The
State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Barr. (Mrs.) RoseMary
Effiom Archibong has restated the need for the establishment of a Records &
Archives Bureau in Cross River State.
Mrs.
Archibong made this assertion during the Public Hearing on the establishment of
Records & Archives Bureau held recently at the mini auditorium of the Cross
River State House of Assembly.
According
to the Information & Orientation boss: “any state that loses its history is
a failed state, hence the establishment of Records & Archives Bureau in the
State is a necessity and in line with international standard.”
Mrs.
Archibong stated that the Bureau which would serve as a comprehensive record-keeping
Agency shall custody hard and software historical materials of the State and
beyond, as well as generate revenue for Cross River State.
The
Commissioner recalled that although the National Council on Information had in
2007 adopted the establishment of Archives by all states of the federation,
stated that it was not until 2013 that the erstwhile governor Liyel Imoke
created the Department of Archives in the Ministry of Information and
Orientation.
“And
now, under the proactive leadership of Senator (Prof.) Ben Ayade, the need is
even greater, following the innovations that abound in the present
dispensation. It has therefore become imperative that we custody records for
posterity. Cross River State has a very rich history – culturally, in
education, sports, political, etc – and a plethora of firsts. So it has become
extremely important that these achievements are recorded for reference
purposes” Mrs. Archibong added.
She
expressed delight and thanked the leadership of the House Committee on
Information and ICT in the Cross River State House of Assembly for
painstakingly seeing the Bill for the Establishment of Records and Archives
Bureau through first and second readings in the hallowed Chambers of the House.
Articulating
his views, the Chairman, House Committee on Information & ICT, Hon. Matthew
Olori stressed that Archives is a unique institution globally responsible for
preserving historical heritage; their current or noncurrent records accumulated
by natural process in the course of running the affairs of any kind.
The
Legislator said the essence of establishing the Records & Archives Bureau
is to ensure comprehensive historical accounts of the State to enable people
and generations to come the knowledge of the rich history of the entity called
Cross River State.
Hon.
Olori also thanked his Vice Chairman, Hon. Effa Esua and members of the House
Committee on Information & ICT, the Ministry of Information &
Orientation and other stakeholders, whom together have been dogged in the quest
for the establishment of Records & Archives Bureau in the State.
The
Chairman of the Cross River State Chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress,
Comrade John Ushie, represented by Comrade M. E. Otu expressed happiness for
the establishment of the Bureau in the State, noting that without proper
documentation, the future generation would be bereft of the rich history of the
State.
Representing
the Ministry of ICT, Mary Ekanem said the Bureau, when established, will
enhance access to quality historical information in the State, while calling
for the inclusion of the Ministry of ICT in the Advisory Board of the Bureau.
In
an interview with newsmen, the State Director of Archives, Mr. Michael Nyajor
commended the Committee for the speedy deliberation on the Bill, pointing out
that the establishment of Records & Archives Bureau in the State is one of
the laudable initiatives of the Governor Ben Ayade-led administration, which
would locate, acquire, preserve and make available for reference, the archival
heritage of Cross River State.
BY KINGSLEY AGIM
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