Adedoyin calls for Federal Record Centre

Director, National Archives of Nigeria (NAN), Mr.Lafinhan Harry Adedoyin, has called for the immediate establishment of the Federal Records Centre (FRC) and adequate record management in the country.

He also said that the application of general records retention and disposition schedule for the nation should be taken seriously so as to check the challenges facing effective records management practices.

Adedoyin who was speaking on ‘The role of national archives in records management in Nigeria,’ recently in Lagos, at this year’s Records and Information Management Awareness Foundation Awards (RIMAW) noted that the national archives over the years carried the burden of archives and records management for the whole country in spite of the fact that archives is on the concurrent list of the Nigerian constitution.

He equally said there is an ongoing sensitization programme of personnel in the public service for effective records management practice in the country, stressing that with this properly put in place the records management practices will be sustained.

“The Federal Government is also repositioning the National Archives of Nigeria. The bill for the upgrading of the National Archives of Nigeria is receiving attention at the National Assembly. When the law is enacted, it will not only enhance records management practices but will also seek for its compliance,” Adedoyin said.

Further, he said that NAN is therefore committed to an effective records management practice, hence it encourages states in country that are yet to establish their own archival institutions to do so.

“I am happy that one of the new entrants is the Lagos State government with the establishment of Lagos State Records and Archives Bureau (LASRAB). I wish to use this occasion to call on other States in Nigeria like Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti, Anambra, Bayelsa, Rivers, Kwara, Oyo, Plateau, Cross Rivers among others to take a cue from Lagos State recent example and establish their own State Archives,” he said.

The National Archives, Adedoyin assured is ready and willing to give technical support to states with plans of establishing their own archives.

With the Theme: “Cyber Crime and Impediment on National Development is an annual events organized by the Records and Information Management Awareness Foundation (RIMA), a non-profit organization that seeks to promote proper management and security of records and information in Nigeria and Africa. The 2009 event addressed major issues affecting information management and security with definitive answers to growing information management and security needs and challenges in the country.

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