By Funsho Arogundade
In some circles, whenever the name: Sir Emeka Offor is whispered, all that comes to mind is billionaire kingmaker who pulls strings behind thrones. Well, they may be right to some extent. For ages, Offor’s understanding on the virtue of giving has been overshadowed by the perception weaved around his personality as a throttle presser that does not mind whose ox is gored. But that old recognition of hot political sides is now being overwhelmed by the recent dimension of the man’s philanthropy reverberating all parts of Nigeria and the entire globe.
Offor was recently honoured as Rotary International First Polio Ambassador in Nigeria. He had cast a different shadow on the hearts of many Rotarians and others for his unbending commitment to see that Polio is totally eradicated from Nigeria and the world. The businessman had doled out $1 million to Rotary’s Polio Plus Programme, in aid of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI).
Of course, that wasn’t the first huge donation Offor would be making to the international service organisation. The sum was the second of such a gesture from the charitable billionaire. In 2012, Offor was said to have also donated $250,000 to Rotary’s Polio Plus Programme. For the Oraifite, Anambra State-born soft-spoken magnate who sits atop the Chrome Group —with interests in the diverse areas of oil and gas, finance and investments, telecommunications, insurance, maritime destination inspection, real estate and the power sector— more heroic generosity are still to come as his brand new identity as a giver of note was further affirmed last week.
The business mogul, at a post-convocation dinner held in his honour at the weekend, donated ₦150 million to boost research and scholarly enterprises in two universities— University of Nigeria Nsukka, (UNN)and Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) Awka. While presenting the money, Offor restated his desire towards supporting higher education in Nigeria and strengthening the bond of friendship between his Sir Emeka Offor Foundation and Nigerian Universities.