By Uzo Ugwunze
Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, Management of Federal Polytechnic Oko(FPO), Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), President General, Oba Patriotic Union (OPU), Engr. Uzo Ejiofor, Ogilisi Igbo, Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka and a host of other dignitaries has felicitated with Sir Emeka Offor as he celebrates his 65th birthday in style.
The Chairman
Chrome Group, Founder Sir Emeka Offor Foundation(SEOF) Sir Dr Emeka Offor
porpularly called 'Sir E' by his admirers marked his 65th birthday anniversary
with the distribution of 40,000 bags of 25kg rice to widows from 179
communities of Anambra State and the distribution of books/ educational
materials to over 200 Educational institutions in Nigeria.
The event
which held at the Blaze FM/IJELE Radio house Oraifite, Ekwusigo Local
Government Area,Anambra State attracted the creme de la creme from across
Anambra and the entire South Eastern Nigeria who eulogized the celebrator for
his unprecedented philanthropy in Anambra, Nigeria and Africa.
According to
Soludo, having all the money in the bank, building several mansions are all
vanity. It is not how long you live, but how well and impact you make on
others. Sir Emeka Offor has demonstrated this essence of life. We are here to
celebrate a man and his ideas.
"You
turned 65 today and we use this opportunity to say congratulations and a
minimum of additional 55 years to make it 120 years or even 150years. Your life
has been a life of impact and worthy of celebration.
" Sir
Emeka is rich. He can decide to spend his birthday anywhere in the world, or even at planet Mars
but he choose to come here and spend it with widows, school children and
vulnerables in Anambra, down here at his country home.
“Nigeria is
going through huge challenges at the moment. Cost of living is rising everyday,
but here is a man who has dedicated himself to taking care of widows and the
indigents infact, Living for others.
"We
invite all other citizens of Anambra, this is the time to share with the poor
what you have. If you can’t provide for your community, you can provide for
your kindred, or people close to you. That is our call today", said
Soludo.
The governor
acknowledged the current food inflation challenges and praised Sir Offor's
distribution of 40,000 bags of rice to widows in every community in Anambra
State describing it as unprecedented.
"We are
building an inclusive and progressive society through PPCP-Public-private
Community partnership.
The governor
outlined his administration's efforts in infrastructure development,
healthcare, and education and used the occasion to call on other wealthy
individuals to emulate Offor's generosity and contribute to the state's
development.
Soludo
announced the creation of the "Anambra Champions" a list to recognise
individuals contributing to the progress of the state and declared Sir Offor as
a prime example of the "Anambra spirit" of philanthropy and community
service.
"We have
made a lot of progress in infrastructure doing almost 450 km roads within two
years which is more than what a previous administration did in 8 years.
"In
healthcare,before I assumed office, the state was recording birth rate of 200
monthly, but now, it has increased from 200 monthly to 1,600 because of the
free ante-natal and child delivery that we have instituted including quality
healthcare at public health facilities,"said Soludo
In their
separate speeches, the duo of the Acting VC COOU, Prof Katie Omenugha and
Deputy Rector (Admin) FPO, Dr Kenneth Ezekwe commended SIr Emeka Offor for his
social investment intervention and 2024 National Book distribution programme
which will go a long way in building up the reading culture of the students.
"Firstly,
I must thank Sir Emeka Offor for donating a lot of books to secondary schools,
colleges of Education, Universities and polytechnics of which Federal
Polytechnic Oko is a beneficiary. It will enhance reading, research and improve
the knowledge base of both students and lecturers giving them wider materials
to consult in the course of their studies," said Dr Ezekwe.
The PG Oba,
Engr. Ejiofor thanked Sir Emeka Offor for the massive and kind gesture of
remembering almost the whole widows in Anambra State. "The distribution of
the 25kg rice to all the 179 communities in Anambra State of which Oba is a
beneficiary is an evidence of one feeling the plight of the less privileged and
having the milk of human kindness to reach out to them. Oba people are grateful
and we are wishing Sir E many more fruitful years with good health".
In his
address, Offor said, “I am overwhelmed by the show of love from you all, on my
65th birthday. I am happy that the foundation I nurtured has grown tall and
providing shade for many.
“My donation
of food stuff to indigents is to ensure that those who do not have, share what
those who have can afford.
“We are also
distributing books because it is the foundation of knowledge and we will
sustain this intervention. You do not need to have too much to put smiles on
the faces of your neighbors.
"I appeal
to fellow Nigerians to show compassion to the widows, vulnerable and indigent
in the society.
The little
that you have can be shared with other people. I appreciate my lovely wife Adaora
for the great job she has done with the Touch A life Housing Project for Widows
in Oraifite".
"I also
appreciate the SEOF/Rotary Peace Fellows who graced this Occasion from all
parts of the world. I enjoin all of us to be Peace Ambassadors wherever we find
ourselves," said Offor.
Other
dignitaries at the event who commended SEOF for the donations include Ogilisi
Igbo and APGA BOT member, Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka, Former Senate President, Ken
Nnamani, the Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly, Somtochukwu Udeze,
National Chairman APGA, Sly Ezeokenwa, Secretary to the State Government, Prof.
Solo Chukwulobelu, Chairman, Anambra State Local Government Service Commission,
Barr. Vin Ezeaka, Senators, Ministers, Federal and State Legislators, Members
of Anambra State Executive Council, Transition Committee Chairmen, Traditional
Rulers.
Post a Comment