The leadership of Africa Democratic Party, ADC
has cautioned the First Lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu against converting the national library of Nigeria in Abuja into her personal pet project.
This followed comments by First Lady, the First Lady, who announced her intention to support the library’s completion as part of her birthday celebrations.
National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi made the assertion in a statement issued on Wednesday, which expressed appreciation for her philanthropic gesture.
The ADC sued for sustainability purposes, adding that the library and its projects must be funded through national budgetary provisions.
According to the statement: “The African Democratic Congress (ADC) acknowledges and appreciates the thoughtful gesture of The First Lady, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, in drawing attention to the abandoned National Library of Nigeria project in Abuja as part of her birthday celebrations.
“However, as a responsible party, we must firmly state that the National Library of Nigeria cannot, and must not, be reduced to the status of a personal pet project of any individual, no matter how well-intentioned.
“The National Library is a living repository of our collective memory and intellectual heritage. It is the custodian of Nigeria’s story, culture, research, and knowledge production. It is not just another building.
“Now that Mrs. Tinubu has shown interest in the National Library, what is required is not personal charity, but presidential attention. The First Lady should use her influence to impress upon President Tinubu the urgency of completing this project through budgetary allocations.
“From what we know, the responsibility for its funding was at some point shifted to TETFUND. This explains why there were no direct budgetary allocations for the library in both the 2024 and 2025 budgets.
“A nation’s intellectual heritage cannot rest on acts of benevolence, while being deliberately neglected in the appropriation process.
“We thank Mrs. Tinubu for her concern and for drawing attention to this long-neglected project.
“However, with all due respect, “No ma!”, according to the ADC.
