designed to unlock their creative potential and better prepare them for successful careers. This season, students from across Nigeria competed in three phases of writing challenges for the chance to claim the top spot.

In the first stage, called “The National Writing Showdown,” over 3,000 students participated in a creative writing task to qualify for the top 150 writers.

The second stage, known as “The Sweeta Writing Mastery,” involved the top 150 participants reading a novel and writing an alternate ending for it, providing an opportunity to advance to the top 30 finalists.

In the third and final stage, themed “The Author’s Workshop,” the top 30 students were enrolled in an immersive writing boot camp led by experienced writers and facilitators, who then selected the top three finalists.