Community unveils Mary Slessor Library, plans Ekubo film village

The Arochukwu kingdom in Abia State has inaugurated a library dedicated to Mary Slessor, a Scottish missionary renowned for her efforts in Christian evangelism, women's rights, and notably, halting the practice of killing twins in the region. The facility, located in Amannagwu, Arochukwu Local Government Area, is a key project marking the second coronation anniversary of the traditional ruler, His Eminence, Eze Eberechukwu Oji.

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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.

Funded by Dr. Nwanganga Shields, the library will serve as a repository for historical artifacts unearthed in Ugwuakuma Village. Archaeologist Osinachi Nwosu and his team excavated items such as brass wares, beads, pot sherds, and ceramic lamps from three compounds. Eze Oji stated that a dedicated section will be managed by the committee on Historical and Cultural Development of Arochukwu to preserve evidence of the kingdom's wealth, social status, and trade activities during the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and subsequent legitimate trade eras.

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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.

Looking towards the future, Eze Oji announced plans to equip the library with computers, solar panels, and internet facilities by December 2026, transforming it into an e-library. Furthermore, an 'Arochukwu Innovation Hall' will be established as an extension to equip the youth with skills in Artificial Intelligence and digital innovation. The monarch also revealed the community's intention to create a film village in honor of the late Nollywood actor, Alexx Ekubo, aiming to preserve his legacy and provide training for aspiring actors.

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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.

Eze Oji expressed gratitude to the Women of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria for their support, acknowledging the historical link between the church's establishment and Mary Slessor's missionary work. The planned film village is intended to celebrate exemplary lives and inspire younger generations.

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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.