Describing public libraries as local gateway to knowledge, Oyo lawmaker representing Ibadan South East I, Hon. Abdulahi Ademola Razak has urged Governor Seyi Makinde led administration and other stakeholders in education to transform schools and public libraries to international standard.
Razak who considered lack of timely access to useful and adequate information as the cause failing situation of the country in all sectors, lamented the disappearance of infrastructure, conducive accommodation, reading tables, chairs, cubicles for books, computer systems, e-facilities, adequate ventilation and other reference materials in school and public libraries.
While moving the motion on need to renovate and equip libraries in public schools and other libraries in the State during Thursday’s plenary, he therefore emphasized on needs to put measures in place to renovate dilapidated libraries across the State to make them more conducive for learning.
According to him, constructive participation and the development of democracy depend on satisfactory education as well as on free and unlimited access to knowledge, thought, culture and information.
Public library as a living force for education, culture and information, and as an essential agent for the fostering of peace and spiritual welfare through the minds of men and women.
“We are appealing to the executive arm of government, ministry of education, other concerned agencies, educational stakeholders, and well meaning individuals in the State to support this call to renovate dilapidated Libraries across the state to make them more conducive for learning.
“We Urge all stakeholders- old students, residents, professional associations and other across the State to support the efforts of the Government in repositioning the public Libraries in the State to meet the United National Educational Scientific Cultural Organizations, UNESCO standard on Library operations.
“Our libraries need to be equipped with modern text books that are relevant to the need of students in basic, secondary and tertiary institutions in the State, individuals can also make contributions and libraries can be named after such people in honour of their benevolence,” he added.
He therefore appeal for provisions in subsequent annual estimates for the completion of ongoing projects for the construction of Libraries in seven educational zones of the State.
