Federal Government Tasks Philanthropists On Education Financing
Princess-Ekwi Ajide
The Federal government of Nigeria has asked private individuals and philanthropists in the country to assist in funding education for quality education and inclusion of the poor.
The Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, made the plea in Abuja at a social event in honour of Dr Emeka Offor and wife, Dr Adaora Offor, who were honoured with doctorate degrees.
They were awarded honarary degrees in Business Administration and Social Advocacy respectively by the University of Nigeria Nsukka, UNN, and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, NAU, Awka.
In his speech at the event, the minister said, though the government had spent so much in funding education, private individuals and philanthropists should emulate Emeka Offor and wife’s support to education through their Foundation.
According to the Minister, the ministry is encouraged with this kind of recognition because the government cannot finance education alone, just as it has contributed a lot.
The benefactor, Chief Emeka Offor, explained that the endowment funds would be a restricted one where the principal sum would be held in perpetuity except otherwise decided by SEOF and the Universities.
He said earnings from the invested assets would be expended according to the donor’s specifications which entails funding of research and scholarly enterprise in the Faculty of Business Administration and Social Science of both universities.
Offor however noted that there must be a status report to be made available by the committee to both parties every 12 calendar months.
Dr. Mrs. Adaora Offor who was awarded a Doctorate Degree by Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, said their support to the institutions is aimed at advancing knowledge through research related activities.
The acting Vice Chancellor of UNN Professor Romanus Ezeokonkwo, assured that the fund would be judiciously used according to what the donors said they wanted to do with the money and there will be no diversion.
The immediate past Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Professor Charles Esimone and Senator Magnus Abe who were among the many personalities at the occasion, said the Offors had been in the forefront of supporting education among other empowerment programmes adding that the selfless service of the philanthropist would create a long-term legacy in the country’s educational system.
The couple through Sir Emeka Offor Foundation (SEOF) created an endowment fund of N150 million for research and scholarly enterprise, in the faculties of Business Administration and Social Science of UNN and NAU respectively.
UNN received N100 million for research activities and scholarly enterprise that will impact the Faculty of Business Administration, while NAU received N50 million for welfare of widows, children with special needs and other vulnerable members of the society.