Gov. Chukwuma Soludo and Sen. Ifeanyi Ubah were among the dignitaries who joined Emeka Offor, managing director and chief executive officer, Chrome Group, as he celebrated his 65th birthday.

The birthday celebration took place in Oraifite, Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra, on Saturday.

In his goodwill message, Mr Soludo said Mr Offor had spent 65 years of service to humanity.

“It is not how long you live but how much you impact lives; we have come to celebrate your 65 years of impact.

“I pray that you live up to 120 years as recorded in the Bible,” he said.

Mr Soludo commended the business mogul for opting to celebrate his birthday in Anambra with widows, students and the vulnerable in spite of having the resources to hold the event in any part of the world.

He said his donation of 40,000 bags of rice to widows in all the 179 communities in Anambra was in line with his government’s policy of public-private community partnership (PPCP).

He said the PPCP model was the option that could drive the development and welfare of citizens at a time when the country was going through economic challenges.

Also speaking, Vincent Dike, the president-general of Oraifite Community, Mr Offor’s hometown, described the celebrant as a worthy son and gift to humanity.

Mr Dike, who spoke for the community, expressed gratitude to God for Offor’s life and prayed for the sustenance of his life in many years to come.

In his appreciation, Mr Offor said he was overwhelmed by the show of love, friendship and partnership he had enjoyed, as well as God’s grace, mercies, blessings and benevolence in his 65 years of existence.

He said the Sir Emeka Offor Foundation he founded and nurtured had grown to set paces for humanity in the area of charity.

He recalled that Vice President Kashim Shettima flagged off his Social Investment Programme on the 30th of November, 2023, saying, “I am delighted that today we are concluding this phase of our Humanitarian Intervention by distributing 40,000 bags of long grain Rice to indigent and vulnerable Widows in the 179 Communities of Anambra.

“Our vision for education and educational development continues to receive strategic attention. Today, we are also distributing books and educational materials to over 200 primary, secondary and tertiary institutions in Nigeria,” he said.

Mr Offor said he would continue to support ideas that would bring prosperity to the humanitarian space, including his foundation and Rotary International while urging all to be peace ambassadors wherever they found themselves.

“Let me use this opportunity to appeal to my fellow Nigerians to show compassion to widows and, indeed, the vulnerable and indigent in our society.

“You don’t need to have too much to be able to put smiles on the faces of your neighbours.

“Your love, encouragement, partnership and sacrifices have been my source of strength,” he said.

Other dignitaries at the event were Sen. Ken Nnamani; Innocent Chukwuma, managing director of Innoson Motor, and Rommy Ezeonwuka, among others.

(NAN)