Towards the Achievement of IT-driven Nigerian Society: The Odds, Reality and Challenges for Library and Information Professionals
Dear Colleagues
I am forwarding my opinions on the above perhaps the views that I hold may be something that may be of use, first to individual colleagues, our professional body and to our nation in general.
Foremost, let me state that there is no perfect system in the world, not even in the so-called "world super powers". Hence, every effort by various individuals or as collective, be it as a team of professionals or established associations/professional bodies and even at a governmental level, is to attain the best desirable height that can guarantee optimal productivity and quality services, for enviable relevance in any niche. Therefore, the issues relating to an IT-driven Society vis-a-vis the expected contributions from all stakeholders, including Library and Information Professionals in Africa generally and in particular Nigeria, cannot be isolated from the position earlier identified above.
There is no exaggeration in the general assertion that the third world countries are retarding the pace of World technological advancements and thereby limiting the frontier of scientific discoveries, especially in the sphere of information work - the main rationale for a slight tilt of focus on Africa in most of the programmes of the developed nations, regardless of any hidden selfish interests that we may suspect them to have.
IT, ICT, e-book, Electronic Library, legislations (Copyright Protection, Freedom of Information Act, etc.) associated with publishing, state of affairs on library technical procedures for knowledge organisation (cataloguing, classification, abstracting, indexing, etc) apart from tasks relating to information resources and its management (equal access, assured storage, uninhibited retrieval and uncensored dissemination) for the intended purposes, amongst other sensitive issues should begin to have more values to us in our daily practice as Library and information work professionals.As concerned professionals from the so-called giant of Africa, we must know where we are coming from and our present state before we plan on how to leap to another level.
The crucial factors for attainment of a functional and vibrant Information Society include: reliable energy source, workable infrastructure, abundance of IT-skilled manpower and genuine commitment and goodwill on the part of the nation's government to support the required efforts at reaching the desired goals. In the light of the foregoing, all hands need to be on deck possibly using the forum of the Nigerian Library Association to package a programmed action geared towards:
a) gaining the attention of the ruling class and convincing them of the need to facilitate the achievement of required enabling environment through adequate funding for the provision of IT/ICT infrastructure, energy source;
b) significant empowerment of all practising Library and Information professionals through Continuing Professional Development (or Capacity Building), as to be abreast of development in the field as well as acquisition of IT knowledge and skills for performing advance searches and other professional tasks to support their clients.
In conclusion, every professional need to strive to brush him/herself up as to be able to remain being kept informed adequately of the trends in the career, especially as to make him/herself relevant within the parent organisation that he/she works. These are the main impetus for us to assert our competence in the services being provided to the clients of the Library or the Information Centre that we serve.
Ayo Onatola
Librarian
St. Christopher's College of Medicine
Luton, Beds, UK.
P.S.:
The above article is an abridged version of what has been previously posted to the NLA Online Forum, in response to the call by Mr. Abraham Azubuike, on "what should be the contributions of Nigerian Library and Information Professionals to the current issues at the World Summit on Information Society".
I am forwarding my opinions on the above perhaps the views that I hold may be something that may be of use, first to individual colleagues, our professional body and to our nation in general.
Foremost, let me state that there is no perfect system in the world, not even in the so-called "world super powers". Hence, every effort by various individuals or as collective, be it as a team of professionals or established associations/professional bodies and even at a governmental level, is to attain the best desirable height that can guarantee optimal productivity and quality services, for enviable relevance in any niche. Therefore, the issues relating to an IT-driven Society vis-a-vis the expected contributions from all stakeholders, including Library and Information Professionals in Africa generally and in particular Nigeria, cannot be isolated from the position earlier identified above.
There is no exaggeration in the general assertion that the third world countries are retarding the pace of World technological advancements and thereby limiting the frontier of scientific discoveries, especially in the sphere of information work - the main rationale for a slight tilt of focus on Africa in most of the programmes of the developed nations, regardless of any hidden selfish interests that we may suspect them to have.
IT, ICT, e-book, Electronic Library, legislations (Copyright Protection, Freedom of Information Act, etc.) associated with publishing, state of affairs on library technical procedures for knowledge organisation (cataloguing, classification, abstracting, indexing, etc) apart from tasks relating to information resources and its management (equal access, assured storage, uninhibited retrieval and uncensored dissemination) for the intended purposes, amongst other sensitive issues should begin to have more values to us in our daily practice as Library and information work professionals.As concerned professionals from the so-called giant of Africa, we must know where we are coming from and our present state before we plan on how to leap to another level.
The crucial factors for attainment of a functional and vibrant Information Society include: reliable energy source, workable infrastructure, abundance of IT-skilled manpower and genuine commitment and goodwill on the part of the nation's government to support the required efforts at reaching the desired goals. In the light of the foregoing, all hands need to be on deck possibly using the forum of the Nigerian Library Association to package a programmed action geared towards:
a) gaining the attention of the ruling class and convincing them of the need to facilitate the achievement of required enabling environment through adequate funding for the provision of IT/ICT infrastructure, energy source;
b) significant empowerment of all practising Library and Information professionals through Continuing Professional Development (or Capacity Building), as to be abreast of development in the field as well as acquisition of IT knowledge and skills for performing advance searches and other professional tasks to support their clients.
In conclusion, every professional need to strive to brush him/herself up as to be able to remain being kept informed adequately of the trends in the career, especially as to make him/herself relevant within the parent organisation that he/she works. These are the main impetus for us to assert our competence in the services being provided to the clients of the Library or the Information Centre that we serve.
Ayo Onatola
Librarian
St. Christopher's College of Medicine
Luton, Beds, UK.
P.S.:
The above article is an abridged version of what has been previously posted to the NLA Online Forum, in response to the call by Mr. Abraham Azubuike, on "what should be the contributions of Nigerian Library and Information Professionals to the current issues at the World Summit on Information Society".
posted by Ayo Onatola at 9:53 AM
0 comments
