05/10/2026
A Heartfelt Thank You Message
On behalf of the National Executive and the Council, I sincerely thank the entire membership of the Nigerian Library Association for the overwhelming support, solidarity and presence during the funeral activities of our departed leader, Dr. Victoria Okojie.
A special appreciation goes to the NLA Edo State Chapter for the exceptional hospitality and warmth with which you received us in Benin City. We are deeply grateful.
I also commend the Chairmen of Bayelsa and Delta State Chapters for making the journey and standing with the Association at this difficult moment. I equally appreciate our Daddy Prof. Ifidon and his darling wife, and Prof. Rose Okiy, for honouring us with their presence and solidarity. I also appreciate our members who represented the Association in delivering tributes on behalf of AfLIA and the IFLA SIGL, further demonstrating the wider professional community’s recognition of Dr. Okojie’s contributions and legacy. Your support meant a great deal to us.
To my National EXCO, including the Registrar/CEO of LRCN, Dr. Neemat D. Abdulraheem, FNLA and Dr. Omoh Atsenokhai, thank you for your commitment, sacrifice and solidarity. I particularly appreciate Prof. Monica Mensah Danquah, Chairperson of the IFLA Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Division, who made significant efforts to travel from Ghana to join us in person but, unfortunately, was unable to make the trip.
I also sincerely acknowledge our leaders and members who could not make it physically but sent their apologies, messages of condolence and expressions of solidarity. Though absent in person, you were present in spirit, and we deeply appreciate you.
Once again, thank you all for standing together as one Association to honour the life, service and legacy of our departed leader. As we continue to honour Dr. Okojie’s legacy, I encourage colleagues to support the Legacy Programme on the 31st of October as we celebrate her contributions to our profession
May the Almighty God grant Dr. Victoria Okojie eternal rest and grant her family, the Association and the entire library profession the strength to bear this great loss. Amen.
NLA our Passion; NLA our Pride;
NLA our Priority.
Dr. Lawal Umar, FNLA
President
