Katsina, Nigeria – September 2, 2025
The National Librarian and Chief Executive Officer of the National Library of Nigeria, Professor Chinwe Veronica, has commended Governor Dikko Umaru Radda for successfully hosting the 9th National Library Conference in Katsina, describing the event as one of the best-organised in recent years.
Professor Veronica, who led a delegation to the Katsina Government House on Monday, noted that Katsina is only the second state in the North West, after Bauchi, to host the national conference. She praised the smooth coordination of the event and the high level of participation.
During the visit, she lauded Governor Radda’s commitment to revitalising library services in the state. She cited the government’s approval to remodel the Katsina State Library Headquarters, ongoing renovation of library branches in Katsina, Daura, and Funtua, as well as the completed upgrade of the Dutsinma library. Plans are also underway to refurbish local government libraries in Mani, Kankia, and Malumfashi, among others.
The National Librarian further applauded the government’s move to reclaim the State Library Headquarters from non-governmental organisations previously occupying the facility, saying it would restore the library to its original purpose as a research hub and cultural landmark.
She also commended broader investments in education, including the recruitment of students into newly established special schools. Veronica urged stronger collaboration between Katsina State and the National Library to boost literacy and rekindle the reading culture nationwide.
In his response, Governor Radda thanked the National Library for selecting Katsina as the host of the 9th annual conference, reaffirming his administration’s focus on education, research, and literacy promotion.
He recalled recent interventions such as the distribution of 25,000 Mathematics, Computer Science, and English textbooks to primary school pupils, procurement of 18 project coordination buses, and provision of special equipment to the School for the Blind. He added that the State Executive Council had approved the purchase of over 156,000 textbooks for secondary schools across the state.
Governor Radda, however, expressed concern over the decline in traditional reading culture due to overreliance on mobile phones and ICT tools. While acknowledging their benefits, he warned that unchecked use of digital applications in education could stifle creativity and academic depth.
