By Musa Yaro, Calabar
Cross River governor, Prince Bassey Otu, has affirmed his readiness to revamp and digitalize the State Library complex.
Otu stated this on Monday when he visited the dilapidated main library in Calabar, the state capital.
Otu assured students and researchers that his administration would ensure a functional and knowledge-based e-library that is information technology compliant.
“Libraries are important and we will ensure that we have an e-library that is functional, digital, and would serve the needs of students and researchers.
“I am not unaware of the financial constraints we face as a state, but we will look at what is feasible as quickly as possible and work to get the library up and running as libraries are centers of knowledge that are pivotal to growth and development,” the governor explained.
A statement by Emmanuel Ogbeche, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, explained that the governor had argued that a digital complaint will help in reviving the reading culture amongst students.
Director of Cross River State Library Services, Mrs. Eme Awatt in her remarks expressed her gratitude for the governor’s visit.
“I am really pleased at this visit by the governor. This is what we have been praying for. There is hope that we would soon have a befitting and functional library with an e-section.
“We have computers locked up, and hopefully, they are still functional to be put to use,” she said.
Awatt also stated that beyond the physical repairs, there is a need for manpower development to meet the needs of a model library.
