The Anambra State Government has commenced plans to partner with the Onitsha North Local Government Area to revitalise the Anambra State Divisional Library in Onitsha as part of efforts to promote education, digital innovation and restore the reading culture among residents.
The Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, Dr. Law Mefor, disclosed this during a familiarisation visit to the library, describing the facility as a historic institution and an important repository of knowledge that requires urgent rehabilitation.
Dr. Mefor said discussions were already underway with the Chairman of Onitsha North Local Government Area to establish a partnership aimed at restoring the library into a modern centre for learning, innovation and digital skills development.
According to him, the library’s e-library and other facilities provide an opportunity to expand Information and Communication Technology (ICT) training, digital literacy and e-commerce education for young people and other residents.
He added that the facility could also serve as a satellite hub of the Solution Innovation District (SID), expressing confidence that Governor Chukwuma Soludo would support the initiative in line with his administration’s commitment to education and human capital development.
Expressing concern over the declining reading culture, the commissioner stressed the need to transform the library into a vibrant knowledge hub where children, students and members of the public can access learning resources and acquire digital skills.
He maintained that the historic institution must not be allowed to deteriorate, insisting that it should be restored to its full potential.
The Chairman of Onitsha North Local Government Area, Hon. Tony Nweze-Nwora, welcomed the initiative, describing the library as one of the oldest public institutions in the area. He commended Governor Soludo’s commitment to education and expressed optimism that the proposed partnership would fast-track the rehabilitation of the facility.
Also speaking, the Director of the Anambra State Library, Ms. Obioma Obalum, expressed confidence that the commissioner’s visit marks the beginning of a new phase in the library’s development.
The visit featured an inspection of the library’s facilities, including its e-library, where the commissioner interacted with staff and assessed the infrastructure and operational needs as part of efforts to restore the institution to full functionality.
