By Maryam Abeeb, Abuja
The Federal Government has approved the takeover of the financing of the National Library project by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, (TETFUND).
Over 50 billion naira is needed to complete the project.
Speaking in Abuja when the Nigerian Library Association,(NLA) led by its President, Professor Innocent Ekoga, paid a working visit to the Ministry, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Arch. Sonny Echono, said the critical step being taken by government is to reposition library services in the Nigerian education sector for effective service delivery.
Arch. Echono recalled that work on the National Library has been stalled for years due to inadequate funding, adding that efforts to get the private sector to complete the project have not yielded results.
Responding, President of the Association, Prof. Innocent Ekoja, expressed profound appreciation to the Buhari Administration, maintaining that completion of the National library will bring honour and pride to all Nigerian librarians as well as provide the much needed reservoir for Nigerian researchers, students, and the generality of the reading public.
Highlights of the one-day working visit include; the investiture of the Service Award on the Permanent Secretary, the highest honour ever bestowed on a non-librarian by the Association.
The President of the Association revealed that the investiture on the Permanent Secretary is the seventh of its kind by the Association in the last 4 decades.
On his part, Arch. Echono said he is humbled and elated to be honoured by such a reputable Association, stating that the award is a great privilege for him.
The Permanent Secretary dedicated the prestigious award to Education Minister, Adamu Adamu and the Minister of State for Education, Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajuib.
