Exploitation and Exploration of Solid Minerals For the Socio _ Economic Development of Nigeria: A Case Study of Kano State

1.1  Background to the Study

          The development of man is characterized by the quest to harness the abundant   resources nature has bestowed upon him. Thus he interacts with his environment in numerous but dynamic ways. Nations have also continued to identify those factors that militate against their development with a view to proffering enduring solutions. The dynamic nature of the human environment further necessitates continuous study in order to keep pace with changes in human nature.

          The successful accounts of socio - economic advancement within the EU, the USA and the Asian countries could however not to be replicated with most African countries especially Nigeria, this lack of development is not for want of resources. Nigeria is not exempted from these socio – political and economic disorders. The nation has moved from agro- based to a mono – cultural economy. The consequent over dependence on oil has affected other sectors of the economy and by extension, the socio- economic well – being of Nigerians. Thus the present political dispensation was preceded by hopes for improvement.

Nigeria is endowed with about thirty four (34) abundant mineral resources, which could contribute immensely to the national wealth with associated socio-economic benefits. (Adekoya,2003). The development of the mineral sector, particularly the solid mineral sector or any other sector of the economy, promotes economic activities through investment, employment of resources, increased output, and enlarged aggregate demand. With respect to solid minerals, coal was discovered in 1906 and its mining started in 1916 (Ugwu, 1996.63).

Indeed, mining could be one of Nigeria’s major success stories. However, it has been plagued by the same factors that undermine the country’s potential generally such as deteriorating infrastructure, uncertain government policies and overdependence on oil. Given the huge amounts of capital required by mining operations and the long-term nature of its projects, investors cannot be blamed for thinking twice about putting their money into the sector.

Before oil became the mainstay of the economy in the mid-1970s, solid minerals and agricultural commodities accounted for almost all of the country’s exports. The tin mines of the central plateau region around the city of Jos, and the coal mines around the southern city of Enugu had been opened up by the late 19th Century. But tin production is now down to a trickle, while coal exports slumped from a peak of 3.2 million tonnes a year in the 1970s to nothing within two decades as successive administrations shifted to the oil boom of the 1970s and early1980s.

Proven reserves of good quality coal, low in sulphur and ash are put at about 2.75 billion tones according to Federal Office of Statistics (2003). Deposit of iron ore is estimated to exceed three billion tones. Bitumen reserves put at over four billion tones are nearly double the known reserve crude oil. The deposits of gold and other gemstones, including sapphire, aquamarine, emeralds, topaz, tourmaline, citrine, amethyst. are said to occur in viable commercial quantities in different parts of the country. In addition, there are industrial minerals, such as barites, bitumen, kaolin, gypsum, salt and iron ore, among others that could bring substantial foreign earnings for the country. All the states in Nigeria are endowed with abundant solid minerals including Kano State.

 Kano State is endowed with bountiful solid mineral resources some of which are in commercial quantities which can be exploited and utilized for industrial purpose as well as a means of earning foreign exchange. A comprehensive geological survey of some parts of the state was initiated by the State Government in conjunction with experts, with a view to ascertaining the availability and commercial quantities of solid minerals existing in the State. The Riruwai mining area in Doguwa Local Government has large deposits of columbite, granite, copper, zinc, lead and uranium. There are evidences of Gold, Quartz, Kaolin, and Mica in Sumaila, Karaye and Shanono Local Government areas. There are also vast deposits of Silica sand in Makoda Local Government certified to be one of the finest in the world for glass making.

1.2      Statement of the Research Problem

In the light of the poor performance of the economy since independence, despite the huge solid mineral deposits, the sector is yet to be fully exploited in the face of vast opportunities that investors can exploit, 51 years after Nigeria’s independence, the solid mineral sector is yet to be harnessed as part of resource diversification in Nigeria.

A combination of unfavourable government policy, changing country circumstances and poor management of state owned enterprises have led to a precipitous decline in the solid mineral  sector and a situation in which little or no new investment in mineral exploration and development, either foreign nor domestic, could be attracted. The scale of this decline is clearly illustrated in the drastic reduction in its sectorial contribution to GDP from 5.62% in 1980 to 0.16% in 2007(NBS, 2003)

  Currently, there are no medium or large scale mining operations in Kano State and Nigeria. Most active mining in Kano State is being undertaken by small entrepreneurs and artisans, working deposits of precious, semi-precious, construction and industrial minerals that are not licensed. In fact, they operate outside the parameters of the licenses held. Consequently, the mining sector remains in a state of stagnation in Kano State. Although, appreciable progress has been made in recent years, with regard to legal and regulatory reforms, nevertheless several limitations to growth through sustainable exploitation of mineral resources still exist.

Though efforts are being made through legislation and policy development to address the issues, the problem of exclusive right by the Federal Government and how to implement regulations of illegal mining has remained the bane of limitations of mineral exploitation in Kano State for socio - economic development.

1.3     Research Questions

The following research questions will be addressed:

a.     What is the state of solid mineral resource exploitation in Kano State?

b.     How has the exploitation of solid mineral resources exploitation enhanced the socio-economic development of Kano State?

c.      What are the challenges facing the solid mineral resources exploitation in Kano State?

d.     What recommendations and implementation strategies can be proffered to enhance solid mineral resource exploitation for the socio-economic development of Kano State.

1.4     Aim and Objectives of the Study

The aim of this study is to examine how the exploitation of solid mineral resources can contribute to socio - economic development of Nigeria using Kano State as a case study with a view to making recommendations and proffering implementation strategies.

a.     to examine the state of solid mineral resource exploitation in Kano State.

b.     to assess how the exploitation of solid mineral resources has affected the socio-economic development of Kano State.

c.      to identify the challenges facing the exploitation of solid mineral resources in Kano state.

d.     to proffer recommendations and implementation strategies that could enhance solid mineral resource development in Nigeria

1.5    Scope

The study is focused on Kano State from the period 1999 to 2012 which is the period the country returned to the civil democratic governance and has sustained an uninterrupted democratic rule for over a period of 13 years. It examined the state of solid mineral exploitation in Nigeria with particular focus on Kano State. The study has also identified the challenges facing the sector and what legal instrument has been put in place to manage solid mineral exploitation and proffer way(s) for addressing the problems.

1.6  Limitations of the Study

There were basically three limitations encountered during this research work: Security, Kano State had experienced one of the worse security challenges in its history and this has to do with the Boko Haram quagmire in the state. Freedom of movement within the metropolis was a big challenge throughout the period of the study. Secondly, materials to aid a smooth undertaken of the project were scarce. Even in the Bayero University Library and relevant ministries one could hardly obtain any documents on the subject matter. The two limitations mentioned above gave rise to the third dimension which is time frame. The security challenge and dearth of materials/documents on the subject matter prolonged the already limited time. However, newspapers, the internet, published and unpublished documents came to the rescue.

1.7     Significance/Policy Relevance of the Study

The need to effectively and efficiently exploit solid mineral resources for the socio-economic development of Kano State and Nigeria in general cannot be overemphasized. This study will provide policymakers with options for managing the prolonged dependence on oil resources as the main stay in Nigeria. The study will also provide materials and motivate practitioners in Kano State on how to address small scale mineral exploration in the state. It will also, provide an avenue for scholars  in solid mineral resource sector to embark on further research on this area, particularly from the point of view that would enhance the development of better management of the state’s mineral resources and that of the  national economy.  Furthermore, it will add and fill the gap in   existing literature on the subject matter. In addition, it is pertinent to note that the challenge of resource diversification for sustainable economic development in Nigeria involves both lateral and structural process of economic transformation. Lateral diversification entails the exploitation of alternative resources to crude oil such as solid minerals and agriculture (CBN, Contemporary Economic Policy Issues, 2003) .This is referred to as diversification among products. For solid minerals, these include Bentonite, Barite, Limestone, Bitumen, Gypsum, Quartz, Tantalite, Phosphate, Mica, Granite Stones, Kaolin etc. Both for domestic, industrial use and export markets. Theses crucial strategic minerals provide necessary raw materials for whole range of import/substitution industries thus, sustaining the production capabilities (capacity utilization) of these industries in a declining condition of foreign exchange reserve. There is yet another diversification dimension in lateral diversification which is within a particular product itself. For example there are many bye-products of palm produce which include: Production of palm oil, palm kennel oil, oleo chemicals, palm kennel cake, wooden products, biodiesel, pharmaceuticals, motor parts, cosmetics among others.

          On the other hand, structural diversification addresses the imperative for massive deployment of resources for economic development through industrial enterprises. As E. C Obioma and Uche Ozughalu explained “rapid economic development involves rapid technological transformation. Rapid technological transformation in a nutshell implies rapid industrialization”. This is more explicitly explained if one considers Singapore for instance which exports petroleum products without crude oil as an endowment and yet is one of the largest exporters of petroleum products. While India and Israel, are largest exporters of diamond without an equally endowed raw material for the production of diamond.   

1.8     Theoretical Framework

The theoretical framework adopted in this study is the development and dependency theory using the Sustainable Livelihood Approach (SL): by the Brundtland Commmision The SL construct has emerged as "the integration of population, resources, environment and development in four aspects: stabilising population; reducing migration; fending of core exploitation; and supporting long term sustainable resource management. The Brundtland Commission developed it as an integrating concept. Livelihood meaning adequate stock and flows of food and cash to meet basic needs; security refers to secure ownership of, or access to, resources  to meet contingencies and sustainable refers to the maintenance or enhancement of resource productivity in the long term (McCraken, J. Pretty J.(1998). Adaptive strategies and capacities generate and maintain means of living and enhance well-being and that of future generations. (Titti & Singh, 1995)  They represent permanent change in community strategy, and structure, organisational processes; these capacities are contingent upon availability, stability and accessibility of options, which are ecological, socio-cultural, economic and political. They are predicated on equity, ownership of resources and participatory wise decision-making - notions of Sustainable Human Development (SHD) and SL that incorporate the idea of change and uncertainty.

The study prefers this theory because it provided an option that truly illustrates the exploitative nature of the developed countries to the less developed country (LCD) which led to dependency. That is to bring to light whether, Nigeria economy is developing, developed or underdeveloped; factors that are responsible for these stages or types of development. This is because, in spite of her God given mineral wealth and good climatic weather, the country is yet to get out of underdevelopment trap.

1.9     Methodology

Survey methods were employed in collecting data for this study. For the primary source questionnaires and in-depth interview method were used. The views of stakeholders such as practitioners in solid minerals exploitation in Kano State, relevant ministries and agencies in charge of solid mineral exploitation were explored. The Secondary source was drawn from both published and unpublished material such as books, journal articles, newspapers, seminar papers, memoirs and extensive use of the Internet. The study used random sampling method and technique for the selection of respondents for the research.

Results from research findings were analysed using qualitative method and generalisation was made based on the findings. In some instances simple percentage were used for the analysis.

1.10   Definitions of Terms

1.10.1 Minerals

Minerals may be defined as naturally occurring substances derived from the earth’s crust and upper mantle which are of value to man. They include such broad groups as ferrous, non-ferrous and non-metallic substances. By simple elimination, therefore, solid minerals cover all such substances excluding crude oil, gas and water (Committee on National Policy on Solid Minerals (CNPSM), 1995: 4). Examples of solid minerals are given in the following classification.

1.10.2 Development

Development is an integrated process of expansion of substantive freedom. Economic growth, technological advancement and political change are all to be judged in the light of their contributions to the expansion of human freedoms. Among the most important of these freedoms are freedom from famine and malnutrition, freedom from poverty, access to health care and freedom from premature mortality. (Sen, 1999),

1.10.3 Socio-Economic Development:

Socio – economic Development embraces change taking place in social and economic spheres, mostly of an economic nature. Even though economic aspect comes to the fore in the research on changes in the economy they cannot be isolated from social aspects. Hence, a more apt term for the change and development is change and socio – economic development combining the two aspects. Chojincki, (2010).

1.11 Organization of the Study

The study is organized under five chapters. Chapter one is the general introduction comprising background information, statement of the problem, aim and objectives of the study, research questions, scope of the study, significance of the study, and organization of  chapters. Chapter two is a review of related literature. Chapter three will examine the history and background of solid mineral exploitation in Nigeria, legal instruments, the challenges and the development of solid mineral resources in Kano state.  Chapter four will discuss and analyse the level of exploitation of solid mineral resources and socio – economic development in Kano State while chapter five presents the conclusion, recommendations and implementation strategies for the study

Current and Global Trends in Library and Information Services BY OWABOR C. EMMANUEL.

Current and Global Trends in Library and Information Services

BY

OWABOR C. EMMANUEL.

Abstract

The advancement of ICT (Information, Communication and Technology) has brought a lot of changes not only on the library and information services but also on the roles and expectations of the librarians and information professionals. As a librarian you are expected to do more and more especially in this age of information explosion. There is a real danger that librarians and information professionals will be left behind if it still insists on the old role of the traditional librarians. So it is important that there is a new change in paradigm. As the saying goes, change or perish. This paper will attempt to understand what a successful, relevant and dynamic librarians and information professionals must be in this Information Age. It will also focus on the issues, trends and challenges in preparing new era librarians and information professionals.

INTRODUCTION

National development effort is simply any activity that raises real incomes, thereby offering new hopes of expanded opportunities for people, communities, and enterprises. As both the global and national economies become more and more knowledge-driven, specialized knowledge has become the indispensable asset for further economic development. Local businesses benefit greatly in specific ways from libraries, including access to new ideas, knowledge and information. In particular, relocating businesses, start-up businesses, small businesses of all kinds and infrastructural provision are perceived as enjoying the greatest benefits from library products and services. Indeed, existence of libraries has been cited as a reason for a business’ decision to relocate to a particular community and the strategic locations of beneficial infrastructural facilities. Studies also found that business information resources were significantly more valuable with expert help of library staff. In other words, not only are information sources themselves viewed as important resources for people seeking mission-oriented information, but professional services provided by librarians are believed by many to be critical factors in finding, accessing and utilizing information resources to the fullest extent, especially with regard to electronic resources.

Democracy and national development demands that the masses, the source of authority, should be well informed about all important matters. Although many are receiving this instruction in schools, the work of schools cannot be complete without the backing of libraries. Libraries are an indispensable companion to formal education. The library must give persons of all ages the chance to keep abreast with their times in all matters: 'By offering them, impartially, works representing conflicting points of view,  it enables them to form their own opinions and preserve that attitude of constructive criticism towards public affairs without which there is no freedom. UNESCO Bulletin for Libraries XV, (1961),

There will always be changes in the environment, and these changes will affect librarians and information professionals: their role, job opportunities, self-image, motivation and even survival. Librarians therefore need to find a solution to timely repositioning and role claiming. We live in an Information society where the development of information technology and telecommunication networks is accompanied by a corresponding increase in knowledge, with a rapidly growing flow of information.

      This new information environment requires new skills in seeking, processing and dissemination of information. The base for a Librarian’s ability to understand and use information is a qualitative, ongoing learning process.

CURRENT AND GLOBAL TRENDS

Before discussing on the current and global trend in library and information services let’s first look at some current trends discussed in most recent literature of library and information management. These current trends somehow or rather will have a bearing in shaping librarians and information services in the new era. They are summarized as follows:

• Library functions in information and knowledge-based society

• Knowledge-based economy – information and knowledge as drivers to boost the       economy

• Information management recognized as an important discipline

• Information recognized as commodity (information brokerage, information

entrepreneurship, fee-based information)

• Information recognized as power/strength/weapon

• Information strongly link to decision-making, strategic management, competitive

advantage, innovation, R&D

• Knowledge management – leveraging organization

• Globalization of information

• Integrated and widespread ICT applications

• Mushrooming of information systems – need for Information System Management (ISM)

• Growth of electronic / internet resources

• Role of digital/electronic/virtual library

• Librarians is designated as cyber librarians

• Librarians expanded & changes in digital environment

• New breeds of information professionals: CIO, CKO, Information consultants and analysts

• Competency- based assessment/training

• Leadership skills

• Access role replace custodial role

• Customer-focused/customer-centered, user oriented approach in provision of services

• Strategic alliances, partnership and collaborations

• Librarians need new management knowledge and skills

• Specialized knowledge & skills in library and information management

• Double degree (major-minor concept)

• Trend to develop digital contents to facilitate access

In addition to the professional skills mentioned above, the librarians and information professionals of the future must be equipped with a wide range of personal and transferable skills in order to manage the changing environment in which he or she works. The importance of transferable skills over information technology skills should be highlighted here.

 Management and interpersonal skills will make librarians more effective managers of networked resources and services. As Hastings (1996) says "it is more important that digital librarians possess particular personal qualities (which are innate) rather than specific technical expertise (which can be learned). This is not to say that the way to avoid the electronic age is for library professionals to stick their heads in the sand. The information professional must change and adapt to the new electronic information environment, he or she must learn about new technologies and be aware of the strengths and weaknesses of them. Librarians should not feel threatened by computers and technical developments but should move forward with the new technology and take a pivotal role within organizations. Information professionals within libraries are playing an increasing role in dealing with information in electronic formats by creating Web pages to promote their services to external customers and choosing automated library management systems. Skills in information organization are more necessary in this age of information explosion. Librarians and information professionals have a key role to play in this era. For example, librarians are well equipped to take intranet projects through the various stages of design and maintenance as they understand their users and their organizations information needs and have the range of skills to manage knowledge effectively. The role of the librarians in this context is to help users find the information they require then provide them with the tools to assess and use the resources for their individual needs. Creth (1996) suggests that librarians achieve this by "actively seeking out users in a variety of settings" and by making "full use of information and multimedia technology" by offering instruction in a variety of formats (including Web based instruction and online tutorials). New era librarians and information professionals should be able to manage the Digital Information System as this encompass the overall competencies (knowledge, know-how, skills and attitudes) necessary to create, store, analyze, organize, retrieve and disseminate digital information (text, images, sounds) in digital libraries or any type of information.

Traditionally, libraries were collections of books, manuscripts, journals, and other sources of recorded information. In the last 50 years, libraries have increasingly developed into a provider of information resources and services that do not even require a building. The terms digital library and virtual library are used to refer to the vast collections of information to which people gain access remotely.

Digital Libraries

The world is going through an information technology revolution that has drastically changed many facets of the human life, from education, industry, economy, and politics to entertainments. In addition, the unprecedented capabilities of the information technology to process, store, refine and disseminate data, information and knowledge in a variety of ways across geographical boundaries had dramatically changed the ways in which governments, the public and the private sectors and libraries operate all over the world. As Ajayi (2002) has rightly put it, the emergence and convergence of information and communication technologies (ICT) has therefore remained at the centre of global social-economic transformations. As pointed out by Ogunsola and Okusaga (2008) libraries are now extending their traditional roles of facilitating self-education and individual enrichment by providing low-cost or free computer access to online resources. The potential of what can be achieved in information generation, acquisition, collection, processing, display and dissemination, was very exciting and intoxicating, and resulted in futuristic dreams. All these electronic developments form the basis of digital library which is equally termed virtual libraries. It is all these technological developments which gradually give birth to what is now known as digital library. At this juncture, one can ask what we mean by the term "digital library". Digital library can be defined as one in which all the texts and spoken books are stored as digital files, which will take a long time to achieve. A digital or virtual library is the online access provided by other facilities or it may mean a website which offers links to various sites with a large store of information in a catalogued or archived form. The term may refer to all material related to any subject that is available on the Internet. A digital library generally is part of a network with linkages to other libraries.

The advances in the fields of telecommunications, computer technology, and satellite communications have revolutionized information delivery services in advanced countries. As asserted by Akpan (2001), information can be delivered across countries into houses and offices instantly. It must be realized that the sharing, however, has been uneven across the globe. Countries with advanced technology are years ahead of countries with developing economies. Within developing economies, some have moved further ahead than others. In Nigeria, the expression "virtual library" or "digital library" is relatively new, being a little more than a decade old. One of the writers who coined it is Nancy Schiller, who defined it in 1992 as "libraries in which computer and telecommunication technologies make access to a wide range of information resources possible".

According to Irokwe (2001), a digital library is a library that harnesses digital technologies as infrastructure to search, collect, organize, store and distribute cultural, historical and scientific information whether it is text, visual images or sound. The virtual library or digital library can be regarded as a child of necessity, arising from need to use technologies in accessing the explosion of information for human survival and development. This requires that all operations of the library be computerized.

A virtual or digital library can therefore be defined as a collection of library resources in electronic/digital format at various locations, which can be accessed and used with great ease using computer information technologies for the purpose of teaching, study, research, learning, leisure, and decision-making.

Electronic Resources

Taking Nigeria as an example, improving the quality of libraries in the higher education system will improve the quality of the products of the system. In recent times and as attested to by the findings of a 2001 Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research/World Bank report on the quality of Nigerian Universities, the competencies demonstrated by university graduates are "lowering at an alarming rate". The poor state of academic libraries was implicated as a major cause. The Nigerian virtual library project is a justifiable venture for bolstering higher education quality. In another sense, the virtual library will enable students, lecturers, and other scholars to profit more fully from electronic communications revolution by having access to databases critical for their research and teaching. Within the higher education system in majority of African universities, libraries are far from being up-to-date. Books, journals, abstracts and other collections are not current. The typical setting is to have a few fairly recent titles and a fairly large collection of old titles. There are gaps in sequence which could be critical for knowledge generation and dissemination. As a result of the above lapses, the importance of virtual or digital libraries in African universities can never be overemphasized. A digital library scheme will facilitate access to a vast collection of books and journal, titles from as far as back in time as possible. A subscribing library in Nigeria or any other African university will be several times richer and current in its collection of books and journals than presently the case. Estimates by the www.virtuallibrary.com for 2001 showed that the installation and running cost of a virtual academic library in a university is a mere .015% of the cost of establishing a "real" academic library and less than 2% of the operating cost. All the higher education institutions in Nigeria have physical libraries which require about 1 billion Naira in capital, recurrent, and maintenance cost annually. This type of electronic library resources can be shared by all institutions at a fraction of the total cost required to support all the physical libraries within the higher education system in the country (Ogunsola and Okusaga, 2008).

Furthermore, it is projected that 1,000 electronic databases/resources are equivalent to 30,000 volumes of printed materials. These will require 2,650m2 of shelf space alone. Thus, minimal resources can be mobilized for maximum advantage in terms of library development in Nigeria and other developing countries. In recent times, post-secondary educational institutions have been under tremendous pressure for change as a response to demising budget, need to reach students other than their traditional clientele, and adapt current development in information technology for their delivery of institution. As a result many institutions of higher learning worldwide have turned towards electronic networking in academic services. The virtual or digital library also provides a platform for sharing knowledge. It is not a one-way flow from resource-rich to resource-poor countries. Instead, it has been set up for uniformity in the interchange of ideas. Consequently while universities in Nigeria and other developing countries will take advantage of down loading materials from the developed world, such universities will have the opportunity of uploading output of research in the form of books, dissertation//theses and journals to the global network of virtual libraries.

Also, differences in access to information technology and the ability to participate fully in global electronic information networks is in itself a measure of the unequal distribution of power in today's increasingly connected global economy and polity. In Nigeria, for example, there are very few people with the advanced training that enables them to contribute fully to new technology about electronic information systems. It is precisely because of this situation of inequality that Nigeria and other developing countries should be included in developing new knowledge in these areas. It must also be realized that many of the print materials held in collections in Nigerian Universities, particularly older historical manuscripts, are deteriorating rapidly. Some materials cannot even be consulted by researchers for fear of accelerating their decline. This is the trend in many other African countries. Many research institutes and libraries, have suffered from deep funding cuts since 1980s, and collections of all kinds have not been adequately maintained. Preservation is central to maintaining the quality, longevity, integrity and accessibility of data. Digitalization within the framework of the virtual library project can be used to create a high-quality copy of an item, thus protecting the original and ensuring that the information that it contains is both permanently preserved and made accessible. Although traditional channels of communication will remain important, the new information and communication technologies hold great potential for broadly disseminating knowledge at low cost, and for reducing knowledge gaps within countries and between industrial and developing countries. In a broad sense as revealed by Ogunsola (2004) access to the right information at the right time gives people greater control over their destinies.

As a result of all these global technological changes, the purposes of higher education have been transformed. According to Capron (2000), mail, telephone, TV and radio, books, newspapers and periodicals are the traditional ways by which users sent and received information. However, data communication systems have been evolving since the mid-1960s.

It must be realized that Africa's development hinges on effectively participating in the information society, and this requires low-cost Internet access. Yet Africa has the most expensive Internet access in the world partly because its Internet traffic transits through Internet exchange points in the US or Europe. As a result, Africans must pay "long-distance" charges,  and data transfer speeds are slow. Thus, the digital divide continues to widen. This is one of the constraints militating against digital library development in our higher education institutions. As pointed out by Rosenberg (2005), Africa has 13% of the world's population but only 2% of the world's telephone lines and 1% of Internet connectivity. It is also noted that up country or newer university libraries and (in multi-site libraries) branch libraries lag behind in Internet connectivity. Programmes that assume all libraries within a region or countries that have the same needs and aspirations are unlikely to succeed. Therefore as most African countries still do not have good access to the Internet; online resources like digital libraries or the Internet are not yet the solutions to bridging the digital divide. Hence, one can confidently conclude that traditional libraries are still alive and this will continue for a long time especially in developing countries. The paper acknowledges that the Internet will eventually take over in Africa as the means of providing access to digital academic information. As such, African governments are urged to continue to look at ways in which they can improve their national access to reliable and cost-efficient online access.

CURRENT AND GLOBAL TREND OF THE NEW ERA LIBRARIANS

The new era librarian is a technology application leader who works with other members of the information management team to design and evaluate systems for information access that meet user needs. Where required, the new era librarian provides instruction and support so that end users can make optimal use of the information resources available to them. The new era librarian is capable of

working in the hybrid world of print and electronic media and providing the best mix of information resources in the most appropriate formats for the environment. The new era librarian plays a key role in developing information policy for the organization ensuring that access to all information resources -- from internal records to external databases – is provided in the most strategically-Effective and cost-effective manner. The new era librarian also plays another important role in ensuring that contractual, legal and ethical obligations regarding information use are met.

The electronic information age provides new opportunities for organizations to produce as well as use information products. New era librarians, given their familiarity with the information marketplace, can be key contributors to the development, marketing and use of information products.

New era librarians are knowledge-based practitioners who use research as a foundation for their own professional practice and who support the conduct of research through their professional associations. Research has shown that the provision of appropriate information can lead to: better informed decision-making; the ability to proceed to the next step in a project or task; improved relations with a client; and the exploitation of new business opportunities. The right information at

the right time can also benefit the organization by saving the time of highly paid employees, avoiding poor business decisions, and even direct loss of funds.

In the information age, new era librarians are essential -- by responding with a sense of urgency to critical information needs they provide the information edge for the knowledge-based organization. In order to fulfill this key information role, new era librarians require two main types of competencies: Professional competencies relate to the special librarian's knowledge in the areas of information

resources, information access, technology, management and research and the ability to use these areas of knowledge as a basis for providing library and information services. Personal competencies represent a set of skills, attitudes and values that enable librarians to work efficiently; be good communicators; focus on continuing learning throughout their careers; demonstrate the value-added nature of their contributions; and survive in the new world of work. The following sections highlight the major professional and personal competencies of new era librarians:

Professional Competencies

• has expert knowledge of the content of information resources, including the ability to critically evaluate and filter them

• has specialized subject knowledge appropriate to the business of the organization or client

• develops and manages convenient, accessible and cost-effective information services that are aligned with the strategic directions of the organization

• provides excellent instruction and support for library and information service users

• assesses information needs and designs and markets value-added information services and products to meet identified needs

• uses appropriate information technology to acquire, organize and disseminate information

• uses appropriate business and management approaches to communicate the importance of information services to senior management

• develops specialized information products for use inside or outside the organization or by individual clients

• evaluates the outcomes of information use and conducts research related to the solution of information management problems

• Continually improves information services in response to the changing needs

• is an effective member of the senior management team and a consultant to the organization on information issues

Personal Competencies

• committed to service excellence

• seeks out challenges and sees new opportunities both inside and outside the library

• sees the big picture

• creates an environment of mutual respect and trust

• has effective communications skills

• Works well with others in a team

• provides leadership

• plans, prioritizes and focuses on what is critical

• committed to lifelong learning and personal career planning

• have personal business skills and creates new opportunities

• recognizes the value of professional networking and solidarity

• is flexible and positive in a time of continuing change

From the preceding section it would seem that there is an abundance of potential roles for the librarian. To take up these roles will require careful and timely preparation. Preparedness is a key issue in repositioning ourselves for new roles. Preparedness includes content knowledge and related skills but, more importantly, it includes survival skills. The following are a few suggestions that could also shape the teaching approach, assessment methods, etc. Survival skills could include the ability to:

• carry out environmental scanning and rapid decision-making

• critically analyze the professional domain and where it is heading

• employ time management to keep librarians from putting off preparing for new roles

• manage change

• work collaboratively (it is impossible to monitor new developments alone)

• study independently

• think creatively

• assess one's strengths, weaknesses and progress in continuing learning

When considering the roles that have been discussed and their requirements, it seems that, apart from survival skills, new era librarians should focus more on affective skills and characteristics such as:

• enthusiasm for life-long learning and new roles

• will-power (because nothing will come easily)

• assertiveness

• creative thinking

• self-confidence

• innovativeness

Conclusion

Librarianship has undergone a radical change in recent years, which will be continued in the future. As libraries have changed, so too, has the role of the librarian. Increasingly librarians have assumed the role of educator to teach their users how to find information both in the library and over electronic networks. Public librarians have expanded their roles by providing local community information through publicly assessable computing systems. Some librarians are experts on computers and software. Others are concerned with how computer technologies can preserve the human cultural records of the past or assure that library collections on crumbling paper or in old computer files can still be used by people many centuries in the future. The work of librarians has moved outside library walls. Librarians have begun to work in the information industry as sales people, designers of new information systems, researchers, and information analysts. They are also found in such fields as marketing and public relations and in such organizations as law firms, where staffs need rapid access to information.

It must be realized that despite the changes in the roles and functions of libraries over the course of history their cultural role has not. Libraries remain responsible for acquiring or providing access to books, periodicals, and other media that meet the educational, recreational, and informational needs of their users. They continue to keep the business, legal, historical, and religious record of a civilization. They are the place where a toddler can hear his or her first story and a scholar can carry out his or her research. New technologies are dramatically increasing the accessibility of information, and librarians are adapting to the evolving needs of users that emerge from the adoption of these new technologies. Technological advances have presented the opportunity of automating some aspects of traditional libraries.

By deciding to change to digital production, a traditional library would make it much easier to cooperate with other libraries around the world. The more that a library can communicate with others the more they will be able to learn what has already been done. One of the ways we waste time and money is to try to invent everything ourselves. Whatever you are trying to do in developing your library, you can guarantee that somebody else has already done something similar. If we are working with traditional methods and the only means that we have of sending materials to other institutions is by the post, then it is understandable that libraries tend to concentrate on their own affairs and their own public. It takes weeks to communicate with other libraries then the efforts becomes too much and it is faster to produce materials than to borrow it, if however, libraries can start to use the Internet to exchange information and materials, the exchange can happen in seconds. The digital library offers more possibilities for enhanced scholarly communication. The Internet and related technologies such as electronic mail enable collaborative projects to be undertaken between geographically distant groups. All developing nations can derive tremendous advantages from this technology for updating the knowledge of its researchers and scientists. The entire world is going online. The agenda for global preparedness includes the development of telecommunications and Internet infrastructure.

Technology is the backbone of digital library, and the centre piece of preparedness is the expansion of technology in Nigeria and other developing countries.

REFRENCES

Aina, L.O. (2004). Coping with the challenges of library and information services delivery: The need for institutionalized professional development. Paper delivered at the Nigerian Library Association 42nd National Conference and AGM at Akure, Nigeria June 20-25, 2004: 5.

Ajayi, G.O. (2000). Challenges to Nigeria of globalization and the information age. Proceedings of workshop on National Information and Communication Infrastructures Policy Plans and Strategies. Abuja, Nigeria, March 28-30, 2000: 10.

Akintunde S.A. (2004). Libraries as tools for ICT development. Paper delivered at the Nigerian Library Association 42nd National Conference and AGM at Akure, Nigeria June 20-25, 2004: 10.

Akpan, E.O. (2001). The virtual library. Blueprint on the National Virtual Library Project. Federal Ministry of Education, Lagos, Nigeria, Section C: 20.

Capron, H.L. (2000). Computers: Tools for an information age. New Jersey: Prentice Hall.

Irokwe, O.P. (2001). A blueprint for implementing digital libraries in Nigerian universities. Blueprint on the National Virtual Library Project. Federal Ministry of Education, Lagos, Nigeria. Section C: 8

Lancaster, F. W. (1997). Artificial Intelligence and Expert System Technologies: Prospects. In:Libraries for the New Millennium: Implications for Managers. London: Library Association

Publishing, 19 - 37.

Mulla, K.R. (2006). E-resources and services in engineering college libraries: A case study. Electronic Journal of Academic and Special Librarianship 7(1).

Ogunsola, L.A. (2004). Nigerian university libraries and the challenges of globalization: The way forward. Electronic Journal of Academic and Special Librarianship 5(2-3)

Ogunsola, L.A., & Okusaga. T.O. (2008). Establishing virtual libraries in African universities: Problems and prospects. Ozean Journal of Social Sciences 1 (1). 2008: 43-52.

Olaosun, M.A. (2007). The librarian is dead, long live the librarian. A Valedictory Lecture by Michael Adebayo Olaosun at OAU Ile-Ife, Nigeria, Wednesday, 11 April, 2007: 1-14.

Osundina, O. (1973). The relationship between information science and librarianship: A viewpoint. Nigerian Libraries 9 (1&2): 47.

Rosenberg, D. (2005). Towards the digital library in Africa: An investigation to establish the current status of university libraries. Available:http://www.inasp.info/pubs.