Maduako Igbokwe l Sunday, 02 October 2022
AWKA, Anambra – Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Anambra State Chapter, has honoured Founder of Sir Emeka Offor Foundation (SEOF), Dr. Emeka Offor for his humanitarian service to the society.
Sir Offor was honoured in recognition of his outstanding contributions towards the eradication of Polio in Nigeria, as well as his numerous service to humanity.
The ward was presented to him in Awka, Anambra State, during the 2022 Igbo Day celebration held at the weekend. Igbo Day celebration is a date set aside to appreciate and recognize well-meaning sons and daughters of Anambra State, who have impacted to humanity and distinguished themselves in their various fields of endeavour.
Receiving the award on behalf of Sir Dr. Emeka Offor, the Coordinator of Sir Emeka Offor Foundation, Hon. Sir Tony Obi, thanked the organizer for the recognition, noting that the eradication of Polio was a course Sir Offor so much believed in..
He said he so much believed it to the extent that he became the highest single donor to Rotary International towards the complete eradication of Polio within the African Continent – a feat that earned him “The Polio Ambassador”.
Obi used the opportunity to highlight some of the philanthropic interventions Sir Emeka Offor has executed through his foundation, especially around health, education, and human capital development.
According to him, about 80 Universities, 22 Polytechnics, 37 Colleges of Education, and 180 Primary & Secondary Schools have benefited from the Book Distribution initiative of Sir Emeka Offor Foundation; where textbooks, computers, and other educational materials were distributed to schools.
He also stated that the Foundation has awarded scholarships to over 150 primary school pupils, 200 secondary school students, 300 undergraduates/Graduates, and over 400 students in vocational and skill acquisition programmes.
At the National Orthopedic Hospital Enugu, he said Sir Offor singlehandedly constructed a 25-room Amenity Ward and equally imported and distributed fourteen 40-footer containers of medical equipment and supplies to designate Federal, State, and Special Hospitals and Health Institutions across the country.
He also stated that through his foundation, Sir Offor had established a Widows’ Cooperative Society to empower widows and enable them to remain largely independent. “Today, the Cooperative has now grown to the point that they now lend money to empower others”, he said.
