A United States of America-based non-governmental organisation, Books for Africa, has donated books worth US$27 million to the Edwin Clark University, Kiagbodo, in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.
Receiving the 22,000 volumes of books from the US-based organisation, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Timothy Olagbemiro, commended the efforts of the organisation in donating the books to the institution.
“We also thank Books for Africa for its resilience, despite the difficulties we encountered with shipment and for its resourcefulness in getting us a donor, who paid $12,000 for the shipment.
We are very indebted to Mr. Atare Agbamu for his doggedness and robust assistance,” Olagbemiro said. The ECU vice chancellor, in his welcome address during the book presentation, said Books for Africa had been donating current books from publishers, authors, individuals and organisations, mainly to Africa, expressing delight that his university was now a beneficiary.
“I am very grateful to Dr. Tunji Adesesan of Reinhardt University, who had earlier facilitated the donation of 7,000 volumes of books from our link partners, his university, Reinhardt University, Waleska, Georgia, and who, through his goodwill, linked me with Books for Africa,” he added.
An elated Olagbemiro further stated that the donation was the highest any university in Africa had got, expressing gratitude to the proprietor of Edwin Clark University, Dr. E.K. Clark, for his relentless support to the young institution.
“The 22,000 volumes of books were donated to Edwin Clark University by a voluntary organisation, Books for Africa, located in St. Paul Minnesota, USA. Books for Africa has a Board of Directors with over 100 officers and a Chief Executive as well as a Board Chairman and has a Delta State-born Mr. Agbamu as member,“ the ECU VC noted.
Some of the books, according to the ECU vice chancellor, would be donated to the Delta State University and to members of the International Federation of Women Lawyers in Delta State.
Receiving the books on behalf of the management and staff of the Delta State University, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Victor Peretomode, expressed gratitude to Edwin Clark University, assuring that the law books would be highly appreciated and utilised.
The ceremony was witnessed by the proprietor, Edwin Clark University, Kiagbodo, Dr. Clark; former vice chancellor of Delta State University, Prof. Ovie Igun among other dignitaries.
