University of Africa Toru-Orua
Digital Repository
Welcome to the University of Africa Digital Repository, which collects, preserves, and disseminates the University's scholarly outputs.
Faculties in University of Africa Toru-Orua
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- This contains the intellectual works of the faculty members in Agriculture
- This contains the intellectual works of the faculty members in the Arts & Education
- This contains the intellectual works of the faculty members in the Faculty of Basic & Applied Sciences
- This contains the intellectual works of the faculty members in Social & Managment Sciences
Recent Submissions
Librarians beyond books: Supporting the accreditation process in Nigerian universities
(2026) Sawyerr-George, Oyinkepreye E.; Fischer-Amos, Elizabeth O. F
This study examined the role of librarians in supporting the
accreditation process of Nigerian universities. A descriptive survey research design was adopted. The population comprised
250 librarians from federal universities in the South-South and
South-West regions of Nigeria, and a census sampling technique was employed. Data were collected using an online
questionnaire, of which 223 valid responses were retrieved and
analyzed. The findings revealed that librarians are key contributors to the accreditation process, performing essential roles
such as preparing accreditation documents and reports, ensuring that library collections meet required standards, and collaborating with academic staff to support accreditation
requirements. The study also found that accreditation has a
positive impact on library development, particularly in terms of
resources, services, and facilities. Furthermore, librarians perceived the accreditation process as beneficial, as it provides
opportunities for institutional recognition, improved infrastructure, enhanced information resources, and increased collaboration. However, several challenges were identified, including the
late involvement of librarians in accreditation planning and
inadequate funding for the acquisition of information resources
and subscriptions to online databases. The hypothesis test
revealed that librarians’ involvement in the accreditation process significantly influenced library services and resource provision in universities. It is therefore recommended that librarians
be involved early in the accreditation process to facilitate effective planning, and that adequate funding be provided to support resource acquisition and database subscriptions.
EXPLORING STUDENTS' VIEWS AND UTILIZATION OF DIGITAL RESOURCES AT THE IGNATIUS AJURU UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION, PORTHARCOURT, RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA
(2024) Sawyerr-George, Oyinkepreye E.; Nduka, Chinyere Joshua
The study looked at how students at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education in Port-Harcourt,
Rivers State, Nigeria, used digital resources and what their opinions were. Three research questions served as
the study's compass, and a descriptive survey design was chosen. The target group consisted of all IAUE
undergraduate students. A sample size of 398 students was determined for the study. The recommendations of
Fox et al. (2007) and Meyer (1979), who suggested a sample size of 384 for studies conducted within an infinite
population range, served as the basis for this sample size justification. The practical difficulty in obtaining the
exact number of undergraduate students at the time of the study led to this decision. The tool for gathering data
was the questionnaire. Out of the 450 copies of the questionnaire that were given to the students, 398 were
recovered and deemed to be functional. The instrument's reliability was evaluated using Cronbach's alpha, and
the result was 0.85. The reliability of the questionnaire was established by the obtained coefficient. Frequency
counts and straightforward percentages were used to analyze the data, and SPSS was used to calculate the mean.
According to the findings, students use digital resources moderately for a variety of purposes and have a
positive perception of many aspects of them. The study also found that some of the difficulties with using the
internet included bad internet connectivity, insufficient information retrieval abilities, and a lack of time to look
for relevant resources. The researchers suggested that the university give priority to enhancing internet
connectivity across the campus by forming alliances with dependable service providers in light of these
findings. Organizing frequent training sessions or workshops centered on improving information retrieval skills
would also enable students to use digital resources more skillfully
An Assessment of Academic Database Subscription Management in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions: Challenges and Prospects
(2022) Irenoa, Kenneth O.; Sawyerr-George, Oyinkepreye E.
Research has remained a key expectation of universities all over the globe, and supporting the
research effort of academics is a key goal of libraries. Most of the support services is shown
by the availability of current information provided by journals and current research output.
The paper is an overview of the concept, types of databases and vendors of popular databases,
current practices and some identified bias in the subscription process in most universities in
Nigeria. The methodology adopted for the study is a descriptive survey research with
questionnaires used to solicit responses from participants using Google form. The paper also
recommends effort in building local-based content but globally available databases to increase
intellectual contribution to the body of knowledge. Government support in the area of
curriculum and general standards to reduce bias towards local content. Consortium-managed
subscription to international databases to reduce the cost burden on individual institutions and
improve access to rich sources of information.
ROLE OF THE LIBRARY IN DISSEMINATING INFORMATION FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA
(2017) Sawyerr-George, Oyinkepreye; Bribena, Emilian; Paleowei, Zikena Cletus
The paper discusses the role of the Library in rural development. It discusses the importance of
information to rural people, the concepts of development and rural development, information
needs of rural dwellers, challenges faced by rural people in accessing information and the role
of the library and librarian in the development of rural communities. The paper is an opinion
paper. Historical research design was used for the paper and data was obtained from
documentary sources and analysed with content analysis in a narrative form. Findings from
literature reviewed showed that the information needs of the rural people were numerous,
ranging from health, agriculture and allied occupations, education, housing, employment,
transportation, religion, recreation, culture, welfare and family matters. Their challenges of
accessing information were due toilliteracy, poverty, lack of information infrastructure, lack of
libraries and information centers. The library can fill the information need of the rural people
through education, provision of reading and information materials. It concludes by stating that
the library plays an important role in rural development, so they should endeavor to stock the
rural libraries with materials that will meet the information needs of the rural people. It goes
further to recommend that librarians working in the different types of libraries should endeavor
to acquire materials such as books and make ideas available through radio broadcast and
cassette recordings.
An Investigation into the Effect of Social Media Addiction on Library Users of Bayelsa State Polytechnic, Aleibiri
(2023) George-Sawyerr, Oyinkepreye E.
The study discussed the effects of social media addiction on library users of the Bayelsa State Polytechnic,
Aleibiri. It defined and explained social media addiction, and the different themes relating to social media
addiction. The study had five objectives and research questions. The literature reviewed social media as
a concept, the benefits of using social media and addictions, the types of addiction consequences of social
media addiction, and suggestions on ways to reduce social media addiction. A descriptive survey design
was used for the study. The population for the study is 100, while the sample size was 48. A purposive
sampling technique was used to select the sample. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data
and Chi Square and descriptive analysis was used to analyse the results. The study concluded that social
media is beneficial to library users but with potential for abuse by library users with dire consequences
in terms of their physical and mental health, and academic performance. The study suggests ways of
managing social media addiction through acknowledging their addiction, reviewing past posts, setting
priorities right, turning off all notifications, avoid posting everyday life experiences, limiting their social
media usage and transfer their social media account to another people.