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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