FEATURE ARTICLE


Babs AjayiThursday, August 28, 2003
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Toronto, Ontario, Canada


THE PLACE OF LIBRARY IN NATION BUILDING



A vanishing sight in Nigeria

Politicians fight in the National Assembly
iving in the West has its ups and downs for adult migrants and a few for children. The living condition of the West is a far cry from what is experienced at home. A one-day light out in the Eastern part of North America the other week was big news and big time trouble for political leaders in that region. From the city mayors to the Premier of Ontario in Canada, and the New York Governor, it was restlessness, trouble-shooting and endless media appearances. This is because light out is unheard of here and, as such it became news. It was good news all across the world, including Nigeria where the national body responsible for electricity, the Never Expect Power Always (NEPA) and its staff found a relief of some dubious sort in the event that took place in North America. That action of NEPA and its staff members is shameful and a glaring indication that changes are not about to come until the shared values and corporate culture of NEPA change to one of absolute commitment to service, professionalism, integrity, cooperation and customer-oriented service.

The major problems facing institutions and establishments in Nigeria are beyond funds. The dearth of ideas, the unwillingness on the part of the political leadership, the low level of education of office holders and the lack of interest in the affairs and well-being of the people by politicians. Or why would the governors, senators, parliamentarians, ministers, Directors General tuck away their children in the West while their ruin Nigeria? In some cases, once these same leaders lose office, they migrate to the West with their families (their loot in tow) and remain there ever after. These leaders have failed in providing infrastructures and building institutions that are vital to national development. They have gone a step further in their disservice to the Nigerian people by ignoring and by so doing destroying whatever is left of such institutions. Rather than building, maintaining, equipping and/or updating major educational, health, and social institutions, they often prefer to ride more than one official car in a convoy, maintain multiple homes and guest houses and keep special floors in five star hotels. I am yet to see the Canadian Prime Minister drive in a convoy. If he decides to keep more than two cars, then he will be responsible for the rest from his personal purse. In fact the Ontario Premier rides only one car, ditto the mayor of Toronto, Mel Lastman yet they are the first to respond to any major emergency affecting just one individual.

Institutions here are well maintained and increase in proportion to population growth estimates. Toronto 2020 is already being worked on and planned. The expected changes are being considered and steps being taken to ensure that come 2020 areas earmarked for residential, commercial, recreational, social services are fully enhanced with roads, water, services, including library, schools, community centres (for family relaxation) and fire houses. I have chosen to ignore the other facilities and focus on the library this time. Each time I visit the library in Toronto I am struck by once change or the other taking place, or a new addition of books, a new amenity provided for children in the children section of the library. Toronto has ninety-nine (yes, 99!) libraries and every library in this city has a separate section for children from age four (4). Children's section is subdivided further along age line, and wonderful services are provided for these kids. You will find kiddie computers, learning games and toys, compact discs and DVDs for kids, and lots of picture/painting books along with crayons, etc. There is also bookmobile service that visits all neighbourhoods, and brings books and literacy to every doorstep! The libraries and bookmobiles are so good that you wonder how come libraries are unheard of these days in Nigeria, pushed to the footnotes of daily life.

When I came newly I used to walk to the libraries around my neighbourhood to use computer, send my job applications and use the Internet, borrow books, magazines and videotapes and DVDs. But later I realized that all the library services are also available online, which means I can still search for books in all the libraries, request that the books I need be reserved for me, and arrange pick-ups. You even enjoy reminders from library staff of the date to pick up the books you have reserved! Everyone can create an account online with the library and use the web catalogue or dial to find and place holds on books and other library materials. There are also online book clubs for people to join. The libraries stock books, magazines and newspapers, audio and video materials, with telephone interpreters at every library.

The average number of computers in each floor of these libraries is about 30. You need not wonder about in search of a book; the computerized catalogue will help you. All you need is either the name of the author, the title of the book, or the area of interest. The other day I typed the name of Professor Niyi Osundare and got some pleasant surprises. His recent works are available in a good number of the libraries and in a good number of copies. When I typed in Kongi's name I found some of his earliest and recent works, including essays and literary criticism. The names of other Nigerian authors including Chunua Achebe, J.P Clark, Femi Osofisan, TM Aluko, Amos Tutuola, Ben Okri and a young Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) award winner whose name I could not remember now, too, came up with his novel and a collection of poems. There are numerous facilities in the library here to the extent that your desire to read is refreshed each time you visit.

It is scandalous that the state and federal governments in Nigeria run a society and system without libraries. I tend to feel that the uneducated the people are, the better the politicians feel. The decline of the Nigerian nation will be quickened by the absence of books and libraries. The library here avails students who cannot afford to buy textbooks the opportunity to borrow, photocopy a few relevant chapters and still be able to do well in school. When are we as a nation going to focus on the real things that will last and add value to the people? When are we going to move our fatherland forward and ensure a bright future for our children and leaders of tomorrow? All the agbada, assorted cars, fat bank accounts and countless houses will rot away, but the investment in education will multiply and yield dividends.

When you realize that the last leaders of the House of Representathieves drove prado jeeps, bullet proof cars and other exotic vehicles, then you wonder why we cannot build, equip and stock libraries rather than collecting cars and guest houses. When shall we expect these changes? Books represent the direct route to greatness and the only way to advancement. I wonder how many senators, governors, ministers and commissioners in Nigeria realize this. If they do, what are they doing about it? I challenge the governors and the in-coming education minister to devote special funds to library development. I am sure if some of the states ask for used books from the West they will get. Let us also challenge Nigerian associations in Europe and North America to plough the cash they throw into Owambe parties into special funds to procure books for libraries and schools back home. Can we not donate 5 dollars each in North America and use the funds to buy computers to send to our universities back home? We are many enough and can succeed in donating at least 100 computers to all the universities in Nigeria within 5 years. I challenge committed Nigerians here to join me in this venture. I will end today with the poem below.

ACROSS FLORIDA

The past and poverty sat sedated
Siamese twins of an ancient relic
With back turned against tomorrow

Have-nots hover aimlessly around
Brushing tourists to snatch or strike
Other starved souls steered from their shacks
Dreaming of glitters only Florida promise
Drawn away by darkness at home
Hopeful but fearful of diehard agents
Only one dream brew meaning of restart
It comes with wonder light Ocean across

The glory of the past daily relived
Mummified to hold the past superior
Preserved as the only treasure of success
The poverty of the present denied
The permanent past and present poverty
Saddled to the sole hero of redemption

The unending victory song sang to
New tunes with ancient instruments
The children too hungry to flow
Helpless and hounded by broken promises

Clad in the same uniform of famous victory
Strapped to the past held so dear
The bushy beards mere reminders of yester triumphs
But drained of dreams and drugged on pride
Yet hanging on to the future trapped in his standstill
As dreamy kids swing sugarcane hands past his majesty.