Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainability, employee wellbeing, and community development by mobilising thousands of employees across its operations in 20 African countries for the latest edition of its flagship wellness initiative, “Jogging to Bond.”

This year’s event held special significance as it coincided with the 60th birthday of UBA’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Oliver Alawuba, who chose to celebrate the milestone in the company of staff and colleagues.

Held under the theme, “The Power Within U,” the quarterly initiative brought together employees from across the Group’s African network for a day dedicated to fitness, teamwork, creativity, community service, and environmental responsibility.

A major highlight of the event was a coordinated environmental clean-up exercise carried out simultaneously across UBA’s markets. From Lagos to Accra, Nairobi, Dakar, and other cities where the Bank operates, employees took to streets and public spaces to clean their surroundings, demonstrating UBA’s unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable development.

The exercise underscored the Bank’s belief that corporate success must go hand-in-hand with positive social and environmental impact. By integrating community service into employee engagement activities, UBA continues to strengthen its Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) agenda while creating meaningful value in the communities it serves.

Speaking during the event, Alawuba emphasised the importance of wellness, teamwork, and social responsibility in building a strong institution.

“There is no place I would rather be on my birthday than here, surrounded by the incredible people who make UBA what it is today. Our greatest strength lies in our people, in the passion, energy, and sense of purpose that unite us across Africa.

When we run together, serve together, and work together to make our communities cleaner and healthier, we are doing more than promoting fitness. We are demonstrating our shared values and our commitment to the people and communities that place their trust in us every day,” Alawuba said.

In Lagos, the event featured a variety of wellness activities, including spinning bike sessions, fitness challenges, relaxation therapies provided by Oriki, and an exercise station hosted by iFitness, which also offered exclusive discounts to UBA employees.

Commenting on the significance of the initiative, UBA’s Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Alero Ladipo, said the programme reflects the Bank’s holistic approach to employee welfare and sustainable development.

“At UBA, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We believe that creating a thriving workforce requires investing in their wellbeing while also encouraging them to make a positive difference in society.

‘Jogging to Bond’ embodies our commitment to fostering a healthy workplace culture, strengthening team spirit, and contributing meaningfully to environmental sustainability. It is one of the many ways we continue to create value for our employees, customers, shareholders, and communities across Africa.”

As part of its broader Employee Value Proposition and ESG strategy, UBA continues to implement programmes that promote wellness, engagement, volunteerism, and environmental responsibility across its operations. Through initiatives such as “Jogging to Bond,” the Bank reinforces its position not only as a leading financial institution but also as a responsible corporate citizen committed to building a more sustainable future for Africa.

Fidelity Bank Plc has won the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) Service Ambassadors Award for recording the highest impact in expanding access to formal credit for first-time Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria.

The award recognises the Deposit Money Bank that has successfully onboarded previously unbanked or credit excluded Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises across Nigeria, reflecting Fidelity Bank’s sustained commitment to deepening financial inclusion, improving access to credit and supporting enterprise growth.

Speaking on the recognition, Divisional Head, Small and Medium-scale Enterprises Banking, Fidelity Bank Plc, Ugochi Osinigwe, expressed appreciation to DBN and reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to the growth of small and medium-scale businesses across the country.

Osinigwe said: “We sincerely thank the Development Bank of Nigeria for this recognition, which affirms the impact of our work in expanding access to finance for MSMEs, especially businesses accessing formal credit for the first time.

Polaris Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to youth development, education, financial literacy, and social responsibility by supporting a Media Practitioners’ Capacity Building Programme held on Thursday.

The event pioneered by the Nigerian Online Media Alliance (NOMA), a coalition of digital media publishers and journalists, was to commemorate the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

As part of its contribution to the successful hosting of the programme, the bank donated a variety of branded gift items, including cable chargers, water bottles, umbrellas, piggy banks, and mathematical sets.

The branded water bottles, umbrellas, and cable chargers were distributed to journalists and participants at the event, providing useful tools for everyday use. The piggy banks were designed to encourage savings culture and financial discipline among young people, while the mathematical sets were presented to participating students to support learning and academic excellence.

The programme themed: “Responsible Media, Drug-Free Nigeria: The Journalist’s Role in Prevention and Advocacy,” was organized by NOMA in collaboration with the International Society of Substance Use Prevention and Treatment Professionals (ISSUP Nigeria), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba.

Speaking on the bank’s support, Chairperson of the Nigerian Online Media Alliance (NOMA), Theresa Moses, expressed profound appreciation to Polaris Bank for partnering with the association in advancing initiatives that positively impact education and society.

According to her, the bank’s gesture underscored its dedication to community development, youth empowerment, and national progress.

“We are sincerely grateful to Polaris Bank for supporting this important programme with branded gift items. Beyond their practical value, these items represent the bank’s commitment to education, financial literacy, youth development, and social impact. Their support contributed significantly to the success of this event,” she said.

The event attracted journalists, media executives, public health professionals, policymakers, anti-drug advocates, students, and representatives of government agencies who gathered to discuss strategies for strengthening media advocacy against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.

Through expert presentations and panel discussions, participants explored the critical role of responsible journalism in promoting prevention, raising public awareness, reducing stigma, and supporting efforts to build healthier and safer communities.

Polaris Bank’s support aligns with its longstanding commitment to corporate social responsibility initiatives focused on education, financial inclusion, youth development, and community empowerment.

By supporting the NOMA Media Practitioners’ Capacity Building Programme, Polaris Bank has once again demonstrated its belief that collective action, education, and awareness are critical to building a drug-free Nigeria and empowering citizens to make informed choices for a better future.

Stakeholders at the programme commended the bank for its continued investment in initiatives that promote positive social values and contribute to national development.

The organizers noted that partnerships between the private sector and civil society organizations remain essential in addressing societal challenges and creating opportunities for sustainable impact.