The All Progressives Congress, APC, Oyo State chapter has kicked against the conversion of the Oyo State Library Board into shopping malls by the State Government.
This is even as the party described the conversion as unacceptable.
The statement was signed by APC Publicity Secretary Wasiu Olawale Sadare was made available to newsmen on Sunday.
ISUIKWUATO VOICE learnt that some structures at the State Headquarters of the Oyo State Library Board in Ibadan, have been converted to shopping malls.
Reacting to the development, the opposition party in the State, the APC, condemned the action.
According to the party, the action of the State Government, led by Governor Seyi Makinde, as not only shameful and ill-conceived but also grossly unacceptable.
The party wondered why a Government will turn a library into shops.
APC said, “It is a sad reality that the buildings which used to serve as public libraries and archives in Dugbe axis of Ibadan have now paved the way for the development of commercial and business structures. And the implication of this, is that education and research development have been relegated to the background in the State. By the same administration which has refused to address the issue of poor reading culture among young students.
“Without mincing words, the word ‘library’ is now strange to many students. Both in public primary and secondary schools in Oyo State. This is because the Government does not care to build such facilities. Or fix the existing ones, which require good attention.
“How can a Government wake up one day and convert public reading facilities and archives into lock-up shops. Just in the name of making money. And thereby subject the entire society to the danger of illiteracy and ignorance?”
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