A historical researcher, Abdulbasit Abubakar, Chief Librarian of Osun State library, Mrs Funke Kolawole, a Director at Osun State ministry of works, Alh Lekan Yusuff and other participants at the Ilobu National students Union library project have advocated for the emancipation of education through maximization of libraries in the country.
The project tagged “Donate a Book” was aimed at equipping the students library located in the community.
Speaking earlier at the event, the President of the union, Teslim Salahudeen appreciated all the donors adding that their contributions will forever remain evergreen in the history of the library and the community at large.
Salahudeen stated that his regime is hellbent on delivering his electioneering promises which included stocking the library with five thousand relevant books and twenty computer sets.
Speaking at the event, the Chief librarian commended the initiative of the leadership of the union and promised to use his office to see to the development of the library.
Admonishing the students on the needs to maximize the use of the edifice and the facilities in it, the Patron of the union and Director at the ministry of Home Affairs, Alh Lekan Yusuff who donate significantly to the project urged the residents of the community to develop themselves through reading.
In his lecture, Comrade Abdulbasit Abubakar enumerated the importance of reading and how it can drive the development of the country.
The research assistant to the Executive Director of Centre for Black narrated how great countries in the world achieved their present feat as a result of investment in education.
Reading culture is one of the various that any society that strives to experience a rapid development would endeavor to promote. Reading ensures the birth of a ‘holistic individual’ in the mind and f every reader; an individual who would be very intelligent, versatile and dynamic as he would be able to garner experience that will assist him in all walks of life.
“The INSU progenitors were men who recognized how reading works. They are generation of professional lawyers, medical doctors, accountants, engineers, academics and so on, whose presence has been felt in enviable positions of authority within and outside the state.
Abubakar however cautioned the present generation not to derail from this culture that has proved to be the best in attaining success.
“The present generation seems oblivious of this trajectory and have somewhat derailed from this noble path. We’re expected to stand out and take our rightful positions as leaders that we are. We must go back to the drawing and develop our quest for relentless search for knowledge.
“Nigeria’s leadership challenge can only be eradicated through reading and research. Good readers are great leaders. One if the greatest Nigeria leaders of all time, Obafemi Awolowo used to dedicate larger portion of his time to reading and research but today, a chunk of those claiming to be “Awoists” have significantly derailed from the teachings of Awolowo. The result is evident in the leadership.” He said.
In her short Address, the Osun State librarian, Mrs Funke Kolawole who represented the Commissioner of Education lauded the initiative of the leadership of the union and promised to use her office to help in the improvement of the library.
Kolawole enjoined the students to make judicious use of the opportunity brought to them and urged the government to increase the funding of the library as it has a great role to play in the development of the country.
In his speech, the Chairman of the occasion, Dr Oluwole Alabi who was represented by the Pioneer Coordinator of the union, Alh Isiaq Awotunde commended the initiative of the leadership of the union and promised to personally help to get some materials needed for the emancipation of the project.
Alabi, who was the INSU President on the year 1993 advised the participants in the importance of the project and urged every meaningful individual to donate to the project.
Highlight of the event is the donation of books by organizations, corporate bodies and individuals.
