A LECTURER DONATE BOOKS TO VERSITY

Dr. Patrick A. Akwayi who is a lecturer in the Political Science Department University of Calabar has donated 100 copies of the book “A wind of change; Bekwarra in an age of globalization” to the University of Calabar Libraries.
The event which took place at the institution’s council chamber on 22nd August 2012 was attended by the Vice Chancellor of Unical Prof. James Epoke, Dr. (Mrs.) Margret Edem (Unical Chief Librarian), Prof. Eugene Anyia (Dean Faculty of Social Sciences), Prof. S. O. Abang of Agriculture Faculty who presented the book, Associate Prof. James Okoro (HOD Political Science), Dr. Uno. I. Agbor of Political Science, Dr. John Adams of the same department, Chief Dr. Okwuoya, Dr. Owai, Dr. Austine Ona Odey, and Chief Dr. Gabriel.
Others in the occasion are Prof. Donald O. Omagu who is the author of the book, Dr. Patrick Idaga, Dr. (Mrs.) Theresa,; the SUG President Comr. Ima Aye-Ekpenyong, Speaker of SUG Parliament Hon. Olayi Emmanuel, DSG SUG Tochukwu Ogugua, members of the press among other dignitaries.
In his speech, the book Donor Dr. Akwayi noted that he is pious towards contributing to academic world and to the University of Community which is what propelled him toward donating 100 copies to Unical. He further noted that it was in the spirit of encouragement that necessitated him bringing home 100 copies of the book which was originally launched on Saturday August 11, 2012 at the cultural centre complex, Calabar. He further added that out of the 100 copies, 25 is to be donated to Political Science Department while the Chief Librarian houses the remaining 75 copies and could shared appropriately to the departments she feel should owe one.
Dr. Akwayi further described Prof. Donald as “a likable, unassuming, steady fast academia, dedicated to hard work, a young man who is very close to my heart”. He concluded by saying that “I hope this book will be of help to the teeming men and women, young and old, black and white seeking for knowledge.
In a chat with Campuslife, Dr U. Agbo of Political Science Department noted that the donation of book is a very serious challenge to other lecturer who often attach financial benefits first to their work, and advised the institution to take more caution in releasing books to students who will disappear with such book without adequate supervision. He further advices students to know that books are not meant for Libraries; but for them. He concluded with what he called his secondary school principal advice “reading maketh a man”
Meanwhile, the author of the book Prof. Donald was a product of Unical who man 1989 SUG Secretary General of the institution. He finished both his BA. MA and Ph.D in Unical. He is a Professor of African history who is currently lecturing at the City University of New York, Staten Island, New York, U.S.A.
Prof. Donald while speaking during the occasion noted that our contemporary writers has taken much heed in writing about well known and big communities forgetting completely the small ones. It is against such backdrops that he painstakingly wrote the 382 pages book for not just for Bekwarra, but also for other small communities. He equally charged the academia to launch into writing as a better way of showing their capabilities and helping generations unborn.
The Vice Chancellor while speaking at the occasion noted that donating books to University is one of the best things somebody can do for it. “Unlike money, books stay from generation to generation”. He equally pointed out that since Chinua Achebe put forth “Things Fall Apart” in 1958, no similar work has been published but this one has try to break that jinx hence it can serve as a text book as well as a novel.
On his own part Dr. Odey who is a lecturer in University of Uyo admonished that such feat is real especially in this era of sorting (bribing) where writing and reading has been relegated for bribery.
In exclusive chat with the author Prof. Donald, he pointed out to Campuslife that the falling standard of education in our country is a multifaceted issue which both the lecturers needs to live up to expectation by researching and publishing often and desist from any action that jeopardize academics like bribery. He equally charge student to launch into reading culture as a major means of combating the lacuna created by our system of education which is unlike the western education where the standard enabling environment is catered for.
Others who spoke at the event like Dr. (Mrs.) Magret, Prof. Anyia and Dr. Gabriel as well as the students leaders were equally full of thanks to the author for bringing home his knowledge which was put together in a foreign land. The event came to an end with merriment at the Cross River State Community Secretariat same day.