el-Rufai urges Nigerians to key into promotion of archival system

Tribune Online
el-Rufai urges Nigerians to key into promotion of archival system

KADUNA State Governor, Mallam Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai, on Thursday, urged Nigerians, especially stakeholders to key into the promotion of Archival system, as digitalisation was not only imperative but very expedient.

Mallam el-Rufai, who spoke as Special Guest of Honour at the symposium and open-house organised by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Archives and History Bureau (AHB) to mark the day, however, bemoaned archival system in Nigeria which has been relegated to the background, hence it is commendable decision by Abuja Bureau to keep archival system in the public domain.

Represented by his Deputy Governor, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, Governor el-Rufai appealed to the Bureau to continue improving the archives system in the FCT with a view to encouraging others to follow suit.

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In his paper presentation, the Guest Speaker, Professor Folarin Shyllon of Faculty of Law, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State, said open access to archives was necessary to the promotion of values and good governance in any society.

He urged stakeholders, especially State Governments to intensify efforts to improve the architecture of archives, thereby, enhancing upgrade and access to archives.

Onabanjo, who delivered a paper titled: Can we have 21st Century Archives in Nigeria?, opined that if given the necessary support, the FCT Archives was ready to take Nigeria to the 21st-century archives.

In his speech, the FCT Permanent Secretary, Sir Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa also urged the residents and other stakeholders to use the rare opportunity to avail themselves of what archives and the records-keeping system was set to offer.

He was represented by the Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Umar Gambo Jibril.

Sir Ohaa noted that annually, the FCT administration through the Bureau puts together an event to sensitise the public on the role of archives, the importance of archivists and record managers as well as sharing experiences in the management of public and private records.

The Permanent Secretary explained that the theme of this year’s celebration, “Designing the Archives in the 21st Century”, was encapsulated to cut across all sectors of public and private life to make the profession more inclusive, varied and helpful to everyone for a better comprehension of archives.

He gave his assurances that the FCTA remains fully committed to providing needed support to the Bureau, in order to succeed in designing the archives in the 21st century.

Earlier in her welcome address, AHB’s Director, Cerie Jogai, revealed that in the Bureau, networking of the entire building has been completed in readiness for digitalisation.

el-Rufai urges Nigerians to key into promotion of archival system
Tribune Online