In his determined efforts to give education a much needed boost, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has resuscitated the State Library Board decades after its pioneer existence in 1996.
The Chairman of the newly inaugurated Library Board, Prof. Segun Awonusi has assured that it would harness human and capital resources to make all public libraries in the State meet global standards to achieve the desired result.
Prof. Awonusi gave the assurance during an inaugural meeting of the Board at the Simeon Adebo Library, Kuto, Abeokuta, saying the Board would work in line with Governor Dapo Abiodun’s agenda on the provision of qualitative and affordable education in the State.
The Chairman said members of the Board would soon visit all the public libraries to ascertain their challenges and map out the best solutions to enable them to deliver effective services to members of the public.
The Chairman pointed out that “the recently resuscitated Board was inaugurated by Governor Abiodun, after decades of its pioneer existence in 1996 has commenced sitting, thus, activating its operational policies, programmes and activities that will serve as a catalyst for improving public and students reading culture”.
“ I commend the brilliant idea of the Governor for identifying with the overall value and potential of an improved library system for the total development of the State, thus resuscitating the Board, among many other lots”, he stated.
Meanwhile, the Board played host to the Nigeria Library Association led by its Chairman, Dr. Godwin Oyewole, and a group of young librarians under the aegis of “Timtol Team” led by Miss Ifedamola Olaniyi.
Dr. Oyewole, who signified the Association’s readiness to collaborate with the Board towards ensuring that its goals were achieved, commended Governor Abiodun for the choice of Board membership, noting that the step had put the State on the path to success to achieve more as an educational gateway of the country.
He pleaded with the Board to ensure that professionals were appointed to manage all State libraries for effective and efficient management.
In her presentation, Miss Olaniyi highlighted the significance of the digital library system in modern-day services.
Responding to the two teams, the Board Chairman said issues raised were part of the documents the members were working on, assuring that within time, things would take shape as the Board was considering proactive advocacy for the citizenry on the importance of library in education development, just as it would continue to work with all stakeholders for mutual support.
The meeting has in attendance members of the Board which include, Mr. Lanre Ogunyinka, Dr.Adebambo Oduwole, Dr. (Mrs.) Ayodele Womiloju, Dr. (Mrs.) Oyinade Tomori, Mrs. Bamidele Makinde, Mr. Vincent Giwa and Mr. Taye Solarin Sogbesan.
