Philanthropist gives Rotary US$1 million for polio eradication

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The eradication effort is a personal commitment for Sir Offor, the executive vice chairman of the Chrome Group, a Nigerian oil and gas conglomerate. He hails from one of the three countries where wild polio has never been stopped (the others are Afghanistan and Pakistan).

"Polio was common during my childhood in Kafanchan, Kaduna State, Nigeria," he explained. "My friends, classmates and their siblings all fell victim to this terrible disease. As a young man, I vowed I would someday do something significant to end polio in Nigeria."

PolioPlus Ambassador

He has made good on his promise. This new gift brings his total contributions to Rotary to $3.1 million; however, he has done far more than simply donate money to fight polio. Since last year's contribution, he has been increasingly active as Rotary's PolioPlus Ambassador in Nigeria. He works with a team of Rotary leaders to liaise with the Government of Nigeria through the federal and state health systems and primary health centres in local government areas where polio eradication efforts are most needed. They also work with religious and traditional leaders whose support is needed for successful immunisation campaigns. Furthermore, two months ago, he opened a PolioPlus Ambassador's Office at no cost to Rotary in Abuja, Nigeria. This office, which was commissioned by Rotary Trustee Chair Dong Kurn Lee, serves as a hub for his PolioPlus ambassadorial activities in Nigeria and supports the work of Rotary's National PolioPlus Committee.

"Rotary is proud to be working with a business and humanitarian leader like Sir Emeka Offor," said past Rotary VP, John Germ, who leads the organisation's fundraising efforts for polio eradication. "With his support, Nigeria has made significant progress and is closer than ever to eliminating polio within its borders. We are confident we will eliminate this disease from the world and ensure no child ever again has to suffer from its crippling effects."

Matched donations from Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

His support comes at a critical time for global polio eradication efforts. Nigeria in particular has seen tremendous progress in recent years and is closer than ever to ending the disease. In 2013, the country had only 53 cases of polio, a record low for a nation that, as recently as 2012, was home to more than half the world's cases. However, conflict and insecurity continue to pose challenges to polio eradication. The new gift will help Rotary fund critically needed immunisation activities to ensure the disease is stopped finally.

The $1 million gifts from both 2013 and 2014 are eligible for matching funds under the 'End Polio Now - Make History Today' fundraising campaign, carried out in conjunction with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Under the agreement, the Gates Foundation will match two for every one dollar Rotary commits to polio eradication, up to $35 million per year. Thus, the $2 million in support of PolioPlus leverages $6 million toward polio eradication.

Beyond last year's $1 million gift, Sir Offor has previously supported Rotary's polio eradication work through a $250 000 gift to celebrate World Polio Day and has also contributed to Rotary's maternal and child health, peace and conflict resolution and educational programs. His gifts make him the largest contributor from Africa in Rotary's 109-year history.

In addition to his support for Rotary, he is the founder of the Sir Emeka Offor Foundation, which focuses on poverty alleviation through literacy and education programs in West Africa's poorest communities.