By Nasiru Mohammed
A multi-million naira library built by the Dr. Lee Educational Foundation (DLEF) has been officially commissioned in Bare community, Numan Local Government Area, Adamawa State, on Saturday.
The newly established Pages of Hope Library, located at the entrance of the community, is equipped with a rich collection of educational materials for both a traditional manual library and a modern e-library setup.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Chairman of the occasion and Chairman of the Adamawa State Local Government Service Commission, Chief Kennedy B. Dauda, commended the initiative, describing it as a significant contribution toward enhancing teaching and learning in Bare and the entire Numan LGA.
He urged students in the area to make full use of the library for educational purposes.
“We all know that education is light, and the library plays a vital role in academic success. I believe students here will put this facility to good use for the glory of God,” he said.
Chief Dauda applauded DLEF and its founder, Dr. Lydia Justin Adamu, for their foresight and commitment to education. He also called on wealthy individuals to support the library to ensure it functions optimally.
“I want to specially thank Dr. Lydia Justin for this vision. As a community, we are all happy, and I believe this marks the beginning of greater things for Bare,” he added.
In their separate remarks, Peter Makwando, Member representing Numan LGA, and Kate Raymond Mamuno, Member representing Demsa LGA at the Adamawa State House of Assembly, expressed their appreciation to the foundation and pledged support for future developmental projects in the area.
“This is a noble gesture. As lawmakers, we are not just supporting as individuals but as an institution. We look forward to partnering with DLEF,” they stated.
Representing the father of the day, His Royal Majesty Hama Bachama, Dr. Daniel Shaga Ismaila, Dr. Bamaiyi Augustine called on Bare community to ensure the facility is well-maintained and secure.
“The community must come together to safeguard this library so it can continue serving future generations,” he advised.
He emphasized the importance of education as the backbone of society and urged the community to sustain the facility for the betterment of all.
In a keynote address, Provost of the College of Education, Hong, Prof. B.Y. Baha, stressed the importance of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in modern education.
“With ICT, students can access books online from anywhere. That’s what makes an e-library powerful,” he said. He encouraged youths to explore emerging fields like Artificial Intelligence (AI) to become self-reliant.
“As a lecturer, I have a student who developed software and now earns millions working from home,” he revealed.
Also speaking at the event, Chairman of the Adamawa State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Jeffrey Garba, pledged an annual donation of ₦200,000 to support the library.
“This library is crucial to the future of this community. My family and I are committed to supporting it annually,” he said.
Group Managing Director of Dangote Sugar Refinery Savannah, Alh. Bello Dan Musa, announced plans to reconnect Bare community to the national power grid to ensure the smooth operation of the e-library.
“We’ve already purchased a 300KVA transformer for the community. After this event, our engineers will assess the cable requirements for full reconnection,” he assured.
In an interview, DLEF Chairperson, Dr. Lydia Justin Adamu, explained that the library project aims to encourage academic pursuits and reduce the dropout rate in the community.
“Many children abandon school to go farming or stay idle. This library is meant to change that narrative and get them back to learning,” she said.
She added that the foundation is also sponsoring the education of several pupils and students while engaging volunteer teachers to revive the education sector in Bare.
Dr. Lydia appreciated all who supported the project and urged the community to take full ownership of the facility.
Goodwill messages were delivered by dignitaries including the representative of the Senator for Southern Adamawa, among others. Donations for the library’s takeoff were made by NYSC members, the National Library of Nigeria, and several cultural troupes featured during the ceremony.
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