Chief Eric Umeofia, President and CEO of Erisco Foods limited, is fast becoming one of Nigeria ’s leading philanthropists. On Friday, August, 21, 2015, he kept the second part of his promise of offering automatic employment to Margaret Uhunamure, a recently discharged National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member who lost her arm in an auto accident on her way to Benue State to present her NYSC discharge certificate to her mother, who had been very proud to finally have the first university graduate of the family.
It would be recalled that in October, 2014 Chief Umeofia handed over a brand new TSV King Tricycle to Mrs. Maryann Ibeh who was reported to be the breadwinner of her family by being a commercial tricycle rider. Umeofia ensured that she also became a tricycle owner in order to make more money for herself and her family. Also, on Thursday, August 13, Chief Umeofia was in Sokoto State to present a trailer load of Erisco Foods’ products and monies totaling about 20 million Naira towards, the rehabilitation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), building of 2 mosques and sponsorship of 4 Muslims to this year’s Hajj.
During a brief presentation in the Erisco Foods’ Head Office in Lagos last Friday, Chief Umeofia rejoiced with Margaret and her mother over her survival from the ghastly accident and exhorted her to face her future with courage,determination, hope and a positive attitude. Below are excerpts of his speech:
“Watching the story on NTA Newsline made me realize that, as Nigerians we all have a duty to be our brother’s (and sister’s) keepers. We knew that left alone, Margaret may remain sad and dejected that she had not only lost a part of her arm but also a part of the sunshine in her life. But we at Erisco Foods Limited believed otherwise. We wanted Margaret to know that she is not alone. We wanted her struggling family to know that they are not alone. That is why we decided to immediately take steps within our capabilities and resources to make Margaret realize that God has simply opened another phase in her life… that God will not leave her alone.
Therefore, it is our pleasure today to say to you, Margaret, that you have just started a new phase of life and Erisco Foods Limited is determined to stand by you and support you to make sure you make your new life as rich and as fulfilling as you want it to be. You only need to have a good vision for yourself, for your company and for your country and maintain a positive attitude always. With God’s divine Grace, only the sky will be your limit.
Consequently, we are pleased very pleased to present you your letter of employment as a staff of Erisco Foods Limited to resume duties on September 1, 2015 here at our Head Office in Oregun, Lagos State . Once the Doctors decide on the prescribed prosthetic for your arm, we shall pay for its procurement and fitting. Margaret, Erisco Foods will not leave you alone!
We also seize this opportunity for Nigerians to come together and love themselves. Love their own things. Love Nigerian. If more Nigerians Patronize strictly made-in- Nigeria goods like RIC-GIKO Tomato paste and other products, Nigeria will not bother if oil prices rise or fall and poverty will no longer be our portion. We also call on Nigerians to support the government of His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari as he set out to rebuild Nigeria from the bottom up. Local industries are already reaping some fruits of his good governance. Nobody but Nigerians can make Nigeria great. God is firmly on our side.”

The young lady, Margaret Uhunamure whose mother is a widow, served in Benue State and on completion of her service year, embarked on a journey back to her home in Lagos when the vehicle she was travelling in got involved in an accident and her left fore-arm was amputated.
Describing the incident, her mother said she just got back from church and was undressing when she received a phone call that her daughter was involved in an accident and lost her arm. According to her, she immediately rushed out of the house half naked back to the church in tears. To her, all hope was lost.
However, Chief Eric Umeofia’s kind gesture has put a smile back on their faces, by assisting first assisting in the payment of her medical bills, paying for a prosthetic (an artificial arm) and also offering her automatic employment in Erisco Foods Limited to begin a promising career. He also promised to pay for her to get an artificial arm.
Chief Umeofia however noted that while Margaret’s salary would be payable effective September 1 (and, in fact paid her 50% upfront for September) he maintained that Margaret will only be allowed to commence actual work when she obtains a medical certification that she is psychologically and physically fit to commence work. Chief Umeofia did not want Margaret’s desire to work and earn a living to jeopardise her speedy and total recovery from her emotional and physical injuries.
“We want to make sure she is fine before she starts work but we will start paying her from now till whenever she is certified fit to work by the Doctor”, Chief Umeofia said.
Margaret and her mother were full of gratitude for what Chief Umeofia has done. Her mother couldn’t control her joy as she rolled on the floor in appreciation for Chief for his kindness towards her daughter and family.
“Daddy thank you very much sir. Thank you for everything. May God bless you and your children. If I lie down for ground, e no go do. If na mouth full all my body sef e no go do for me to thank you at all. Thank you sir, Thank you very much,” she said while rolling on the floor.
Chief Eric Umeofia, in his statement, thanked Mr President for putting in place policies that will help promote local and indigenous manufacturing and also urged Nigerians to prove their loyalty to the country by patronising made in Nigeria products so as to create room for a better economy.
He said, if indigenous manufacturers are doing well, it will help in liberating the economy as they will contribute their quota by helping Nigerians who are in need.
“If Nigerians encourage Nigerian-made products, we will employ more people and help more also. I thank Mr President for introducing policies that will make the economy to grow through local manufacturing. He said we must make the economy work and that is what we are trying to do.”
“If we encourage local manufacturing, we will be increasing our foreign reserves, we won’t be depending on oil production alone and Nigeria will be better in the shortest time”
He also urged Margaret not to be demoralised by her present situation but work hard to challenge even those who are not handicapped to do better.
“Don’t dwell on the past, focus on the future and don’t say because you have one accident, you cannot do well. Don’t say because you have special employment, you will relax and behave anyhow you like. No. You need to work hard and do better to shame those who are fit.”
Margaret while expressing her profound gratitude said “I am very happy and very grateful for this opportunity that Chief Eric Umeofia has given me because I was not expecting it. Even when I was in the hospital, I didn’t watch it but people heard about it and started calling to congratulate me. They were no longer telling me ‘sorry’.”

God bless you sir

Wonderful

That's so sweet of the man, may God bless him 100 folds...AMEN!



Kai! Dis accident sef, why e no cum accident BH pepul nah??

God bless this man

this is wonderful

God bless his generation

Good man. Unlike d useless politicians, who are one of d problems of our country

God bless you