Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has said that the planned Ishmael Ikpeazu Memorial Library would serve as an avenue to redirect the younger generation and assist them excel academically.
Governor Ikpeazu made this known while speaking at the unveiling of Ishmael Ikpeazu Memorial Library and public presentation of the book ‘Thoughts of a Scholar in Governance: A Compilation of the Speeches, Lectures & Broadcast of the Governor of Abia State, May 29, 2015 – May 28, 2019’, held yesterday at Enitona Hotel, Aba, Abia state.
Governor Ikpeazu who doubles as the first son of the man whose name is being immortalized with the proposed library expressed the hope that the project is a way of bequeathing a lasting legacy for Abia children.
Expressing regrets that mentorship for the younger generation is gradually being eroded, the Governor said the Library will also serve as an avenue for mentoring the younger generation.
He recalled that the dream of his late father was to build a library where the younger generation would invest their time fruitfully adding that he was touched to be realizing the dream now.
He disclosed that the library would house about thirty thousand volumes of various books and announced that his family would support the project with the sum of twenty-five million Naira.
Also speaking, the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma and the Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Uche Ogah, both commended the Governor for immortalizing his late father by building a library in his memory.
They assured that they would support the process of making the project a reality.
The book reviewer and Vice Chancellor of Abia State University (ABSU), Prof. Uche Ikonne, said the book which is a 350-page book of two sections; covering the Governor’s personal history and his speeches is a legacy of the Governor’s late father, who modelled his son to become successful in education and resilient in life.
In his remarks, Chairman of the occasion, Chief Theo Nkire noted that a library is a befitting monument for a teacher like Pa Ikpeazu, especially at a time when libraries are going extinct and attributed exam malpractices to the absence of well-equipped libraries and a lack of reading culture in Nigeria.
He commended Governor Ikpeazu for thinking of immortalizing his late father by building a library and urged everybody to contribute in making the project a reality.
Unveiling the prototype of the library, Mr. Chinenye Nwaogu, explained that the library would be a complete complex of many segments including science laboratory, playground for children, amphi-theatre and accommodation for visitors among others, attracting many activities as well as be a resource centre for academic excellence .
Speaking about late Pa Ismael Ikpeazu, the Governor’s younger brother, Barr. Iheanyi Ikpeazu, described their father as one who was an intelligent teacher and ardent collector of books and scholarly materials.
He maintained that the best legacy to be bequeathed to mankind in memory of Pa Ishmael Ikpeazu should be the establishment of a library to sustain his dreams and appreciated all who attended the event.
The event which attracted many dignitaries including, wives of Abia and Imo Governors, Abia State Deputy Governor and his wife, Member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia at National Assembly, Hon. Samuel Onuigbo, Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly, Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji, represented by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Uchendu, Chief Judge of Abia State, Commissioners in Abia and Imo States and others from all walks of life.
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