Posted by By Yusuph Olaniyonu on
Donations into the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) project which was launched in Abeokuta at the weekend may have reached N6 billion. This leaves only a shortfall of about N1 billion to raise the N7 billion for the project.
* Oil majors donate $20m
Donations into the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) project which was launched in Abeokuta at the weekend may have reached N6 billion. This leaves only a shortfall of about N1 billion to raise the N7 billion for the project.
Sources close to the organisers of the launching indicated that though there were reports that about N4 billion were realised at the launching, the figure excluded the $20 million (about N2 billion) donated by oil firm majors operating in the country.
The donation by the oil companies became one of the largest to the project which was patterned after the Presidential Libraries concept in the United States, which was pioneered by President Franklin Delano Roosevett.
Other big donors to the project were Dr. Mike Adenuga, chairman of Globacom Communications who donated N250 million, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, president Dangote Group, N211.6 million and Mr. Femi Otedola, chairman of Zenon Oil Limited. N200 million.
The major oil companies' donation which is now the biggest to the project was however not made public.
It is believed that the presidential library project may be the first significant step of President Obasanjo's preparation for life after office in 2007.
The library complex located on the outskirts of Abeokuta, the president's town is founded on three philosophical cornerstones - leadership, transparency and agriculture.
According to the board of trustees, 'these three policy trusts guided President Obasanjo throughout his years of public life and allowed him to lead, achieve and create a vivid, lasting legacy that continues to shape and influence, form and guide the times in which we live right now."
The site is divided into three major zones, the museum/library, recreation and leisure and housing/support services.
By the desigh, the museum/library will be located on the high rocky zone with ‘a dignified, architectural statement from atop the high rock... and its elevated location (will) provide an isolated tranquility necessary for scholarship and museum appreciation."
The structure shall consist of a library ‘an archive and museum including a policy centre (for research, seminars and workshops). While the presidential library will hold the presidential files and papers which covers all issues of public policy, the archive will act as a repository for the presidential papers and historical materials of President Obasanjo. The museum will however exhibit present significant documents, photographs, films, video tapes, sound recording and memorabilia that depict stages of the president's life, the important policy trust and decisions of his administration.
The auditorium of the proposed library is expected to take about 1,500 people. There will also be 144-research fellows/guest chalet.
The project trustees hope to fend for it through offer of services like guest houses, cyber cafe, publishing souvenir/gift shops, auditorium (seminars/workshops, exhibitions, social events), museum, amphitheatre, restaurant, pack/garden, artificial lake/ stream/waterfall, zoo and gym for recreation/keep fit centre.
The trustees include Ambassador Christopher Kolade, Nigeria's high commissioner to the United Kingdom, as chairman, Mr. Carl Masters, an American as co-chairman, Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel, Hon. Vernon Jordan, an American, Mr. Richard Branson, owner of Virgin Atlantic Airline, Dr. Onaolapo Soleye, Minister of Finance under the Buhari administration and Mr. Jim Ovia, MD/CEO Zenith International Bank.
Others include Dr. Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello, the president's eldest daughter and Ogun State commissioner for health and Mr. Nyaknno Osso, the president's librarian who serves as secretar