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MCC Daily Tribune Archive

Helping to Quench Thirst for Knowledge in Africa -- One Man's Mission


Christopher Inya, associate professor, business administration, has been working on a project to furnish books for a college library in Nigeria.

Ebonyi State University, located in the town of Abakaliki, southeast Nigeria, is one of the six new universities established eight years ago when the last six states were created. Of Nigeria’s 36 states, Ebonyi is the poorest. In 2001, Inya collected 500 books and shipped them with his own money. He even drove the U-Haul truck to New Jersey to get them to the docks. Once the books arrived, his cousin (Chief Nwachi) drove his truck to the port of Lagos to pick the books up and deliver them safely to Ebonyi State University himself.

The college was thrilled. According to a letter from the University’s Vice Chancellor, “The books donated constitute about three quarters of the books in arts, education, business management and social sciences.” Inya promised he’d be back. Now, three years later he’s collected 3000 college text books and eight computers. The books have been donated from faculty members at MCC, Geneseo, St. John Fisher, Nazareth and SUNY Oswego. His garage is packed to the rafters. But he needs to find the money to send the learning materials over – approximately $3100.

If you can help in any way, please contact Christopher at 292-3341 or cinya@monroecc.edu

Janet Ekis
Public Affairs
11/22/2004