AIYEDATIWA'S SPECIAL ADVISER, AKOGUN OMOLE EMPHASISES ARCHIVES DEPT REVIVAL FOR REVENUE GENERATION, RECORD KEEPING

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AIYEDATIWA’S SPECIAL ADVISER, AKOGUN OMOLE EMPHASISES ARCHIVES DEPT REVIVAL FOR REVENUE GENERATION, RECORD KEEPING

The Special Adviser to Ondo State Governor on Information, Akogun Gbenga Omole has emphasised the need to revamp “The State Archives Department” as a source of revenue for the State

The Archives of the Ministry of Information and Orientation, established a few years back, has unfortunately declined over time into a state of disrepair and upon inspection, was a source of major concern to the Special Adviser to the Governor on Information, Akogun Olugbenga Omole.

Omole during his visit to the Archives Department of the Ministry of Information stated that “our habit of keeping records is apparently eroding, so there is the need to sensitise people on the benefits of keeping records. It is also important to develop policies and put in place various strategies to sustain and maintain the quality of archival materials”.

Furthermore, in his words, “We need to keep records. We need to use records to manage both current and future affairs of the state. You can’t do anything without records. Every organisation has records. After the staff of an organisation, the next most important are the records. Records must be maintained.

“Without that, people of the organisation will not make progress. We should go away from the idea of losing records when offices get burnt. There is a technology that enhances safe keeping of records.”

He also noted the need for investment in archives. Archives, also enjoy a place in tourism and have the potential to generate resources. In many developed countries, record structures and libraries that have stayed hundreds of years eventually become a source of revenue.

He explained that if proper attention is placed on the archive, it could serve as a source of revenue for the state.

Omole elucidate that, a bill on the need for the establishment of Ondo State Archives sent to the House of Assembly did not see the light of the day because there was no political will to drive it even though the bill has passed first reading at the State House of Assembly.

He said the government will look at re-presenting the bill to conform with modern reality and with the support of the governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the bill will be passed and efforts would be made for the digitisation of the Ministry of Information Archives.

According to a statement signed by the Press Officer to the Special Adviser, Timilehin Ogunsulire, He also visited the Ministry’s Photolab at Alagbaka and promised that all efforts would be made in bringing the infrastructure to present-day best practices.