Information About The Archives Unit Of The OOPLF

ABOUT THE ARCHIVES
The philosophy behind the establishment of Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library Archives (OOPLA) is centred on the vision of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) to be an evergreen centre for stimulating democratic ideals, and good leadership in Nigeria and the world at large.

This is based on the conviction that the OOPL would be a centre of historic, academic, touristic and recreational activities to visitors from far and wide, who will access collections/holdings of archives records, museum artefacts and information resources. As a result, the OOPL Archives (OOPLA) serves as a rich archival base, guided by the mission and vision statements of the library.

In the repository of OOPLA are records and rich information on the following subjects:

• Nigerian Civil War

• The Records of the Presidency

• Photographs

•  Private Collections

NIGERIAN CIVIL WAR RECORDS

The Nigerian civil war has become an important part of Nigerian history that cannot be obliterated.

Documented records relating to the Nigerian/Biafra civil war are in the custody of the OOPL Archives. They contain vital and important information on the thirty-month civil war. The records span 1954-1970, totalling two hundred and seventy- nine (279) volumes. They are grouped into seven major divisions dealing with different aspects of the civil war as follows:

OBJ/OOPL 5/1- Nigeria – Biafra Civil War

OBJ/OOPL 5/2- Biafra Government

OBJ/ OOPL 5/3- Personal Papers  

OBJ/ OOPL 54/- Biafra Army

OBJ/ OOPL 5/5- Biafra Propaganda

OBJ/OOPL 5/6- Broadcasting Corporation of Biafra (propaganda medium)

OBJ/OOPL 5/7- Biafra Map 

RECORDS OF THE PRESIDENCY

These are records from federal ministries, government parastatals, departments and agencies, as well as international organizations etc involved in the Obasanjo years. The following are the already identified record groups, their series and sub-series.

The Presidency

-          Commander - in – Chief 

-           FEC – Federal Executive Council

-           Minutes of Meetings

-           Council Conclusions

      -      Council Memoranda

      -      Council Reports

      -      Annexes and Annexures

      -      National Economic Management Team

      -     Council of States

      -    National Council on Tourism

- National Council on Security

- Secretary to the Government of the Federation

- National Security Adviser

-  NIA

- Police Council

- Federal Ministries

- PTF (Petroleum Trust Fund)

 -Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 

PICTORIAL ARCHIVES

This is a collection of photographs, plaques and paraphernalia of office that presents a brilliant exhibition of the life and times of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. The photographs cover the period from his early childhood to date and serve as a veritably rich source of useful historical and contemporary information to researchers and younger generations of Nigerians.

Visitors to the OOPL Archives will have access to photographs that showcase the following periods in the life and times of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo:

+ His early life and genealogy

+  His family life

+  As young military officer

+  As a war veteran

+  As a Head of State (1976 -1979)

+  As a farmer

+  As EPG member (Eminent Personality Group)

+  His UNO activities particularly campaign for UNO Secretary General (United Nations Organisation)

+  Liberation movement and struggle activities in South Africa

+   Local and international travels

+   African Leadership Forum activities

+  Political activities (PDP)

+  Presidency (2003 -2007)

+  Admission and graduation from NOUN (National Open University of Nigeria) (Please supply dates)

+  Nigerian Currency Notes (1959 – 1979)

+  Establishment and foundation of OOPL, the first of its kind in Africa.

 

OLUSEGUN OBASANJO PRIVATE COLLECTIONS

OOPL Archives accommodates the private collections of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo accumulated over the years. These collections give insight and vital information on the life and times of the man who is currently the Chief Promoter of the OOPL. Here, a researcher into the person of Olusegun Obasanjo can have access to the following:

+  His genealogy

+  His educational records

+  Love letters between him and his wives, especially Oluremi Obasanjo

+  Correspondence between him and his children

+  His medical reports

+  Educational reports of his children

+  Cartographic records (please define)

+  Survey plans (please define)

+  Handwritten manuscripts of his famous book “My Command” and others such as;

- Animal Called Man.

 - Women of Virtue.

- Pathway to Answered Prayer.

- Tail Wind Document.

- British Aids to Nigeria.

- Letter to Nigerian Youth via Iyabo.

- Writings on Major Nzeogwu.

+   His farming activities

These groups of records span 1950-1998.

  THE ARCHIVE UNIT WITHIN THE OOPLF IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND WILL SOON BE FULLY OPENED TO THE PUBLIC