By Charles Iornumbe
Former President of the Association of Nigerian Authors, ANA, Professor Jerry Agada has hailed the wife of the governor of Benue State, Eunice Ortom for her patriotism and zeal for ANA, destitute and girlchild-education.
The former minister of Education (State) made this accolade at the state chapter’s Special Reading event in honour of the First Lady of the state to mark the International Literacy Day 2020 and Her Excellency’s 48th Birthday held at Benue State Library Board Complex, Makurdi.
The state Chairman, Civil Service Commission who also doubled as Chairman of the occasion maintained that the Founder, Eunice Spring of Life, ESLF, was always in the forefront of aiding ANA in the state as well as liberating girlchild-education via her foundation.
Prof. Agada who read from his books “The Whirlwind” titled ‘Rumour’ and another poem from ‘The 500 Nigerian Poets’ said it was the same poem read by the former Head of state, Gen Yakubu Gowon when he flagged-off National Action Committee on Read Campaign in Abuja when he held sway as minister. He thanked Mrs Ortom for who she is and donated same books to Her Excellency’s foundation.
In her address, Mrs Ortom who was excited by the arrangements by ANA pointed that she is proud to be associated with the body. The First Lady said her Pet Project was ready to partner with ANA to uplift the less privileged and promote reading in the state.
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She encouraged the association to take Covid-19 pandemic awareness to another level via ICT which is a modern way of learning under the current lock down.
Earlier, Chairman ANA Benue State chapter, Mr Paul Ugah said the association obviously deemed it apt to honour the governor’s wife for her selfless services to humanity.
Highlights was Keynote address by the Vice Chairman of ANA, Regina Achie-Nenge. Goodwill messages from the DG Radio Benue, Mrs Espei Ushe Uba, Director, Benue State Library Board, Theresa Zamber, Representative of Persons with Disabilities Barr. S. Sabe and poems from Onwanyi Ulegede Esq, Tine Agernor and Owi Africa.
Special Birthday Toast for Ortom was delivered by the Commissioner, Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Ngunan Addingi who posited that Her Excellency is the first First Lady to visit the state Library and the first First Lady of Benue State with Ph.D.
In a remark, immediate past state Chairman of ANA, Charles Iornumbe who showered encomium on the mother of the state for deliberately towing the path of her husband by supporting ANA affairs added that the national body of the association has singled Mrs Ortom out for her contributions and passion for ANA. Dr Iornumbe revealed that the formal letter to that effect shall be communicated to her at a later date.
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