A philanthropist, Pastor Olohuntele Dokun has handed over a twin
library and museum facility worth N50 million to the people of
Ijomu-Oro, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.
Dokun, who doubles as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the
project, said it was established to promote and enhance education
development in the area and state.
The complex named, ‘Ile Awiye, Town Library and Museum’ was said to
have been established in memory of the late father of the donor,
Nathaniel Sangodokun.
Pastor Dokun said the library already stocked with over 50,000 books
in various fields of academic endeavours, was equipped with modern
information technology facilities (E-library) to conform to global
ethics and acceptable standard.
According to him, education has gone beyond what the government alone
can shoulder, hence the need for more privately initiated projects to
complement the government’s education developmental efforts.
“This project is to promote a learning culture and a reading culture
among our people.
“I noticed that most of the schools presently lack functional library
and laboratory facilities to enhance the students’ academic
performance.
“This project is just a little contribution towards improving learning
among our people and making young ones know the value of traditional
culture,” he said.
The Kwara State Governor, Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, who was
represented by his Deputy, Kayode Alabi, while commissioning the
project, expressed optimism that the project would help to complement
government’s effort in rebuilding the state’s education system.
He decried the deterioration and collapse of education infrastructure
in the state, saying “there is hardly any serious competition to put
our child in any public primary or secondary schools in Kwara.
“Today, you can hardly point to any public library that is able to
prepare our young ones for the challenge of 21st century education.
“The Awiye Memorial Library and Museum is no doubt a laudable
contribution to the future of our state.
“Specifically, the museum is a great initiative at a time every
patriotic Nigerian or proud African should be concerned about the loss
of our history, cultural tradition and values,” he said.
He added that the state library complex was presently undergoing
massive renovation as part of effort to reinvigorate and transform the
state’s education system.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed,
expressed the need to protect, promote, preserve and sustain the
nation’s culture and heritage from going into extinction.
Mohammed, who was represented by the Director, National Commission for
Museums and Monuments, Mallam Dauda Jafaru, said culture would enhance
the growth of the nation’s economy, if properly harnessed.
He commended the donor for his positive contribution to the growth,
progress and socio-economic development of the community, the state
and the country at large.
In his remarks, the Oloro of Oro kingdom, Oba Abdulrafiu Ajiboye,
described the project as unprecedented in the history of the
community, saying it was well conceived and well delivered.
