We Need More Libraries than Churches – Consultant

The Principal Partner, J2 Consulting, Mr. Oludele Aina, has called for more investment in neighbourhood libraries, saying they are needed more than churches in the society.

Aina said this on Sunday at the inauguration and dedication ceremony of the Wonderful Library, an initiative of the Just Jesus Foundation, in Lagos.

According to Aina, books have the ability to transform the destinies of individuals for the better.

“People need to have access to knowledge beyond what they are taught in the church. Books give a wider scope beyond what they hear. Nobody knows it all.

“When you come to a library, you interact with different minds from different generations. Some are in their 30s and some in their 50s. These are people who see life and Christianity from different perspectives, yet we are talking about one God,” he said.

Aina said the library had a collection of books which cut across motivational, religious and educational subjects.

He added, “This is basically a resource centre, where people from the age of 12 and above can come in to read. We are in the encouragement business like the biblical Barnabas and I see us going beyond Lagos. Dr. Benjamin Carson, a retired neurosurgeon and one of the United States presidential aspirants, was transformed in a neighbourhood library donated by Andrew Carnegie. I know that there are many Carsons out there.

“I have had this vision with me since 1995, when I graduated from the University of Ibadan. God told me that he is raising me to raise men with hearts large enough to take whatsoever he will drop in them.

“Many people read because they had to pass. Reading has transformed my life and exposes you to many things.”

In his remarks, one of the participants, Mr. Dayo Fajimi, said people who would come in to the library would encounter a difference with the array of books available.

“I believe that this library will contribute positively to the minds and hearts of people. Through this library, destiny will be restored and men will be drawn to God,” he said.

PUNCH

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