The commissioning was performed by the Deputy Governor of the state, Chief Steve Lawani who represented the Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam. He was assisted by Dr. Jerry Agada, the National President of the Association of Nigerian Authors and the Board Chairman of the National Library of Nigeria, Alhaji Zannah Mustapha.
In his remarks before officially commissioning the Library, the Governor, speaking through his deputy, Chief Steve Lawani commended the management and board of the National Library of Nigeria for their many giant strides in providing quality library services to Nigerians. “We are particularly proud of the National Librarian who is our own son. May I use this opportunity to assure you that the state government is ever willing to partner with you in whatever you want to do. We are partners in progress and together, we shall serve our people.”
Welcoming the guests earlier, Alhaji Zannah Mustapha had expressed the National Library’s gratitude to the state government for making the dream of having a branch in the state a reality. “We are profoundly grateful to the state government, and especially the governor, Mr. Gabriel Suswan who provided this structure for us. We cannot thank him enough,” he said.
The Board chairman also invited the governor to donate books to the library “We are aware that the governor just donated $7million worth of books to the Benue State University. This is a very good gesture we would want the governor to consider the National library for. While the books at Benue State University is for the benefit of that institution, any book donated to our libraries is for the general public; primary, secondary and even the tertiary institutions and private individuals who need one form of information or the other.
Dr. Jerry Anthony Agada, in his goodwill message challenged Benue people, especially the youths, to make good use of the library and urged the National Librarian to stock Nigerian literature in the libraries.
The commissioning which had in attendance all members of the Board of the National Library of Nigeria and its management team also had the presence of Senator Abubakar Baguda, the acting Senate Committee Chairman on Education, traditional rulers in Benue state and Miss Benue 2009/2010, Miss Mimidoo Tyodzua whose arrival at the event in her colourful attire and entourage drew attention from the guests and students.
Students of Government Secondary School, Makurdi added colour to the event as they presented a short drama on the importance of the library, especially to the general development of education in Nigeria.
Giving the vote of thanks, Dr. Linus Ikpaahindi, Director and National librarian promised that more branches will be commissioned before the end of the year and that by the year 2015; the entire 36 states would have been fully covered.
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