By Emeka Ozumba
It was an evening of glamour, glitz, endowment and tributes from creme ala cream of Nigerian society who converged at a Post Convocation Dinner in honour of business mogul and philanthropist par excellence, Sir Dr. Emeka Offor and his lovely wife, Dr Mrs Adaora Offor Esq.The event which was on the auspices of Friends of Sir Emeka Offor, FOSE was held at Jake’s Restaurant, Top Floor, Silverbird Galleria, Abuja FCT.
The high point of the evening was the presentation of bank drafts and award letters of endowment funds by Sir Emeka Offor Foundation for the sum of N100million to the Faculty of Business Administration, University of Nigeria Nsukka, UNN; and the sum of N50million to the Faculty of Social Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka respectively. The endowment to UNN is known as Sir Emeka Offor Foundation Endowment Fund Number -2. Earlier in 2010, Sir Emeka Offor made an endownment of the sum of N20million to the Faculty of Physical Sciences, University of Nigeria Nsukka, known as Sir Emeka Offor Foundation Endowment Fund Number -1. Announcing the terms of the latest endowment, Chief of Staff to Sir Dr. Emeka Offor, AIG Chris Ezike rtd, stated:
“The N100m endowment is restricted with the principal sum held in perpertuity with earnings to be expended at the donors specification, and committed to funding research and schorlarly enterprise in the faculty of Business Administration, University of Nigeria Nsukka.”
On the other hand, the endowment of the sum of N50million to the Faculty of Social Sciences Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka named Sir Emeka Offor Foundation Endowment Fund Number-1, was made by the Vice President, Sir Emeka Offor Foundation, Dr. Mrs Adaora Offor to the university when she was conferred with
honorary doctorate degree in Social Advocacy, of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. Announcing terms of the endowment at the dinner, Chike Epelle Esq stated:
“The endowment is aimed at enriching research activities and scholarly enterprise that will have lasting impact in the faculty. The areas of research and investigation should have focus and relevance to women, children, widows, children with special needs and other vulnerable members of the society.”
In his address to guests at the auspicious event, Hon Minister for Education, Prof Tahir Mamman, described Sir Emeka Offor as a legendary personality whose generosity knows no bound. The Hon Minister averred, that even if you are meeting Emeka Offor for the first time you cannot help but notice his dedication to philanthropy. The Hon Minister noted that Sir Emeka Offor has not held public office but continues to impact society greatly. Likewise his amiable wife, a Barrister at law who compliments her husband’s philanthropic disposition by targeting the underprivileged. “We cannot thank these wonderful couple enough for their huge contribution to development of humanity. I am very happy to be part of this event because what I’ve seen here today has left me fulfilled.” He stated.
In his tribute, Member Representing Abia South Senatorial District, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe said that one cannot say anything about
” Sir E ” as Sir Emeka Offor is fondly referred to, without talking about his generosity. What he has done today shows that education is very important to Nigeria. If you have Sir E at your side, you know you don’t need another.I want to congratulate his wife, Dr Adora whose gesture is equally admirable. Anything good you have done to another ensures that God will always be on your side. Abaribe emphasized.
Proposing the toast in honour of Sir. Dr Emeka Offor and wife, Dr Adaora Offor, Senator Magnus Abe, said: We are gathered here to celebrate a man who has brought celebration to the lives of many. He is not the wealthiest man in Nigeria but many have benefited from him. Wherever you go in this country he is remembered for his generosity. Further more, he added, “no matter how good you are, if your wife does not support what you do, no one will hear about it the next morning, Dr Adaora, he noted is committed to charity like her husband. Calling on the guests to stand and raise their glasses, Senator Abe intoned: “To Sir Emeka Offor and Dr Adaora Offor we pray that God will continue to bless and uplift you like you uplift many lives. That as you have worked hard to eradicate polio from Nigeria, God will also use you to eradicate malaria, and may God bless and keep you safe .” To the chorus of Amen!!!
Expressing their gratitude beneficiaries for the endowment, Acting Vice Chancellor of University of Nigeria Nsukka, Prof Romanus Ezeokonkwo, and Dean Faculty of Social Sciences Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof Frank-Collins Okafor seperately thanked Sir Emeka Offor Foundation and assured that the funds would be used in line with the terms of the endowment in their institutions.
In his vote of thanks, a visibly elated Sir. Dr. Emeka Offor, spoke from the heart when he stated. I thank everyone of you that honoured us today. This dinner was organized by a group of friends who have adopted me as one of them. I won’t say that I did not expect it. God has been imensely generous and for that I am greatful.
Sir. Dr. Emeka Offor revealed that he had three near death experiences in three plane crashes between 2006 and 2008 but God spared his life. On one of those incidents, he said the plane practically broke up. ” I didn’t know where I was for twenty-four hours. I had to share this because I am praying to continue to give back to God. I want to assure you that I will continue to do my best. I will continue to fight for justice. I may sometimes act out of certain emotions, but I go back and make ammends. I don’t charge anybody for what I do. The most important thing is to be true to my creator.”
Some of the dignitaries at the dinner include, former Secretary to Federal Government. Ambassador Babagana Kingibe, Senator Aminu Tambuwal, former Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr Nkem Okeke, Senator Dr & Mrs Tony Nwoye, Senator Andy Uba, Sir Emeka Eze, Executive Director Admin & Finance, Nigerian Maritime and Safety Agency, Barrister Chudi Ofordile, Majority Leader Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon Ikenna Ofedeme, National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Barrister Sly Ezeokenwa, Member Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon Anayo Okpaleke, for Commissioner for Utilities Anambra State, Acting Vice Chancellor, Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu University, Prof Kate Omenugha, Chief Emeka Ezenwanne,
Chief Emeka Obegolu, SAN, HRM, Austin Ndigwe, Chief Cosmas Ogugua Agagbo (Okpokaji Na Abba), kingsmen and women of Sir Emeka Offor from Oraifite, Anambra State,and staff of The Chrome Group among others.
