By Salisu K Ismail

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has joined 163 organizations and 29 individuals globally to called on the European Parliament, the European Commission, the Council of the European Union and EU Member States to ensure that the EU Artificial Intelligence Act (EU AI Act) protects the rights of all people including migrants.

This was contained in a draft that was jointly signed by CITAD, 163 organizations and 29 individuals globally and was made available to Newsmen by the Centre’s Executive Director, Engineer Yunusa Zakari Ya’u in Kano.

The release explained that the EU AI Act which was recently amended does not adequately address and prevent the harms stemming from the use of AI in the migration context.

Adding that, “states and institutions are focused on promoting AI in terms of benefits for wider society, marginalised communities and people on the move particularly migrants, asylum seekers and refugees”

“But, the states and institutions have failed to understand that, the AI technologies fit into wider systems of over-surveillance, criminalisation, structural discrimination and violence” the release added.

The release unbundled to newsmen the recommendations put forward to the EU by the 163 organizations and 29 individuals following amendments of the AI Act;

“Prohibit unacceptable uses of AI system in the context of migration” 

“Also to ensure that, all AI systems used in migration are regulated to include ‘high-risk’ of (Biometric identification systems, AI system for border monitoring & surveillance, Predictive analytic systems used for people on the move)

“Ensuring the AI Act applied to all high-risk systems in migration, including those in use as part of EU IT systems”

“And to ensure that transparency and oversight measures apply” 

The release also stressed that, the EU AI act must be amended to prevent harm from AI systems used in migration and border control, guaranteeing public transparency and empowering people and groups to understand, seek explanations, complain and achieve remedies when AI systems violate their rights.

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has kicked off this year’s campaign against Gender-Based Violence with a sensitization lecture on reporting and identifying GBV cases to the students of Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Kano.

The 16-day campaign on the international day for elimination of Violence against women and girls is an annual event aimed at addressing the menace of violence against women and girls across the globe.

Addressing journalists at the lecture, CITAD gender officer explained that the event was to create awareness on the need for citizens to always speak against Sexual and Gender-based violence.

Zainab Aminu, appealed to Nigerians to expose the perpetrators of violence against women and the girl-child.

Presenting a paper on reporting and identifying gender based violence, Director Center for Gender Studies, Bayero University Kano, Dr. Suwaiba Saidu Ahmed identified poverty, hunger, harmful cultural practices, female genital mutilation, war and conflict as some of the major catalysts to gender based violence.

According to her, gender based violence refers to violence directed to a person based on gender, saying that the menace is becoming rampant in the society.

The director stressed that legislation, education, information dissemination, identifying root cases of societal problems, supporting for victims, women empowerment and zero tolerance to GBV, as some of the ways of mitigating the problem.

She charged the government, and relevant stakeholders to treat gender based violence as a public health issue, by establishing centers to treat and counsel victims.

“We should engage in activities that would stop GBV to ensure a safer society”

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has launched a mobile app known as the ‘Office of the Citizens’ on budgetary and procurement processes in Bauchi state.
According to Isah Garba, Senior Programmes Officer of CITAD, the project is intended to improve service delivery through effective citizen participation in the budgetary and procurement processes in Bauchi state.
He told Journalists during a press conference in his office on Thursday that it focuses on building the capacity of the legislators, public officers and civil society activists in the state to be able to work together to promote effective citizens participation in the governance process of the state.
He explained further that the project currently works in six local government areas of the state namely: Alkaleri, Bauchi, Katagum, Misau, Ningi, and Toro with a special focus on Basic Education, Procurement, Freedom of Information and the Budgetary process.
The goal of the project is to Strengthen Citizen’s Participation in Governance through Active Participation in the Budgetary and Procurement Processes of the state.

Isah Garba added that the objectives of the project are to Enhance the capacity of 40 CSOs to engage both government and citizens in the budget process as means of improving citizens’ participation in budget processes and Enhance the skills of 40 government officials in the interface with citizens to collect, collate and use citizens input in the budget process.
It will also facilitate the monitoring of procurement processes in the focal areas of education, health, and youth and women’s development while part of the initiative in the project is to help citizens monitor public projects in their communities and provide feedback to the government on the status and nature of the project implementations as well as demand that projects are executed based on the contract agreement between the government and the contractors.

In order to make this happen easily, the project decided to leverage technology to bridge the gap of time and locations as well as reduce cost implications in the course of reporting projects and also assist the government to get instant reports on projects from the communities, even if the government project monitoring team is not on ground.
The Senior Program Manager explained that the application was developed using Java8 programming language, with PHP and MYSQL as a database management system that encrypts any user information in the server.
The application has signing keys which were generated using Android Studio APK analyzer signed by Google, any user information or form submitted in the application is stored on the Amazon web server (AWS) while anyone can open an account from the app and can report, but no one can have access to the backend or source code until they are permitted on the GitHub server.
The app can serve as an interface platform between the citizens, public officers and legislators in the state, where citizens can effectively participate in decision-making and improve transparency and accountability in the state.
He then disclosed that it is currently available on the Android Play Store with the name office of the citizens and can be downloaded and used by every citizen in the state to send reports on project implementations in their communities, and where the response of the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning is needed, there is an interface through chatting that any user can ask questions and responses will be provided either instantly or when the responses are available.

Additionally, the state budget documents released by the ministry of budget and economic planning will be uploaded on the app so that users can easily access the documents from the app. alternatively, the users can access the platform using any browser through https://bauchibudgettracker.com.ng/
On the call of CITAD, he said that “We want to use this medium to call on civil society organizations and community-based organizations in Bauchi state who are the voice and eyes of the citizens in the state to download the App, utilize the App as well as sensitize their partners on reporting project implementations at the community level so that the state government can get on the spot report on projects to enable the state track, monitor, and ensure value for money and effective service to the citizens of the state”.
He added that “We should all know that governance is a collective responsibility of both the government and the citizens, therefore, it is imperative for both to work together to ensure effective service delivery and inclusive governance and decision-making process in the state”.

The Centre for Information Technology and Development, CITAD has organized a Two days training for 20 youths, tagged ‘Gender Champions’ on the ways to address Gender-Based Violence in their various communities in Kano State.

The training, which is the third in the series of Gender Champions, took place in Kano with the aim to curtail the menace of GBV in the society.

Speaking to Journalists at the training, CITAD’s Gender Officer, Mrs. Zainab Aminu described Gender Violence as malicious and harmful act, posing serious threat to the general well-being of human societies, calling on stakeholders to collaborate with a view to fighting the scourge.

According to her, GBV is an unfortunate act where perpetrators directed at individuals or group of people.

She however said, the 20 Champions were selected from various communities in Kano state.

“Ambassadors selected will be empowered to conduct step-down training in their respective communities as well as making a powerful advocacy visit to key relevant stakeholders,”

“The champions also comprised of both men and women, including People Living With Disabilities.”

She noted that CITAD will continue sensitizing the general public against the scourge, stressing that, it will not rest on its oars until GVB is drastically reduced.

Zainab Aminu explained that the training is sponsored by Centre for Information and Development (CITAD) with support from Ford Foundation.

“This is the 3rd set of individuals being trained to advocate against GBV, the first and second batch, comprising of 40 individuals each.

Also speaking on behalf of Champions,  Rose Steven thanked CITAD for the training.

She stated readiness to step down what they learnt in their various communities.

A non-governmental organization, Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) with support from Association for Progressive Communications (APC), has organized an interactive session with female journalists of eight (8) northern states to commemorate the International Day of the Girl Child.

During the session which took place at Sands and Duns Hotel Damaturu, Yobe state, CITAD Gender Officer, Zainab Aminu said the contribution of the girl child to society-building is invaluable, and it is evident across all major spheres, including education, politics, decision making, media, business and even much more.

Aminu added that despite the odds and unfavorable conditions, there is a lot to celebrate about the girl child this year. “They have been worthy ambassadors and we are proud of them all.” She stated.

She also called on stakeholders, parents and government to give adequate attention to girls’ education, as well as ensure a secure and favorable environment for their learning.

Speaking on the theme of this year’s celebration, ‘Our Time is Now, Our Rights, Our Future’ a Kano based journalist Hannatu Sulaiman Abba, said it was a call for the girl child to be free from all forms of biases and her rights restored.

Hannatu also urged mothers to pay attention to their girl child, teach them to develop the ability to think critically and ensure they have equal participation in decision making, either within the family or at the community level.

The female journalists were drawn from eight (8) northern states of Bauchi, Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, Yobe, Gombe, Adamawa and Plateau.

International Day of the Girl Child is observed on October 11 every year and was first observed on October 11, 2012 by the United Nations. This year commemorates the 10th anniversary of the International Day of the Girl.

The day focuses attention on the need to address the challenges girls face and to promote girls’ empowerment and the fulfillment of their rights.

The theme of International Day of the Girl Child this year is: “Our time is now—our rights, our future.”

CITAD, Lenovo Partner to Empower 200 Girls on Digital Creativity and Innovation

By Rabiu Musa

HOTPEN – No fewer than 200 young girls and women in Kano state benefited from Digital Creativity and Innovation training organized by the Centre for Information Technology and Development, CITAD to revamp the entrepreneurial spirit as a critical factor for sustainable development.

The Centre said the program is designed to empower young girls to have access to digital skills to address the gender digital divide and reduce poverty in Nigeria.

Engr. Kamal Umar, who is the Technical Officer of the Centre, disclosed this to newsmen on Thursday in Kano.

HotPen reports that the capacity-building training which took place at Hall B, CITAD main office in Kano, titled; “The Challenges of Seedling and Nurturing Creativity and Innovation Among Young Women” had Prof. Asabe S. Muhammad, Provost Aminu Saleh College of Education, Azare as the Chair of Occasion, Dr. Sana Maaz from the department of Software Engineering, Bayero University, Kano.

Others include: Aliyu Dahiru Aliyu, Assistant Editor, HumaAngle Media, and Aisha Bako, Chief Executive Officer, Onyx Investment Advisory Limited, Abuja.

Engr. Kamal opined that “Empowering young girls to have access to digital skills is one way to addressing the gender digital divide in the country”.

He said “bridging the digital divide will contribute to the greater empowerment of women to overcome gender marginalization, unemployment, and poverty”. Kamal revealed that the training will significantly assist young women in the de-feminization of poverty and avail them with an opportunity to contribute to their bid for wealth creation.

Addressing the participants during the training, Dr. Sana Maaz went down memory lane and explained to the young women the importance of entrepreneurship in the current tides of technology and self-reliance as a woman.

Dr. Sana recounts her ordeal as a woman in a family of 9 with a single male child in the ancient city of Kano and how she defeated stereotypical maxim associated with women in Northern Nigeria.

Mr. Maaz counseled the young women to develop an open mindset and become drivers of innovation not passengers of it. She noted with dismay the presence of human capital (Seedling) and lack of spirit in nurturing young girls in our societies.

Highlighting the challenges young women are experiencing in nurturing creativity and Innovation in Nigeria, Aliyu Dahiru Aliyu, one of the leading panelist laments how Cultural, Religious and Political milieus among other significant barriers are discouraging digital creativity and innovation among young women.

Aliyu echoed the need to carry everyone along in respect of gender in the current paradigm shift from analog to digital technologies on businesses in the world.

He attributed lack of incentives, motivation, and role models for young women as part of the barriers hindering them to start businesses. Aliyu further advised young women to leverage on digital technologies for wealth creation.

A Non-Governmental Organisation, Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), in Kano state has called on victims of sexual assault, abuse, and domestic violence to always speak out against their experiences.

The gender desk officer of CITAD, Zainab Aminu made the call on Friday, during a monthly press conference on gender based violence in the state.

Aminu explained that in CITAD monthly report on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) said there was about 150% increase in reporting Gender-Based Violence in Kano in the month of May.

She said due to increased awareness and advocacies, victims have been reporting different types of violence using GBV App specifically designed for the purpose.

“In comparison with the data obtained in previous months, GBV cases are still on the increase. 85 cases were reported via our GBV App for the month which includes sexual harassment, online harassment, sexual abuse, and wife battering,” Zainab said.

According to her, GBV thrives only when all stakeholders keep quiet and allow it to fester.

While appealing to parents, relatives, and guardians to always report cases of GBV to relevant authorities or NGOs, she called on the government to ensure that laws are enacted to bring the perpetrators to justice.

She, therefore enjoined the general public to regard online violence just as any other violence that has negative consequences on the victims.

Zainab, therefore called on the government and relevant stakeholders to unite in the fight against crime by strengthening laws that will protect women and children against such heinous acts.

The gender desk officer equally enjoined women to break the silence by speaking out and reporting their cases to the appropriate authorities for necessary actions.

Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) urged traditional leaders in Kano state to double effort in the fight against Gender Based Violence, especially in rural areas where some customs violates the human rights of women, young girls and boys.

 

The statement came from Buhari Abba as he led CITAD’s delegation to the palace of Emir of Gaya, His Highness, Alhaji (Dr) Aliyu Ibrahim Abdulkadir, in his palace on Monday.

 

Buhari Abba said CITAD with support from Ford Foundation recently conducted a survey in 22 local government areas in Kano State on violence against women and children and the results showed that the practice is on the rise. According to him, this negative outcome calls for deep involvement of the royal fathers across the state to curtail further happenings.

 

On his part the Emir of Gaya, His highness Alhaji (Dr) Aliyu Ibrahim Abdulkadir commended CITAD for its intervention in the fight against violence against women in the state saying that traditional rulers will continue to support this herculeen effort.

The Emir condemned all forms of violent practices against women and girls in the State, vowing to bring such to end.

 

He also assured that, his council will redouble its efforts to ensure violence against women, all forms of gender discrimination and harmful traditional practices come to an end in his emirate.

He added that everyone should understand that violence against women and girls is unacceptable and will no longer be tolerated.

 

Dr. Aliyu Ibrahim then called for collective efforts from authorities, including NGOs, to tackle violence and other social vices plaguing women and children in Kano state.

Mr Isah Garba, Senior Programme Manager, Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) in Bauchi has said that the level of involvement of the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in procurement process in the state is very low in the state.

Garba stated this in a one-day Town Hall Meeting between CITAD, Civil Society Organisations, Journalists, Public officers from the state public procurement unit, on Public Procurement and Fiscal Responsibility Laws.

He added that this had negatively impacted on the level of awareness by the people especially, in the rural areas about procurement process in the state.

According to him, the essence of the town hall meeting was to see how all the participants can come together and address issues of the procurement system of Bauchi state.

“The next important document in any democratic society is the budgetary and the budget document of the state after the constitution.

“And the budget document of any state can not be effectively implemented without the procurement process. Yet, civil societies are engaging citizens of government in the budgetary process, however, our level of engagement in the procurement process is very low.

“Civil societies are also the elites of the societies but in this case the civil societies are not fully as expected engaging the common man in the grassroots to understand that procurement process and see how he can contribute his own quota towards strengthening the process to ensure accountability, transparency, efficiency and effectiveness”. He said.

The Senior Programme Manager, however, charged journalists and every participants present to embark on massive sensitisation of the people in the rural areas on public procurement process.

He explained that the high level of ignorance of these people is the real cause of lapses in the procurement process and implementation in the state.

“Journalists should always report issues on procurement. Our media houses should please amplify and disseminate any information given to them or at their disposal on public procurement process in the state”. He pleaded.

By POLYCARP AUTA

Bauchi- An NGO, Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has begun a two-day training for 20 journalists on anti-corruption reporting in Nigeria.

Speaking at the event on Monday in Bauchi, the Executive Director of CITAD,  Zakari Ya’u, said that the training supported by the MacArthur Foundation, drew participants from the 19 northern states of the country.

He said that the exercise was aimed at exposing media practitioners to the menace of the high level of corruption in Nigeria

Ya’u pointed out that the training would guide participants on how to create a deeper public awareness on the evil of corruption through their reportage.

According to executive director,  the training will further expose reporters to some of the tools that can be used in researching and reporting corruption issues in the country.

”You will all agree with me that corruption has eaten deep into the fabrics of our society, and if we don’t act fast to kill it, it will kill us.

”However, we can’t kill it by mere talks; unless Nigerians come together in unison to fight the menace.

”So, this workshop is to expose and equip participants, who are generally reporters with the requisite knowledge in order to create the awareness that will excite Nigerians to be ready to fight the menace.

”We are here to  work together by sharing knowledge and fashion out ways that would deepen research and report corruption cases that would stimulate Nigerians to want to kick out the hydra-headed monster,” he said.

Ya’u also disclosed that some of the participants would be given mini grants by the organisation in order to investigate corruption cases at various levels.(NAN)

Center for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has organized a two day workshop to some journalists that work in different media outlets on compiling reports on corrupt practices, investigative report and other multimedia skills.

The two-day workshop held on Monday 23 – Tuesday 24 of May, 2022 at Pali Suit in Bauchi state, was orchestrated to change the narration on the current issues of alleged corrupt practices by some public office holders in Nigeria, through investigative journalism.

Addressing the participants, the Director of CITAD, who spoke on the effects of fake news and how it can be dealt with, said the workshop will equip and encourage journalists on developing story ideas on human angle and general development journalism.

He explained that with the emergence of social media, the entire world has become a global village where people can easily showcase their talents in exposing the truth about any hazy event, through the use of social platforms.

Mr Buhari Abba, the moderator of the sessions, urged the participants to make the training workable and use the knowledge they have gotten to develop good stories on corruption at all levels.

The workshop mainly revolved around “researching and reporting about accountability and anti-corruption issues” in Nigeria.

The Center for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has trained Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Community Based Organizations (CBOs) in three local government areas of Bauchi State, Toro and Alkaleri on budget processes in order to create synergy between the people and the government in budgetary and procurement processes of the state.

Daily Independent reports that the training of CSOs and CBOs on budget processes is a component of CITAD with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under a one year project, entitled”Strengthening citizens participatory budgetary process” through the “State Accountability Transparency and Effectiveness (State2 State) to implement governance in the state.

Speaking in welcome remarks during the training that was held at the Medical and Health Workers Union secretariat in Bauchi, the Executive Director of CITAD, Dr Yunusa Zakari Yau said that by increasing citizens’ awareness of the budget process, citizens will be equipped to make informed inputs to the various stages across the budget cycle, further improving accountability in the government’s budgets process and system.

Represented by the CITAD Senior Programme Officer, Isah Garba, the Executive Director said that the objective of the training was to enhance the capacity of CSOs and CBOs to engage both government and citizens in the budget process and to improve citizens’ participation in budget processes and government officials.

He told the participants to engage in budget tracking in order to ensure prompt release of money budgeted for particular sectors of the state economy, adding that they should engage people from the grassroot through enlightenment in order for them to know their right to public property.

Giving an overview of the State2 State Project, the CITAD Senior Programme Officer, Isah Garba said that the budget is the most critical document in governance, hence citizens must engage in the processes to have a sense of belonging in affairs of government.

He said that the training also so makes the participants understand budget processes and other areas of engagement where the CSOs and CBOs can engage the government in drafting the budget, down to its implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

” We want the participants of this training to also understand the implementation report, to see the level of assessment conducted and level of improvement gotten in a certain year as well as how to create a synergy between the legislature and communities in developing communal agenda”

“So if the budget is truly for the citizens of the state, there is no how the budget will be formulated and implemented without the contributions of the people within the state. So, that is what we want to do, but we are going to achieve this through the CSO and CBO organizations who will serve as representatives of the general citizens of the state” he said

The Center for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has advocated for synergy between government and citizens in budgetary and procurement processes in Bauchi state. Our correspondent reports that CITAD training of CSOs and CBOs on budget processes with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under a one year project, entitled”Strengthening citizens participatory budgetary process” through the “State Accountability Transparency and Effectiveness (State2 State) in the state. The Executive Director CITAD, Dr Yunusa Zakari Yau made the call during the Civil Society Organizations CBOs and Community Based Organizations CBOs from Bauchi,Toro and Alkaleri on budget processes on Saturday in Bauchi. Read Also: 2023 Presidency: Christian Youth Group Passes Confidence Vote On Dauda He said the essence of the training was too stressed the need to create synergy between the people and the government in budgetary and procurement processes of the state. Yau said that by increasing citizens awareness of the budget process, citizen’s will be equipped to make informed inputs to the various stages across the budget cycle, further improving accountability in the government’s budgets process and system. The Executive Director, represented by the CITAD Senior Programme Officer, Isah Garba, said that the objective of the training was to enhance the capacity of CSOs and CBOs to engage both government and citizens in the budget process and to improve citizens’ participation in budget processes and government officials. He urged the participants to engage in budget tracking in order to ensure prompt release of money budgeted for particular sectors of the state economy. Ya’u added that they should engage people from the grassroot through enlightenment in order for them to know their right to public property. Malam Isah Garba, CITAD Senior Programme Officer,while giving an overview of the State2 State Project, said that the budget is the most critical document in governance, hence citizens must engage in the processes to have a sense of belonging in the affairs of government. He said that the training is for the participants to understand budget processes and other areas of engagement where the CSOs and CBOs can engage the government in drafting the budget, to its implementation, monitoring and evaluation. “We want the participants of this training to also understand the implementation report, to see the level of assessment conducted and level of improvement gotten in a certain year as well as how to create a synergy between the legislature and communities in developing a communal agenda”. “So if the budget is truly for the citizens of the state, there is no way the budget will be formulated and implemented without the contributions of the citizens within the state. He reiterated that CSO and CBO organizations should serve as representatives of the general citizens of the state.

Continue reading at https://northeaststarlive.com/citad-advocates-for-synergy-between-govt-citizens-on-budget-process/ | Widely Read Magazine

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has presented prizes to winners in the 4th round of its ‘Report a Project Competition’.

The Centre said the champions were honored to encourage them to continue contributing their best for the sustainable growth and development of society.

The program, according to the Center, is in support of the MacArthur Foundation and is targeted at encouraging students from tertiary institutions to report abandoned or poorly executed projects in their respective communities.

In his remarks, the Executive Director of the Centre Dr. Y.Z Ya’u said the essence of the project was in line with the pursuit of a collective action to demand accountability from the government at all levels.

The Executive Director, represented by the Centre’s Training Coordinator, Mal. Ahmad Abdullahi Yakasai explained that the idea is an accelerated step to holding governments accountable for their actions in the spirit of transparency as a critical element of good governance and improving citizens’ livelihood.

He further charged the trio winners to continue with the report on abandoned public projects not only because of what they’ll get but for the collective interest of the general populace.

The winner of the competition, Abubakar Aliyu who reported 4 years of abandoned Classes at Government Secondary School Dan-Maliki, Kumbotso L.G, Kano state was presented with a Computer, H.P model.

While the first runner-up Hussaini Musa was presented with a Huawei Android mobile phone, the Y-5 Prime model for reporting a 7 years abandoned project at the Federal College of Education, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The second runner-up got a Nokia Android mobile phone, C.1 model for reporting 6 years of abandoned Theatre projects at the Federal College of Education, Kano.