Building a Network of 35 Public Libraries in Northern Nigeria

Public access to information is a public good. But today, four billion people remain unconnected to the internet. That means half the people in the world are still losing out on the economic, social, and educational opportunities that access can provide. In some places, access through mobiles and other technology has grown so quickly and unevenly that the divide has only deepened between those with access and those without.

As the world finally moved from Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), access to information must be a priority for all. In the 21^st century, information is a powerful development tool that support communities in a variety of ways and the libraries have a history as trusted community based sources for addressing people’s information need. It has also become a powerful partner to help deliver service that meets personal and economic development.

Youth Initiative for Sustainable Human Development in Africa (YiSHDA) in partnership with Beyond Access a program of International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX) and with support from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is building a network of 35 public libraries in Northern Nigeria.

Through Beyond Access, YiSHDA works to promote sustainable inclusive access to information and technology for those who need it most.  The program is aimed at creating a platform that will help develop public libraries to function effectively and thereby transforming them into a unique hub for national development.

Nigeria is in the dawn of a new era for development and hence, it is time for YiSHDA to lay a foundation for change and development by mainstreaming developmental programs/activities through the public libraries for the benefit of the general public.  Libraries store the energy that fuels the imagination. They open up windows to the world and inspire people to explore and achieve, and contribute to improving their quality of life. Libraries change lives for the better.

The following public libraries are currently participating in the Beyond Access Nigeria Project in the Northern Region of Nigeria:

·        Bwari Branch Library, FCT Education Resource Centre

·        National Library of Nigeria Area 2, Abuja

·         Oguma Branch Library, Kogi State Library Board

·         Kogi Library Board HQ, Lokoja

·        Okene Library Branch, Okene Local Government, Kogi State

·        Kabba Library Branch, Kabba Local Government, Kogi State

·        Niger State Library Board, Minna

·        National Library of Nigeria Minna, Niger State

·        National Library of Nigeria Kaduna, Kaduna State

·        National Library of Nigeria, IIorin, Kwara State

·        Kwara State Library Board, IIorin, Kwara State

·        Nasarawa State Library Board, Lafia

·        Keffi Branch Library, Nasarawa Library Board

·        National Library of Nigeria Nasarawa, Lafia

·        Gombe State Library Board HQ, Gombe State                      

·        Biliri Branch Library, Gombe State

·        Plateau State Library Board, Jos

·        National Library of Nigeria, Jos, Plateau State

·        Bauchi State Library Board, Bauchi State  

·        Zonal Library Branch Azeri, Bauchi State   

·        National Library of Nigeria Bauchi, Branch State 

·        Adamawa State Library Branch HQ, Yola 

·        Numan Branch Library Adamawa State                     

·         National Library of Nigeria, Jalingo Taraba State                

·        Kebbi State Library Board HQ, Kebbi State             

·        Argungu Library Branch Kebbi State                            

·        Zamfara State Library Board, Zamfara State                          

·        Gusau Branch Library, Zamfara State          

·        National Library of Nigeria, Sokoto State  

·        State Library Board, Sokoto State  

·        National Library of Nigeria, Katsina State                

·        Katsina State Library Board, Katsina State              

·        Takai Library Branch, Kano  State                   

·        Kano State Library Board HQ, Kano State                

·        National Library of Nigeria, Kano State      

Beyond Access…Making Information Work for Everyone!

7th Batch African Union Youth Volunteer Corps: Call for 2017 applications

The African Union Youth Volunteers Corps (AU-YVC) is one of African Union’s initiatives for promoting youth participation, capacity building and empowerment through service and skills exchange, driven by the philosophy of Pan-Africanism and Youth Leadership. The Program is in line with the African Youth Charter and Assembly Decision by AU Heads of State and Government (Assembly/AU/Dec.274 (XVI)) to launch a continental Youth volunteer initiative. AU-YVC was officially launched on the 3rd December 2010 in Abuja, Nigeria.

AU-YVC promotes volunteerism to deepen the status of young people in Africa as key actors in Africa’s development targets and goals, enhancing their participation in policy development as well as design and implementation of relevant interventions towards the AU Agenda2063 – ‘The Africa We Want’. It brings people together to share skills, knowledge, creativity and learning to build a more integrated, prosperous and peaceful Continent driven by its citizens.

AU-YVC recruits and works with young professionals age 18-35 from across the Continent and the Diaspora, to serve for a period of 12 months in their respective fields of expertise in an AU Member States other than their own. Priority areas of deployment of the AU-YVC include: education, youth entrepreneurship, agriculture, health (access to youth friendly health services), institutional capacity building, youth mainstreaming, information and communication, post conflict reconstruction and peace building.

AU-YVC Objectives

1.    Achieve the vision of the African Union of “An integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in global arena” through volunteerism and free movement of African youth.

2.    To contribute to Africa’s human development in line with AU’s Mission and Vision through effective youth participation in Africa’s Development process which includes youth as key beneficiaries.

3.     To actualize the emergence of empowered youth who will direct their energy and creativity towards their own growth and enrichment through pan African orientation and spirit of service.

4.    To initiate re-affirmation of Africa’s commitment to actualize the African Youth Charter as an instrument to make youth participation the critical value driver and architect for sustainable human development in Africa.

Eligibility Criteria

1.       Citizen of AU Member State or African Diaspora;

2.      Aged between 18 and 33 years;

3.       Have at least a post-secondary education certified training and qualifications, from the equivalent of a Bachelor’s degree

4.      Available to dedicate 12 (twelve) months for volunteer work;

5.      Willing to live and work in another AU Member State;

6.      Be proficient in at least one official AU language (Arabic, English, French, Portuguese);

7.       Have at least one year verifiable experience as a volunteer and or one year of professional work experience

The Ideal Candidate

·         Is change driven and has passion for Africa’s development;

·         Embraces Pan-Africanist ideals of solidarity, peace and unity in diversity;

·         Self-motivated and has interest in volunteer work;

·         Appreciates and respects other languages, cultures, religious and social norms;

·         Has great deal of leadership skills and can guide others;

·         Remains productive under pressure and in challenging environments;

·         Has a great deal of social networking skills;

Follow link to apply: http://auyvc.africa-youth.org/become-au-yvc/