The Vice-Chancellor of Landmark University, Professor Charity Aremu has tasked the Nigerian Library Association (NLA), Kwara State Chapter to lead the promotion of reading culture in the state, especially among students. She made this call while the newly inaugurated executive of the association led by their Chairperson, Dr (Mrs) Florence Ajani paid a familiarization visit to the University on Thursday, 16th February 2023. 

The Vice-Chancellor bemoaned the downward trend of reading books due to social media, noting that “gone are the days when both adults and children take pleasure in reading books.” She revealed that phone fondling has now become prevalent among them. She enthused the team to lead the revolution to salvage the eroding reading culture by initiating programmes that will spark interest in book reading and the establishment of libraries in the schools. She assured them of the University’s support in line with her tripodal mandate. In furtherance of this, the Vice-Chancellor also implored the team to activate the influence of the association to ensure book affordability and availability, especially for libraries of higher institutions in the state. 

The Vice-Chancellor, in her response to the association’s plea for more support to their members in Landmark University, restated the commitment of the University to staff development through conference attendance, research publication among others, noting the contribution to building their capacity for quality service delivery. “Capacities are not built within the forewalls of the institutions but in conferences, seminar attendance where they interact with other professionals around the globe,” she noted. 

The Landmark University Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor John Ojediran also emphasized the nobility of the pursuit of the association. He commended them on the visit which he said had further showcased the association and what it stands for. 

While welcoming the NLA team, the Registrar, Adm. Olushola Oyinloye had drawn a parallel between the visions of both establishments vis-à-vis their role in learning and their impact on society. He, therefore, noted that the potential of books has not been fully maximized especially in Africa. 

The Chairperson of the NLA Kwara State, Dr (Mrs) Florence Ajani, had earlier informed the Vice-Chancellor that the NLA executive members had come to familiarize themselves with the University as one of the state's leading higher institutions and thank the management for previous support while requesting continued support for the association and its members. She commended the University for its accomplishments in the higher education landscape that made it stand out, recalling the University’s numerous demonstrations of its penchant for excellence. The Chairperson of NLA Kwara State, a Deputy University Librarian at the Kwara State University, Malete, was accompanied by Vice Chairperson, Dr. (Mrs) Sueeba Busari (College of Arabic and Islamic Legal Studies, Ilorin); Secretary, Mr Illiyasu Mohammed (Kwara State Library Board, Ilorin); Financial Secretary, Mr Joel Afolayan (Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies, Ilorin); and Assistant Secretary, Mr Mahamood Sulyman (Federal Polytechnic Offa Library School, Offa).

During his remarks, the Director of the Centre for Learning Resources, Landmark University, Dr Ayooluwa Aregbesola appreciated the management ably led by Vice-Chancellor Professor Aremu for giving expression to the importance the University places on professional collaborations through its unreserved acceptance and availability to receive the NLA team. He noted that the University has also shown its commitment to sustainable development initiatives under the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) among others. 

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Charity Aremu addressing the NLA exco members during their familiarization visit to the University

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Charity Aremu and the Chairperson of the NLA, Dr Florence Ajani during their familiarization visit to the University

Members of the executive of NLA Kwara State Chapter during their familiarization visit to Landmark University

Landmark University team and members of the executive of NLA Kwara State Chapter in a group photograph during their familiarization visit to Landmark University