The Abia State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Prof. Uche Eme Uche, says the state government is doing a lot to resuscitate the headquarters of the State Library and government MDAs’ libraries in the state.
Prof. Uche, who stated this at the State E-Library Complex in Umuahia during the 2024 Library Week Celebration organized by the Nigeria Library Association, Abia State Chapter, said the governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has started his intervention programme to retrofit the State Library Headquarters to make it more functional.
Our correspondent, Simeon Kalu, who was at the event, has the rest of the story.
The Commissioner, represented by the Director in Charge of the Abia State Library Board, Comrade Hope Ekwuribe, acknowledged that more functional government MDAs and other institutional libraries play crucial roles in supporting government work through information management systems, coordination, and proper documentation for future reference.
He also commended the Nigeria Library Association, Abia State Chapter, for being partners in progress.
In their remarks, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu, represented by the Director of Administration, Sir Agomoh Chuka, the Executive Board Chairman of ASUBEB, Mrs. Lydia Onuoha, represented by the Librarian of ASUBEB, Mrs. Nnenna Njoku, and the Permanent Secretary of the Government House, Umuahia, Sir Benson Ojiekere, represented by the Chief Administration Officer, Government House, Mrs. Favour Udensi, described the theme of the event, “Resuscitating the Libraries of Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies,” as apt, pointing out that the role of libraries in nation-building cannot be overemphasized.
In their remarks, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Library Association, Dr. Samuel Ibenne, represented by his Deputy, Dr. C.P. Uzoegbu, the Chairman of the Occasion, Prof. Udo Nwokocha, and the National Financial Secretary of the Nigeria Library Association, Dr. Amogu Uma-Kalu, said the annual event is meant to mark and promote the importance of libraries in every segment of human society. They called on the government at all levels to make MDA libraries more functional.
In her keynote address, the Immediate Past State Chairman of the Nigeria Library Association, Dr. Chinyere Okezie, said that libraries in government ministries, departments, and agencies are integral parts of good governance. According to her, they facilitate access to critical information, support transparent decision-making, promote public engagement, and foster collaboration across government sectors.
Dr. Okezie further commended the governor, Dr. Alex Otti, for his administration’s focus on promoting excellence and professionalism in the public service sector.
The event was attended by librarians and stakeholders in the education sector across government MDAs and other institutions in the state.
