THE ANGELA NWANERI MEMORIAL LIBRARY (BOOK READING SERIES 2)
September 26, 2020 would remain evergreen in the hearts of Amiri natives, a community in the Oru East Council Area of Imo State, Nigeria, following the erection, equipping and unveiling of an ultra modern library to the benefit of their Children, wards and relatives. Similarly, it was like a dream come true for both the teachers, pupils and students of the Primary and Secondary Schools domiciled at the said village and her neighbouring communities in view of their yearned dreams of having a functional library coming to fore.
In actualization of the deep-thoughts of the Board of Directors and the benefactor of the Margaret Okoroagu Nwaneri Foundation (MONF), hence the construction of the academic structure. The Angela Nwaneri Memorial Library was the brain-child of the Margaret Okoroagu Nwaneri Foundation. Without further ado, many people through different fora and in their respective commendation notes have thumbed up for the culture of book reading series and how the practice has favoured the Angela Nwaneri Fellows.
Following the previously published first book reading series, the second phase of the book reading which held on September 26, 2020 gives an insight on the underlying factors and aims by which MONF and the Angela library embarked on the academic exercise for her Fellows. The second series hinged on the literacy enhancement of the young scholars in Amiri and its environs. In grasping the numerous social relevance of sound education, the Angela Nwaneri Memorial Library beamed its searchlight on better ways of leveraging the opportunity in training and equipping the students mentally and academically.
The second book reading in context however centered its discourse on gender equality, whereby an advocacy for gender balancing was on the front bunner. MONF in further strengthening the literacy course through the Angela Nwaneri Memorial Library dared to inculcate the habit of reading among various Pupils and Students. The second book reading had its theme, ‘The Amazon of Amairi’, as authored by a son of the land, Sir Christopher Osita Nwaka. It is a 175 page-novel with 26 chapters sequentially. The literary work is an exposé of an African woman named “Obiajuru” who devoted her life defending the course of women and finding lasting solutions to the gender infringements as well as the associated inequality and other harmful traditional practices against women and the girl-child.
The Amazon of Amairi according to the author is a fictional story about gender equity as it relates to Igbo culture. The protagonist, Obiajuru, was armed with the virtues of her upbringing, strong will and sound education, and driven by patriotism, she confronted the deprivations and injustices that plagued the women in her community. However, she became entrapped in a man-made quagmire. Painful and tortuous an experience it was; but, such was the path to her great destiny – one which altered the history of Amairi, permanently.
The author, Osita C. Nwaka, majored in Business Administration from the University of Lagos. He is a literary enthusiast and a creative writer, who is versatile in the art. He has some published works to his credit. The Amazon of Amairi is a literary text in some federal Universities, like the University of Nigeria Nsukka and Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka. The book has received impressive reviews from the literature and positive feedbacks from many students. Just like the story of Angela Nwaneri drives young girls to aspire towards responsible and exemplary teenage life, the story of Obiajuru has became a huge inspiration to many female students to strive undeterred towards achieving their dreams.
The book reading at Angela Nwaneri Library in September of 2020 was his first, and elaborate as it was, turned out to be an unveiling for the Amazon of Amairi and could be deduced to be his great promotion as a writer. The book has cruised on the wings of the wide publicity which the book reading offered it to become a household name in Amiri and beyond. “By mentioning the impact on my book and myself, let me add that it has inspired me to write more books, as well as raised the writing bar for me. Now, future books must meet higher expectations. The publicity was the most impactful of that experience”, Sir Nwaka averred.
Worthy of note on the second book reading was the presence of the Imo State governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, his wife, Barr. Mrs. Chioma Uzodimma, the Deputy Governor, Prof. Placid Njoku, Oru East House of Assembly Member, Hon. Chigozie Nwaneri, top government functionaries, Religious and Traditional heads. In his address, Governor Hope Uzodimma described the gesture by MONF as a pace setting event, especially as it was in line with the government’s resolve to establishing a serene academic hub across the State.
Eulogizing them, the Governor said, “I just came out from a room where knowledge is stored; that is the e-library. I encourage our people to make out what is in place in creating a mileage on our daily endeavours”. Pouring out his satisfaction on the feat, Uzodimma thanked the Nwaneri’s family for making it available for the acquisition of knowledge for the community. THE benefactor of the Margaret Okoroagu Nwaneri Foundation, Prof. Dr. Uchenna R. Nwaneri, who currently holds sway as an Orthopedic Surgeon and the President to the Medical Staff, University of Maryland, National Capital Region, USA didn’t mince words in complimenting the resilience of MONF, Angela Nwaneri Memorial Library and the Angela Nwaneri Fellowship towards ensuring that every Amiri child knows how to read and write.
He enthused that part of their mission is working towards having a Society that has respect for the women, adding that the Girl Child, her values and rightful place should be duly incorporated in the scheme of things as they have proven to be exceptional in any position they occupy. He said, “I know I wouldn’t have been who or where I am today without my mother, Margaret Okoroagu, who we named after the Foundation”.
To the Medical expert, “If everything we do dies with us, then our vision was too small”. Professor Nwaneri in his analysis maintained,”This anonymous quote is one of the driving forces behind the vision as set forth by the Board of Directors of Margaret Okoroagu Nwaneri Foundation (MONF) when they embarked on the Angela Nwaneri Memorial Library Book Reading Series and the Angela Nwaneri Fellowship. There was a strong desire by the board leadership to encourage literacy in the surrounding communities and engage our youths in meaningful developmental strides. The goal is to mold our youths of tomorrow to be contributors in our society and build leaders of tomorrow with strong moral foundation.
“The Angela Nwaneri Memorial Library fulfills this mission through our Book Reading Series. It gives the Angela Nwaneri Fellows an in-depth behind the scene access to leading authors. It allows them an opportunity to understand the motivation behind the book. They are given access to understand the inspiration behind the author’s work. “As part of the preparation for an upcoming Book Reading, the Angela Nwaneri Fellows are given the books two months in advance to read and prepare for the book reading. They are actively engaged during the reading in a dialogue with the author. Also, they read excerpts from the book and discuss the authors central theme. The program is streamed live on the Internet. Following the book reading, the Angela Nwaneri Fellows meet the authors privately with behind the scene one-on-one interactions.
“Our upcoming Book Reading is on Saturday, April 13, 2024 and will feature the work of Mrs. Jane Egerton-Idehen, Director General of NIGCOMSAT. This will be streamed live online”. From the desk of the Librarian, Mr. Chukwucheberem Ogechukwu P, he attributed the merits of the book reading as undaunted, an exercise every student should go through. In his media chat with our Nigeria based Journalist, he asserted that the Angela Nwaneri Library and subsequent book readings have positively affected the Angela Nwaneri fellows through their lifestyle and mode of behavior. “It also portrays a positive and fascinating character that is worthy of emulation in the life of the fellows. “Similarly, it upgrades and enlightens us to the facts of life and also made us to understand that book reading is very important to humanity. The book is full of inspiration and rich in captivating words. From me also, the book is capable of restoring the uncensored lost glory of our generation”.
Reeling out more of the impacts, Ogechukwu opined, “The most impactful from the experience is that our young teenagers of today have learnt to inculcate good behavior that is full of emulation”. The Coordinator of the Angela Nwaneri Library, and former deputy director national library, Mrs. Christy Chika Ezulike from her perspective elucidated on the merits, effects and prospects of the book reading with the view to the growth of the Angela Nwaneri Fellows. Mrs. Christy Ezulike in the affirmative positioned, “The Angela Nwaneri Book Reading have in so many ways affected the Fellows. Firstly, they have Learnt to be resourceful and dedicated in all they do especially in the area of their Studies and Information Utilisation; showing empathy to one another.
“Book reading prior to being exposed to this Series is an entertaining and relaxation activity that helps to reduce stress, expands my vocabulary and improve my focus and memory. As the saying goes that, “READERS are LEADERS”. Reading exercises our brains. Reading is one of the most fundamental skills one needs to succeed in life. Reading relaxes the body and calms the mind. Furthermore, Reading helps to develop language skills. Reading as you know reduces educational disparities. Reading makes one to be informed. Infact reading provides enjoyment and helps for academic success”. Not done yet, the vocal Ezulike continued “As said earlier, reading is one of the most fundamental skills one needs inorder to succeed in life. It’s vital to one’s future not only academically but also in every day life. The Students aspire to make use of the availed Scholarship opportunity provided by MONF to further their education in institutions of higher learning in order to become successful in life.
“That Angela Nwaneri who died at a young age of 15 years still stirs emotion such as love and compassion amongst her siblings and relatives to the extent one of her siblings built a Memorial Library in her name and awards scholarship in her name also. It is a thing to reckon with, and its impacts are unrivalled”. Elated by this development, a Student of Amiri Secondary School, by name, Nwanna Miracle Chiamaka, averred that what she has garnered so far from the Angela library and through the book reading is incomparable to what other students yet to harness the knowledge from the library can boast of. The Class six female student confessed that before now, she hardly excel seamlessly in school, but through the exercise she has improved tremendously.
She also professed that before she took part in the book reading, she used to suffer stage frights, but can now beat her chest to say that she has conquered the fear. “Before the book reading, I was enveloped in fear, but later, I achieved boldness”. Furthermore, the 16 year-old teenager promised to utilise the opportunity effectively as Angela Nwaneri Fellow, even as she fervently prayed for more sustenance of the gesture by the Nwaneri’s.
Compiled By:
ONYEKACHI EZE (JOURNALIST)
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