By Chris Ochayi & Funmi Olasupo

The Federal Government has disclosed that it has established 17 e-libraries across the country.

The Wired World: A graphic representation of the Internet

The National Librarian, Mallam Habib Jato who gave the statistics at the 50th  Golden Jubilee Anniversary celebration of the National Library in Abuja, explained that, there are other 10 e-libraries making the total of 27of them in Nigeria.

He said the need was born out of the convenience involve in having e-libraries around for easy access to information for researchers, students and individual.

“Having them around make research work and reading convenient for all,because you can use your hand devices to access books via internet.”

According to him,  In the 50 years of the existence of the National Library of Nigeria, the organization, through the efficient and effective service delivery has unrelentingly worked hard to satisfy the various information and research needs of elected/appointed officials, business owners, academia, students and the general public at large.

“The glaring success of the information and research support services of the organization, are her  contributions to democracy, good governance,national

development, and human rights and justice in the development of the country.”

Expressing delight, the Liberarian, thanked President  Goodluck Jonathan and the Minister of Education Mallam  Ibrahim Shekarau  and the Ministry for their support and the resources injected for the development of the library system through his transformation agenda.

The development of the    on-going Headquarters building from basement floor to the 8th    floor and Branches at Bauchi, Calabar, Yola, Gombe,Katsina and Bayelsa, and the volumes of books and other resources that have been added to the stock of National Library    of Nigeria, Jato stated that was a huge achievement for the Library.

Represented by the Natinal Librarian, the Minister of Education Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau noted that the Golden Jubilee Anniversarv Celebration is a historic occasion, worth celebrating because it is a major plank of the educational transformation agenda of Mr. President.

The Minister stated that the Library over the past 50 years has successfully provided services such as rendering supporting intellectual efforts in all activities directed at the  progress and development of the  country.

He said, ensuring availability of Comprehensive Collection of resources, materials and knowledge inexistence in the world and outside the nations boundaries; and have also promoted a free  flow of knowledge between the nation and other countries of the world.