Donates 2.6 Million Naira to Support Nigeria's Team Heading to the U.K.
The International Wheelchair & Amputee Sports (IWAS) Federation will be staging the 10th Under-23 World Junior Games at Stoke Mandeville Sport Stadium in the United Kingdom from the 3rd through the 8th of August 2014. The Games give opportunity to the world’s best young athletes with disabilities to compete in diverse games which used to be the exclusive reserve of able-bodied men and women. Athletes from the Nigerian Paralympic Committee will however be part of this all important event.
It would be remembered that in the last Paralympics Games, Nigerian athletes won six (6) out of the twenty (20) gold medals up for grabs. Going by records, majority of the participants from Nigeria are Polio survivors.
The effects of Polio cannot be over emphasized as it does not only leave physical disability in those who have suffered it but physiologically effects too, both the victims and those around them for one is either infected or affected. For these people, their hopes to carry on with life are dampened because they are not only faced with the daily challenges that life presents but also have to cope facing them with disability. In developing countries like Nigeria where there are no structures in place to cater for their special needs, many are left to their not so bright fate.
With the encouragement of men like Engr. Augustine Onwuamaegbu - National President of Persons with Disability Initiative Nigeria and Monday Emoghavwe – weight lifter & President Paralympic Committee of Nigeria, few people living with disability have taken their destiny in their own hands to make their lives worthwhile. These individuals have been trained in various sports and have been chosen to participate at the IWAS World Junior Games 2014 but due to lack of funds their hopes of being part of the Games appeared dim.
However, when the news of this great challenge got to the Sir Emeka Offor Foundation (SEOF), its Founder Sir Emeka Offor who is also Rotary International Polio Ambassador in Nigeria, the athletes were invited to the headquarters of the Chrome Group. Sir Offor in recent past has made relentless efforts in the fight to eradicate Polio from Nigeria and indeed the world by his generous donations of over $3 million USD to Rotary Polio Plus and through his Foundation has organized massive Polio Immunization campaigns. Determined to put smiles on the faces of these athletes who are Polio survivors and ensure the fulfilment of their dreams, he donated a whooping sum of 2.6 million Naira to support them to the Games.
Sir Offor addressing the delegation comprising of Engr. Augustine Onwuamaegbu, Monday Emoghavwe, Kingsley Ezeadim, David Ombugudu, Emmanuel Godwin and Emmanuel Nweke said “Our Foundation is interested in supporting good projects especially when it has to do with polio survivors and disabled people. We’ll do whatever we can to support you because your success will encourage other survivors to develop confidence in themselves and come to the understanding that there is ability in disability.”
He said they should use the platform of the Paralympics Committee to reach out to other disabled people in the society especially those that desire to be better. He encouraged them to win the gold medals and come back as worthy ambassadors of Nigeria.
In his appreciation speech, Mr. Emoghavwe said “I thank Sir Emeka Offor Foundation for championing the cause of making people living with disability happy. Since I joined the Paralympic Committee, I have not seen or heard of any philanthropist or organization supporting persons with disability the way you are”. He asked for their visit to be publicized so that people will know what the Foundation is doing and others can join in the effort.
Sir Emeka Offor through his Foundation is not only going on to support the fight to eradicate Polio but has gone ahead to support Polio survivors to make living more meaningful.
