By Ovat Abeng
Wikipedia, one of the world’s largest free online encyclopedia, has enrolled over fifty lecturers and students of the Federal Polytechnic Oko, Anambra State, into it free open internet knowledge.
Mr. Timothy Ezenwanne, the Communication and Project Officer, Wikimedia Anambra State Network, announced this during the one-year anniversary celebration of the Wikimedia Anambra Network, held at the Ekwueme Centre for Multi-Disciplinary Research, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, on Wednesday.
He said the enrollment, opening of free Wikipedia page for Chukwumemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Greg Chukwudi Nwakoby and other executed projects in Anambra State by the organization were part of the achievement recorded so far within one year.
Mr. Ezenwanne while calling for more people to enrolled in the Wikimedia free internet services in the state also revealed that about eighty percent of Nigerian States, Communities, leaders, Institutions of learning, Traditional institutes and their Monarchs, and some other organizations in the country can not be found in it website.
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According to him, Wikimedia, been one the online company working with most of the online searching engines in the World, has evolved from a seemingly impossible idea into a sprawling testament to humanity, a place where we can collaborate, share, and learn about anything and everything.
“It is a global effort of volunteers who elevate knowledge and cooperation over conflict and self-interest. We are committed to preserving the integrity and value of information at a time when the world needs it most.
“Today, Wikipedia’s more than 55 million articles can be accessed in over 300 languages, for free, and without advertisements, all created by volunteers,” he added.
Declaring the ceremony open, Mr. Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, MD/CEO of the Anambra State ICT Agency, called for a shift towards positive narratives about Anambra State.
Agbata emphasized that Anambra, under the administration of the Governor Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, is flourishing and deserves to be portrayed in a more positive light. He urged citizens to take up the challenge of crafting positive narratives, particularly through digital platforms like Wikipedia.
He extended congratulations to Wikimedia Anambra Network for its one-year milestone, underscoring its pivotal role in Governor Soludo’s vision of transforming Anambra into a thriving and prosperous smart mega city.
Agbata stressed the importance of supporting the Network and highlighted the governor’s endorsement of initiatives that promote Anambra’s unique story.
“When I first encountered the Wikimedia group in Lagos, I was impressed by their work. If you don’t share your story, no one else will. No one understands your culture and experiences better than you, which makes it imperative for networks like this to proliferate across the nation,” Agbata stated.
He further noted that editors outside Anambra may not fully grasp the rich culture and captivating stories of Anambra communities, emphasizing the need for local residents to rise up to the challenge of telling their own narratives authentically leveraging the Wikimedia platforms.
Dr. Ngozi Osuchukwu, President of Wikimedia User Group, Anambra Network, on her welcome speech, explained that Wikimedia focuses on digital literacy, skills, and digital information management, empowering individuals to contribute to open knowledge in a progressive manner.
“Over the past year, the Anambra Network has executed over 22 projects in Anambra State and beyond, with six of them being community-based initiatives covering health, governance, politics, community information, and open knowledge
“Recently, the Network formed a partnership with the Anambra State ICT Agency in recognition of its pivotal role as the Agency mandated to drive the “Everything Technology and Technology Everywhere” vision of Governor Soludo.
“We are celebrating our successes today, and it’s worth mentioning that the Anambra Network won the award for the highest participation in July’s ‘Naija Office Hour.
“Our members have also been selected to attend Wikimedia international conferences, with one member sponsored to Singapore last month for a Wikimedia activity. In the upcoming month, another member will travel to Morocco for a Wiki activity, and yet another will visit India,” she said.
Dr. Osuchukwu urged people to embrace digital literacy and volunteer in Wikimedia spaces to share their stories.
She commended the brands and organizations that partnered with and sponsored the Network over the past year, particularly acknowledging the Anambra State ICT Agency’s support and expressing hope for continued collaboration to promote digital literacy in the state.
The celebration included the cutting of an anniversary cake, cultural performances, and poetic renditions in both English and Igbo languages, as highlights of the event.
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