Nigeria, Key Contributor To World Charity – Foundation

The Director, Mac Arthour Foundation, a foreign-based humanitarian and Non-Governmental Organisation has rated Nigeria as one of the major contributors to charity in the world.

Director of the Foundation, Kole Shettima, disclosed this earlier in the week during a key note address delivered at the formal launching and fund raising event of the Rivers State Community Foundation at Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt.

In the key note address, which was presented on behalf of the Mac – Arthour Director by Dame Aleruchi Cookey-Gam, the Foundation revealed that Nigeria gave an estimated amount of N7.9 overseas donation in 2008.

Shettima commended the World Bank for setting up the Community Foundation in Nigeria, stressing that the Foundation will count on the collective patronage of all stakeholders to succeed.

He reiterated the need for investment in philanthropy in Nigeria, especially in the Niger Delta for sustainable rural transformation.

Earlier, the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Foundation, Prof. Nimi Briggs said the Foundation was established by the World Bank with the approval of the Federal and Rivers State Governments to serve as a local grant making body and a forum for harnessing available resources with which to maintain a permanent endowment fund.

He said the foundation was the first of its kind in Nigeria and assured that the fund raised will be used to assist individuals, NGOs, Organisation, communities and other formations of persons, who present proposals that contain ideas of positive benefits to the people.

In his speech, the chairman of the event, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, congratulated the organisers of the event and described the fund raising as basis for stakeholders to contribute towards sustainable development in Rivers State and Nigeria in general. He commended the composition of the board of trustees, stating that they should use their wealth of experience in various fields to bring about a new era of development in the state.

Also, presenting a key note address, Prof. Mark Anikpo of the University of Port Harcourt, said the deplorable condition of rural communities called for a change. Prof. Anikpo, who spoke on the topic; “Promoting Collaboration for Sustainable Development,” recommended a participatory approach to rural development as a panacea to enhanced rural transformation.

In attendance at the event, were the Rivers State Commissioners, for Health, environment, finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Head of Service, and representatives of multinational corporations.

Highlights of the event was the presentation of grants to 13 corporate beneficiaries by the wife of the Rivers State Governor, Dame Judith Amaechi, assisted by the wife of the deputy Governor, Mrs Mina Ikuru.

Taneh Beemene