ABOUT OLUSEGUN OBASANJO PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY
Conceived in 1988, the idea to establish the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library remained just an idea until 10 years later when Chief Olusegun Obasanjo rode from prison to the State House as Nigeria’s second elected Executive President. He soon established the Office of Presidential Libraries (Libraries, Research and Documentation) with a stated mission to see the OOPL idea translated into reality.On November 12, 2002, the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library Foundation was incorporated as a not-for-profit organisation to advise, promote and encourage the establishment, growth and development of the Library, to coordinate its activities and provide support for its programmes. The Foundation’s Board of Trustees was charged with mobilising private sector interest and funding to construct, furnish, maintain, and protect the Library complex’s buildings and its holdings.
A primary concern for the establishment of a Presidential Library is first to acknowledge the contributions of, at any one time, the occupier of Nigeria’s most important political office. It is also generally acknowledged that there is a gap in understanding the complex conditions that prevail or act upon important decisions leaders make when they occupy their positions. A Presidential library, with documents and other archival materials can avail researchers of important resources that may enable them arrive at accurate and objective analysis of their subjects.
A primary concern for the establishment of a Presidential Library is first to acknowledge the contributions of, at any one time, the occupier of Nigeria’s most important political office. It is also generally acknowledged that, there is a gap in understanding the complex conditions that prevail or act upon important decisions leaders make when they occupy their positions.
A Presidential library, with documents and other archival materials can avail researchers of important resources that may enable them arrive at accurate and objective analysis of their subjects. The Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library was established to demonstrate and deepen democracy. One essential aspect of democracy is a developed and engaged citizenry. The Presidential Library will enhance transparency and accountability and ensure that policy choices are better understood. It will clear up the myth and misconceptions that citizens hold for the office of the President and perhaps broker a more pragmatic understanding of the events of history and the person caught in its storms. For children in schools, the benefit and value of understanding the travails of a leader cannot be underestimated.
The Olusegun Obasanjo Library Complex exists a full community. It encompasses the Presidential Library and Museum, several tourist attractions such as the zoological gardens, the amphitheatre, the Adire and African Fabrics Centre, as well as several advocacy centres that highlight President Obasanjo’s ongoing preoccupation with improving the lot of his fellow citizens, chief of which are the first UNESCO Category II Institute on culture in the region, The Institute for African Culture and International Understanding, and the Centre for Human Security, and the Green Energy Demonstration Initiative.
The Centre for Human Security is the brainbox and intellectual heart of the Library Complex. It was established as an integral part of the Presidential Library and that the centre should provide a base for theoretical, qualitative and quantitative analyses to unravel causal relationships and interdependencies which link or activate security threats in the cultural context of Africa. All the advocacy centres will be residency-awarding institutes.