Sir Emeka Offor Foundation

SEOF Distributes Books to Tertiary Institutions

The Sir Emeka Offor Foundation in Oraifite, Anambra state over the weekend, welcomed schools from various parts of the country, as the foundation distributed books to over forty tertiary institutions in the country, in its Supplementary Books Distribution Ceremony for 2018. Over $25 Million worth of books have been distributed across Africa.

The founder of the foundation, Sir Emeka Offor, in collaboration with Books for Africa, in 2013, started a philanthropic mission of books distribution to several secondary and tertiary institutions in Nigeria and other African countries with a view to giving Africans a better academic advantage. Since 2013 till date, many tertiary institutions have benefited from the books distribution all over Africa.

The foundation on October 6, 2018, had about 40 tertiary institutions in Nigeria went back to their institutions with cartons of books, ranging from academic books, books on general knowledge and computer accessories.  

Speaking at the ceremony, the chief host of the foundation, Sir Emeka Offor, represented by Dr. Steve Dike, said academic standards of the country is eroding and unfortunately, Nigeria now relies on foreign countries to get man-power.  

He added that the foundation strategically distributes books to the six geopolitical zones in the country, as it believes that economic development of a country can only be sustained when there are key human capitals to support it, and these human capitals need to be developed.

The Chairman Committee of Vice-Chancellors for Nigeria and Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra state, Professor Joseph Ahaneku, in his remarks said there is need to pay more attention to reading, not just to pass exams but to acquire skills and the knowledge to develop the nation.

He said the books distributed by the foundation will be useful to those who are development-oriented and will help for speedy accreditation of university courses.  

Also present at the event with his team was the Vice-Chancellor, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu, Ebonyi state, Prof. Chinedum Nwajuba, who could not stop lamenting the sudden collapse of education in the country.

Prof. Nwajuba said examination malpractice no longer stops at students cheating in exam halls, but with parents paying for their wards to attend schools where they will be allowed to cheat and make good results. Adding that there is urgent need to re-introduce students to ‘burning mid-night candles’ in order to pass exams.

Other representatives from the University of Ibadan, University of Abuja, Federal University, Lokoja, Taraba and many other universities, also showed appreciation to the Sir Emeka Offor Foundation as they went back to their schools with their own share of the books.

Photo by Alex Aghomi

 

SEOF Organizes Community Mental Health Facilitators Training

The Sir Emeka Offor Foundation under its Health Program organized a Mental Health training, awareness and sensitization Program. The facilitators from The Educator Inc., a non-profit organization based in the United States of America with a vision of promoting healthy individual and family development through training, advocacy and policy formulation, were on ground to create mental health awareness.
The founder of the foundation, Sir Emeka Offor was present with other dignitaries including medical doctors, academia, captains of industries, NDLEA and Police. Others present also included Psychology, Medical and Nursing students, market men and women, widows, orphans, and many others from diverse backgrounds made themselves available for the sensitization.
The sensitization is the commencement of series of more sensitizations, advocacies and trainings that will culminate in certification of individuals who will carry Mental Health Program to the nooks and crannies of the society. The event took place on the 6th of July 2018 at Sir Emeka Offor Foundation headquarters Oraifite, Anambra State.

By Obi Ebuka Onochie
Photo Credit: Alex Aghomi

Easter Smiles for Widows Courtesy Sir Emeka Offor Foundation

 

On the 25th of March 2018, the Founder of SEOF, Sir Emeka Offor kept his promise to the 2,000 widows under his Foundation during Mothering Sunday. He had assured them that each person would go home with a bag of rice before Easter celebration.
Each widow went smiling home with a Sir Emeka Offor Foundation branded bag of rice. The Widows' Cooperative is one of the outreaches of the Foundation that sees to the warfare of the widows.

 

By Obi Ebuka Onochie
Photo Credit: Alex Aghomi

SEOF and TCC Celebrate Milestone Achievement in Fight against Onchocerciasis

Sir Emeka Offor Foundation joins The Carter Center in celebrating the interruption of onchocerciasis (River blindness) transmission in two states of the country. Nasarawa and Plateau states are no longer on the list where transmission of the disease is still prevalent. The push to eliminate river blindness continues in Abia, Anambra, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Enugu, and Imo.
River blindness is a parasitic infection than can cause intense itching, skin discolouration, rashes and serious eye disease that often lead to permanent blindness. The infected tiny black flies that breed in rapidly flowing river or stream spread the disease through its bites.
Over the years, there has been mass distribution of Ivermectin (Mectizan) in prevalent areas which is the medication for the prevention of river blindness transmission. As a result of this interruption, over two million residents of Plateau and Nasarawa states will no longer be taking Ivermectic drugs since transmission has been interrupted in their areas.
This is a remarkable achievement in the fight against river blindness and other tropical diseases being spearheaded by The Carter Center with other partners like Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Sir Emeka Offor Foundation, USAID, etc.
The Minister of Health Professor Isaac Adewole stated that “river blindness has burdened Nigerians since the days of our ancestors but with the support of The Carter Center and other important partners, we are lifting this burden. What we need do is compliment this good work with careful surveillance to be sure the infection does not reoccur, in that way we can put river blindness into the dustbin of history.” There is a greater hope that Nigeria will eliminate river blindness in no distant time.

For more stories visit: https://www.thenigerianvoice.com/news/264623/two-states-in-nigeria-interrupt-transmission-of-river-blind.html

By Obi Ebuka Onochie
Photo Credit: Alex Aghomi