Teenagers, Stakeholders Commend Convener, Mrs Christabel Ebhonu on Training Initiative
“This programme is intended to expose you to basic photography, Baking and ICT skills, and I hope that by the end of this programme, we would all leave here more empowered than we came.”
Those were the words of the Convener of the much-anticipated Teen-Stars Skills Training, Mrs. Christabel Ebhonu (a Multimedia Content Creator and Teens Coach). The 8-hour plus Skills Training Event which was held successfully on 21st August 2024 at Emmanuel Anglican Church, Ibusa was organized by BreakitDown Initiative for Teens, in collaboration with the Anglican Children Ministry (ACM), Ibusa Archdeaconry, Delta State.
Present at the event were Ven. Dr. Samson Anwasia, (Archdeacon of Ibusa Archdeaconry), Celestine Adimabua Okocha (ACM Zonal Chaplain), Mr. Sylvester Ebhonu (The Digital Librarian), Children Teachers, and other enthusiasts. The event attracted over 103 registered adolescents, with 65 attending. Participants were divided into three classes of their interests: Baking, ICT Skills, and Photography
While declaring the ceremony open, Ven. Dr. Samson Anwasia expressed his appreciation to the Convener, Mrs. Christabel Ebhonu, and her dedicated team. He emphasized the importance of acquiring skills alongside academic degrees while urging the participants to seize the learning opportunities presented to them by a young promising woman.
While briefing journalists, the convener, Mrs. Christabel, commended her instructors, participants and partners for their support. Presenting her Welcome Address during the event, she expressed satisfaction over the huge turnout. She said: “the event which coincided with her birthday, was her selfless commitment to catch adolescents young – It is better to catch them Young than repair them as adults. She noted that, empowering them with the necessary skills will make them to be job ready in future and become good citizens of the country. Speaking further during the event by one of the speakers, The ACM Chaplain, Celestine Okocha, also encouraged the teenagers to make the most of the training sessions.
In the words of Mrs. Christabel Ebhonu as she narrated more on the trainings at the event,
the ICT Class:
“Building Digital Literacy was part of the Skills training, and the ICT Class Instructor, Mr. Abiola Olaibi (an IT Expert and Event Planner), provided a comprehensive introduction to digital literacy and practical computer applications. He highlighted the importance of understanding and utilizing digital technologies effectively. He revealed basic tips on the impact of technology on society, online safety and etiquette, intensive hands-on on Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel and PowerPoint), Graphic design with Canva, amongst others. The training successfully empowered 21 students with the skills necessary to navigate the digital world securely and efficiently”.
“On Baking Skills Training: Fundamentals of Confectionery,
the baking Instructor, Mrs Adediwura Olaibi (Baker, Writer and Entrepreneur) said the baking class was a sweet success, with over 35 students learning the fundamentals of cake baking and pastry making. Participants gained hands-on experience baking vanilla butter and oil-based cakes and preparing buttercream icing”. The session concluded with a bonus exercise in making puff-puff, leaving the students with new skills and sweet treats.” The Photography class, which was handled by the Convener herself was also an enriching session.
Photography Class:
Apart from using slides and pictures to teach them, I introduced them to the essentials of camera handling, safety, and setting adjustments for various environments, including indoor and outdoor, day and night scenarios for photography and videography. Students also learned how to use and set the speed light. Each participant had the chance to practice with the camera, and more than half of them confidently demonstrated their ability to adjust camera settings based on environmental factors”.
On Celebrating Achievements,
Certificates of appreciation were presented to the instructors, and outstanding students received Best Student Awards: Onos Divine Great – Best Student in ICT Skills, George Blessing Ezekiel – Best Student in Baking, Obiefule Chukwuka Great- Best Student in Photography”. According to her, the feedback from the participants were also assessed as they shared the fears and concerns they had before the class started. The Teens expressed excitement and commended the Convener for all they have learned and how it would impact on their lives going forward.
“Indeed, the Teen-Stars Skills Training turned out to be not just a skills acquisition programme, but a platform that ignited the dreams of adolescents present, and I really do hope that this experience would shapen their future for good.” She concluded.
Kudos to Mrs. Ebhonu and her team for putting together such a remarkable event! Highpoint of the event was a Birthday Surprise in honour of Mrs. Christabel Ebhonu pulled by her husband, Mr. Sylvester Ebhonu, as all participants gathered for a final group photograph and celebration. See more photos here
LRCN Inducted 69 Certified Librarians at Rivers State University
The Librarians’ Registration Council of Nigeria (LRCN) inducted 69 new certified librarians at the Rivers State University in Port Harcourt, who are graduates from both Rivers State University and Ignatius Ajuru University on Friday, 12th of July, 2024. This historic event marked a significant milestone for the library profession in the South-South region, bringing the total number of certified and registered librarians in Nigeria to 8,382.
Adding to the significance of the event, the President and Chairman of Council NIGERIAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION declared that librarians will now use the title “Lbrn” as their professional designation, similar to other professional associations in Nigeria. Therefore, the President
will now be addressed as Lbrn (Pastor) Dominic Omokaro, FNLA, F.CIoD, FCAI, CLN.
As the new Lbrns embark on their careers, they carry with them the responsibility of upholding the highest standards of the profession. With the LRCN’s rigorous accreditation and the NLA’s guidance, these young professionals are poised to make valuable contributions to their communities and the nation as a whole.
The induction ceremony was well attended by the leadership of the Rivers State University, Librarians’ Registration Council of Nigeria (LRCN), the national and state leadership of the Nigeria Library Association, lectures from the Rivers State University and Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, the inductees, students, parents, and members of the pen profession.
“BusinessDay gathered that in the US, Librarians are paid a minimum of $55,000 (N85m) per year, but the status of a librarian starts from Master’s Degree…” 
Congratulations to the newly Certified Librarians as they step into ‘librarianship’.
Detecting AI Content may get better with OpenAI’s Watermarking Feature
Unlike when OpenAI first released ChatGPT3, its actually now encouraging to see AI developers taking steps towards improved transparency, just like the recent update of OpenAI’s development of a text watermarking method to detect AI-generated content. The report claims that the new watermarking tool is 99.9% effective at identifying ChatGPT’s output, but OpenAI has yet to release it. However, we can learn more about the report here: OpenAI has built a text watermarking method to detect ChatGPT-written content — company has mulled its release over the past year.
My concern though, is about the part that mentioned that a professor once failed an entire class after their AI detection tool incorrectly flagged all student papers as AI-generated. Let us not forget that there are past cases of where AI Detection tools like TurnitIn and GPTzero have given an unfair judgement about contents generated with AI.
So, as this new-found love by many students and scholars (AI Technology) continues to evolve, we must all take care, especially Librarians. Library and Information Professionals should be at the forefront of AI Literacy. Let us not stop teaching our students and library users the implications of not using AI responsibly.
Over here, we’re still promoting the #ResponsibleUseofAICampiagn. Reach out, and we’ll implement the Responsible Use of AI Webinar at your Institution, for your Staff/Students.
The Value of Librarians: LRCN’s Situation Could be a Call
The Value of Librarians: LRCN’s Situation Could be a Call – By Sylvester Ebhonu
As reported by THE WHISTLER about 3 months ago, “Life has become very difficult for members of staff of the Librarians’ Registration Council of Nigeria (LRCN) since the Federal Government removed the parastatal from Budget Funding.” However, in a startling turn of events, LRCN staff recently appeared on the popular Brekete Family programme (a prominent Nigerian talk show advocating for the rights of the oppressed) to voice their concerns over non-payment of salaries since January 2024 till date. Link to the Complete Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5F__OOtJPU.
Sylvester Ebhonu (The Digital Librarian and digital skills advocate), has released a reaction video titled: What Value Do Librarians Bring? | TheDL’s Reaction Video: LRCN Staff & Brekete Family featuring key highlights from that programme held on the 30th of July, 2024.
This development has caused a stir in the library and information science (LIS) sector in Nigeria, raising critical questions about the value and future of librarianship in our country. The situation actually demands a reflective examination of the value librarians bring to society and the objective changes that are required to uphold essential roles librarians play.
CLICK TO WATCH ON
Youtube OR Facebook OR LinkedIn
What is the Root of the Crisis and Public Perception of Librarians?
According to the LRCN staff on the programme, led by the chairman of the Nigeria Civil Service Union, LRCN Unit, Prince Gambari Shuaib Siyanbola, Christopher Uwague and others. They allege that in June 2023, the Federal Government informed 56 agencies, including the LRCN, TRCN and others, that funding would cease effective from 2024. Despite assurances from management that the Ministry of Education, which oversees the LRCN, would address the issue, LRCN staff have continued working without pay for several months.
This case not only reflects the immediate financial distress they face but also raises questions about the perceived value of librarians and efficacy of the LRCN. For instance, one of the most striking part of the video was the confusion about the term “librarian” itself. Consultant Iyke who was moderating the session had to consult a dictionary to correctly pronounce the word, highlighting a significant public relations challenge facing the profession. This misconception extends beyond mere pronunciation; it reflects a broader lack of understanding about the role and value of librarians in modern society.
As noted by Consultant Dr. Iyke Ezeugo who moderated the programme, there’s a perception that libraries and librarians have not kept pace with technological advancements. He criticized leadership for not adapting to recent developments, suggesting that LRCN may have been seen as “idle” by the government and the situation may be likened to what happened to NIPOST.
Interestingly, this perception gap is not peculiar to Nigeria only. A 2016 Pew Research Center study found that while 77% of Americans say libraries provide them with the resources they need, many are unaware of the full range of services libraries offer. This global challenge stresses the need for librarians to deliberately showcase and communicate their value in the era that we’re now in.
Now what questions are arising from all these? I’ve compiled a summary of ten (10) alarming questions some professionals are actually asking:
- Why was LRCN selected among the 56 agencies?
- What does this decision say about the public and government’s perception of librarians and information professionals?
- Are library services in Nigeria perceived as elitist?
- Are Libraries under-valued in Nigeria?
- What role can Public Services Librarians play in all these?
- Should the correct spelling and pronunciation of ‘Librarian’ be infused in LIS curriculum?
- How can Nigerian libraries and librarians increase their visibility?
- Are these issues, not excluding leadership, a mere foretaste of what is yet to come?
- How can the library community respond to this crisis effectively?
- Could the Nigerian Library Association (NLA) take a more active role in setting standards, advocating for librarians’ rights and promoting the value of the profession similar to the efforts of the American Library Association (ALA) and the Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA)?
My Ten Kobo
This situation serves as a reminder that the role of librarians must evolve to remain relevant in the 21st century. Modern librarians are no longer just cataloguers and custodians of books; they are information professionals, Data Curators and Managers, Digital Literacy Educators, Archivists/Record Managers, and Community and Cultural Heritage Builders. The ALA Core Competences of Librarianship policy is one document I believe Nigerian Librarians can similarly adapt to begin to align themselves with these evolving roles and better communicate to the public and stakeholders. See also, a presentation delivered by Sylvester Ebhonu at Navigating Tomorrow: Redefining Librarianship (An Exclusive Webinar for LIS Students).
On final thoughts, if you don’t empower them, don’t blame them. Government must start taking responsibility for many challenges we face today. Professionals (especially Librarians) on the other hand must understand that for them to remain relevant, the new culture should be Continuous Learning and Upskilling in areas such as data science, library automation, and emerging technologies (Artificial Intelligence, etc).
LRCN challenge today is more than just a salary issue; it’s a CALL for the entire library and information science profession in Nigeria.
Watch the complete Video on Brekete Family Channel!
Watch the Digital Librarian’s Reaction Video Here!
How you react after reading and watching these videos will determine whether libraries will remain relevant, valued institutions or actually reflect ‘public opinion.’ So, please, Share your thoughts. How do you think librarians can better demonstrate their value to stakeholders and the public in today’s digital age? How can we collaborate, what individual/collective efforts can we bring together to amplify our message?
Onward to Greatness!
The Digital Librarian
Head, E-Service and Reference/Marketing Departments
Delta State University of Science and Technology Library, Ozoro
Have any Questions? Learn more at the Upskill and Connect Village Share with others.
Sources:
Anthropic (2024). Claud 3.5 Sonnet. [Large language model] https://claude.ai/
Brekete Family [@breketefamily]. (2024). Brekete family live program 30th July 2024. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5F__OOtJPU
ALA (2023). ALA’s Core Competencies of Librarianship. https://www.ala.org/educationcareers/careers/corecomp/corecompetences
Horrigan, J. B. (2016). Libraries 2016. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2016/09/09/libraries-2016/
The Digital Librarian [@thedigitallibr]. (2023). Navigating tomorrow: Redefining librarianship (an exclusive webinar for LIS students). Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/live/1j41MqB8eqM
