A non-governmental organisation under the auspices of Obioma Education Foundation in collaboration with Ihieze Foundation,  31st May 2023, donated large volumes of textbooks, (14 cartons) on various disciplines to the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT.

The books which were facilitated by the Managing Director of Afrinvest West Africa, Ike Chioke, were presented to the ESUT Management by Barr. Oby Onwe, of the NGO  at the main campus of the University at Agbani, Enugu State.

While making the donation,  on behalf of the CEO of the Foundation, Barr. Onwe,  noted that the gesture was to boost reading culture amongst the staff and  students of the Institution.

Barr. Onwe, who was a contestant in the last  State House of Assembly election in Enugu under the platform of APGA, explained that the books were part the 80, 000 textbooks which Chioke has been donating to primary, secondary and tertiary institutions in Enugu State.

“Our principal aim is to encourage students, children, and even adults to read. Most people will tell you that they are reading e-books from their phones but the reading experience from printed textbooks is better and more impactful. Our students do not visit the libraries to read good books anymore. This is a worrisome development,” she said.

In his appreciation message, the Vice Chancellor of ESUT, Prof. Aloysius-Michaels Okolie, while lauding the Foundation, and Chioke, for the gesture, said that the University Management is working assiduously to maintain conducive learning environment to enhance teaching, learning and research for the staff and students of the Institution.

Prof. Okolie further said that the books are vital for the promotion of scholarly endeavours of the Institution, adding that the University Management is looking forward for more collaborations with the Foundation to advance the frontiers of knowledge in the citadel of learning.

He described Chioke, as a global actor with enviable antecedents whose experience played out when he chaired the Transition Committee of the Governor of Enugu State, Barr. Peter Mbah.

While giving the vote of thanks, the Registrar of ESUT, Ambrose Ugwu, appreciated the Foundation for extending hands of collaboration to the University.

He bemoaned the dying reading culture amongst students, adding that the textbooks would help to revitalize and inspire the staff and students of the Institution into reading and research.