Skyline University Nigeria

Information as a Development Indicator

Introduction

Man’s pursuit of knowledge has led to a shift in development, from the industrial era to the information age with vast amounts of information being created and collected. Information collected has been used to revolutionize critical aspects of development, central to activities that have come to be known as the “information sector’’ including education and research, media and publishing, Information systems, and comprehensive information services such as financial services, consulting, and trade which have become more easily understood. Information is also important to the delivery of health care and public services.

Concept of Information

The term information is used by various individuals of diverse disciplines in a wide array of aspects to aim to develop an understanding of their disciplines and to relate different aspects of their body of knowledge. Today’s definitions of information are so diverse that it is largely impossible to reconcile them, however, information definitions should nevertheless incorporate one or more of the following features: is a set of symbols with some structure which users of information can read and understand to some extent (Meadow; 1992).

Information Society

The change in technological developments and globalization towards the end of the 20th century saw the introduction of the term “information society.” The concept of information society brings together the new world order, in which the position, strength, richness, and influence of nations depend increasingly on their access to and use of information. The development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has significantly increased the amount of available information and the speed and facility at which it is distributed. The ICT is increasingly able to build an acceptable society for all, that is, to build knowledge societies with their use to make global access and networking available.

How Information Serves as an Indicator to Nigerian Environment

The importance of information as an indicator of the Nigerian environment can not be underestimated. The specific benefits of information to the different sectors of the national, economic, and educational life of a nation that has led to a contribution to sustainable national development are mentioned thus.

  1. The use of information in business management has provided a lot of interaction and communication between the manager and employees.
  2. Information serves as a means of check and balance to the government.
  3. Education focuses on the use of information for teaching and learning only; with genuine information, educational institutions will be able to live up to their social and political responsibilities.
  4. Legal systems use the information to practice law and for them to have effective and efficient service delivery in cases relevant information must be employed.

Conclusion

The information has become the engine of the 21st century and beyond, since it serves nations, especially in developing countries for their economic, religious, cultural, legal, and social life. Information has affected various sectors of the economy in Nigeria. It is a matter of fact that information is essential for Nigeria’s drive for sustainable development. The potential advantage of information for sustainable development in Nigeria as an imperative paradigm should be recognized.

Reference

Diso, L.I. (1994). Information policies and government guidance in Nigeria: What hope for communities? Resource Sharing and Information Networks 9 (2):141–151.

Ukodie, A. (2004). Ekuwem: Nigerian striking force: Icons of ICT in Nigeria: Their passion, vision, thoughts. Lagos: ICT Publications

Omekwu, C.O. (2005) Management Imperatives for Libraries in the Information Age (Paper presented at the 2005 Annual Workshop of the Nigerian Library Association, Lagos Chapter, Badagry, September),4-5

Dawson, A. (2012). Information Society. London: Department of Information Studies, UCL

 

Mr Abdulqawiyyu Mustapha is a  Library Assistant in Skyline University Nigeria. He has a Degree in Library Science from Bayero University Kano (BUK), Kano.

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