Media
By Tennyson Sampson
THE Ibom Lead Centre is a digital library located in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State, capital. Formerly known as E-Library, is state-owned, and according to Wikipedia, it is the first digital type library in West Africa and it is one of the biggest libraries in Africa.
Since its establishment and inaugurated by former President Goodluck Johnathan on July 27, 2012, the library had been rebranded and it is presently being managed by HTG Limited, which has introduced series of innovations and technology in the management of the facility.
It is gathered that the e-library has digital collections of about 16.5 million e-documents, over 2 million electronic books and 14.5 million electronic research e-journals,
In addition, the electronic library has children multi-media resource centre, 1,260 educational games for children; 1,000 simulations and mathematics practice tools.
The facility has also provision for large external playground, open and private reading areas, Children reading areas with story-telling/play facilities as well as 80,000 question and answer series for tertiary examinations.
According to some state officials, the e-library was established to meet the needs of Akwa Ibom students with IT and computer based programmes as well as afford them access to electronic books.
Speaking on the benefits of the e-library to the people of Akwa Ibom State, the Chairman of Ibom Air, Imoabasi Jacob Snr, told Realnews that the Ibom e-library is undergoing a thorough revamping.
He stated that the library is yet to meet the expectations of the founding fathers.
“We are changing the entire landscape, When his Excellency, the executive governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, assumed office, one of the projects lined up, was to reposition the e-library to what it ought to be,” he said.
He lamented the absence of electronic books for students to access.
“The few books in the library are all in hard copies. There’ll be need for us to install the ebooks,” he said.
One of the students, Victor Edibase, who spoke with Realnews, said that on many occasions the facility was shut down and students denied access to the use of library.
Speaking on the impact the library has made in the state, Edibase said that the library should enhance the reading culture of students and boost their confidence to attempt computer based exams.
The Ibom Lead Centre had on October 18, 2023, initiated an entrepreneurship development programme, IbomLED, Arise agenda, where every participants can acquire entrepreneurial tools.
T.S
-January 31, 2024 @ 16:34 GMT|
Tags: Goodluck Johnathan Imoabasi Jacob Snr Pastor Umo Eno
