Lagos State Records and Archives Bureau (LASRAB) has observed the International Archives Day (IAD) with a working visit to the Ministry of Local Government & Community Affairs where they were received by the Permanent Secretary, Mr Fola Padonu and all heads of departments in the Ministry.
Speaking at the occasion, the Director-General, LASRAB, Dr Biodun Onayele said the Ministry was chosen for the visit because of the number of records with enduring values in its custody, especially in the areas of Chieftaincy Affairs, Community Development and Local Government Administration.
Dr Onayele informed Officers of the Ministry that the visit was also to ascertain its Registry’s conformity with International Best Practices in records and archives management.
He disclosed that the theme of the Y2019 International Archives Day Celebration is “Designing the 21st Century Archives”, which according to him emphasises the need for archives to be Inclusive, Entrepreneurial and Disruptive.
In his words, “The inclusive archive builds trust and tears down barriers to access, participation and understanding. The entrepreneurial archive is flexible and fearless, creating and realising value at home and across the globe, while the disruptive archive changes everything, constantly adapts, rethinks and reshapes its practice to meet its contemporary and future challenges”.
He recalled the message of Jeff James, Chief Executive and Keeper, The UK National Archives and President, Forum of National Archivists that archives throughout the world are an essential resource that underpins our democracy and are a public good because their collections are assets for future generations.
Responding, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs, Mr Fola Padonu thanked the Director-General and his team for the timely visit and requested LASRAB’s support in reorganising the registry.
Padonu, thereafter, took the team on inspection of the registry and other repositories where records are kept with an understanding that Officers of LASRAB would work with the Ministry to rectify identified challenges.
