By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu
Mr. Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Anambra State ICT Agency, called for a shift towards positive narratives about Anambra State during the one-year anniversary celebration of the Wikimedia Anambra Network.
The event held at the Ekwueme Centre for Multi-Disciplinary Research, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, on Wednesday, also aimed to raise awareness of Wikimedia’s significant presence in Anambra State as a major open source for information sharing.
Agbata emphasized that Anambra under the administration of the Governor, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, 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.
CFA 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, 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.
A panel discussion featuring various members of the Wikimedia Anambra Network, including Mrs. Goodness Abasili, Dr. Adaora Obuezie, Timothy Ezenwanne, and Nwosu Chisom Vivian, provided further insights into Wikimedia, its benefits, and the qualifications for becoming Wikimedians.
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.
Photo: Mr. Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, MD/CEO, Anambra State ICT Agency speaking during the event at Awka Wednesday.
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