By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu
The sleepy town of Oraifte, in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State was a beehive of activities today as the Chairman of Chrome Group of companies and the founder of Sir Emeka Offor Foundation (SEOF), Sir Dr Emeka Offor marked his 65th birthday in grand style.
The birthday celebration was adjudged by friends, associates, well-wishers and numerous beneficiaries his philanthropy as a celebration of a life of impact.
Sir E during his birthday celebration distributed 40,000 bags of rice to widows across Anambra state, as well as the 2024 book distribution programme, which took place on Saturday 10th February 2024 at Radio House Oraifite, in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The special guest of honor at the day’s event, the governor of Anambra State, professor Chukwuma Soludo felicitated with Sir Emeka Offor, describing the past 65 years Offor has spent on earth as years of impact, saying that it was not about how long a person lived, but how much impact they make in the lives of people around them.
The governor thanked Sir E for choosing to celebrate with the widows, vulnerable, and students of primary, secondary, and higher institutions in Anambra state when he could have celebrated anywhere in the world.
Soludo commended Sir Offor for his unprecedented effort of donating 40,000 bags of rice to widows across Anambra state, as well as the distribution of books and educational materials to over 200 educational institutions in Nigeria.
He called on the general public to appreciate Sir E for upholding the Anambra spirit through his efforts and decision to live for others, rather than himself, saying Sir E has shown that one person can feed an entire state.
The governor also invited other well-meaning indigenes of Anambra to see this as a time to share and communicate our common humanity, by contributing to improve the lives of people around them in whatever way they can.
In his remarks, Sir Dr. Emeka Offor thanked his friends and well-wishers for their show of love, friendship, and partnership, as he turned 65.
He thanked God for the gift of life and the growth of the Sir Emeka Offor Foundation and the third phase of the social investment program which was commissioned by the vice president of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima in November 2023, saying the distribution of this 40,000 bags of rice to widows across the 179 communities of Anambra state marks the end of this phase of the program.
He said SEOF is distributing books and educational materials to over 200 educational institutions in line with the belief that a book is a knowledge bank and that education forms the basis of excellence.
Sir Emeka Offor appealed to Nigerians to show compassion to the widows, vulnerable and indigent in societies around them.
The wife of Sir Dr Emeka Offor, and the vice president of SEOF, Adaora Offor, said SEOF marks a significant milestone in the life of Sir E. She said in November 2023, SEOF gave 10 fully furnished housing units to widows in Oraifite, saying 10 other houses are being constructed and will be commissioned in months to come.
She congratulated the beneficiaries of the donations and assured them that the foundation would do more to support them to face and surmount the challenges of life.
The PG of Oraifite, Vin Dike on behalf of the president generals of Anambra state, thanked sir Emeka Offor for his decision to extend his generosity to the people of Oraifite and Anambra state at large, praying that God will replenish his pockets, give him long life and prosperity.
Also speaking at the event, the Acting Voice chancellor of the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojuku Nigeria and former commissioner for education in Anambra state, Professor Kate Omenugha who spoke on behalf of the tertiary institutions receiving books from SEOF thanked sir Offor for his continued donations aimed at improving the education sector, promising to make good use of the books to improve the knowledge of the students they were donated for.
The past district governor of Rotary Ijeoma Pearl Okoro, thanked Sir Offor for his continued donation towards the activities of Rotary, as well as his sponsorship of numerous beneficiaries under the peace fellowship.
Other attendees at the event include the former senate president of Nigeria, Senator Ken Nnamani, The Senator representing Anambra South, Senator Ifeanyi Uba, the Speaker of Anambra State House of assembly, Somtochukwu Udeze, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Sly Ezeokenwa, Nigerian musician, Onyeka Onwenu, Members of Peace fellows of Rotary amongst others.
High points of the event include the symbolic presentation of the 40,000 bags of rice by Governor Soludo and Sir Emeka Offor, the presentation of books by Senator Ken Nnamani, Cutting of the cake by Governor Soludo and Sir Dr Emeka Offor and Adaora Offor amongst a host of friends and well-wishers, as well as Match past by students and pupils from schools across Anambra State.