DELSU’s Newly Commissioned Library Is The First Of Its Kind In Nigeria—University Librarian

By Daniel Dafe

The University Librarian of Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, Professor Stephen O. Uwaifo, has described the commissioning of the newly built Ultra modern mega university library in the institution as an epoch-making event.

Professor Uwaifo who spoke to journalists after the commissioning of the library recently, added: “This is now the best library in Nigeria and the first of its kind in the whole country.”

According to him, God used the outgoing VC, Professor Victor Peretomde to finish the project which he met when he took over as VC, adding that Professor Eric Arubayi laid the foundation.

He said: “What makes the library unique is that it can seat 4, 500 persons at a time, has a section for phone calls, an area for relaxation, an eatery section, places to charge phones, an area where calls can be made, an elevator and a virtual library within and outside the premises. The beauty of this edifice alone can attract users.”

Furthermore, he said: “We would be relocating here from Site II as soon as possible.”

He continued: “Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) has never built this kind of facility anywhere in Nigeria.

“It is a paperless library and has an e-library; all the computers for this have already been supplied.”

He called on the institution’s students to rekindle their interest in the use of the library.

In the same vein, the Head, Reference and Marketing Division (who doubles as the image maker of the library), Delta State University, Abraka, and the Publicity Relations Officer (PRO), Nigerian Library Association of Nigeria, Dr. Ogochukwu Emiri, described the completion of the library as a rare feat in the history of the university, adding that it was a privilege to them to have an edifice of this nature with all electronic gadget of a 21st library in Abraka, Delta State.

Speaking further, he commended the University Librarian for his doggedness and relentless efforts to make the completion of this State of the Art library a reality.

He called on students to take advantage of the innovation and increase their knowledge, as he thanked the outgoing VC, Professor Victor Peretomode for seeing to its completion and TETFUND for providing the funds for the project.

The commissioning of the new library was done by the Executive Secretary of TETFUND, Professor Elias Suleiman Bogoro and witnessed by the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Abubakar Rasheed; the Director of Finance, TETFUND, Alhaji Idris Saidu; Professor Peretomode, some members of the Governing Council, Principal staff of the institution, the entire library staff, professors, other members of Senate, officials of the Students’ Union Government, DELSU, other students, etc.