ABUJA, September 3, 2010 - The World Bank Country office in Nigeria, through its Public Information Center (PIC), has donated books, publications, compact discs and other library materials worth over 30 million naira to 11 universities and other research institutions in line with its knowledge decentralization drive and access to information policy.
Speaking at a ceremony held at the Bank office in Abuja yesterday, the World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Onno Ruhl, said the donation was in line with the Bank’s commitment to development in Nigeria through its diverse and robust knowledge products.
“We want to share as well as bring our knowledge products closer to the public. The world is going digital and we will not be left behind. The World Bank will henceforth make its knowledge products available to staff and members of the public though the internet and in line with the Access to Information policy,” Ruhl told staff and beneficiaries.
He urged representatives of the different institutions to make good use of the materials, not just in ensuring that the books were well maintained but also that proper and adequate access be given to those who would benefit immensely from the rich and invaluable knowledge resources being made available to them.
Mr. Ruhl explained that although the Bank through its recently launched online Open Data Initiative is freeing up development data for use to stakeholders worldwide via their computers, hard copy materials are still of great relevance and importance particularly for some of our partner depository libraries and universities.
Dr. Chinwe Anunobi representing Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, who spoke on behalf of the receiving institutions, expressed gratitude to the World Bank for the books. She said their knowledge value could not be quantified, and called on the Bank to allow Nigerian Universities to have access to its online knowledge resources.
The Beneficiary institutions included University of Calabar, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, National Bureau of Statistics, Abuja, University of Abuja, Joseph Ayo Babalola University and Arewa House, Kaduna. Others are the United Nations Information Centre in Lagos, Bingham University, Karu, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, University of Jos, University of Ado Ekiti, Ebonyi State University.
