COMMUNITY UNVEILS MARY SLESSOR LIBRARY, PLANS EKUBO FILM VILLAGE

The people of Arochukwu kingdom have unveiled the library built in honour of a Scottish missionary Mary Slessor in Amannagwu, Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State.

Mary Slessor was known for Christian missionary work in Africa, women’s rights, and stopping the killing of twins.

The traditional ruler of the kingdom, His Eminence, Eze Eberechukwu Oji, also revealed that a section of the facility will be dedicated to historical artefacts excavated in Ugwuakuma Village in Arochukwu.

The library project, which is part of activities marking the Eze’s 2nd coronation anniversary, was said to have been made possible through the donation of Dr. Nwanganga Shields.

Eze Oji said the library would house artefacts recovered from three compounds in Ugwuakuma by archaeologist Osinachi Nwosu and his team.

The items include brass wares, beads, pot sherds, smoking pipes, gun flints, ceramic lamps, china ware, kerosene lanterns and other materials.

He said, “A section of the library will be dedicated to the committee on Historical and Cultural Development of Arochukwu, chaired by Professor Okoro Ijoma, to preserve evidence of our wealth, social status, trade activities, and household participation during the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and legitimate trade periods.”

He assured the residents that the library would be fully equipped by December 2026.

“What we want to do now is for the library to be equipped with computers, solar panels, internet facilities, and to become an e-library,” Eze Oji said.

He also announced that an ‘Arochukwu Innovation Hall’ would be built as an extension of the library to equip young people with skills in Artificial Intelligence and digital innovation.

“Just as the library is important, digital skills are equally important for our children. We do not want this to become an abandoned project. We are looking forward to inauguratiing it during next year’s coronation anniversary,” he added.

Eze Oji appreciated the Women of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria for their support, noting that the church was established through the missionary work of Mary Slessor.

The monarch also revealed that the community plans to establish a Film Village in Arochukwu in honour of late Nollywood actor, Alexx Ekubo.

According to him, the film village will preserve the legacy of the late actor while also serving as a training centre for aspiring actors.

He said, “His life will serve as an example of what can happen when a person lives an exemplary life. He lived a good life and deserves to be remembered.

“This project will also teach younger generations that people who live exemplary lives can be celebrated even after their lifetime.”

The lead archaeologist, Osinachi Nwosu, said excavations were carried out in three compounds, Nde Uvu, Obichie Nde Okah, and Nde Alicho out of 10 surveyed in Ugwuakuma village.

He said, “30 materials of varying density were recovered, revealing the historical trade and commercial relationships of the Arochukwu Kingdom with colonialists and other kingdoms.

The Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, Uche Okoro, described the library as a “well-planned project” and urged community support for its completion.

Also, the Chairman of the Nzuko Aro Body of Patrons, Prof. Okoro Ijoma, said libraries embody a community’s history for present and future generations.

The high point of the event was the public viewing of the excavated artefacts.