Sir Emeka Offor Foundation

Emeka Offor feted as Rotary`s Highest Donor

The Rotary Foundation Trustees` Chairman, Wilfrid J. Wilkinson, at the weekend revealed that the donation of business mogul and Group Executive Vice Chairman of the Chrome Group, Sir Emeka Offor, to the organisation has hit $1.03 million.
According to him, the record has made Offor the highest donor to Rotary from Africa in its 100 years of existence.
He was awarded the Arch C. Klumph society (AKS) member of the foundation in Abuja for his record donation at a well-attended dinner.
A letter from Wilkinson to Offor read in part:”Your generous contributions this year to Rotary Peace Centers, the PolioPlus Initiative, Education and Literacy, Maternal and Child Health and Annual Fund have brought your total gifts to the foundation to $1,031,000. Your contributions as of this date total the highest of any donor in Africa.”
Continuing, he added: “Your exceedingly generous gifts will help bring about peace throughout the world, provide opportunities for children to be educated and help to bring about healthier mothers and children. When Nigeria is removed from this list of polio-endemic countries, you will have the joy of knowing that you assisted in attaining that special milestone. Thank you for all your gifts.”
Offor, in a similar gesture at the event, donated another N50 million in support of the building of Rotary Peace Centre in Abuja.
In his speech at the occasion, he promised that he would remain in the service of humanity, especially now that his deeds have been acknowledged.
He said, “I am fulfilled and will continue to serve humanity. The Rotary Club that we know today will eradicate polio and child maternal death and we will stop it. I will continue to thank God for all He has done for me. As long as I live, I will support Rotary. I am making a further donation of N50 million for the building of Rotary Peace Centre in Abuja.”
According to him, the donations he made for charity in the past were not well managed by those entrusted with them but added Rotary Club was different. He said that he had discovered the organisation was diligent in its activities. “I will continue to support humanity,” he added.
Friends and associates of Sir Offor, including former Minister of Defence, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, Imo State-born businessman, Chief Attan and Andrew Uzoigwe, among others, also pledged donations totalling over 30 million. Chief Attan went further to make a personal pledge of N25 million and $50,000 (N7.8 million).

Culled from the Nation Newspaper, March 9, 2013.