When I was growing up, I used to wonder what kind of organization Wikipedia was. I imagined it as a massive company with thousands of writers creating articles on nearly every topic imaginable. It seemed like a place where experts were hired to document knowledge for the world.
Later in life, I discovered that I could create my own Wikipedia page. That realization sparked my curiosity. As I explored further, I encountered the Wikimedia Niger Delta Community and joined as a volunteer. It was during this time that I learned a profound truth—Wikipedia is built entirely by volunteers. Every article, every edit, and every addition to the vast repository of knowledge on Wikimedia platforms comes from individuals around the world who contribute freely, not from paid staff.
My involvement in the community deepened, and I eventually became an executive member of the Wikimedia Niger Delta Community. This journey shaped my passion for open knowledge and Wikimedia’s mission. Then, in 2025, a new challenge arose: the opportunity to lead a new community, the Wikimedia User Group Nigeria Rivers Network. With this new responsibility, I set out to build a strong foundation for the network, ensuring that new members understood the vision and work of Wikimedia.
To achieve this, I organized our first project—Rivers State Wiki Hour: Wikimedia and You – Shaping the World of Free Knowledge. This event was designed to introduce new members to Wikimedia, educate them on its various projects, and inspire participants to become active contributors.
Rivers State Wiki Hour: Wikimedia and You – Shaping the World of Free Knowledge
Date: 3rd February 2025
Venue: Online (Virtual Session)
Theme: Wikimedia and You – Shaping the World of Free Knowledge
Overview of the Event
The Rivers State Wiki Hour was a knowledge-sharing and capacity-building session aimed at introducing new members to Wikimedia, demystifying its operations, and guiding participants on how to contribute meaningfully to the platform. The event was also an opportunity to build a strong volunteer base for the Rivers Network and foster collaboration with Wikimedia contributors from other regions.
Breakdown of Sessions and Facilitators
🟢 Section 1: Welcome & Keynote Address
Opening Remark
- Facilitator: Ejike Onyeke, Moderator & President, Wikimedia User Group Nigeria Rivers Network
- As the President of the newly established Wikimedia Rivers State Network, I welcomed participants and provided an overview of our mission. I emphasized the importance of knowledge sharing and how this session was designed to empower attendees to become active contributors.
Keynote Address: “The Power of Knowledge Sharing in Nigeria”
- Facilitator: Prof. Ngozi Osadebe
- Professor Ngozi Osadebe is a distinguished academic and advocate for open knowledge in Nigeria. She delivered an inspiring keynote address on the importance of knowledge democratization, emphasizing how Wikimedia serves as a powerful tool for bridging information gaps in Nigeria and across Africa.
🟢 Section 2: Understanding the Wikimedia Foundation
Facilitator: Ayokanmi Oyeyemi
Ayokanmi Oyeyemi, a dedicated Wikimedia contributor and advocate for free knowledge, led this session on the mission and vision of the Wikimedia Foundation. He provided a comprehensive overview of:
- The history and global impact of Wikimedia.
- The various Wikimedia projects include Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons, Wikidata, Wikisource, and more.
- Why Wikimedia matters and how it ensures access to free, reliable, and verifiable knowledge.
Participants left this session with a deeper understanding of Wikimedia’s role in global education and the need for more local contributors.
🟢 Section 3: How You Can Contribute to Wikimedia Projects
Facilitator: Ashioma Medi
Ashioma Medi, an experienced Wikimedia editor passionate about local content creation, guided participants on how to actively contribute to Wikimedia projects.
She broke down the different ways individuals can get involved:
✔ Writing and editing Wikipedia articles – The basics of Wikipedia editing, including how to create an account, start an article, and make edits.
✔ Contributing in local languages – She highlighted Wikimedia projects that support Nigerian languages such as Yoruba, Igbo, and Hausa, encouraging participants to translate and create content in these languages.
✔ Uploading media to Wikimedia Commons – A walkthrough on how to upload photos and videos, ensuring proper licensing for free reuse.
✔ The role of volunteers – How each individual plays a part in expanding free knowledge and ensuring underrepresented communities have a voice on Wikimedia.
🟢 Section 4: Volunteer Stories and Testimonials
Facilitator: Dr. Tesleemah Abdulkareem
Dr. Tesleemah Abdulkareem, a seasoned Wikimedia volunteer, shared her journey into Wikimedia. Her story covered:
- How she started as a contributor and gradually became a key player in the Wikimedia community.
- The challenges she faced as a female contributor and how she overcame them.
- Success stories, including how her contributions helped increase Nigerian representation on Wikimedia.
Her testimony served as an inspiration for new volunteers, proving that anyone can make a meaningful impact on Wikimedia.
🟢 Section 5: Next Steps & Networking
Facilitator: Adetola Aborisade
Adetola Aborisade, a community engagement strategist, concluded the event with a session on the next steps for new volunteers.
Key points discussed:
- How to stay engaged with the Wikimedia User Group Nigeria Rivers Network.
- Upcoming events, including edit-a-thons, capacity-building workshops, and networking opportunities.
- Ways to connect with other Wikimedia communities in Nigeria and beyond.
The session ended with a networking opportunity, allowing participants to ask questions, share ideas, and build connections with fellow volunteers and Wikimedia leaders.
Key Outcomes of the Training
✅ Over 18 participants joined the session, showing strong interest in Wikimedia.
✅ Attendees gained foundational knowledge of Wikimedia’s mission and how they can contribute.
✅ Several participants made their first-ever edits on Wikipedia.
✅ The event strengthened the Wikimedia Rivers State Network, fostering new collaborations.
✅ Increased enthusiasm for documenting local knowledge and preserving Nigerian history on Wikimedia.
Next Steps for the Rivers Network
📌 Organizing a monthly Wiki Hour to continue training and onboarding new members.
📌 Hosting edit-a-thons focused on enriching content about Rivers State and Nigeria.
📌 Partnering with universities, schools, and cultural organizations to expand Wikimedia’s impact.
📌 Encouraging participants to complete Wikipedia’s online training and become active contributors.
Conclusion
The Rivers State Wiki Hour was a major success as the first project of the Wikimedia User Group Nigeria Rivers Network. It set the stage for more impactful activities, laying a foundation for a vibrant Wikimedia community in Rivers State.
For me, this project was not just about training new editors; it was about building a movement where people take ownership of knowledge production and ensure that our stories, culture, and achievements are well-documented.
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