Geological Society Plans 20,000-book Library

Geological Society of Nigeria (GSN) is set to establish a digital and print geological library with no fewer than 20,000 publications on geoscience that will be accessible to practising geologists, students, enthusiasts and prospective geologists across the world.

The co-founder and president of the society, Mr. Uba Sa’idu Malami, who made the disclosure yesterday in Abuja, said the initiative will come under GSN’s Geoscience Africa project and aligns with the commitment of the society to promote the geology profession by disseminating information needed to mentor the younger geologists while also promoting research as well as proffering solution to challenges.

He also announced the imminent presentation to the public of the maiden edition of the society’s brand magazine, ‘The Geologist’ in Abuja.

Malami, who is the immediate past chairman of the Nigeria’s Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF), said: “The Geological Society of Nigeria is developing digital access to members of the GSN and in-house fellows that it will connect members to geological e-libraries around the world.”

Discussing some of the sources, he said the Society will collaborate with strategic partners and the library will serve as a veritable platform and reference point for reliable information on geology.

Malami described the Geoscience Africa project as the first major literary milestone that the Society will be embarking on in the first quarter of 2024, even as he noted that the Society will also seize the opportunity with the launch of the newsletter, The Geologist, to begin the book-drive for the geological digital and print media.

“In 2024, we will have our flagship event, which is the National Geology Week 2024. It will be the platform for the celebration of geoscience in Nigeria,” he said, adding that the special week will provide a unique opportunity for geoscientists, educators in geoscience and enthusiasts to come together and explore the wonders of the unique science.

The event will feature various engagements, exhibitions, workshops and educational activities throughout the geology week.

“We will delve into the captivating realm of rocks, minerals and fossils that shape the earth in order to expand the scope of geology which has been limited to only mining and oil and gas,” he added.

“Geology is a science that involves water and resource management and also involves geo-hazard such as volcanic eruption and earthquake, geotourism and others,” he said, adding that the week will not only promote geology and geologists, but will also celebrate the various professionals along the geology value chain.

“We look forward to hosting all mining associations, water resource experts, economic geologists and medical geologists which are sub-sets of geology. We expect that they will support us by participating in the week,” he added.

According to him, geology is a foundational science course that allows one to be an astronaut, water expert, and landscape and geo-hazard expert.

“Our book drive can get us to become the biggest geoscience resource platform in Africa,“ he said, adding that the GSN will collaborate with publishers of geology books in Africa and across the world.

‘In Nigeria, the GSN will eventually be the repository of geological information.

“I have the honour to inform geologists and geology enthusiasts that the Geological Society of London recently finished what is known as their Bookshop Sales. I have engaged their Secretary of External Relations, and he is facilitating concessions for the Geological Society of Nigeria on some of the hard copies they have,” the GSN president stated, adding that the Society will reach out to institutions in Africa to see how they can contribute to the knowledge sharing to be achieved through the GSN book drive.

The GSN president said the book presentation will be held on December 18, 2023 at Shehu Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja.