A move to bring back the old reading culture in the society, a Civil Society Organizations, Centre For Family Rescue, Law And Development (CENFARLD) has called on the Kogi State Government to initiate a bill to provide legal framework for the constitution of the State’s Library Board.
This was part of the outcome of the communique issued at the end of a one-day stakeholders engagement on “Reviving The Kogi State Library And Strengthening Culture Of Reading In Kogi State.”
The Communique signed by Ajuma Lilian Okolo, Founder of CENFARLD and Hamza Aliyu, Chairman, Kogi NGOs Network (KONGONET) said that the stakeholders engagement was organized by the CSO at the Stella Obasanjo Library, on Friday in Lokoja.
The stakeholders called a bill for a law to provide for the operation of the State Library Board be developed and and sent to the Kogi State House of Assembly for passage to enable the board live up to its responsibility.
The Communique also underscored the need to improve on the budgetary allocations to the Board as the annual budgetary provisions for the operation of the Library have always been grossly inadequate.
It said Management of the Library should put in place, modalities for the re-connection of the Stella Obasanjo Library complex to the National Grid after over 15 years without power.
“Stakeholders will work with the management of the Library to put in place a viable Resource Mobilization plan aimed at sourcing for human and materials that will reposition the Library in the State
“There is need for collaboration between the Library and tertiary institutions in the State to provide the needed Man-power for effective operations of the library”, the Communique further urged.
The stakeholders commended Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for his servant leadership and unwavering support for Open Governance adding that his continued leadership was essential for sustenance of the positive trajectory.
The Communique held that population of Kogi is characterized by youthful demographics, diverse cultural heritage, and growing educational aspirations.
It therefore stressed that functional library services and a strong reading culture are essential tools for human capital development, innovation, and informed citizenship.
“We urge Your Excellency to focus your search light on the Stella Obasanjo Library as it is the most viable platform for improving the reading culture and education of our people most especially our Wards, Pupils and students”, it appealed.
The meeting had in attendance, participants from the Kogi State Office of the National Library of Nigeria, Staff and Management of the Kogi State Library Board, Students from the Department of Library Science Kogi Polytechnic, Civil Society and the Media.