Foremost
African financial institution, Guaranty Trust Bank plc, has transformed
the old Herbert Macaulay Library, Yaba into a state of the art learning
and recreation facility. Executed in partnership with the Lagos State
Government, the project is part of the Bank’s YOU READ CSR Initiative
which identifies, renovates and reequips public libraries, turning them
into centers for learning and social engagements for students and the
general public.
 |
| left Mr Obafela Bank-Olemoh, Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Lagos State; Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule, Lagos State Deputy Governor and Mr Segun Agbaje, MD/CEO, GTBank during the commissioning of the newly refurbished Yaba library by GTBank in Lagos on Tuesday. |
Public
libraries play a fundamental role in the lifelong mental and
intellectual development of individuals as well as in enabling broad
societal development. However, the inadequacy of public library services
and infrastructure in Nigeria has hampered the fulfillment of these
crucial roles. Concerned about the state of public libraries in Nigeria,
and motivated by the belief that quality education is crucial for
nation building and a fundamental right of everyone irrespective of
background, race, or economic status, GTBank created the You Read
Initiative to connect people with a global resources of information and
knowledge.
With
the goal of raising the Herbert Macaulay Library to global standards,
GTBank carried out a total overhaul of the internal and external
structures of the facility. These included a complete refurbishing of
the building, equipping the library with state of the art furniture, the
installation of computer and internet facilities to create an e-library
and the provision of books to ensure a pleasurable and highly rewarding
library experience. The Bank is also calling on member of the general
public to donate new and used books in good condition to the library in
order to expand the scope of resource materials available at the event.
Commenting
on the renovation of the Herbert Macaulay Library, Yaba, Segun Agbaje,
the Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank plc, stated that, “We are
happy to provide this much-needed upgrade to a facility that is crucial
to the academic and personal development of members of the Yaba
community as well as residents of Lagos State and beyond. Libraries are
the cornerstones of our communities, and the new-and-improved Herbert
Macaulay Library, Yaba will not only serve as a centre for learning and
research, but will also provide a warm and welcoming environment for
sharing experiences and creating new opportunities.
 |
| L-R:Member, Herbert Macaulay family, Omotayo Folaji; Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Dr. Idiat Adebule; Secretary, Herbert Macaulay family, Mr. Femi Johnson; Managing Director/CEO, GTBank, Segun Agbaje;and Commissioner for Energy and Minieral Resources,Lagos State, Wale Olowu, during the inauguration of Herbert Macaulay Library, an initiative of GTBank in Lagos... on Tuesday |
He
further stated that, “At the heart of the You Read initiative is our
commitment to transform our organization into a platform for enriching
lives that offers our customers and communities, benefits beyond
banking. Beyond the renovation of the Herbert Macaulay Library, Yaba,
we, through this initiative, seek to encourage and engage people,
especially students in all stages of their education, to read, build
capacity, gain exposure and connect with peers and educators around the
world.”
Speaking
on behalf of the Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, the State’s Deputy
Governor, Dr. Mrs. Idiat Oluranti Adebule commended the management of
the Bank for the effort and role they have played over the years in
supporting education and sports development. The Bank have pioneered
several developmental initiatives such as the GTBank Principals Cup
& Masters as well as the Orange Ribbon Initiative to cater for
children living with autism
About GTBank
GTBank
is regarded by industry watchers as one of the best run African
financial institutions across its subsidiary countries and serves as a
role model within the financial service industry due to its bias for
world class corporate governance standards, excellent service quality
and innovation. The Bank’s footprints in Corporate Social Responsibility
are guided strategically by its decision to operate on four major
pillars: Education, Community Development, Arts and the Environment,
which it believes are essential building blocks for the society and
prerequisites for economic growth and societal development.
About The Herbert Macaulay Library, Yaba
The
Herbert Macaulay Library Yaba is one of the 12 branch library in Lagos
State providing free education and information for the residents of
Lagos State and beyond. Renovated by GTBank through its You Read CSR
Initiative, the Library offers free access to academic and non-academic
books, internet-enabled computers, exhibitions, and more to everyone
from toddlers to scholars. Originally built in 1966, the Library was
later renamed after the renowned nationalist, Olayinka Herbert Macaulay.
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