By Prosper Olayiwola
Ex-Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has taken a swipe at the federal government for failing to complete the National Library headquarters project in Abuja, describing the situation as a national disgrace.
In a statement issued over the weekend, Obi reacted to reports that First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu had appealed to well-wishers to donate funds toward the library’s completion as part of her 65th birthday celebration, rather than present her with cakes or newspaper adverts. 
While acknowledging that the gesture appeared thoughtful, Obi said it revealed the misplaced priorities of government.
The former governor queried why Nigeria must rely on birthday donations to complete what he described as “the very temple of knowledge,” when huge sums are regularly spent on luxury and non-essential items.
Obi lamented that the abandonment of the National Library project since its groundbreaking in 2006 was symbolic of Nigeria’s decline in valuing knowledge and education.
He agreed with Mrs. Tinubu’s assertion that education is the most enduring legacy any nation can give its people but criticized the government for failing to match words with action.
The National Library building in Abuja, first awarded in 2006 at a cost of ₦8.6 billion, has remained uncompleted despite several budgetary allocations, sparking repeated criticism from stakeholders in the education sector.
