Information Needs, Source and Seeking Behaviour among Rural Women Artisan in Ilai, Nigeria and the Implications for Poverty Eradication
Abstract: Information need becomes a necessity for problem solving. Source of information is equally instrumental to addressing pressing problems. This study focused at exploring the information needs, sources, information seeking behaviour of women artisans in Ilai, a rural area in Kogi State, Nigeria. Three objectives were identified for the study. Structured interviewed was used to elicit information from the 15 participants. Findings revealed that information needs are; on local banking, palm oil production, coffee marketing, commercial production of black soap and melon threshing. Sources of information utilized are; place of worship, communal meeting, sister wives and through phone calls. The information seeking behaviour is purposive; mainly in search of information targeted towards enhancing their business activities. It evident from the findings that lack of Library as institution of learning hinders access to information. This is highly essential for decision making towards sustainable economic empower and poverty eradication among women in Ilai, Kogi State, Nigeria. Having in-depth knowledge of information needs of women artisans will assist in developing a workable intervention to foster poverty eradication. Based on the findings, it is recommended that appropriate channels of communication be made available to facilitate sourcing of information on their information needs. Projects such as good road network, uninterrupted power supply and conventional banking outfit should be made available in the area to foster sustainable poverty eradication.
Keywords: Information Needs: Information Seeking Behaviour: Women Artisans: Rural Women: Nigeria
