Professor Joseph Ajienka, the vice chancellor and management of the University of Port Harcourt, (UNIPORT) has received a good number of books donated by former personnel of the institution. The donors include emeritus Professor Ebiegberi Alagoa, and two Alumni, the executive secretary of Rivers State Readers Project, Dr. Tony Enyia and Chief Nengi Ilagha of Bayelsa State.
The VC who was filled with excitement over the book donation expressed gratitude to the donors while receiving the books for their kind gestures, and assured them that the books would be adequately placed in relevant areas of study.
He thanked Dr. Enyia and chief Ilagha for remembering to come back to the university to make the donations, especially Ilagha, an Aluminous of the institution. Which shows that the creativity is flowing in his veins having been taught by some of the very best teachers in English language and literature in the department of English Studies.
Prof. Ajienka also congratulated Emeritus Prof. Alagoa for doing the varsity proud, pointing out that “when a man engages in what he loves, it shows in everything he does in later life. We are very happy that he is deeply involved in what he loves best which is research and writing.”
The vice chancellor urged the donors to come back to the university, stressing the institutions’ willingness to partner with them in promoting indigenous languages and the cultural artifacts of the Niger Delta.
In his speech, Prof. Alagoa who was a great pioneer staff and who made personal sacrifices in the early days of the university, said that he decided on his retirement from public service to engage in his first passion which is research. “I am still very committed to the continued growth of Uniport and the Niger Delta which has been embroiled in crisis in recent times, and hoped that the books will help in advancing the frontiers of knowledge in the university”, he stated. ###
Senibo A. A. Cookey
