Emeka Offor honours widows with houses, bags of rice, commits to put smiles on less privileged

Launches Ijele FM broadcasting in Igbo language

 

Maduako Igbokwe I Sunday, Dec. 03, 2023

 

ORAIFITE, Ekwusigo, Anambra – Chairman, Chrome Group, Sir Dr Emeka Offor has reinstated his   commitment to  putting smiles on the faces of widows and the less privileged in the society.

Offor, who is the  Founder Sir Emeka Offor Foundation (SEOF) said one surest way to reciprocate God’s love  to him is to touch people’s lives positively.

According to him,God has been very kind to him, including sparing his life  twice from fatal plane crashes.

Offor made the statement at  his Oraifite country home in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State shortly after Vice President, Kashim Shettima commissioned  SEOF Touch-A-Life Housing Unit and Phase 3 of Housing Scheme as well as SEOF Social Investment Programme.

During the event ,over 2,000 bags of 50 kg long grain rice were distributed to widows of  SEOF. Offor said, “I feel very happy for being in the position to do what I’m doing. God has been very kind to me and has bestowed on me means to actualize my dreams.

“See the number of people that are here who God has given me the opportunity to interact with and be able to provide for and put smiles on their faces. God chooses people in every generation and I’m sure he has a reason for keeping me alive because he has more missions for me to accomplish. 

“When I had the first plane accident in Gabon, I never knew where I was for two days. The plane cut into two, yet I came out unhurt. When I saw that plane, I couldn’t imagine that I survived without any scratch.

“Another happened at Murtala Mohammed airport. If God had wanted, he would have taken my life. And since then, things have continued to get better and better.

“How many years do you have left? We’ve already gone half way. At the end of the day, it’s the number of good things that you did that you will be remembered for.

“We will surely depart from this world. And if we leave this world and leave it better, that is what I most desire and cherish”

On what else he would like God to do for him, the philanthropist said, “I don’t even know what to pray for because God has already surpassed my expectations. He said that God will Whatever that  pleases Him to  do in his life. 

“But I know if God sees that what he has given to us is being used in the right direction, he will add more.”he said. During the event  a total of 10 housing units constructed and furnished were handed over to ten widows, while  over 2,000 bags of 50 kg long grain were distributed widows.

Earlier, in his address, Sir Emeka offor said ” today we have witnessed the official launch of FM station, the commissioning of housing units and ground breaking for new house under the Sir Emeka offor foundation Touch-a- life initiative as well as the social investment programme which will be represented by the distribution of much -needed palliative to our  vulnerable and challenged mothers, wives, sisters and friends”

According to him, God has been gracious to bless his endeavour to make the programme possible. He said that with the launch of ijele FM radio station, they will be embarking upon a new era of communication and Community engagement.

According to him,”the radio station under Choffan communication limited subsidiary will be broadcasting solely in Igbo language and it represent not only a platform for entertainment and news dissemination, but also a medium for promoting Unity, progress and social cohesion”

Vice President Kashim Shettima  commended the Chairman of Chrome Group and Founder of Sir Emeka Offor Foundation (SEOF), Dr. Emeka Offor, for his contributions to the development of Anambra State. 

Acknowledging Offor’s “innovation, determination, and audacious vision,” the VP said Offor’s investments in Anambra State have helped to create jobs, improve infrastructure and provide essential services to the people of the state. 

“Dr. Emeka Offor is a shining example of what can be achieved when the private sector and the government work together. He is a true patriot who is committed to making Nigeria a better place,” he noted.

Earlier, the Vice President of SEOF Adaora Offor expressed her gratitude to God for the   opportunity to gather and mark what she described an interesting journey, made possible by God .

According to her , God saw them through an assignment that He trusted him to fullfil, noting that the outcome has gone beyond expectations.

“Today is a dream come true for us; we have successfully seen phase two from start to completion.

“I recall with nostalgia the vulnerable and challenging circumstances of many of these women who today are beneficiaries of the phase two Housing project. Some were mistreated by family members, others had cultural barriers as impediments to better living and one particular widow slept in the market store because she had no roof over her head.My Husband in 2014 after evaluating the peculiar challenges confronting these widows assigned me the responsibility of developing sustainable welfare programmes that will improve their living conditions.

“Consequently, the widows Cooperative Society of Sir Emeka Offor Foundation which started in 2007 was rejuvenated. The Cooperative with over 2000 membership now benefit from welfare programmes covering empowerment, medicals, feeding, clothing etc.

“With continuous interaction and engagements with the Widows Cooperative Group, I became persuaded through God’s revelation to think and do more. I shared the vision with my Husband and he gave full support, hence in 2020 the Touch-A-Life Housing initiative was birthed.

“With our team of trusted Staff, Volunteers and people of common thoughts and purposes, our first building representing the prototype (Phase 1) was commissioned, thereby setting the stage for the flag-off of phase two. We are therefore excited and thankfult o God that today, phase 2 of 10 buildings has widows that are often forgotten members of society whose reality is overlooked.

“They face various challenges, from social isolation to economic hardship and cultural stigmas. They are left to process and live out grief while managing the emotional toll of their loss as they try to navigate through a world that denies them much-needed support. Recognising and addressing the unique struggles of widows is at the core of what I want to achieve with theTouch-A-Life Initiative.

“We have started in our Community of Orafite within our local government Area, Ekwusigo, with plans to impact villages across the State of Anambra, and beyond. We plan to build twenty (20) homes each year.

“This is our way of giving the widows a second chance that tells them that all is not lost, your life is not over, your life still matters. We have made it our responsibility to be responsible for them”.

Senator Magnus Abe who spoke to journalists at the event said that Emeka Offor is touching loves positively. According to him,God has been faithful to him at least sparing his life on two plane crashes. He said that ,he is devoting his life to the services of god and humanity.

” Emeka Offor  is a man who believes in putting smiles on the faces of less privileged and God has been blessing based on his generosity to people. We are praying that God will continue to give him so that he will continue to touch lives” he said