By Victor Nwegede
Nigeria’s Senator Engr. Ken Eze has called on world leaders and UNESCO member states to strengthen global library systems, describing libraries as powerful engines of knowledge, cultural preservation, and sustainable development.
Speaking at the 43rd UNESCO General Conference in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, the Senator representing Ebonyi Central Senatorial District and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Information and National Orientation urged a renewed global commitment to libraries as key enablers of scientific research and equitable access to information.
“Libraries are reservoirs of memory, laboratories of innovation, and engines of transformation,” Senator Eze declared, emphasizing their crucial role in advancing science, promoting cultural understanding, and bridging global knowledge divides.
Highlighting Nigeria’s strides in digital innovation, Senator Eze pointed to ongoing efforts to develop digital libraries and research systems, as well as projects digitizing folklore, traditional medicine, and local histories. He described these initiatives as vital tools for cultural diplomacy and heritage preservation.
The lawmaker, who also serves as Treasurer of the Southern Nigeria Senators Forum, urged UNESCO member nations to increase investment in digital infrastructure, librarian training, and equitable access to information technology especially in developing countries.
“No culture or wisdom should be lost to digital exclusion,” Eze stressed, calling for greater global collaboration to ensure libraries remain inclusive spaces for learning, innovation, and intercultural dialogue.
The 43rd UNESCO General Conference brings together representatives from member countries to shape the organization’s strategic priorities and address global challenges in education, science, and culture toward a more peaceful and sustainable world.
