Over 22,000 volumes of books, valued at $27 million, were delivered yesterday to the Edwin Clark University, at Kiagbodo (ECUK) by an international donor, Books for Africa.
Unveiling the books on ECUK campus, the Vice Chancellor, Prof Timothy Olagbemiro, said the books were the biggest ever received by any institution in Africa.
Prof Olagbemiro, who received the books on behalf of the proprietor and Chancellor, Chief Edwin Clark, hailed the United States of America-based donors as well as those who provided the contacts.
The vice chancellor said the organisation donates current books from publishers, authors, individuals and organisations, mainly for Africa, adding that ECUK was a beneficiary.
He said: “I am very grateful to Dr. Tunji Adesesan, of Reinhardt University, who earlier facilitated the donation of 7,000 volumes of books from our link partners, his Reinhardt University at Waleska in 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 indebted to Mr. Atare Agbamu for his doggedness and robust assistance.”
Some of the books, according to the vice chancellor, will be donated to Delta State University (DELSU) and to members of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) in the state.
On behalf of the management and workers of DELSU, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Victor Peretomode, expressed gratitude to ECUK for the books.
He promised they would be well utilised.
The highpoint of the ceremony, which was attended by the proprietor, Dr. Edwin Clark, former Vice Chancellor of Delta State University, Prof. Ovie Igun, among other dignitaries, was the cutting of the tape and unveiling of the books by the university’s Vice Chancellor Prof. Timothy Olagbemiro.
Edwin Clark Varsity gets $27m books from global donors
