As the National Library of Nigeria marks its 60th anniversary, the National Librarian, Prof Chinwe Anunobi, has lamented that the non-completion of its headquarters in Abuja was hampering its smooth operations.
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In a chat with reporters at the weekend in Abuja, Anunobi described the non-completion of the national monument as an embarrassment to the country.
Disturbed by the poor reading culture among youths, the National Librarian called for the introduction of a National Reading Day and mandatory Library Hour in both private and public schools across the federation.

She explained that the National Reading Day would provide an opportunity to raise awareness and promote reading culture in the country, adding that the mandatory Library Hour is a creation of the National Policy on Education, as it affects the curriculum implementation, but has never been enforced.

“One of the ways to improve on reading culture in Nigeria is to have a National Reading Day. We can have the President read to the nation on that day. We have also advocated the reintroduction of Library Hour in schools, it’s a creation of the National Policy on Education. I understand some public schools observe it, but this must be enforced in all schools whether private or public,” Anunobi stated.

Anunobi, who doubles as the Chief Executive Officer, National Library of Nigeria, pointed out that the National Library project, which started in 2006 during the Olusegun Obasanjo administration, ought to have been completed in 2008.

The Guardian reports that although the National Library was established in September 1964, it opened its doors to users on November 6 of the same year.

The project was awarded in 2006 to Reynolds Construction Company (RCC), and since then, it has suffered setbacks due to the inability of various administrations to release enough funds for its completion.

The national librarian, therefore, called on the government to prioritise the completion of the monument by allocating more funds.

The anniversary programme, she said, would run from November 15 to 20.
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