NAGS | NIGER DELTA FRIENDSHIP LIBRARY RENOVATION CAMPAIGN: CHIEF PONDI, HON. GUWOR, DR. BEBENIMIBO, OTHERS LEAD DONATION CAMPAIGN FOR RENOVATION OF COMMUNITY LIBRARY | PENGlobal
Chief Kestin Pondi, Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, Dr. Paul Bebenimibo PhD, were among donors that made freewill donations to the National Association of Gbaramatu Students (NAGS) during its Niger Delta Friendship Library Launch / Fund Raising / Renovation Campaign to the tune of N2.2m.
The launch programme which held at the Secretariat of the Egbema Gbaramatu Communities Development Foundation (EGCDF) on Saturday, February 19, 2022, aimed at raising N2.79m for the renovation of the Niger Delta Friendship Library at Oporoza, the traditional headquarters of Gbaramatu Kingdom, that was built in 2005 by the United States' Global Citizen Journey (US-GCJ) in partnership with the Niger Delta Professionals for Development (NIDPRODEV), with funding from Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL).
Chief Kestin, the Ibe-Benemowei of Gbaramatu Kingdom and a pioneer president of NAGS, and Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, the member representing Warri South-West Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly, were both represented at the launch by Engr. Ebikonde Sokoto, a Legislative Assistant to the latter.
Dr. Paul Bebenimibo PhD, the commissioner representing Ijaw Ethnic Nationality in the Board of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), had earlier made his donations in support of the project.
Other donors include Sir Job Bebenimibo, Comr. Seiyefa Ekpemupolo (a former president of NAGS), Barr. Donatus Ukuli (first elected president of NAGS), Hon. Ebi Adams (former councilor in Warri South-West), Engr. Ebikonde Sokoto, Mr. Odende Sam, Mr. Thank God, Comr. Ebikefe Asoh for Gbaramatu Youth Council (GYC) Worldwide, NAGS immediate-past executives, and Councillors of the different wards in Gbaramatu Kingdom. Also, the National Association of Gbaramatu Female Graduate, NAGFG, donated six drums of paint.
Earlier, at the fund raising ceremony, through a projector slide presentation to guests present, the student body unveiled the poor state of the project and the work it had done so far to uplift the project from its dilapidated state, just as it intimated its audience on the importance of the library towards improving access to information and learning of pupils and students in the kingdom.
According to the student body, as led by its president Comrade Doubra Timiyan, NAGS in June 2021 had embarked on a fact finding mission to ascertain the state of the library which has been out of use since its establishment, owing largely to the military invasion of the kingdom.
Comr. Timiyan noted that funds would be needed to procure furnitures, computer sets, put internet connections in place, acquire backup generating set, air conditioning units, fans, as well as putting finishing touches to the interior and exterior of the building housing the library.
In addition, the NAGS president revealed that steps were already being taken to place the project under the Delta State Library Board for sustenance, and also assured donors that the funds raised for the library project would be properly utilised.
While giving his appreciation to those who have risen in support of its vision, NAGS also appealed to other meaningful stakeholders to key into the train that is on its mission to ensure that the landmark project come alive in Gbaramatu Kingdom.
