Dignataries at the Ihezie Foundation’s books storage site

A United Kingdom (UK)-based charity, Ihezie Foundation, through its Book Relief Africa program, has donated 100,000 textbooks to Liberia’s education ministry.

The donation was made recently through the office of the West African nation’s Vice President Amb. joseph Nyumah Boakai.

Ihezie foundation’s chair Aloysius Ihezie informed partners and beneficiaries that the books are assembled based on the UK’s supervised and approved standards- emphasizing that the supplies are of the desired academic value.

Mr. Ihezie led an array of dignitaries including representatives of Liberia and Sierra Leone through the foundation’s book supply and storage site in Milton Keynes-outside London, the UK capital, asserting that Ihezie is motivated to increase the number of students with access to quality text books in sub-Saharan Africa.

The foundation indicates that it remains upbeat about the need to explore its partnership with educational authorities, charities and others individuals of goodwill in the UK to deliver quality books to students in Africa.

Ihezie Foundation Chair Aloysius Ihezie (middle) shakes with the First Secretary of the Liberia Embassy J. Napoleon Toquie, II

Ihezie Foundation recognizes that education is a vital pathway to creating the economic conditions that supports dignity, health and the well-being of all.

The group’s case for Africa book supply is further strengthened by findings of the World Bank 2015 survey  that only 1 of 20 students in sub-Saharan Africa has access to textbooks.

Ihezie, through book retailers as well as universities, student groups and academic publishing houses in the UK, ensures the donation and distribution of a million textbooks annually to schools and universities in Africa.

The Member of Parliament for Milton Keynes South, Ian Stewart, speaking at the presentation ceremony, said the efforts by the Ihezie foundation, is monumental and transformative. Groups such as Ihezie, represent a firm commitment and shining display of collaboration that drive productivity around the globe.

The first secretary and counsel at the Embassy of the Republic of Liberia, accredited to the Court of Saint James, Mr. J. Napoleon Toquie II, who coordinated the efforts, hailed the donation as laudable and timely.

He recounted the commitment of the Liberian government in successfully delivering access to education to Liberians.  

First Secretary Toquie at the foundation’s book assembly and storage point

With more than a million and a half students in schools nationwide, Mr. Toquie stressed that Liberia has now elevated the question of access to education and is now engaged with guaranteeing quality .

Additional learning resources, he asserted, will evidently generate greater productivity.

The Liberian diplomat expressed confidence that the intervention of the  Ihezie Foundation is a great beginning that will be cherished and consolidated.

By June 2015, Liberia recorded more than 1.5 million students, attending over 5,000 public and private schools across the country, according to the Ministry of Education.

Albert Jaja