Meet the former Sunderland university lecturer sending thousands of books to an African university this Christmas

Dr Elewechi Okike, 67, launched charity Book Aid for Africa in 2007, which provides a reading lifeline to hundreds of thousands of people living in poverty.

Since then the charity has shipped over 500,000 books to different countries in Africa, including Ghana, Kenya and Mozambique.

Now the chaity has sent off its latest donation – a staggering 9,000 books to Anchor University in Lagos, Nigeria.

Dr Elewechi Okike looked on with pride as volunteers packed the 20ft container at the charity’s base on Lombard Street in Hendon on Friday, December 12.

The Washington mum-of-four said: “I am really excited about the fact that in the midst of this pandemic that we have still be able to do this.

"It is wonderful. We are sending 9,000 books and three laptops to the university which currently has no books at all.

"It has taken a year to get them all together because of the pandemic which has meant we have not been able to function for some time.”

The latest shipment contains both second hand and new books, many of which have been donated by publishers and the likes of schools.

The books are due to arrive at the university on January 9, something students are eagerly anticipating.

Dr Okike is an author herself, having written titles including; ‘How I Stood Up To Cancer,’ and Life’s Lessons.

The grandmother-of-six, who runs educational consultancy AFEXED, said: “They can’t wait to get the books which cover all subject areas from science and law to computers.”

To donate visit www.bookaidforafrica.com

You can subscribe to this website and enjoy unlimited access to local news, information and puzzles online. With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Simply click ‘Subscribe’ in the menu.