The Children’s Centre has lots of friends and that has been our backbone over the years. These include Major Donors from the Early Years, Foundation Vice-Chancellors & Other University Officers, Staff rendering long and meritorious service as well as other additional friends.

Chief (Dr.) E. C. Iwuanyanwu

Chief (Dr.) E. C. Iwuanyanwu, benefactor through the years, beginning in 1980 when he undertook to build our permanent facility, named in memory of his mother, Madam Hulder Iwuanyanwu. Together with his wife Eudora, he has graced occasions from the handover of the building in 1986 to our 25th Anniversary celebration in 2004 and been an ever-faithful friend up to the present

Prince Albert Koripamo

Prince Albert Koripamo, UNN alumnus who in 1981 donated our first 15-seater mini-bus and funds for the initial library collection. With this N10,000, a considerable sum in those days, we undertook a series of book-buying trips, reaching Enugu, Benin, Ife and Port Harcourt.

Governor Jim Nwobodo

Governor Jim Nwobodo of Anambra State, special guest at the project launching in 1980, where he cut the tape to open the original playground and donated funds for the fencing of the Children’s Centre.

Sandor Peri

Sandor Peri, university architect in the 1970s and 1980s, who designed the building plan for the Children’s Centre building free of charge. Two tortoise play sculptures funded by the Sandor Peri Memorial Art Prize were added to the playground in 2013.

James and Phoebe Ezeilo

James and Phoebe Ezeilo, Vice-Chancellor of UNN and Patron of UWA during the founding of the Children’s Centre. Prof. J.O.C. Ezeilo helped ensure that the Children’s Centre was part of the University of Nigeria master plan, while Phoebe Ezeilo’s shepherding of UWA through a crucial stage enabled the Association to become the mother of the project in 1978.

Frank and Edna Ndili

Frank and Edna Ndili, Vice-Chancellor of UNN and Patron of UWA as the Centre was developing during the 1980s; instrumental in making contacts with alumni donors, approving funds for initial playground development, launching of the project as part of the University’s 21st Anniversary Week and guiding UWA during a key period.

Chimere and Edem Ikoku

Chimere and Edem Ikoku, Vice-Chancellor of UNN and Patron of UWA during the crucial late 1980s and early 1990s. As Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ikoku approved a mutually beneficial relationship between Children’s Centre Library and Dept. of Library and Information Science. Patron Edem Ikoku provided strong leadership in UWA while at the same time volunteering actively in Children’s Centre programs. Both were ever ready to grace our events, as seen right during Educate Women for Development and left during Children’s Week in 1989.

Louis Agu

Louis Agu, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) during the Centre’s crucial formative years in the late 1980s and early 1990s. In that capacity he was a friend the Centre could always count on when we ran into trouble, ensuring receipt of books sent from abroad, authorizing replacement of stolen Centre property, and graciously supporting all Centre events with his presence.

Chinedu and Ify Nebo

Chinedu and Ify Nebo, Vice-Chancellor of UNN and Patron of UWA from 2004-2009. Vice-Chancellor Chinedu Nebo was ever supportive of the Children’s Centre, attending our functions, providing five casual workers as support staff, and responding positively to our proposal for restructuring. Ify Nebo was UWA Patron and Children’s Centre committee member, gracing all our occasions and teaching the children sewing and cookery skills during vacation programs.

Ogbu Kalu (1942 - 2009)

Ogbu Kalu (1942 – 2009) – Prof. Ogbu Kalu, husband of the Children’s Centre Committee’s founding chair, Prof. Wilhelmina (Willi) Kalu, played a crucial role in the development of the Children’s Centre. As a member of the University of Nigeria Governing Council from 1980-1984, he gained the support of the University administration and connected sympathetic alumni, in particular Chief E. C. Iwuanyanwu and Prince Albert E. Koripamo, to the Children’s Centre. The result was the Madam Hulder Iwuanyanwu Building, the Centre’s first bus and library collection, and the original playground.

Chris Uzuegbunam

Chris Uzuegbunam – As Alumni liaison officer Chris assisted in soliciting the support of Alumni donors and maintaining contacts with them over the years.

Sue Ubagu

Sue Ubagu – Art teacher in vacation programs in the 1980s (as shown below) now resident in England . She has organized several fundraisers for the Children’s Centre at the Parkside School, where she was the art teacher until her retirement in 2008. When her daughter Uju died tragically in October 2006, Sue donated all inheritance and memorial gifts to rebuild the pavilion at the permanent site.

Rose Asogwa and Greg Nwodo

Rose Asogwa (on right in picture), cleaner and later library assistant, from 1988 until her death in 2018.
Greg Nwodo, (on left) driver of the bus and general library assistant from 1987 to 2008.

Lewechi Onyeabor

Lewechi Onyeabor, (right) typist and library assistant, from 1988 to 2004.