Moreover, human effort towards attaining goals has been captured in the assertion of Ijudigal (2015) who opined that attaining goals through human effort depend highly on effective communication of information and the major ingredients that make communication possible is through provision of information. For long, history has shown that rural dwellers in Africa have suffered by not enjoying meaningful development because of policy implementation created by African leaders.
The consequences of these neglect resulted in rural dwellers lacking access to basic needs such as water, food, education, healthcare, sanitation information and security, leading to low life expectancy and high infant mortality. As a result of this condition, majority of the rural dwellers tend to migrate to urban areas for better life. Furthermore, Cyprian (2008) examined the various ways in which mobile phone technology can be used to provide agricultural information to rural farmers in developing countries. Since the decision making process in agriculture now depends largely on information availability to farmers, mobile phone technology has been accepted as one of the efficient methods of information delivery to farmers. The paper identified five different ways in which this technology can be used to deliver agriculture information to farmers. They include: short message service (SMS); dedicated number with a voice activated menu option, internet access service; combined service with other technologies and one-to-one communication. This is also applicable to traditional herbal medical practitioners as mobile phone technology can be one of the efficient methods of information delivery to the general society on the various information on services of medicine and diseases it cures, thereby pave ways for more recognitions.
2.7 Methods of Transfer of Information among Traditional Medical System
Knowledge transfer is the deployment of knowledge expertise, skills and capabilities from universities as the academic knowledge to companies or organisations in need of the knowledge, such as non- government organisations, commercial and industrial sectors, and various non academic beneficiaries (Hong Kong Baptist University, 2015). Knowledge transfer refers to the mutual interaction that can take place for knowledge to move from one point to the other. It occurs when an individual is willing to assist as well as to learn from others in the development of new competencies. The assistance referred to here, is the area of collaboration either within or outside the organisation Aimaatah (2008) Proper method of knowledge transfer among organisational members has several benefits. Amongst others, it frees information, enhances social interaction, eliminates or reduces duplication of efforts and forms the basis for problem -solving and decision making Nnadozie (2015).
Furthermore, free access to information facilitate knowledge acquisition and contributed to the development of the people in the society. Udensi (2010) opined that, it is only when available information is easily accessible that information utilization is possible. Therefore, Africa information resources, are in the different forms available in the universities that have them, if they are in the language and in the different formats that can easily be attracted to its usage. She further assert that the poor and development rate of Africana is not without reasons, for a long time was on European Literature. One of the reasons for poor recognition accorded to Africana could be the fact that in those colonial years, the educational systems did not emphasis the Africana culture. One was taught by English teacher and was given English books to read which had foreign culture at the background. These have affected the perceptions of library users, who in turn influence the choice of collections in the library. However, indigenous traditional herbal medical are not left out in this challenge.
Indigenous knowledge system is defined as the accumulation and dissemination of information in this form of shared environment knowledge, beliefs, rules and techniques for productive activities (Olatokun, 2008). This means, it may be related to common practice seen in communities. Conventional approaches imply that development processes always require technology transfer from locations that are perceived as more advanced. This has led often to overlooking the potential in local experiences and practices. The experience from Ethiopia food security programme has illustrated the consequences if local knowledge is not considered- adequately. In this wise, one can deduct that integration of indigenous with foreign knowledge, is what is needed for the success of a project.
Traditional knowledge systems of indigenous people, vary in their contents and styles, nonetheless all have a great deal to offer in sustaining life on the planet. Most traditional knowledge systems assume that people are part of the land, not that they own the land, so they consider themselves as true guardians. The wisdom derived from this philosophy can be used to advantage when planning for sustainability (AIan, 2000).
2.8 The Roles of Libraries and Librarians in the Information Acquisition, Management and Transfer System among Traditional Medical Practitioners
It has been observed by Udensi and Akor (2013) that in Nigeria, it is common to see in organisation, government ministries and parastatals has a room set aside or hall cramped with some old chairs, tables, and cupboards, put together collection of books, magazines with a library inscribed at the door post. However, collections in the libraries need to include collections of indigenous traditional medical knowledge that can be useful in the area of medical herbal practices. Traditionally, information was available in print format as books or serials. Later, other formats like microforms and audio-visual materials carried information that are pertinent to research. Now with advances in information and communication technology (ICT), information that can be useful to traditional herbal medical practitioners is available online, on compact discs and internet. Therefore, efforts should be made by librarians to make them accessible and affordable to indigenous traditional medical practitioners (Lawal, 2006)
