Edwin Clark University Takes Delivery of $27m Worth of Books from US
Sylvester Idowu in Warri
An international books donor organisation, Books for Africa, has donated 22,000 volumes of books, worth $27 million to the Edwin Clark University, Kiagbodo (ECUK) in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.
Unveiling the books on the campus of the ECUK in Kiagbodo, during a ceremony on Monday night, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Timothy Olagbemiro, said the donated cache of books was the biggest received by any institution in the whole of Africa.
Olagbemiro, who received the donation on behalf of the Proprietor and Chancellor of the university, Chief Edwin Clark, expressed gratitude to both United States of America-based Books for Africa as well as those who made the donation possible by providing the necessary contacts.
In his welcome address at the unveiling ceremony, Olagbemiro said the organisation donates current books from publishers, authors, individuals and organisations mainly for Africa, adding that his university is now a beneficiary.
“I am very grateful to 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.
“We also thank Books for Africa for their resilience, despite the difficulties we encountered with shipment and for their 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,” he said.
Some of the books according to the vice-chancellor would be donated to Delta State University (DELSU) and to members of International Federation of Women Lawyers, (FIDA), Delta State chapter.
Receiving on behalf of the management and staff of the DELSU, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Victor Peretomode, expressed gratitude to Edwin Clark University, assuring that the law books that would be given would be highly appreciated and be well untilised.
High point of the ceremony witnessed by the Proprietor, Edwin Clark University, Kiagbodo, Dr. Edwin Clark, former Vice Chancellor of Delta State University, Prof. Ovie Igun, amongst other dignitaries, was the cutting of the tape and unveiling of the books by the Vice Chancellor, Edwin Clark University, Prof. Timothy Olagbemiro.