From David Onwuchekwa, Nnewi

Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Anambra State Chapter has recognized the Founder, Sir Emeka Offor Foundation (SEOF), and Chairman, Chrome Group, Sir (Dr) Emeka Offor with an award for his contributions towards the eradication of Polio in Nigeria and his numerous philanthropic gestures in society.

The Igbo Pan socio-cultural group presented the award, weekend, in Awka, during the 2022 Igbo Day celebration, a day the group set aside to appreciate and recognize well-meaning sons and daughters of Anambra State, who have impacted humanity positively and distinguished themselves in their various fields of endeavour.

Receiving the award on behalf of Sir Emeka Offor, the Coordinator of Sir Emeka Offor Foundation, Hon Sir Tony Obi, thanked the organizers of the event for the recognition, saying that the eradication of Polio was a course Sir Offor so much believed in, to the extent that he became the highest single donor to Rotary International towards the complete eradication of the disease within the African Continent, a feat, he noted, that earned him “The Polio Ambassador”.

Hon. Obi used the opportunity to highlight some of the philanthropic interventions Sir Offor had executed through his Foundation, especially around health, education, and human capital development areas.

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According to him, about 80 Universities, 22 Polytechnics, 37 Colleges of Education, and 180 Primary and Secondary Schools had benefited from the Book Distribution initiative of Sir Emeka Offor Foundation; where textbooks, computers, and other educational materials were distributed to schools.

He also affirmed that the Foundation had awarded scholarships to over 150 primary school pupils, 200 secondary school students, 300 undergraduates as well as graduates, and over 400 students in vocational and skill acquisition programmes.

“At the National Orthopedic Hospital, Enugu, 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.

“Through his Foundation, Sir Offor 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 concluded.