By Musa Baba Adamu
A Bill to amend the National Assembly Library Trust Fund has scaled second reading in the Senate.
This followed the presentation of the lead debate by the Senate Leader, Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele who is also the sponsor of the bill during Tuesday’s plenary.
The Bill is titled: “A Bill for an Act to amend the National Assembly Library Trust Fund Amendment Act No 11 of 2022.
“To change the name to National Assembly Library and Resource Centre to vied for an Additional Source of Funds for the Centre.
“Eliminate the Ambiguity in the Chairmanship Position of the Governing Council, Streamline the Functions of the Governing Council and the Office of the Director-General.
“And to Provide for the Application of the Funds of the Centre to set up the National Assembly Museum and for Related Matters 2024.”
Leading the debate, Bamidele said that the bill was read for the first time on Feb. 29.
He said that the “pivotal legislation” sought not to only to modernise but also to enhance the very essence of the legislative institute.
“It represents a significant step in our commitment to fostering knowledge dissemination, preserving our legislative heritage and advancing our democratic values.
“The bill proposes to change the National Assembly Library Trust Fund to the National Assembly Library Resource Centre.”
Bamidele said that the change was more than a name alteration adding that it symbolised a shift toward inclusivity, accessibility and the recognition of the evolving need of Nigeria’s greatest institute.
“Furthermore, the establishment of the museum is a ground breaking initiative that will serve as a repository of our legislative history, testimony to our democratic journey.”
Opposing the bill, Sen. Eyinnaya Abaribe (APGA-Abia) said “At this age and at this time when the President has already directed the implementation of the Oronsaye report, which means we have to consolidate things.
“What’s the difference between the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) and particularly the Library and Resource Centre.
“Because my opinion of NILDS, it was also a repository of the same resources that we are doing now.
“So rather than have two agencies as long as we will like to, why can’t we merge both agencies?”
Speaking in support of the bill, Sen. Neda Imasuen (LP-Edo) said that “For an institution like ours, yes it is developing, but we are also hoping that it is a developmental strides will grow.
“The institution will grow to an extent that other countries around us, students of universities, will find it a resource centre for research and it will deepen our democracy.”
In his remarks, President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio while reacting to Abaribe said “Your prayer is very futuristic. What we have right now is trust fund.
