Education
‘Funding, Bane Of Digitising Nigerian Libraries’
A library scientist of Riv
ers State College of Arts and Science (RIVCAS), Port Harcourt, Mrs Ebisemen P. Lulu-Pokubo, has identified key challenges mitigating against effective use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) by libraries in Nigeria in this era of digitization.
In a paper titled, “ICT: A Change Agent in Libraries and Librarians in Nigeria, she stated that funding libraries effectively has been a major setback in digitalising libraries in the country.
The paper, which she co-authored with Chinu Uchendu, Joyce A. Barth –Nengia, and Mercy Echen, noted that, “Money is required to maintain and upgrade equipment and software, pay software licence fees, pay for access to electronic journals and online database, pay for internet connections, etc”.
Other challenges are: copy right management, preservation of digital information resource; charging roles of libraries and librarians and legal deposit.
In terms of copyright management, the paper noted that unlike print-based documents, digital-based information resources can be accessed from anywhere via electronic networks, copied several times, manipulated or deleted. It noted that print-based digital information resources are easier to preserve.
“There are print-based documents that are over 2000 years old in the world today and can still be read. The digital information resources are easier to preserve.
“There are print-based document that are over 2000 years old in the world today and can still be read. The digital information era is in its infancy and already some of the information is stored in formats or media that cannot be accessed or read,” the Paper said. Also, more library users are using digital technologies and have access to global information via the web, as a result of the changing roles of libraries and librarians.
Consequently, the huge amount of information available on the web has generally overwhelmed users.
There is also the legal challenge of deposing copies of publications for preservation. In the print-based environment, things are done by the National Library or National Archive, etc.
Presenting a paper titled: “Marketing of Library Services for Professionalism and Sustainability, Godbless W. Okede and Victor Wogwu concluded that librarians need to do more than they are doing currently to keep pace with developing trend.
“Library professionalism must connect to the vision of customers service delivery if they desired relevance in today’s society “times have changed when users were uninformed about sources of information materials and would accept any- thing given to them as service. The 21st century reader places more value on self –reliance, adaptability and survival under any difficulty than reliance on the use of the library services for every situation”, the paper said.
The Acting Vice Chancellor of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt, Prof. Okechuku Onuchuku, emphasised the need for students to go beyond academic achievements during the university’s 43rd Convocation ceremony.
The theme, “The University Culture In Practice, The IAUE Experience,” highlights the importance of embracing cherished traditions and intellectual values that define great universities.
Prof. Onuchuku encouraged the new graduates to work hard and persevere, noting that their convocation marks a new beginning in their careers and personal lives. He emphasised that they must prove themselves worthy of the certificates and prizes they have received.
According to him, out of 2,887 first-degree graduands, four made First Class, 403 secured Second Class Upper, 2,030 got Second Class Lower, and 450 graduated with Third Class. Additionally, 1,492 postgraduate students graduated, including 306 PhD holders.
The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd), praised the university’s commitment to academic excellence and institutional maturity. He commended the Acting Vice Chancellor for achieving full accreditation for 47 academic programmes and implementing the NUC’s Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards.
The administrator urged the new graduates to uphold the positive values instilled in them by the university and strive for continuous knowledge and improvement.
By: King Onunwor
The Niger Delta Students Union Government, Rivers State Chapter (NIDSUG), has suspended its planned protest against the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) state office in Port Harcourt. The suspension followed an intervention by the state Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju.
The students had planned to protest on Thursday, citing alleged neglect by the NDDC, particularly in welfare and capacity-building programmes for students from the state. However, after the police intervention, the students agreed to participate in a roundtable discussion with the commission to address their concerns.
NIDSUG leader, Comrade Loveday Njoku, expressed dissatisfaction with the commission’s alleged exclusion of students from benefiting from its programmes. He presented a seven-point demand, including the reintroduction of scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate students. Njoku emphasised that education is crucial for community development and urged the commission to invest in the future leaders of the state.
The students warned that if their demands are not met, they will resume the protest and occupy the state commission office until their demands are addressed. Despite previous attempts to reach out to the commission’s management team, the students claimed their efforts were unsuccessful.
By: Akujobi Amadi
As part of efforts to improve the welfare and overall quality of education for students in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, the Sole Administrator, Sir (Dr.) Clifford Ndu Walter DSSRS, FCAI, JP, paid an unscheduled visit to Universal Primary School, Rumukwurusi.
During the visit, Sir Walter expressed deep concern over the deplorable state of the school and its surrounding environment. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the development of the education sector, stressing its critical role in nation-building.
“I have visited the primary school in Ogbogoro, and now I’m here at the Universal Primary School, Rumukwurusi. I am not satisfied with what I’ve seen,” he stated, indicating that more surprise visits to schools would follow.
To address the issues, the Sole Administrator directed the Council Engineer to commence process for rehabilitation of the school.
The visit was part of a broader initiative aimed at conducting on-the-spot assessments of educational facilities to determine the level of intervention required by the local government council.
Dr. Walter also assured the teachers of his unwavering commitment to revamp the school and improve the learning environment for both staff and students.