…Canvasses votes from academics and the intellectual community
Paschal Emeka, Abuja | Posted October 29, 2023
Historian Laureate and Chief Historian/Archivist of Bayelsa State, Professor Stephen Temegha Olali, has applauded Sen. Douye Diri’s profound interest in promoting greater awareness about the importance and usefulness of history and the archives to Bayelsa State and society in general.
The Professor of History and the Cultural Sciences, who made the commendation while speaking with newsmen in Yenagoa on the achievements of Gov. Douye Diri, on Friday, noted that under the prosperity administration, the Bayelsa State Archive has been actively involved in the preservation of public records of the state across the various ministries, departments and agencies of government.
Besides, he stated that the State Archive has been structured to partner with communities, companies, institutions, families, and individuals to preserve their archival documents for posterity.
Prof. Olali reiterated that archives are important because they provide evidence of activities of the past and give insight to the historical progress and heritage of persons and of public and private institutions and organisations with a view to increase their sense of identity and understanding of cultural heritage.
“Archival institutions are generally legally constituted entities responsible for identifying, managing, and preserving the integrity of an institution’s official records of long-term value. Archives are the documented memories of the state or nation.
“Archives underpin every aspect of society ranging from education to the sciences, healthcare, culture, law, and the historic environment. Archives inform the future by helping us to learn from the past.
“An archivist, therefore, is concerned with managing records that have been identified for permanent retention because they have value to future generations. Archival management comprises the accession, processing, cataloguing, and access to records designated as having permanent historical value, “Professor Olali explained.
The historian Laureate of Bayelsa State said Gov. Douye Diri is a highly cerebral and creative personality who has been contributing immensely to the advancement of the state in all sectors, adding that Sen. Diri has done so much to promote historical knowledge in Bayelsa State, which has some of the most significant historical sites in Nigeria.
He noted that the Governor Douye Diri-led administration has sponsored several Public Lectures/Symposiums geared towards disseminating historical knowledge amongst the citizens of the state.
Professor Olali, an accomplished scholar and public intellectual who has researched the historical development of Bayelsa State from its ancient roots to its present existence, called on the academics, public intellectuals and everyone to vote the governor for a second term in office due to all his efforts at making Bayelsa State a peaceful place, admired by its indigenes, and attractive to investors, tourists, culture enthusiasts and other visitors.
Recall that anything archival relates to an archive, which is a record or collection of historical materials. Archival resources document the past. Most libraries have a special place for archival documents, like old newspapers and photos. An archive is a collection of older things such as books, music, or documents.