UNESCO Logo

Miss Cerie Jogai, Acting Director, FCT Archives and History Bureau, has called for a fascinating record keeping culture among Nigerians and preservation of nation’s archives.

Jogai made the call on Wednesday in Abuja while briefing newsmen on the activities to mark the 2017 International Archives Day, with the theme: “Archivers, Citizenship and Intellectualism’’

She said the essence for International Archives Day was to create awareness on the activities and importance of archives in the World.

According to her, all around the world, professionals would unite their voices on June 9 to make you understand why it is important to support archives and the profession.

She added that it is an excellent opportunity to discover the profession, and to get in closer touch with a fascinating record keeping.

“At the international Congress in Vienna in 2004, the 2000 participants adopted a resolution requesting the United Nations to create an International Archives Day.

“Some countries had already decided to have a national archives day, to raise awareness of the general public and the decision-makers about the importance of archives.

“The UNESCO General Conference at its 33rd session in Paris 2005 proclaimed the 27th October as the World Day for Audiovisual Heritage.

She noted that The World Day is an appropriate opportunity to raise public awareness of the importance of audiovisual archives.

According to her, it brings new incentives to the benefit of the preservation of these archives.

“This was an excellent initiative, but these are not the only archives that are at risk and in need of attention.

“This is the reason why the International Archives Day (ICA) decided at its Annual General Meeting in November 2007 to launch the International Archives Day by its own, on the 9th of June.

“The date was obvious: on the 9th of June 1948, the International Council on Archives was created under the auspices of the UNESCO,’’ she added.

The acting director said this choice was adopted by ICA Executive Board, and adopted by the archives community as a whole.

Jogai said activities in the FCT would start from Friday, June 9 to Friday, June 16 with symposium and exhibitions as main events.

(NAN)