By James Shim
The Benue State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Orientation, Mrs Ngunan Addingi has called on the Nigeria Library Association (NLA), to help in redirecting information dissemination, in line with the dynamic world.
Mrs Addingi made the call recently while flagging off the 40th Conference/Annual General Meeting of the Association at the Library of Benue State University, Makurdi.
The commissioner commended the NLA, Benue Chapter for taking the lead in the era of change saying, “information dissemination must change, must become contemporary.”
According to the commissioner, she has special value for the association and expressed happiness with the Director, Benue State Library Board, Mrs Theresa Zamber for helping to establish their relationship.
She advised members of the association to give adequate publicity on the need to change information dissemination, describing the conference as apt.
In a key note address, Columbus O. Udofot, Ph.D of the Library and Information Science Department, Benue State University, Makurdi, said information is key in the drive towards development and civilisations.
He said the development status or profile of any given society or nation, at any point in time, is a reflection of the quantity and quality of information, embraced by that society or nation.
According to him, the attainment of development at any level of society is not possible without information or education in general.
“Education is a veritable instrument of national development and no society can develop beyond the level of its educational system,” he said.
Earlier, while delivering his welcome speech, the Chairperson of the Nigerian Library Association (NLA), Benue State Chapter, Mrs Terna Ramatu, expressed satisfaction with the conference.
She said, “information dissemination in the contemporary era,” which is the theme for the conference will benefit all as there is no human activity where information is not a component.
Mrs Terna told participants that at the conference, they shall be electing a new crop of executives to take over the leadership of the state chapter of the Association. “I urge us to elect competent individuals who will be available and willing to take the association to higher grounds,” she added.
The conference which also elected new officials to run the affairs of the association for the next three years has Mr Samuel Tion as Chairman (UAM), Mr Simon Tofi, Vice Chairman, (Sch. of Nursing) and Dr Celina Nongo, Editor-In- Chief – (BSU).
Others are: Mr Isaac Tsegba, General Secretary (National Library), Mr Richard Tondo, Assistant Secretary (Sch of Nursing), Mr Pius Adikwu, Financial Secretary (BenPoly), Mrs Mary Adadu, Treasurer (BSU) and Godwin Nyianshima, Public Relations Officer (BSU).
