Matilda Omonaiye/
Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, has urged other corporate organisations to take a cue from Guarantee Trust Bank and invest in the educational sector and developmental projects.
The governor said this while inaugurating ultra modern Herbert Macaulay Library, which was remodelled and renovated by GTBank, through its ‘You Read CSR Initiative’ in Yaba, on Tuesday.
The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Dr, Ranti Adebule, expressed gratitude to the bank for partnering the state to remodel the facility.
Ambode said the facility would go a long way to improve the reading culture in the state.
The governor also appreciated the Herbert Macaulay family for being part of the transformation and assured the government would continue to uphold the glory of the library.
Managing Director of GTBank, Mr Segun Agbaje, said the decision to partner the state government to remodel the library, under the Adopt-A-Library Initiative, was to contribute its quota to enhancing the educational sector.
Agbaje said the bank was “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”.
He noted that “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”.
He further stated: “At the heart of the You Read initiative is our commitment to transform our organisation 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.”
Agbaje expressed optimism that with the facilities embedded in the library, residents of the state can gain access to a wide range of educational and historical materials to enhance their reading knowledge.
Some residents, who spoke with journalists, expressed appreciation to the bank for the initiative.
The library is provided with a room dedicated to historical artifacts-including some relating to the life and times of Herbert Macaulay, an innovation hub that will serve as a Coding Centre, a lounge/café area, a reading area with updated books and an e-library section, wheelchair accessible ramps and a finished courtyard area, among others.
The Herbert Macaulay Library Yaba is one of the 12 branch libraries in Lagos State providing free education and information for the residents of Lagos State and beyond. Originally built in 1966, the library was later renamed after the renowned nationalist, Olayinka Herbert Macaulay.
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