The Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Offa (FEDPOFFA), Kwara State, Dr Lateef Ademola Olatunji, has lamented the disinclination of the younger generation to utilise libraries.
Speaking while presenting books on behalf of the polytechnic to the Offa Club 80 Library- a community library, and FEDPOFFA International Secondary School Library at the Polytechnic Boardroom, Olatunji hoped the donation would inspire students to use the library more.
“It is a pity that students nowadays don’t want to go to libraries anymore unlike during our days. If you go to libraries today, you can only find very few students studying, especially in this part of the world. It grieves my heart, thus I decided to contribute my own quota to improving our reading habits in Nigeria and Africa as a whole,” he said.
Olatunji said the donation was the first batch, promising that more would come.
The Rector, who is a member of the Governing Board of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), also gave out bundles of rulers from JAMB to be distributed to students as they visit the libraries.
The donation was part of efforts by the Polytechnic management to promote cordial relationship with the FEDPOFFA host communities.
Other such programmes initiated under Olatunji include: seminar on Career and Subject Combination for secondary school students in Kwara State; financial contribution towards construction of Mopol Barack in Offa community, among others.
The Polytechnic Librarian, Dr. Rasaq Quadri, while co-ordinating the books presentation, appreciated the Rector for his undying love for quality education and research development in Nigeria. He urged the beneficiaries to ensure that the books were accessible to readers and as they come in batches, they should be displayed with the inscription “Donations from Dr. L. A. Olatunji”.
At the presentation were principal officers of the Polytechnic, staff of the Offa Township Library led by Alhaji Okunola Yinka, and staff of FEDPOFFA International Secondary School led by the Principal, Alhaji Rafiu Ajala.