Fidelity Bank Plc has created 20 new millionaires and rewarded 29 other customers with cash prizes in the seventh and eighth monthly draws of its Get Alert in Millions (GAIM) Season 6 savings promotion.

The draw event, held at the bank’s headquarters in Lagos, also featured a formal prize presentation ceremony for winners from the fourth, fifth, and sixth monthly draws.

Speaking on behalf of the bank, Chioma Nwankwo, Regional Bank Head, Lagos Central, who represented Dr. Ken Opara, Executive Director for Lagos & South West and Chairperson of the promo, said the initiative was designed to promote responsible financial habits.

“At Fidelity Bank, we believe that financial well-being begins with cultivating smart saving habits. This belief inspired the GAIM 6 promo — a strategic initiative aimed at encouraging and rewarding a culture of consistent savings among our customers,” she said.

She further noted that the programme was not only about winning but about helping customers secure their financial future.

“For us, it is not just about winning but helping our customers to build a secure financial future. To ensure this, these winners also receive financial advisory to help them grow and manage their wealth effectively,” she added.

Nationwide Winners

L-R: Regional Bank Head, Lagos Central, Fidelity Bank Plc, Chioma Nwankwo; Divisional Head, Product Development, Fidelity Bank Plc, Osita Ede; Principal Legal Officer, Lagos State Lottery and Gaming Authority, Oyinkan Kusamotu; Winners of the 4th, 5th and 6th monthly draws of the Get Alert in Millions (GAIM) 6 Promo – Stephanie Onome Gere, Itua Michael Ehinomen, Maduabuchi Kalu Anya, and Chioma Grace Nnodim; South-West Zonal Coordinator, Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Council (FCCPC), Aboluwade Margaret; and Group Head, Savings and Retail Sales, Fidelity Bank Plc, Oladimeji Saka; during  the prize presentation ceremony for the winners  of  the 4th, 5th and 6th monthly draws of the Fidelity Bank GAIM 6 promo held in Lagos recently.

The seventh and eighth monthly draws produced 10 winners each from different regions across Nigeria. The selection was conducted electronically and supervised by representatives from the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and other regulatory bodies to ensure fairness and transparency.

During the ceremony, beneficiaries from earlier draws also received their ₦1 million prizes. They included Stephanie Onome Gere, Itua Michael Ehinomen, Maduabuchi Kalu Anya, and Chioma Grace Nnodim.

Expressing her excitement, Nnodim said:

“This is a life-changing moment for me. I had heard of others winning, but I never imagined I would become a millionaire just by saving consistently. I encourage all Nigerians to open a Fidelity Bank account and start saving – you never know when your alert will come.”

GAIM 6 at a Glance

The GAIM 6 savings promo, now in its final month before the grand finale, has so far disbursed ₦85.4 million to 2,561 customers nationwide. The breakdown includes:

₦60 million to 60 monthly winners

₦7 million to 700 student Flex account holders

₦4.5 million to nine NYSC members

₦1 million each on Women’s Day and Workers’ Day

₦10 million on Children’s Day

₦7.7 million shared among 1,550 weekly consolation winners

Bank Profile and Awards

Fidelity Bank Plc serves over 9.1 million customers via its digital platforms, 255 business offices across Nigeria, and a subsidiary in the United Kingdom, FidBank UK Limited.

The bank’s recent accolades include:

2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award (BusinessDay BAFI Awards)

2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application (Global Business Outlook)

2024 Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider (Global Brands Magazine)

Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria (Euromoney Awards for Excellence)

Export Financing Bank of the Year (BusinessDay BAFI Awards)

Closeup’s “Closer Is Better” campaign took centre stage at the Best Friends Forever (BFF) Conference on Saturday, 2 August 2025, transforming Alpha Hall, Ikosi, Lagos, into a vibrant hub of friendship, youth culture, and authentic connection.

The annual gathering, which celebrates shared experiences and the spirit of togetherness, became a perfect stage for the brand’s renewed vision — one rooted in self-confidence, authentic relationships, and the joy of closeness.

From the moment guests stepped into the venue, Closeup’s bold red-and-white installation became a focal point. The booth was alive with interactive games, prize wheel spins, dance-offs, and spontaneous moments that drew strangers together. Attendees lined up for photo booth sessions, while laughter and shared stories filled the air.

“Safe to say, what Closeup built that day was a hub where confidence was contagious and everyone was welcome,” the organisers said.

Inspiring Voices on Confidence and Friendship

The BFF Conference’s speaker line-up added depth to the lively atmosphere. Wellness coach Bunmi George, leadership strategist Debola Deji-Kurunmi, and pastors Yemi Davids and Godman Akinlabi delivered talks that explored identity, faith, courage, and the bonds that sustain friendships.

Their reflections resonated strongly with the audience.

“Real confidence begins within, and showing up for others starts with showing up for yourself,” one speaker noted — a sentiment that drew applause and nods from the crowd.

A Movement Beyond the Event

Through its participation, Closeup reaffirmed its commitment to creating spaces where young people can connect meaningfully. The “Closer Is Better” campaign, which encourages openness, self-expression, and embracing true identity, mirrors conversations already happening among young Nigerians about vulnerability, friendship, and self-worth.

The movement, the brand says, will keep evolving to inspire more opportunities for authentic connection.

“Because in life, closer is better,” a Closeup representative said.

Nigeria’s Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has described Ondo State as a pivotal force in the country’s socio-economic development, underscoring the vital role of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in transforming Nigeria’s economic landscape.

Speaking on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at the 7th edition of the Expanded National MSME Clinic held at The Dome in Akure, Shettima declared, “MSMEs account for 90 percent of jobs in this country. They are key to poverty alleviation and national prosperity. The growth of our economy must go hand in hand with the growth of small businesses.”

The event, themed “Ondo 2025”, brought together business leaders, traditional rulers, government officials, and entrepreneurs to discuss and accelerate support for MSMEs.

The Vice President noted that 65 Ondo-based MSMEs have already accessed the Federal Government’s N75 billion intervention fund and reiterated that Ondo’s contributions to national productivity cannot be overlooked.

“This fund is designed to provide affordable financing for entrepreneurs,” he explained. “We must ensure that this support is not a one-way gesture. I call on all partner agencies to continue working hand-in-hand with MSMEs to deliver lasting impact.”

Vice President Kashim Shettima addressing participants and guests at the Exhibition.

Renewed Hope in Agriculture and Industry

As part of the administration’s broader economic strategy, Shettima unveiled a key initiative under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda – the planting of 100 million oil palm trees nationwide and revival of the cocoa industry.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given a clear directive that we should plant 100 million oil palm trees across the country. We’re also going to revive the cocoa industry,” Shettima said.

He also praised Ondo State Governor, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, for the state’s efforts in empowering small businesses and improving infrastructure.

“Let me commend the Governor of Ondo State for his visible commitment to development. What I’ve seen here today is very impressive,” the VP noted.

Governor Aiyedatiwa: MSMEs Are the Backbone of Our Economy

In his speech, Governor Aiyedatiwa emphasized the clinic as a strategic intervention in unlocking Nigeria’s full economic potential through the growth of MSMEs.

“We believe that MSMEs are the backbone of Nigeria’s economy,” he said. “Our OUR EASE agenda directly aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, and we are fully committed to creating an enabling environment for entrepreneurship.”

Governor. Aiyedatiwa addressing the guests and participants

Aiyedatiwa celebrated local success stories, including Denki Wire and Cables Ltd and Kay Classic Fashion, both national MSME Award winners for excellence in manufacturing and fashion.

The Governor also outlined his administration’s support for small businesses, including:

N220 million in interest-free loans disbursed in 2024 via the Ondo State Micro-Credit Agency (ODSMA)

Access to the Bank of Industry N75 billion intervention fund

The “One Youth One Skill” initiative

The launch of Odatiwa Skills Development Enterprise Centres (OSDEC) and Ondo’s first mini shared facility

He used the opportunity to request federal support for:

A Fashion Hub Shared Facility in Ondo

An Oil Palm Processing Plant to boost the state’s agricultural productivity

Regional Leaders, Monarchs Back MSME Growth

Also present at the event was Ekiti State Governor Abiodun Oyebanji, who praised the MSME Clinic as a “strategic tool for human capacity development.”

“National development is best driven by productivity. We must patronize locally made goods to empower our people,” Oyebanji said.

In a royal goodwill message, the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, emphasized youth empowerment and collaboration.

“Empowering young entrepreneurs and supporting Nigerian-made products through public-private partnership is the path forward,” the Ooni remarked.

Policy Makers Highlight Impact of MSME Clinics

Mr. Temitola Adekunle-Johnson, Special Adviser to the President on Job Creation and MSMEs, detailed how the clinics have improved direct engagement between regulators and small business owners nationwide.

Earlier, Deputy Governor Dr. Olayide Adelami expressed gratitude to the Vice President for attending, reiterating Ondo’s commitment to business growth and economic transformation.

Orioye Gbayisemore, SSA to the Governor on Youth Empowerment and Job Creation, announced that over 10,000 youths have been empowered through various state initiatives.

“The youth of Ondo State are exceptionally creative and industrious. Their entrepreneurial efforts are contributing meaningfully to national development,” Gbayisemore said.

Traditional Rulers Pledge Support for National Agenda

Prior to the MSME Clinic, VP Shettima visited the Ondo State Council of Obas Secretariat where he engaged with traditional rulers, seeking continued support for the policies of the Tinubu administration, especially ahead of the 2027 general elections.