The Federal Government has said that it will build 12 Prototype Library in some states to improve library services and promote reading culture among the youth in the country

Speaking at the groundbreaking of the multi-million naira prototype Library building in Ilorin, Kwara State, the National Librarian, Professor Chinwe Anunobi, said the library would boost research and deepen reading culture in Nigeria.

Anunobi, who officially handed over the project site to the Contractor, Cagewox. Net Limited at a brief ceremony in Ilorin on Thursday, commended President Muhammadu led administration for prioritising the development of library programme in Nigeria.

She explained that the mandate of the National Library is to have a branch of National Library in all the states of the Federation, saying currently there are 33 branches and that out this number, 12 is running prototype while 22 is being operated on temporary office accommodation.

She disclosed that the National Library had no presence in four states: Anambra, Zamfara, Kebbi and Delta because the states have not indicated interest, just as she commended the Government of Kwara state for providing land for construction of the National Library edifice in the state with minimal cost.

Anunobi said findings have proved that many people develop dementia (a usually progressive condition marked by the development of multiple cognitive deficits such as memory impairment) very quickly because they do not read to widen their horizons.

“The only way we can do it is to sensitize schools, the public and the hinterland, the hard-to-reach to read and that is what the National Library is doing.”

Anunobi warned the project consultant and contractor to ensure value for money, saying approval for the project by the government did not come easily, adding, “that was another Thesis defence after my Ph.D, especially to defend the competence and capability of the consultant and contractor to deliver on the mandate.”

She said that she would not accept any shoddy construction, urging them to justify the confidence reposed on them while also tasking the officials of National Library branch in the State to closely monitor the project to ensure that a befitting edifice is constructed for people of the state.

A Deputy Director and Head of the Kwara State Branch of the National Library, Olabimpe Olani, said she thanked God for the “dream come true” noting that the journey to the handover of the site to the contractor for commencement of work has been a very tight but frightful one, “why because, I have been praying that this land should not be taken over again like the previous ones that were revoked.”

She noted the location of the new library edifice in the state in New GRA (Government Reserve Area), would create accessibility for members of the public and surrounding communities to make maximum use of the library.

The Project Manager, Yazid Umar, of Cagewox Net Ltd, promised to deliver quality work and keep to terms of the agreement including completion of the project within two years and handover to the Government.

The National Industrial Court, Abuja has ordered the Federal Government through the Central Bank of Nigeria, to pay 110 disengaged staff of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, their entitlements.

In a ruling, Justice Rakiya Hasstrup, raised a sole issue for determination, which was whether there was sufficient material placed before the court to make an order absolute.

The court in addition ruled that the consent of the Attorney-General, needed not to be sought before the payment is made.

Hasstrup stated that the reason was because the Attorney- General was a party in the suit.

The court also dismissed the judgment creditor’s objection that the fourth garnishee acted in malice.

The court in the ruling also discharged the ABU Microfinance Bank, who was the fourth garnishee, as a party in the suit.

Earlier, when the matter came up, counsel to the first and third judgment debtors, Yahaya Mohammed had informed the court that the matter was slated for ruling.

He, however, said that they had filed an application on Tuesday and same had been served on parties.

Mohammed in addition stated that the application was to regularise their process for extension of time and to show cause.

Counsel to the judgment creditors, Femi Adedeji, on his part objected to the application, arguing that the court did not ask the first and third judgment creditors to show cause as parties who needed to, had already done so.

Adedeji further submitted that he was served the process in court after 9am shortly before the day’s proceeding in order to delay justice.

The counsel also said that the last proceeding took place on November 3, 2021 and processes ought to have been served on them earlier.

After listening to both counsels’ submissions, the court dismissed and struck out the applications.

The court stated that in pursuant of rule 15, order 14 of the NICN proceeding, such applications ought to have been filed seven days prior to court sitting.

The judge equally ruled that according to NICN rule, when a matter is set for ruling, no motion was allowed to be brought before it. She then proceeded to read the ruling.

The appointments of 110 ABU staff were terminated in 1996, when the institution was run by a Sole Administrator.

They approached the court in 2012, after failure of the institution to implement the recommendations of various visitation panels, which recommended that they be reinstated and all their entitlements paid.

The court ruled in favour of the staff in 2015 and ordered the university to reinstate them and pay their entitlements, which amounted to N2.5 billion.

Non-compliance with the court judgment necessitated the garnishee order on the institution’s bank accounts in 2017.

However, when the garnishee proceeding was ongoing, the judgment debtors filed for a stay of proceeding as they had filed an appeal before Appeal Court (in November 2018) contesting the 2015 judgment.

The Court of Appeal on its part on May 24, 2021, dismissed the appeal and affirmed the decision of the lower court.

The Kano State Government has approved the constitution of a committee to draft a harmonised retirement age for teachers in the state, effective January 2022.

The state Commissioner for Information, Muhammad Garba, announced this in a statement made available to journalists in Kano on Sunday, stating the approval was part of the outcome of the weekly State Executive Council meeting, which held at the Government House, Kano.

The commissioner however, said while the extension would require increase in personnel cost (salaries) and other remuneration for teachers which were not provided for in the 2021 budget, there was the need to start the new policy this year.

Garba pointed out that the committee had also been mandated to review the scheme and condition of service in the state with a view to accommodating the new retirement age of teachers from 35 years of service and 60 years of age to 40 years of service and 65 years of age respectively.

He added that the council had given approval for the release of N23.3 million for the construction of one block of four classrooms and one block of six-seater VIP toilets at Farawa community in Kumbotso Local Government Area.

Garba also revealed that the council has approved the award of a contract worth N344 million to Harmonise Systems Limited for the procurement of 100 Hyundai 2010 cars under the pilot Kano Bus Mass Transit Project.

He said the council approved the recruitment of 704 forest guards/forest range officers on casual basis for the 404 grazing reserves under the state Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources and 300 for the forest estates under the Ministry of Environment.