Towards Accelerated Development of Academic Library Services in Nigeria for National Development in the 21st Century

Introduction Academic libraries are libraries established in tertiary institutions. They include libraries in Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education. The roles of these libraries are similar and that is to effectively support institutions to attain the key functions of teaching, research and community service. These institutions are responsible for the production of middle and higher level manpower for national development. The extent to which they are able to effectively accomplish that task depends largely on how well their libraries are equipped with the relevant information resources. According to the National Policy of Education (1998), the goals of tertiary education are to: 1) Contribute to national development through high level relevant manpower training; 2) Develop and inculcate proper values for the survival of the individual and society; 3) Develop the intellectual capability of individuals to understand and appreciate their local and external environments; 4) Acquire both physical, intellectual skills which will enable individuals to be self-reliant and useful members of the society; 5) Promote and encourage scholarship and community service; 6) Forge and cement national unity; and 7) Promote national and international understanding and interaction. Arising from the goals of tertiary education, the National Policy of Education (1998), specifies that university education will make optimum contribution to national development by: Intensifying and diversifying its programmes for the development of high level manpower within the context of the needs of the nation; 1) Making professional courses contents to reflect our national requirements; 2) Making all students as part of a general programme of all-round improvement in university education to offer general study course such as history of ideas, philosophy of knowledge and nationalism. 4) University research shall be relevant to the nation\u27s developmental goals. In this regard, universities shall be encouraged to disseminate their research results to both government and industries. In the opinion of Okebukola (2009), in a developed society characteristic of developed economics to which Nigeria aspires, higher education plays a key role. It provides high level human resources for driving the economy and ensures rapid societal transformation. The greater the opportunity given to the citizenry for higher education, the more expansive the horizon for rapid social and economic development. The universities and their libraries are at the forefront of this mandate of production of the necessary manpower for national development since they provide the higher level manpower required for national development. It is no wonder therefore that Aguolu (2002), noted that the university library is the heart of the university. This is because, the academic health, intellectual vitality and effectiveness of any university depends largely upon the state of health and excellence of its library which is its lifeblood. This assertion is a reflection of an age long conviction by the British University Grants Committee (1921) which noted that: The character and efficiency of a university may be gauged by its treatment of its central organ, the library. We regard the fullest provision (of funds) for library maintenance as the primary and most vital need in the equipment of a university. An adequate library is not only the basis of all teaching and study; it is the essential condition of research without which additions cannot be made to the sum of human knowledge. It is obvious from the foregoing that universities have always had the mandate to produce higher level manpower for national development. Harbison and Myers (1964) opined that national development is the transformation of all aspects of life of a society - cultural, social, political and economic. Thus a well developed nation is usually associated with high income per capital, many employment opportunities, availability of cheap food and other necessary human requirements, better roads, housing, water, advancement, among others. This goes to buttress the opinion of Todaro (1979) and Onokerhoraye and Okafor (1994) that development is a multi-dimensional process involving changes in structures, attitudes and institutions as well as the acceleration of economic growth, the reduction of inequality and the eradication of absolute poverty and a high birth rate. Education is a key factor in the concept of development and libraries are very important essential tools for attaining national objectives of human resource and economic development. In order to achieve the indices associated with development, the human resource of a nation must be developed. This is because, it is the human resource in a nation that would manage the other available resources to achieve national development. It is perhaps in this regard that Harbison and Myers (1964) opined that human resource development is: The process of increasing the knowledge, skills and the capabilities of all the people in society. In economic terms, it could be described as the accumulation of human capital and its effective investment in the development of an economy. In political terms, human resource development prepares people for adult participation in political process, particularly as citizens of democracy. From the social and cultural point of view, the development of human resources helps people to lead fuller and richer lives, less bound by traditions. Still on the issue of human resource development, Akingbola (2009) noted that human resource development otherwise known as human capital development presupposes investment activities and processes that produce knowledge, skills, health or values that are embodied in people. Any effort to increase human knowledge, enhance skills and productivity and stimulate resourcefulness of individuals is an effort in human capital development. Herein lies the central place of tertiary education and hence academic libraries in the drive to achieve national development. The World Bank (2008) cited in Okebukola (2009), observed that there is a compelling body of research concluding that education is the main plank of economic development. A strand of evidence is presented by the example of more than half of the members of the league of the world top 15 economies, which, in spite of the thin dose of natural resources, boosted their economic power through harnessing the power of education, Japan and Korea present examples (Okebukola, 2009). In the light of the foregoing, the Nigeria Vision 20:2020 (NV2020) project of the Federal Government of Nigeria which is meant to identify key aspects of the Nigerian economy such as agriculture,the polity, infrastructure, education, manufacturing, Information and Communication Technology (lCT) and bring them up to international standards in order for Nigeria to be one of the world\u27s 20 leading economics by the year 2020 comes into focus. Since academic libraries are at the centre of teaching and research in the tertiary institutions where the necessary middle and higher level manpower are to be produced, to drive the Nigerian economy to achieve this tall goal of reaching the top 20 economies of the world by the year 2020, there arises the need to take another look at the aspects of concentration by the Vision 20:2020 document vis-a-vis the academic libraries which should provide the essential information for teaching and research expected to equip the human resources that would be required to facilitate government\u27s achievement of this Vision 20:2020 goals. It is a well-known fact that you cannot give what you do not have, similarly, a nation cannot develop in isolation of her human resources and hence cannot rise above the level of knowledge, skills and capabilities of its human resources. This is the reason why it becomes imperative that items in the Nigeria Vision 20:2020 vision which for now makes it look more like a white elephant document devoid of the essential library component should be revisited. This is compelling at this stage in Nigeria because government after government have continued to pay lip service to the adequate funding and development of quality education required to produce the quality manpower to drive accelerated national development that is required to achieve NV 2020. (Anafulu, 1997; Zakari 1997; Iromantu, 1998; Okiy, 1998; Ojoade and Ochai, 2000; Okebukola, 2009). In the light of the glaring omission of the library as an essential component of this project, it only demonstrates that the role of the library and information, necessary to drive the vision to success is still not being appreciated as observed by Fatuyi, (1997) and Ojoade and Ochai (2000). This paper will addresses the current state of development of education and hence academic libraries in Nigeria, the Nigeria Vision 20:2020 project of the Federal Government of Nigeria, the role of libraries in national development, the library as the missing catalyst that should drive the 1\TV 2020 to success and some recommendations on the way forward

INFLUENCE MOTIVATION, ABILITY, AND DISCIPLINE ON PERFORMACE EMPLOYEE DEPARTMENT SALES DAN MARKETING PT PIONIRBETON INDUSTRY JAKARTA

The purpose of the research are to: 1) Test empirically influence of working motivation on performance employee, 2) Test empirically influence of working ability on performance employee, 3) Test empirically influence of working discipline on performance employee, 4) Test empirically influence of working motivation, ability, discipline on performance employee. This study used multiple regression analysis. The research was conducted in Sales and Marketing Department of PT Pionirbeton Industry with population of 43 workers, while the data collecting technique used questionnaire and SPSS version 20.0 for data processing. The result show a significant influence of working motivation on performance employee, working ability on performance employee, working discipline on performance employee. Working motivation, working ability, and working discipline on performance employee, The study found that a of the performance employee as dependent variable is influenced by motivation, ability, and discipline.   Keywords: working motivation, working ability, working discipline, performance employee

Public Libraries in Nigeria and the Development Agenda

The paper examined the services of public libraries in Nigeria, including the National Library of Nigeria with a view to ascertaining which services aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the African Union Agenda 2063 as well as knowing their level of awareness of the AFLIA Cape Town Declaration, 2015. A lot of training has been carried out for librarians by many international non-governmental organizations. However, the visibility of the development work of public libraries in Nigeria is still low. For instance, while many countries have uploaded stories on IFLA Library Map of the World (LMoW), there is no story from Nigeria, in spite of the fact that a lot is being done by the public libraries. The main aims of the study were to highlight how public library services are adapting to the global development agenda and to make the services more visible in the LMoW, African Library and Information Associations and Institutions database, the Nigerian Library Association website and other networks. The IFLA questionnaire on “Collecting Stories that Matter” was adapted. All the 37 public library headquarters and the National Library of Nigeria headquarters were investigated. Data collected revealed that the most addressed SDGs were Goals 4 and 8. It was also observed that many of the libraries were still providing traditional library services and that of the three development agenda investigated, the level of awareness of the SDGs was the highest (84.2%). At the end, recommendations were made on how public libraries could better align their services to meet community needs and facilitate attainment of the development agenda

Design and development of plantain fibre extraction machine

The traditional retting technique of extracting plantain fibres is faced with various constraints such as longer extraction time and poor fibre production rate. This study is targeted at overcoming the limitations associated with traditional methods of extracting plantain fibres through the development of electrically powered machine capable of extracting plantain fibres. The method employed involves the selection of appropriate materials, design, fabrication and assembly of the various components of the machine parts. From the analysis a 2 horsepower electric motor is required to drive the machine. The length of flat-belt required to drive the pulley was 1.47 m at an angle of lap on the smaller pulley of 2.87 rad. A resultant load of 174.87 N act on 11.6 mm diameter shaft with maximum bending moment of 10.33 Nm. The total weight of shaft, pulping drum and bearing on frame was 67.51 N. Also, a force of 150 N, 200 N and 250 N could pulp a thickness of plantain ribs of approximately, 6 mm, 6.5 mm and 7 mm, respectively. The test result showed that the machine could extract a sliced pseudo stem thickness between 4.0 mm and 10 mm at 27 and 42 seconds, respectively. It is expected that the plantain fibre extraction machine fabricated would save plantain fibre production time.Keywords: Plantain fibres, Pseudo stem, extraction machine, retting techniqu

A review on Agrowaste Based Activated Carbons for Pollutant Removal in Wastewater Systems

Received: 25.02.2024. Revised: 08.03.2024. Accepted: 14.03.2024. Available online: 04.04.2024.Numerical modeling and simulation provide faster, inexpensive means of assessing the quality of alternative activated carbons for wastewater treatment applications.Fixed-Bed adsorption column studies for wastewater treatment are still in its nascent stages, thus more research studies are required.Soft computing techniques such as ANN and particularly GMDH have seldom been applied to evaluate activated carbon adsorption performance in batch/fixed-bed adsorption systems. This application of these computational methods can significantly improve the design and optimization of activated carbon adsorptive separation processes.Environmental pollution from chemicals utilized in manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and chemical process industries is of serious concern nowadays due to the contamination that ensues when these chemicals are discharged into water bodies. Activated carbon adsorption provides an efficient and economically viable means for mitigation of toxic chemicals (i.e., heavy metals, dyes, pharmaceutics, and antibiotics). However, the exorbitant cost of commercial activated carbons has resulted in the search for low-cost alternatives for the treatment of contaminated effluents. An exhaustive literature survey in this area is necessary to know the extent of work done in this area and seek out the gaps that future research will provide answers to. In this review, various works on activated carbon utilization, batch adsorption, fixed-bed adsorption (experimental and numerical studies) are summarized. This review elucidates the different kinetic and isotherm models of agrowastes-derived activated carbon materials in context with pollutants (dyes, heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, miscellaneous adsorbates) removal through batch and column methods. In addition, fixed-bed column adsorption/regeneration methods using various activated carbons derived from agrowastes are discussed. Among these methods, heavy metal adsorption from aqueous solutions by the activated carbons is the most efficient. The deployment of mathematical and machine learning approaches (ANN and novel GMDH algorithms) in optimization of batch and continuous adsorption processes are also highlighted. Numerical simulation of fixed-column adsorption systems for more improved industrial-scale column designs is described. Conclusions and future challenges of chemicals removal from polluted wastewater utilizing agrowaste-derived activated carbons are also presented

Globalization and ICT in Academic Libraries in Nigeria: The Way Forward

The paper examines globalization as it relates to library services, including the benefits of globalization of library services in academic libraries and the factors militating against the implementation of ICT activities. Suggestions towards achieving a more effective ICT culture in Nigerian academic libraries are offered

Gender Differences in Computer Literacy Among Clinical Medical Students in Selected Southern Nigerian Universities

Introduction Information Technology (IT) has had a positive impact on health care delivery system worldwide, particularly in the areas of disease control, diagnosis, patient management, teaching and learning. Anuobi (2004) pointed out that man has scientifically placed himself in an environment that is global and digital, which predisposes him to constant use of information, its location notwithstanding. Shanahan (2006) believes that the health care industry is in a state of constant and rapid change and due to the increase in scientific knowledge and rapid technological advances, there has been a growing emphasis on the physicians need to efficiently access, retrieve, and use scientific evidences to improve patient care ( Li, Tan, Muller & Chen, 2009). Masood, Khan & Waheed (2010) noted that the availability of affordable computers and the advancement of information technology have resulted in our ability to rapidly and effectively access, retrieve, analyze, share, and store large volumes of information pertinent to patient care and for learning process in a teaching hospital. According to Poelmans, Truyen & Deslé (2009) during the learning process, students are responsible for the management of their own information processes. After their graduation, the job market expects them to function as mobile knowledge-workers. It is therefore vital that students acquire the right attitudes and skills in order to survive in this information society and to deal with the ceaseless information flood. As Masood, Khan & Waheed (2010) observed, computer skills are vital for medical practitioners of the future. With the medical field being an information intensive profession, to use technology effectively for the advancement of patient care, the medical student must possess a variety of computer skills. However, scholars like Luan, Aziz, Yunus, Sidek, Bakar, Meseran & Atan (2005) have observed that there is a gender gap in the use of ICTs. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to determine if there is a gender difference in the computer literacy levels of clinical medical students by looking at how they have access to computers, the frequency with which they use computers, if there is gender difference in the use of various software and look at problems they face when using computers

Sources of Funds in Academic Libraries in Delta State, Nigeria

Academic libraries are those attached to universities, polytechnics, college of education and other similar institutions of higher learning. The importance of funding in providing quality library service cannot be overemphasized. It is the glue that holds the building, collection and staff together and allows the library to attain its goals. As such, money can be considered the soul of the library. Inadequate funds impede the effectiveness of any library (Anafulu, 1997). It is absolutely essential for a library to posses the resources that will enable it meet its goals. Beautiful building, well trained staff and modern information storage and retrieval systems can only be appreciated if excellent services are rendered to users. These services cannot be provided without adequate finance. The American Library Association (2006) notes that libraries of all kinds need money. The amount of funding that a library receives directly influences the quality of its services. While the majority of funds for libraries comes from state and local sources, federal funding provides critical assistance, giving libraries across the country the financial support they need to serve their communities. Like water and air, libraries have become an integral part of human existence. Often called the memory of human race, libraries are supposed to have on their shelves the records of almost everything which man has thought, dreamt of and invented. All these demand that, academic libraries should be adequately funded to be able to carryout these functions (Ifidon, 1992). Libraries are organic. This is to say that they grow or shrink with time depending on how much life is infused into them. Fund is needed to provide the information needs of the academic library. The academic library is a social service organization that is capital intensive. Money is needed for building, physical facilities, books, journals, electronic resources, personnel, etc. (Ehigiator, 1997). The library is invariably a part of a wider organization – an arm of government, university, school, research institute or business concern as the case may be. Its budget, therefore is negotiated with its parent organization. The parent body is therefore the proprietor that takes full responsibility for its funding. Academic libraries are financed from the budgets of their parent institutions. These funds usually cover only the current expenditure. But sometimes, libraries are supported by government ministries particularly Ministry of Education (Akporhonor, 2005). According to Emojorho (2004), Nigerian government owned university libraries derive funds from government allocations, endowment funds, library fees, gifts and other miscellaneous sources such as the sale of duplicate materials, fines and photocopying; that the bursar integrates and collates the various estimates from the various departments. The estimates are then channeled through and defended, at the following six levels: 1 Library committee: the librarian presents and explains his budget estimate. 2 Development and Estimate committee, the librarian defends his budget estimate. 3 Finance and general purposes committee. 4 The university council. 5 The National University commission/commission of higher Education. 6 Ministry of finance and education Development- through the ministry of education. In academic libraries, the budgetary procedure starts with the bursar who sends out a notice to the librarian asking for preliminary budgets estimates. When the librarian receives this notice, he and the various sectional heads of the library meet and draw up the budget estimate which is then sent to the bursar. Funds for library and information services are traditionally derived from the library’s proprietor. The extent of such revenue varies from fixed fraction of received grant to ad-hoc arrangement (Edoka, 1992). Hisle (2002) pointed out that: academic libraries in developing countries depend mainly on government funding and they do not show any interest or experience in well organized fundraising for several reasons: 1 Citizens used to give donations to other types of libraries, mainly public libraries. 2 Lack of flexible administrative systems. 3 No clear responsibility for organizing fundraising campaign is assigned, either to librarians or university administrators. Library funds are accumulated from a mixture of local, state, federal, and other sources. Funding models for academic libraries vary greatly, depending on whether the institution is private or public, a particular state’s budgetary regulations and funding formulas for higher education and the overall budgetary situation of each university. American Library Association (2006) stated that academic library budgets are allocated by the central university administration based on historic formulas or outdated needs, and libraries follow their institutional policies and mandates regarding budgets. Occasionally, an institution provides funding for its library through individual colleges and departments instead of centrally setting the library budget. In that case, each department or university unit decides whether or not to fund the library each year based on satisfactory library service as well as need. In most cases, academic library budgets are not allocated separately from the university budgets. For some libraries, budget is allocated partially for acquisition, while other aspects such as staff and furniture is part of the university budget. This arrangement does not meet the library needs (Hisle, 2002). Nigerian academic and research libraries derive the major part of their financial support from the government. Ifidon (1990) found that university libraries derive the greatest part of their funds from their universities, whose major sources of financial support is the government. Of all the different types of libraries in Nigeria, only university libraries have a clearly- defined policy on funding. They are allocated 10 percent of the recurring annual budget of their parent universities, a result of the Federal Government and Academic Staff Union of Universities agreement of 1992 (Okiy, 2005). Funds for library and information services are traditionally derived from the library proprietor. The extent of such revenue varies from fixed fraction of received grant to ad-hoc arrangement (Edoka, 1992). According to Anafulu (1997) the university library is only one of numerous units in a university. By its centrality and role in the endeavours of the university-teaching, research and extension work - it is a major unit and a vital one at that. Notwithstanding these considerations, however, the fact remains that the university library does not generate its own income and does not receive grants directly from the proprietor. The general financial environment of the university is such that allocations are made to the library, but apart from small imprest accounts, no money is held in the library. Omotayo (1997) opined that libraries derived their funds from the host university. Therefore as university financial situation dwindled, so also the allocation to the library

Public Libraries in Nigeria and the Development Agenda

The paper examined the services of public libraries in Nigeria, including the National Library of Nigeria with a view to ascertaining which services aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the African Union Agenda 2063 as well as knowing their level of awareness of the AFLIA Cape Town Declaration, 2015. A lot of training has been carried out for librarians by many international non-governmental organizations. However, the visibility of the development work of public libraries in Nigeria is still low. For instance, while many countries have uploaded stories on IFLA Library Map of the World (LMoW), there is no story from Nigeria, in spite of the fact that a lot is being done by the public libraries. The main aims of the study were to highlight how public library services are adapting to the global development agenda and to make the services more visible in the LMoW, African Library and Information Associations and Institutions database, the Nigerian Library Association website and other networks. The IFLA questionnaire on “Collecting Stories that Matter” was adapted. All the 37 public library headquarters and the National Library of Nigeria headquarters were investigated. Data collected revealed that the most addressed SDGs were Goals 4 and 8. It was also observed that many of the libraries were still providing traditional library services and that of the three development agenda investigated, the level of awareness of the SDGs was the highest (84.2%). At the end, recommendations were made on how public libraries could better align their services to meet community needs and facilitate attainment of the development agenda