Tuesday, October 7, 2025
23.5 C
Lagos

Shell Donates N1bn Library to PH Literary Society

A modern e-library donated by Shell to the Port Harcourt Literary Society has opened its doors to book lovers and other literary enthusiasts. The N1.03 billion library is one of the N2 billion social investment projects Shell exclusively sponsored in the Niger Delta to mark Nigeria’s centenary anniversary.

The others are a hospital and sports centre in Bayelsa and Delta states respectively. Shell spent N790 million on the project that was implemented via a Memorandum of Understanding with the Port Harcourt Library Society, which contributed an additional N240 million.

‘SPDC invested exclusively on this library project because of its strong conviction that it will deliver significant benefits and positively impact the lives of the people,’ said Osagie Okunbor, Managing Director of The Shell Petroleum and Development Company of Nigeria Ltd (SPDC) and Country Chair Shell Companies in Nigeria, at the commissioning ceremony.

“We are pleased to deliver an ultra-modern public library that would rank as one of the biggest and most IT-driven in the country. The feedback we’re receiving shows that the literary scene in the Garden City has already changed.”

Nigeria’s National Librarian, Prof Lenrie Aina told journalists that the facility, named Port Harcourt Literary Society Library is the ‘first complete public library in Nigeria,’ because, aside from Shell ensuring supply of power, books and cooling, every comfort of book lovers was considered in the design and construction of the library.

The e-library donated by Shell to the Port Harcourt Literary Society
The e-library donated by Shell to the Port Harcourt Literary Society

Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Dr. Ipalibo Banigo, in a speech delivered by her Senior Special Assistant, Mrs. Inegogo Fubara, thanked SPDC for supporting the state government’s desire to provide sustainable and affordable education to the people.

Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Port Harcourt Literary Society, Dr. Chidi Amuta said the library was designed to be the heart of the Port Harcourt Book Centre that was originally conceived to commemorate the recognition of Port Harcourt by UNESCO as the 2014 World Book Capital.

He added: “Other structures awaiting donor evaluation and sponsorship include a writers’ hostel, an event centre/exhibition hall and a theatre. The Book Centre, like the Muson Centre in Lagos along which it is modelled, is conceived as a centre of culture and enlightenment.”

An obviously elated Senator Magnus Abe said: “In everything Shell has done in the Niger Delta, today they have made a statement that will never go away. They have set us as a people as partners, in truth, because it is books that will develop the Niger Delta. So having associated themselves with books today in the lives of our children and in the lives of our youths, Shell has made an indelible contribution to the true development of this region. We will never forget you.’

The cynosure of all eyes at the event was 10-year old Shawn Ene who single-handedly raised over N250,000 for the donation of children’s books under the special support programme of Shell Nigeria staff’s volunteer group, Shell Employees Care. There were also poetry and drama performances at the commissioning of the library.

spot_img
spot_img
spot_img

Hot this week

Fidelity Bank Commences Disbursement of FGN MSME Intervention Funds

Tier One Lender, Fidelity Bank Plc, has commenced the...

Fidelity Bank Honours Afreximbank President, Benedict Oramah, in Lagos

L -R: Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr....

Union Bank Champions Employee Wellness with Stay Recharged Health Walk

Union Bank of Nigeria held its first-ever Stay Recharged...

Leadway: 55 Years of Innovation, Expanding Financial Access, Inclusion Across West Africa

Leadway, one of Nigeria’s foremost non-banking financial services and...

Stanbic IBTC Holdings Reports Remarkable Financial Growth for H1 2025    

Overview of Financial Performance  As of June 30, 2025, Stanbic...

Topics

‘Businesses Need More Than Just Money to Thrive’ –Interswitch CEO

  Mitchell Elegbe Founder/GMD Interswitch Group Mitchell Elegbe, the Founder/GMD of the Interswitch...

Almond Set for Insurance Forum, Industry Nite

Almond Productions Limited, promoters of the Annual Insurance Consumers’...

CBN: Nigeria’s Food Import Drops by $21bn

The policy of the Federal Government to reduce import...

Mobile Broadband Subscriptions Top 2.4bn in Q2 2014

Mobile broadband technology continues to reach more people all...

GE Healthcare, NSIA Partner to Fight Cancer in Nigeria

GE Healthcare has partnered with the Nigeria Sovereign Investment...

Rand Merchant Bank Seeks Public Education on Financial Inclusion

The Chief Operating Officer of Rand Merchant Bank Nigeria...

VISA Unveils Secure Payments Plan for Internet of Things

Visa says that it is expanding its Visa Ready...

AIO Unveils New Strategic Plan to Transform into Centre of Competence

The new strategic plan, which redefines the strategic objectives...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img