Africans in their unique cultural constitution are endowed with rich social capital. Therefore, the welfare of each child in any community is inherently the responsibility of all, which gives credence to the proverb “it takes a village to raise a child”. That same spirit of communal support extends into our modern appreciation of Corporate Social Responsibility, more aptly identified as social sustainability, otherwise Philanthropy.
Philanthropy, whether internally generated or from external source; it is not a novel phenomenon amongst the domain of the rich and wealthy. It is a principle that has addressed the fundamental challenges of our societies beyond the strength of the public sector. What is however phenomenal is the pace and perhaps the obvious paradigm shift in giving among Africans who have risen to play on the grander stage usually occupied by foreign western governments, International NGOs and prominent individuals. These titans, who are mostly products of either Pan-Africanism or pride of African Renaissance, are solidly and consciously harnessing the traditions of our forebears to be their brothers’ keeper.
While we appreciate the commitment and support of UNICEF, WHO, CDC, Bill & Melinda Gates and other international donor organizations, we are proudly cognizant of our homegrown Philanthropists and economic game changers of our new Africa. A 2014 publication from IRIN, the humanitarian news and analysis service of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs highlighted few African philanthropists who are making impact in the continent. Top on their list are the following Nigerian Philanthropists; Theophilus Danjuma, Aliko Dangote, Jim Ovia, Tony Elumelu and Arthur Eze, and some others from South Africa and Zimbabwe. The list is not entirely comprehensive and certainly not in the order of value contribution, but it shows that Africans are not idly watching from behind the fence. In fact, IRIN News reports that African Philanthopist gives away an estimated $7 Billion annually.
Turning the spotlight on Health and specifically, Global Polio Eradication Initiatives (GPEI): prior to the invention of Inactivated Polio Virus (IPV) by Jonas Salk, polio ravaged the global community almost unimpeded leading to paralysis and death of an estimated half a million people annually. Confronting the health crisis became
an improbable burden of leading nations and global health agencies. Polio vaccine discovery paved the way for an expedient relief; cutting the cases of polio in the US from 20,000 per year in the 50’s to 1000 per year in the 60’s. In 1988, through Rotary International support, the World Health Assembly articulated a global response to the polio eradication. From 350,000 documented cases of polio in 1988 to a remarkable low in 2014. Rotary is not letting up! Presently, there are only three countries left in the world with an endemicity to polio (Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan).
But one cannot speak of Polio eradication efforts in Nigeria without mentioning the gallantry and passionate commitment of Rotary International Polio Ambassador to Nigeria, in the person of Sir Emeka Offor. Sir Offor, who is the Founder of Sir Emeka Offor Foundation (SEOF) is not just the leading independent African donor to Rotary polio efforts, he is also an active polio advocate, a health crusader and an impassionate voice for the preservation of the health of all. It is almost an anathema to speak of Nigeria and polio eradication without taking note of Sir Offor. Known as a humble businessman, the executive vice Chairman of the Chrome Group and the Chairman of Kaztec Engineering Limited has quietly steamed past his compatriots with an accumulated total donation of $3.1 million. Matched by the Bill & Melinda Gates 2 for 1 program, a new aggregated total of $9.3 million is accredited to Sir Emeka Offor.
It is important to underscore that while we have seen a 99% global reduction in the number of polio cases, there are still roadblocks to achieving the END GAME in Nigeria. Access to some interior communities in the heavily volatile areas of the Northeast has proven problematic in the heat of insurgent activities of the Islamic group Boko Haram. The Federal Government, however, is actively addressing these challenges. One approach that ought to be applauded is the defiance and bold strategy of “quick entry and exit” coordinated by polio workers at the grassroots in concert with community dwellers when the perceived threats of insurgent activities are low. Such social innovations and the commitment of health workers have provided sufficient buffer in the containment of polio and without equivocation formed the basis for the success Nigeria recorded in contending with Ebola.
Underpinning these realities, Sir Offor recently plowed huge financial resources to establishing a center for tracking polio cases in the country. The new office not only serves as a hub for advocacy drives but also a birthing ground for polio related policies. Sir Offor’s financial commitments and his unbending altruism have enabled Rotary to reduce the number of polio cases significantly to 6 in 2014; an 85% reduction compared to previous years. In fact, a recent article by Ted Turner titled “No letting up fight to end polio” further substantiates that over 75% of all children in eight Northern Nigerian States have been successfully immunized against polio in spite of security challenges; an evidence of immense positive strides made in Nigeria towards eradication of the disease.
Suffice it to say that Nigeria has the resolve and the human capacity with a renewed political will to bring an end to polio. Private sector support is inherently expedient and paramount to achieving the desired goal. Sir Offor and other similarly minded Nigerian Philanthropists believe that the end goal is closer than expected. In a statement made in his official capacity as Rotary International Polio Ambassador to Nigeria, Sir Offor has said, “he will not rest until every child is immunized in Nigeria and until Nigeria is Polio free”. This points to his resolve to help make Nigeria Polio Free and the world a better place for the young African child.
Written by Dr. Edwin Ndukwe.
