Feasibility of Community Information Centres and The Implications for Technological Innovations in Afikpo, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
0
조회
0
다운로드
0
인용
0
참고문헌
키워드
초록
The development of rural areas is expected to be holistic covering all essential infrastructure. Community information centres (CICs) are agencies that should be part of the infrastructures for rural development. Unfortunately, these centres are hardly seen in rural communities in Nigeria, including Afikpo in Ebonyi State. Thus, this study was conceived to explore the perceptions of citizens towards the establishment of CICs in the locality. It adopted survey research method with questionnaire as instrument for data collection, which was self-developed and validated by experts with a pre-texted reliability index of 0.72. A total of 399 copies of the questionnaire were distributed, out of which 267 copies were properly completed, representing 67% and were used for analysis. Findings revealed that the citizens have overall positive perception towards establishing the CICs; they are also knowledgeable of the benefits of such centres. Furthermore, there are workable suggestions on ways of establishing, funding and managing CICs in Afikpo. In addition, about 65% of the respondents indicated interest to assist and support the funding and management of the CICs when established. However, the challenges of inadequate funding and support as well as the possible politics of where to site/locate the CICs in Afikpo, are likely impediments to the project. The study concluded that citizens have strong and positive disposition towards establishing CICs in Afikpo. The implications of such CICs for technological innovations were analysed. The study recommends, among others, that government should see the establishment of CICs as priority projects that would significantly contribute to the growth and development of rural communities in Nigeria; communities in Afikpo should explore self-help approach to development; and political representatives from Afikpo should take advantage of establishing CICs as constituency projects for the citizens.
Abstract
The development of rural areas is expected to be holistic covering all essential infrastructure. Community information centres (CICs) are agencies that should be part of the infrastructures for rural development. Unfortunately, these centres are hardly seen in rural communities in Nigeria, including Afikpo in Ebonyi State. Thus, this study was conceived to explore the perceptions of citizens towards the establishment of CICs in the locality. It adopted survey research method with questionnaire as instrument for data collection, which was self-developed and validated by experts with a pre-texted reliability index of 0.72. A total of 399 copies of the questionnaire were distributed, out of which 267 copies were properly completed, representing 67% and were used for analysis. Findings revealed that the citizens have overall positive perception towards establishing the CICs; they are also knowledgeable of the benefits of such centres. Furthermore, there are workable suggestions on ways of establishing, funding and managing CICs in Afikpo. In addition, about 65% of the respondents indicated interest to assist and support the funding and management of the CICs when established. However, the challenges of inadequate funding and support as well as the possible politics of where to site/locate the CICs in Afikpo, are likely impediments to the project. The study concluded that citizens have strong and positive disposition towards establishing CICs in Afikpo. The implications of such CICs for technological innovations were analysed. The study recommends, among others, that government should see the establishment of CICs as priority projects that would significantly contribute to the growth and development of rural communities in Nigeria; communities in Afikpo should explore self-help approach to development; and political representatives from Afikpo should take advantage of establishing CICs as constituency projects for the citizens.
참고문헌 (15)
- Adewusi, F. A., "The impact of community information centres on community development in Akoko North West Local Government of Ondo State, Nigeria", Information and Knowledge Management, 3(10), pp.74~81 (2013)
- Aguolu, C. C., "Libraries, Knowledge and National Development: Inaugural Lecture Delivered on 29th March" (1989), University of Maiduguri Press
- Agwuna, O. M., "Managing Community Information Centres (CICs) for Effective Provision of Health Information to Rural Women", Library Philosophy & Practice (2018)
- Aina, L. O., "Globalisation and small-scale farming in Africa: What role for information centres", World Library and Information congress: 73rd IFLA general conference and council (2007)
- Dulle, F. W., "Factors influencing the adoption of open access scholarly communication in Tanzanian public universities", Paper presented at 76th IFLA General Conference and Assembly (2010)
- Nkeiru A. Emezie, "Delivery of community information service as corporate social responsibility by librarians in Nigerian tertiary institutions", Information Impact: Journal of Information and Knowledge Management, 8(1), pp.76~ (2017), African Journals Online (AJOL)[DOI]
- Igwe, K. N., "Dialogue for change: Factoring community information centres into rural development programmes in Nigeria" (2019), Nigerian Library Association and Safari Books Limited
- "Access to information: The dilemma for rural community development in Africa" (2009)[URL]
- Kingo Mchombu, "Information Dissemination for Development: An Impact Study", Information Development, 19(2), pp.111~126 (2003), SAGE Publications[DOI]
- Momodu, O. M., "Rural libraries and community development in Nigeria", International Journal of Basic, Applied and Innovative Research, 1(3), pp.91~97 (2012)
- Nworgu, B.G., "Educational research: Basic issues and methodology" (2015), University Trust Publishers
- Shrestha, S., "The changing role of community libraries: Emerging centres for sustainable development", Paper presented at IFLA WLIC Conference (2013)
- Umar, L., "Role of Libraries and Librarians in the Promotion and Realization of the Goals of"Change Begins With Me"Campaign in Nigeria", Nigerian Libraries-a journal of the Nigerian Library Association, 51(1), pp.101~111 (2018)
- Uzuegbu, C. P., "Community libraries and rural information centres" (2018), Zeh Communication
- Yamane, T., "Statistics: An introductory analysis" (1967), Harper and Row