International Archives Day: Bello harps on effective records management system

                                                                                                     Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has charged public servants and the general public to cultivate the habit of maintaining effective and sustainable information management system across all spheres.

Malam Bello who gave the charge over the weekend in Abuja during the commemoration of the International Archives Day, stressed that promoting effective records management system would enable the FCT Administration and the country in general to achieve good governance and accountability, thereby engendering national development.

His words: “As we celebrate this year’s edition of the International Archives Day, I urge us, particularly all staff of the FCT Administration to imbibe the spirit of promoting effective and a sustainable records management system in our various SDAs.It is only by so doing that the FCT Administration and the nation at large, can attain the long-cherished global aspiration for good governance and accountability”.

The Minister who was represented at the occasion by the FCT Permanent Secretary, Dr.Babatope Ajakaiye promised to strengthen FCT Archives and History Bureau for  excellent service delivery, adding that the establishment of the Bureau in 2005 by the FCT Administration underscores the top priority it places on records keeping.

He said: “It was in appreciation of the importance of proper records-keeping and archives management that the FCT Archives and History Bureau was established in 2005 with the responsibility to collect, collate, preserve and manage archival records of the Federal Capital Territory Administration(FCTA).

According to Malam Bello, the International Archives Day celebrated annually provides the unique opportunity for co-operation and collaboration among nations and relevant stakeholders  for information sharing.

Dwelling on the theme of this year’s celebration: “Archives,Citizenship and Interculturalism”, the Minister said it offers a positive moral judgement and commitment not just for civil servants, but also for the entire citizenry to come to terms with the historical importance of preserving our  collective memory as a people.

Earlier, in his welcome address, the Acting Director of FCT Archives and History Bureau, Ms Ceril Jogai explained that commemorating the International Archives Day is in line with the Universal Declaration on Archives, which gives special recognition on the vital role of archives in fostering administrative accountability, transparency and protection of individual rights.

According to her, the annual event marks an important milestones in the annals of the FCT Administration, as it offers the Administration and the residents the unique opportunity to carefully reflect on the ways and manners officials records are handled.

In his keynote address, Prof. Folarin Shyllon, lecturer, University of Ibadan, stated that archival materials are priceless, hence the need to do all it takes to maintain accurate information keeping. While acknowledging the challenges associating with managing archival materials.

Signed:

Tony Odey,..Press Secretary, Permanent Secretary’s Office.