Foundation Wants Govt, Stakeholders to invest more in Public Libraries

Abuja, July 12, 2017(NAN) Youth Initiative for Sustainable Human Development in Africa (YiSHDA), an NGO, has called on Federal Government and stake holders to invest more in public libraries to improve the reading culture in Nigeria.

Mr. Moses Agbara, Director of Communication, YiSHDA, made the call at the Beyond Access Nigeria Project Final Event, on Wednesday, in Abuja.

Yaba said the project `Beyond Access Nigeria’ was aimed at strengthening public libraries by mainstreaming innovative activities for the benefit of national and economic development.

“It is important for the government and stake holders to invest more in public libraries because information is power and relevant to any sustainable developmental drive of any person or community.

“It is also important for public libraries to be equipped with modern technology because they are strategically positioned within communities which make it easier for people to access information online or offline.

“ICT is important because a lot of people do not access books on the shelves anymore, rather they prefer to be connected to the global world and well equipped libraries can serve such purpose,’’ he said.

Agbara said that the 700 public libraries in Nigeria, only a few registered with the Universal Service Provision Fund, (USPF) and adequately equipped with modern technologies and learning equipment.

He stated that stakeholders such as National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) could intervene and provide libraries with modern technology such as computers.

Agbara also called on the private sector such as telecommunication companies, to channel some of their corporate social responsibilities to equipping libraries.

This he said would make the libraries become the information hub and meet the need of the people.

He further called on public libraries to open a face book page, twitter account among others which could be managed by the use of their mobile phones for a wider connectivity. (NAN)

Training to Enhance the Capacity of Public Libraries Ends in Abuja

Abuja July 21, 2017 (NAN) A two-day training aimed at enhancing the capacity of public libraries in Nigeria and empower them to better serve the public ended in Abuja on Friday.

The training was organized by Youth Initiative for Sustainable Human Development in Africa (YISHDA), Women's Technology Empowerment Centre (W.TEC), Librarians Registration Council of Nigeria (LRCN) and with support from the International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX). IREX is an international organization which helps to build the capacity of libraries across the world through project `Beyond Access Project.’ 

Mary-Grace Reich, Programme Coordinator (IREX) said the project which began in 2015 partnered 70 public libraries across Nigeria.

According to her, the project is aimed at making information available and accessible through modern technology and training services.

She said that the partnership provided 21st-century learning facilities which involved digital skills training and to provide services relating to job search online and offline.

“ Public libraries in Nigeria are not to be seen as a thing of the past but where potentials can be developed through various training, research, and interactive activities.

“This is very important because public libraries are strategically positioned within communities which make it easier for people to access information online or offline.

“Beyond Access Project has made the achievement in almost two years,” Reich said.

Mr. Moses Agbara, Director of Communication, YISHDA, said that libraries had gone beyond reading.

He described library as “a place where skills can be acquired for national and economic development.’’

Agbara said that the project had succeeded in building a network of 70 public libraries across Nigeria.

“Public libraries are always known to be the custodians of information, with a history of addressing people’s information needs.

“It has become necessary that we do not allow them to decay because access to information is not only embedded in books but several other technological innovations such as the internet and skill acquisition.

“A lot of people do not access books on the shelves anymore but prefer to be connected to the global world.

“Access to the global world can make everyone identify solutions to their problems,’’ he said.

Agbara said that public libraries now organize programmes on career development, skill acquisition and writing of formal letters, cover letters and CV’s.

A participant at the training, Alhaji Suleiman Dikko, commended the efforts of YiSHDA and other stakeholders who organized the training.

Dikko, Director, Sokoto State Library Services, described the training as `worthy,’ adding that a lot of public libraries in Nigeria had introduced new services.

He said that managers of public libraries are now aware that people needed information on every aspect of their lives especially for human development.

Another participant, Mrs. Neemat Abdulrahim, Head, City Library, Abuja, said the training enabled her and other participants to acquire knowledge on how to take library beyond the shores of books.

“We are now engaged and involved in synergy among parents, teachers, pupils, the publishers, authors, and library users to work together and make Nigeria a reading nation,’’ Abdulrahim said. (NAN)

The Key to Effective Development In Nigeria through Public Libraries

Libraries in general and public libraries in particular, play an important role in all aspects of societal development especially when viewed against its users, which consist of all categories of people in the society. Public library has been defined variously. Many see it as a place built for the collection of books and other printed resources and the personnel to provide and interpret such resources as required to meet the information, research, educational, recreational, cultural and aesthetic needs of the varied users and it is usually financed with public funds.

Public libraries in Nigeria have gone through a lot since the 1960s but what however remains constant is the inability of the Libraries to adequately satisfy their communities at the various stages of their metamorphosis and this is the consequence of long period of neglect and lurk worm attitude of governments towards public libraries.

Through the Beyond Access Project in Nigeria and with support from IREX, Youth Initiative for Sustainable Human Development in Africa (YiSHDA) is building a network of 36 Public Libraries across the Northern Region of Nigeria with the aim to create a sustainable platform that will help develop public libraries to function effectively and thereby transforming them into a unique hub for national development.

The CEO of YiSHDA, Joseph Emmanuel Yaba emphasized that since Nigeria is in the dawn of a new era for development and change, therefore it is time to lay a foundation by mainstreaming developmental programs/activities through the public libraries for the benefit of the general public because libraries store the energy that fuels the imagination and they open up windows to the world and inspire people to explore, achieve, and contribute to improving their quality of life.

YiSHDA continued partnership with IREX on the Beyond Access Project in Nigeria has created better opportunities and platforms to impact more people and, communities across Nigeria and has also aided YiSHDA to achieve her goals as an organization. As IREX continues to work and partner with YiSHDA we will build more sustainable networks and reach out to areas where we are yet to have impact. We will create new ideas and promote optimal development that will produce equal opportunities and better futures for all people in Nigeria Joseph added.

Joseph also suggested some few recommendations with a view to re-positioning public libraries in Nigeria. That Governments at all levels must ensure the minimum standard required for public libraries to provide effective and efficient services is adhered to and it should cuts across staff, services, structure, equipment, policy and management. The public libraries must as a matter of urgency re-assess the information needs of their community. This is even more imperative now that the library users have developed more needs which are constantly changing. The Governments must be committed towards public library development and also ensure adequate and timely release of funds for the libraries to be comfortable in discharging their responsibilities to the society.

Youth Initiative for Sustainable Human Development in Africa (YiSHDA) is a not-for-profit and non-governmental organization that has carved a niche for itself in the design and implementation of programs targeted at young people with special focus in Education, Development, Empowerment and Mentorship. It is the mission of YiSHDA to advocate for policies and programs that have the potential to impact positively the lives of young people especially in the areas of Education, ICT4Development, Civic Engagement, Business/Enterprise Development and Environmental Sustainability.

Library Innovative Services

The Beyond Access Project in Nigeria have recorded some milestones and it give us great pleasure to share with you all some innovative services carried out by some libraries in the Northern part of Nigeria;

In June 2016; Plateau State Library organized a workshop on effect of Drug Abuse for 40 Okada Riders (Commercial Motor Cycle) in Plateau metropolis and Niger State Library Board celebrated World Readership Campaign and Book Day with 52 persons in attendance.

July 2016; Niger State Library Board organized Read a Book and Use a Library Campaign to 5 Secondary Schools in Minna.

August 2016; National Library of Nigeria Kaduna Branch organized a two weeks Summer Holiday Educational Program for 28 young people in collaboration with YiSHDA and Plateau State library Board organized a Peace and Security Building Forum for 60 young people in Jos.

October 2016; Bauchi State Library Board organized an inter school quiz competition for senior secondary school in Bauchi metropolis.

There are other amazing ideas libraries are implementing to impact their communities and create solutions to problems in their existing communities.

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/

Nigerian libraries increase access to information for women and youth

Nigeria has approximately 11 million unemployed youth. Over half never received more than a primary school education, and some never attended school. Meanwhile, 20 percent of the country’s youth have completed postsecondary education but are still unable to find a job within five years of graduation. And less than half the population is able to access to the internet, and its economic, social, and educational benefits.

These numbers are staggering. Increasing the employment rate is a complex challenge, but many pieces of a solution are beginning to come together. For example, local NGOs are offering training initiatives to help people gain skills and find work. Government ministries like the National IT Development Agency (NITDA) or the Universal Services Provision Fund (USPF) are working to expand access to information and communications technologies (ICTs) throughout the country so more people can benefit from the internet.

What has been missing is a way to connect these efforts and synchronize them for maximum impact. That’s where IREX comes in.

Strengthening institutions to improve employability

Through the Beyond Access project, IREX is working with public libraries to help women, youth, and other marginalized groups access ICTs and improve their skills. As a result, community members can improve their livelihoods while libraries can play a greater role within their communities.

We started with nine libraries in five states and paired each library with a local NGO. The libraries provided meeting space and ICT infrastructure. The NGOs contributed their experience in ICT, entrepreneurship, and employability skills training. In the first nine months of the pilot, community members accessed library computers 47,000 times and 985 people received training.

Scaling up for greater impact

Through this pilot, IREX demonstrated to both public and private partners that libraries have great potential to increase community members’ skills and ICT access in a sustainable way.

Over the next year, USPF and NITDA will provide new technology, upgrade current technology, and provide connectivity to up to 70 libraries.

Likewise, Intel will train staff at as many as 70 libraries in Nigeria as part of the She Will Connect initiative. Librarians who receive this training will become Master Trainers, to then be able to train others in their communities on digital skills.

Using a sustainable approach to increase opportunity

According to IREX partner Joseph Emmanuel Yaba, President and CEO of YiSHDA, “the program allowed us to mainstream innovative activities in libraries to reach more people and communities across Nigeria. At least 17 people got jobs as a result of the Career Development Training, and more than 20 businesses were started as a result of the Enterprise and Business Development Training.” The project created opportunities for hundreds of people, including Tina Emmanuel, Chigor Nneka, and Esther Enesi:

• Tina participated in an ICT and business skills training course through the project. The course gave her the skills she needed to open a business center that provides photocopies, printing, and other business services to her community. Tina now uses the business center’s profits to supplement her family’s income.
• By participating in the project, Chigor overcame her initial intimidation of computers. She gained new digital skills and earned a promotion in her office.
• Esther learned entrepreneurship skills through the project. She applied these skills to start her own cake decorating business.

Rooting initiatives in existing institutions makes the results more durable. The public libraries and NGOs who partnered with IREX are now better able to continue the work. That’s good news for everyone—especially for other community members who are seeking job skills and ICT access to improve their livelihoods.


For more information about the beyond access project visit www.irex.org.