INFOPRENUER: A 21st Century Information Professional

LIBRARY, ARCHIVAL AND INFORMATION STUDIES STUDENTS' ASSOCIATION ORGANISES FIRST SEMINAR TAGGED INFOPRENUER

By: Àtàndá Abdulrahman and Ayeni Òtítọ́-Jesu

The Department of Library, Archival and Information Studies organized *A-day Seminar tagged "INFOPRENEUR: A 21st Century Information Professional" on Friday 17th, 2018.* The seminar started  at 2:40pm.

At the beginning of the program,a minute silence was observed for the untimely death of a 300 level student of the department (MISS ADEWUMI FAITH OLUWAPAMILERIN) who died on Thursday 16th of brief sickness.

The opening prayer was rendered by Miss Ojekunle Adekola after which the national anthem was sung. The staffs, Guests Speakers, and alumni were introduced after which the president of the association Mr. Ogundiji Olalakan I. gave the opening speech.

The First speaker Dr. A.J Alonge whose citation was read by Mr. Minchaki Funnah G. (The General Secretary) gave a speech on  *ICT SKILL AND EMPLOYABILITY NEEDS OF THE LIS STUDENTS.* He talked at large about learning skills that can fit in at any time in any place. He further discussed on basic skills for new librarians which include but not exceeding Computer operating system and social media management skill. He highlighted subject expertise,  Knowledge management,  critical skills and information literacy skills as needed skills in other to thrive in the information industrial world. He also highlighted opportunities available to LIS graduates which includes but not exceeding Emerging technology librarians, Social media coordinator, Research specialist, web and content developer, business intelligence analyst and multimedia librarian.

Going ahead, the citation of the second speaker (Prince H.A Oshilalu) was read by Miss Oyeleye Feyisara(The Treasurer) of which he came up to deliver his presentation after that. He talked on the topic: *Maximising the Labour Market and Experience of a young Librarian*. In his delivery, he made mention of the fact that there is a need for competitive intelligence which requires the asking of directions and putting them into action. Also, there was a mention of market scan which is fine by the individual looking for a job. He goes through the various available opportunities for him/her to work. Thereafter, you need to make a self-assessment of whether or not you are fit for the job. After the self-assessment, make necessary plans but make move and not just plan. Also, discover your unique selling point. That is what will make you stand out as the best. And as such, you will be able to use your talents to thrill others in the same market.
In addition to that, we were advised to acquire the required qualification. By that, you'll be bold enough to challenge any challenge that comes your way in the workforce. Moving on, it is important that you develop your IT skills. The world is now diverting to the IT mode and by such, anyone that is not conversant with the skills will be on the losing side. Therefore, we all need to upgrade.
In concluding, he attached this statement which goes thus: *joining the market is one thing, staying there is another thing*.

After he concluded, there was a call on Miss Oyetunde Oluwatoni(the Vice-President) who read the citation of the third speaker (Mr. O.I Onayemi) who delivered on the topic: *The Academic and Commercial Potentials of an Information Manager*. In his delivery, he defined information according to various scholars and went ahead to how information managers can develop their commercial potentials of which he gave various skills required in developing oneself which include writing skills, reading skills among others. Going further, he gave an advise that whatever we find ourselves doing should be done wholeheartedly and not just for doing sake. In concluding, he gave some opportunities available for LIS professionals which included media assistant, cataloguer, cartographer, I.T assistant among others.

Advancing in the programme, there was a presentation by the department's Literary and Debating

Society which was done by Robinson Rosemary. After that, there was an avenue for questions and answers which was then followed by the HOD's (Prof. S. O. Popoola) closing remarks as well as the presentation of awards by Dr. A. A. Abioye (on behalf of LARISSA EXCOS) to the guest speakers and vote of thanks. At the latter end, there was the distribution of the expected Sumptuous Item 7 and the programme came to a close. Eminence Photography too was around to cover the programme.

© *LARISSA PRESS*