By Sunnewstimes Team
Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has said that the dream of his late father, Ishmael Ikpeazu was to build a Library for the younger Generation and that he was touched to pursue and realize this dream.
He stated this held at Enitona Hotel, Aba, while unveiling Ishmael Ikpeazu Memorial Library, where a book titled ‘Thoughts Of A Scholar In Governance ; A Compilation Of The Speeches, Lectures & Broadcast Of The Governor Of Abia State May 29,2015 – May 29, 2019’ was publicly presented.
He said that the Memorial Library would serve as an avenue to redirect the younger generation and assist them excel academically.
The Governor , who doubles as the first son of his father, who was being immortalized in the proposed library expressed the hope that the project is a way of bequeathing for children a lasting legacy.
He also said that the library which would also serve as an avenue for mentorship, regretted that mentorship for the younger generation is gradually being eroded.
He disclosed that the library would house about 30 thousand volumes of various books and announced that his family would support the project with the sum of 25 million naira.
The Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma and Minister of State for Mines & Steel Development, Dr. Uche Ogah, who spoke at the occasion 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 ABSU, Prof. Uche Ikonne said the book is a 350 page book of two sections; covering the Governor’s personal history and his speeches, adding that it is a legacy of the late father, who modeled his son to become successful in education and resilient in life.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Chief Theo Nkire noted that a library is a befitting monument for a teacher like Pa Ikpeazu, especially in a time when libraries are going extinct and attributed exam malpractices to
lack of reading culture and libraries in Nigeria.
He commended Governor Ikpeazu for thinking of immortalizing his late father by raising a library and urged everybody to contribute in raising the library.
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, amphil theatre and accommodation for visitors among others and would contain many activities as well as be a resource centre for academic excellence .
Speaking about the 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 Ismael Ikpeazu should be the establishment of library to sustain his dreams and appreciated all who attended the event.
The event which attracted many dignitaries including, Wife of the Abia and Imo Governors, Abia State Deputy Governor and his wife, Member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia at National Assembly, Speaker, Imo State House of Assembly, Abia Speaker represented by the Deputy Speaker, Chief Judge of Abia State, Commissioners in Abia and Imo States and others from all works of life.
