By Augustina Baaka and Tser Vanger
The Director General and Chief Executive, National Library of Nigeria, Professor Lanre Aina, has stressed the need for Universities in the country to seize the opportunity of TeTfund interventions to expand their e-learning facilities.
He spoke in Makurdi on Wednesday, February 21, 2021 during a solidarity visit to identify with the new Vice-Chancellor of Benue State University, Makurdi, Professor Joe Tor Iorapuu.
According to him, strengthening of the Virtual Library components has become imperative given the circumstances the world has found itself at the moment, in addition to the fact of the present generation being more inclined to using IT tools for communication.
He noted that given the cost intensive and delicate nature of Virtual Libraries, the involvement of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TetFund) in their acquisition and maintenance would guarantee their endurance and durability as well as fill a huge financial gap in the budget of the Universities.
During the visit, Professor Aina restated the statutory requirement of all Authors in the country to insist on the acquisition of the International Standard Book Number (ISBN) and deposit of each title with the National Library, pleading that all Lecturers of the University should be kept abreast of this fact.
In his response, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Tor Joe Iorapuu expressed delight to know that the Director General’s visit to BSU was the second within 3 years, having been to the campus some three years ago.
The Vice-Chancellor also directed the Acting Librarian, Dr. Umbur Demekaa to conduct the visiting DG round the central University Library and other Library support services.
Professor Aina was accompanied by the Head of the Makurdi Benue State office, National Library of Nigeria, Mr. Clement Mgba, and Mr. Oliver Dio, Information and Protocol Officer of the National Library of Nigeria, himself a graduate of Benue State University.