SHETTIMA HAILS EDUCATION AS NATION-BUILDING TOOL AT CROSS RIVER LIBRARY OPENING
Vice President Kashim Shettima has hailed the remodeled Cross River State Library as a vital investment in human capital, calling education the true infrastructure of national growth.
Speaking at the commissioning of the newly remodeled Cross River State Library in Calabar, Shettima described the facility as a vital investment in human capital— one he believes will serve as a catalyst for national transformation.
“This library is more than a collection of books— it is an investment in minds, a sanctuary of innovation, and a launchpad for Nigeria’s future,” the Vice President said. “No nation can rise beyond the quality of its educational foundation.”
The once-neglected library has been transformed into an ultramodern knowledge centre, complete with digital learning tools, serene reading spaces, and infrastructure designed to foster research, creativity, and critical thinking.
Shettima praised Governor Bassey Otu for what he termed “visionary leadership” in restoring the institution to relevance. “This project speaks volumes about the priorities of this administration. It is a message to every young Nigerian: your future matters, your education matters, and this is your space to dream, to learn, and to lead,” he added.
A CRUCIBLE OF KNOWLEDGE
Governor Otu, in his remarks, underscored the importance of intellectual infrastructure in driving sustainable development. Under his “People First” philosophy, he said, education remains central to state policy.
“A society that neglects its libraries risks losing its identity,” he said. “What we have done here is not just build a library, we’ve created a crucible for knowledge, a meeting point for ideas, and a safe space for young minds to flourish.”
Otu emphasized the state’s continued commitment to knowledge-driven growth, calling the library a symbol of Cross River’s intellectual renaissance.
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BUILDING A CULTURE OF LEARNING
In her goodwill message, Chairperson of the Cross River State Library Board, Mrs. Eme-Ekanem Awatt, described the library’s revival as a “renaissance of reading culture” in the state.
“This facility democratises access to knowledge— welcoming students, professionals, artisans, and anyone with a curious mind,” she said.
