Burnt library: FUTMinna donates N1m worth of books to UNIJOS

The Federal University of Technology, Minna, has donated 148 titles with 458 volume of books worth over N1 million to the University of Jos.

Lydia Legbo, the institution’s public relations officer, disclosed this in a statement made available to NAN on Saturday.

She said that it was part of the university’s decision to assist the institution in its rebuilding process after the fire incident that razed the library at its permanent site in October 2016.

The donation was made by Musbau Akanji, the vice-chancellor, who was represented by Jubril Alhassan, the university librarian.

Speaking at the occasion, Akanji expressed heartfelt sympathies with the university over the colossal loss of its library books and equipment that were destroyed during the inferno, describing it as a national calamity.

He said that the incident was a big loss not only to University of Jos but to the entire nation.

According to him, a university library is a centre of civilisation of all culture because it is a custodian of knowledge.

“When a library is burnt, it is like a culture is destroyed. It is not easy to re-build a lost library,” he said.

He expressed gratitude to the University of Jos for training some of its library staff in the past, saying that the impact of the training is now been felt in the institution’s library.

Responding after receiving the books, Seddi Maimako, the vice-chancellor of the University of Jos, applauded FUTMinna for coming to the aid of the institution.

He added that the university is encouraged by the kind gesture.

“A friend in need is a friend indeed. On behalf of Council, Senate, staff and students, we appreciate this token,” he said.