By Aliyu M. Aliyu
The former Minister of Education, Professor Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’i has on disclosed that Nigeria cannot achieve the sustainable developments without positioning and prioritizing the libraries and information services to play their required roles in the country.
Prof. Rufa’i made this known while delivering a key note address during the national conference and annual general meeting of the Nigerian Library Association held in Kano, she decried the state of libraries in the country which she said is not yet where it is expected or desired to be.
“The theme of the conference – Engaging, Enabling and Connecting Stakeholders for Sustainable Development is quite apt to our current national situation. It will support the sharing and generation of ideas to support our nation’s drive for development,” Prof. Ruqayyatu noted.
She said the libraries and information services if well positioned has ability to ensure social cohesion, guard against misinformation and ensure economy, trade and investments which will lead to sustainable development of the country.
According to her, “I have for long, in personal, professional and other involvements recognized the roles of libraries in the society. And this ensured giving priorities to library development.
“As Minister of Education of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the development of library and information services was Central in our drive to promoting quality education.
“The 4-year strategic plan was the basis of our work. The plan had six (6) focal areas. One of these was Standards and Quality Assurance. The focal area had 22 turnaround strategies out of which eight or more than 30 per cent had to do directly with library development.
“Library and Information services and professionals are essential and key partners to sustainable and societal development. The role of libraries and information services in attaining these goals should be given greater attention.
“Some of the areas they can play roles include community information, education, health, research, governance, guarding against misinformation, economy, trade and investments as well as promoting social cohesion.”
She noted that, “the state of libraries in Nigeria is not where we desire them to be. No priority at the state and local levels to development, establish and manage public libraries.
“We need to ensure that libraries are in positions to play their required roles in society.
In his remarks, Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje said upon assumption of office his administration took feasibility study of the libraries in the state and transformed them into digital by purchasing 400 computers, stock books, journals and periodic, new printing and binding session among others to ensure that services rendered by the library are effective in the state.
Earlier, the Association’s National President, Prof. Innocent Ekoja said the libraries and librarians as information provider have the capacity to inspire, engage, enable and connect other stakeholders with the required information needed for sustainable development.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the occasion and Vice Chancellor, Kano State University of Technology, KUST, Wudil, Prof. Shehu charged the librarians on the need to embrace Information and Communication Technology, ICT in order to be relevant in the face of the technological age.