Sir Emeka Offor Foundation

COOU Pays Courtesy Visit to Sir Emeka Offor

Prof. Greg Chukwudi Nwakoby, the Vice Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Uli and Prof. S.A.N Ekwenze of same University on a courtesy call to Sir Dr. Emeka Offor. The visit was to first familiarize with the founder and the foundation to thank him for books, computers and library equipment that Sir Emeka Offor Foundation has donated to the school over the years.

The Vice Chancellor noted that investment in education opens the gates of knowledge and closes the gates of prison and ignorance. He also noted that the books donated by Sir Emeka Offor Foundation have saved the university from educational trauma and contributed to the quick accreditation of some courses at the university.

In his response, Sir Dr. Emeka offor thanked the Vice Chancellor and his team for the privilege of the visit. He informed his visitors that Sir Emeka Offor foundation (SEOF) in partnership with Books for Africa (BFA) has donated books worth over $27 million to Nigerian Secondary Schools, Universities, Polytechnics, Colleges of Education and other tertiary institutions in Nigeria and 18 other African countries. The motive according to him is to eradicate illiteracy, improve reading culture and contribute to the greater good of the society. Present at the courtesy visit was the Chief of Staff of Sir Emeka Offor Foundation, AIG Chris Okey Ezike (Rtd).

Marking World Polio Day With Para-Soccer

The week long activities outlined to mark this year's World Polio Day by Rotary International was capped with the final Para-soccer match by polio survivors between Kano and Kastina state teams.

Kano state took the glory after defeating Kastina two goals to one. This is the second consecutive finals the Kastina team has lost, after losing to Kaduna team last year.

The match was seen by International Polio Ambassador to Nigeria, Sir Dr. Emeka Offor, Minister of Youth and Sports, Sunday Akin Dare and Rotarians from different districts of Abuja.

The theme for this year's World polio Day is 'Keep Polio at Zero' which is intended to drive Nigeria to a Polio-free status. All Polio activities like awareness campaign, immunization, field supervision, follow up are to continue until Nigeria is fully certified Polio free.

Congratulations Nigeria As We Mark World Polio Day

On behalf of Sir Emeka Offor Foundation and the Rotary family in Nigeria, I congratulate Nigeria as we celebrate the World Polio Day this 24th October, 2019.
The World Polio Day was established by Rotary International to commemorate the birth of Jonas Salk who led the first team to develop a vaccine against Poliomyelitis. This has become very significant in Nigeria because the scourge of Polio has been largely arrested through robust routine immunization, advocacy and supervision.
As we mark the day, we shall not forget that as a country, we are very close to being declared a Wild Polio Free country by the World Health Organization. The remaining milestone requires a lot of hard work, team collaboration and cooperation by all stakeholders in order to actualize the dream.
I wish to commend the Rotary International, World Health Organization, Nigerian Government and its Ministries, Departments and Agencies for the commitment, zeal they have put in so far. Similarly, all Health Workers, Volunteers, Rotarians and Supporters of this worthy course require special commendation.
We shall continue to pay special tribute to all International Partners including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for their generous interventions towards the eradication of polio in Nigeria.
Our Foundation shall continue to engage in sustainable ventures and endeavours that will drive the progress of this fight against Polio in all its ramifications.
Once again, congratulations Nigeria
Immunization must continue, advocacy is imperative, we shall win!

Sir (Dr) Emeka Offor
Rotary International Polio Ambassador to Nigeria
Founder, Sir Emeka Offor Foundation (SEOF)

Sir Offor Honoured with International Humanitarian Award

The Founder of Sir Emeka Offor Foundation and Rotary International Polio Ambassador to Nigeria, Sir Dr Emeka Offor, was honored with an International Humanitarian Award on the 23rd of September, 2019 in the United States by Andrew J. Young Foundation. The award was in appreciation of Sir Emeka Offor's philanthropic and humanitarian activities which have impacted many lives positively.

Sir Emeka Offor who received the award in the company of his wife, Barrister Mrs. Adaora Offor, dedicated the award to humanitarian workers and volunteers all over the world w ihtout whom, he said, philanthropy and Humanitarian activities will not achieve their purpose.

The event attracted many personalities from Nigeria and other countries, including His Excellency Senator Ken Nnamani - Former Nigerian Senate President, Ambassador Howard Jeter (Former US Ambassador to Nigeria), Brenda Cressey – Board Member, Rotary International, Dr Judy Monroe – US Centre for Disease Control Foundation President, Tom Warth – Founder, Books for Africa, Dr Patrick Plonski – Executive Director, Books for Africa, Peggy Asseo – Director of Planned and Major Gifts, Rotary International, etc.

By Obi Ebuka Onochie

Photo by Alyce Henson