The National Librarian and Chief Executive of the National Library of Nigeria, Professor Chinwe Veronica Anunobi on Wednesday 3rd November, 2021 received a delegation from the United Nations, Educational, scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO, Nigeria, on a congratulatory visit in her Office, in Abuja. Speaking during the interaction, Prof. Anunobi, told the delegation that one of the mandates of National Library of Nigeria is to preserve its intellectual heritage for people to have access to anywhere in the world, decried the absence of a published compendium about Nigeria’s cultures, noting that “as rich and diverse as our cultural heritage is, there is hardly any single document where you can read about them all.” Furthermore, she encouraged Nigerians to start writing histories of their families and cultures and publishing same, for public consumption. To promote this initiative, she added, the Organization would commence a programme called “Family book club” which shall be aimed at educating Nigerians on the importance of documenting the histories of their families and cultures and making them public, as this would help Nigerians preserve their identities for generation yet unborn.
The National Librarian further promised that the National Library of Nigeria is ever ready to collaborate with UNESCO Nigeria to promote the county’s Culture. Earlier in his presentation, the Director General of UNESCO Nigeria Mr. Olagunju Idowu Lateef expressed happiness and enthusiasm on the appointment of Professor Anunobi as Nigeria’s National Librarian, based on her professional antecedents and wealth of experience. He stated that the purpose of their visit was to congratulate her and pray that she succeed in transforming the library services in Nigeria to meet global standard. Mr Lateef also used the occasion to seek the collaboration of the National Librarian, being a statutory Member of the National Committee, to lead the committee to achieve the mission and vision of UNESCO in Nigeria. It will be recalled that the National Committee for UNESCO is comprised of Representatives from, Nigerian National Commission for UNESCO (NATCOM) National Archives of Nigeria, National Council for Arts and Culture, National Library of Nigeria, National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Nigerian Films Corporation, as well as the FCT Council of Arts and Culture while the Director General is from International Cultural Relations of the Federal Ministry of information and Culture.