Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has urged President Bola Tinubu-led administration to ensure the completion of the National Library headquarters building which has been abandoned for over 18 years.
He made the call while delivering a goodwill message at an event marking the 60th anniversary of the National Library of Nigeria on Wednesday in Abuja,
He noted that the National Library edifice which his administration awarded in 2006, is not only a symbol but also a national monument of critical necessity, adding that the country must confront the pressing issue of the National Library by ensuring its completion.
Recall that the contract for the library national library headquarters sitting on Plot 35, Cadastral Business District in the Federal Capital Territory, which has been abandoned for years, was awarded to Reynolds Construction Company in 2006 during Obasanjo’s administration.
The contract was awarded at N8.9 billion, with an initial completion period of four years, as such the former President insisted that action must be taken to complete the project.
He said: “As we celebrate this remarkable milestone and embrace new directions, we must also address a pressing challenge: the completion of the National Library of Nigeria headquarters in Abuja.
“The vision for a purpose-built, state-of-the-art national library is not merely a symbolic aspiration; it is a critical necessity for our country. It represents a physical and functional commitment to our collective belief in the transformative power of knowledge in our lives and societies.
“I, therefore, call on all stakeholders – from the government to the private sector and international partners – to prioritise the completion of this vital infrastructure. A fully operational headquarters will serve as a beacon for literacy and learning, a hub for cultural preservation, and a global symbol of Nigeria’s commitment to education and innovation.”
Also speaking, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, said the growth and sustainability of an institution like a national library are a shared responsibility, requiring the support of government, academia, the private sector, and the public.
He said: “Sixty years ago, with vision and foresight, our founding leaders established the National Library of Nigeria. Their goal was not only to create a repository of knowledge for posterity but to lay the foundation for an educated, informed, and empowered society.
“Today, as we look back on the achievements of the National Library, we must also look forward, reaffirming the central role of libraries in our national development and collective progress.”
The national librarian, Professor Veronica Anunobi, highlighted some of the remarkable achievements of the library despite some challenges.
She said: “I am pleased to note that we have achieved remarkable progress that reflects our relevance as a national heritage, worthy of pride among Nigerians and deserving of support from those who care for the preservation of our national memory and intellectual legacy.
“Presently, the NLN has preserved over 5 million titles and over 13 million volumes stored in various locations all over the country inclusive of 2.5 million titles and 7.5 million volumes resources of Nigerian origin. As a bibliographic centre, a total of 1,000,574 and 27,755 international stand book and serials numbers were issued to our publishers respectively.
“We are proud to position that many Nigerians and non-Nigerians interested in Scholarship, education, research, and lifelong learning including learned gentlemen have benefited from the National Library through her services at the 34 branches and the headquarters. Consequently, we have recorded over 7 million unique users and 32 million footprints,” Anunobi said.
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