NATIONAL LIBRARIAN, PROFESSOR LENRIE AINA VISITS UNIJOS

The National Librarian of Nigeria, Professor Lenrie Aina visited University of Jos on the 23rd February, 2017 and has expressed willingness to partner with Authorities of the University of Jos to rehabilitate the burnt Library Complex at the University’s Naraguta Campus.

During the visit, Professor Lenrie Aina, said he was in Jos to commiserate with the Vice- Chancellor and the entire University community over the unfortunate fire incidence that gutted the University Library complex and destroyed books, Journals, equipment and other valuables.

The National Librarian assured the Vice Chancellor of his readiness to partner with the University in rebuilding and re-stocking the Burnt Naraguta Campus Library, this he also did by presenting to the Vice chancellor in the senate Chambers, a donation consisted of 160 titles of books of 348 volumes, a brand new laptop and 3 desktop computers as well as a personal donation of 7 titles of books he personally authored.

Describing the University of Jos Library, Professor Lenrie Aina said it was one of the top five (5) in Nigeria, in terms of its standard, staffing, and stocking of information resources, equipment and adoption of Innovation. As a global leader in research activities, he advised that the publications in which the University’s research outcomes are presented in the form of books, journals, inaugural lectures, should by law be deposited at the National Library after obtaining the International Standard Book Number (ISBN) in the case of books and International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) in the case of serials.

 

The vice Chancellor, Professor Seddi Sebastian Maimako, while responding described the National Librarian’s visit as historic and memorable in view of the show of love in identifying with the University during this trying moment. Regretting the colossal loss suffered by the University as a result of the fire incidence at the Library complex the Vice Chancellor, noted that they were encouraged by the many donations that the University has received in cash and kind through the ‘Operation Beauty from Ashes’ Campaign. He appreciated the efforts of the University community in the bit to rehabilitate the burnt Library complex especially the commitment of the University Librarian, Dr Stephen Akintunde whom he described as a national asset.

The National Librarian, during his visit, was taken round by the University Librarian, Dr. Stephen Akintunde, to the Bauchi Road Campus Library and the Naraguta Campus Library to see the level of damage of the Inferno.