CurrentReport Blog The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has strongly criticized the state government over the recent conversion of parts of the Oyo State Library Board headquarters in Ibadan into commercial shops.
In a statement released on Sunday by the APC Publicity Secretary, Wasiu Olawale Sadare, the party described the action as “shameful, ill-conceived, and grossly unacceptable.”
APC Decries Neglect of Education
The APC expressed dismay at the decision, accusing Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration of relegating education and research to the background. The party questioned why public reading facilities would be sacrificed for commercial purposes, stating:
“It is a sad reality that the buildings which used to serve as public libraries and archives in the Dugbe axis of Ibadan have now paved the way for commercial and business structures. The implication of this is that education and research development have been relegated to the background in the state.”
The party added that the government’s actions could worsen the already declining reading culture among students in Oyo State.
Concerns Over Literacy and Ignorance
The APC further lamented the lack of commitment to educational infrastructure, claiming the government has failed to build new libraries or maintain existing ones.
“How can a government wake up one day and convert public reading facilities and archives into lock-up shops in the name of making money, thereby subjecting the entire society to the danger of illiteracy and ignorance?”
Public Outcry
The decision to convert the library structures has sparked widespread criticism from education advocates and residents, who view the move as a step backward for educational development in the state.
As the debate continues, the APC has called on the state government to reverse its decision and prioritize the revival of public reading facilities to promote literacy and research in Oyo State.
