by

Isyaku Garba, Programmes Coordinator

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) as part of its Unlimited Potential Programme flagged off the ICT Youth Training in Gasau, Zamfara State on Saturday 4^th July 2009. (more…)

Once again the Center for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has conducted a one-day Career Talk at Government Girls Arabic Senior Secondary School, Birniwa, Birniwa Local Government of Jigawa State. (more…)

By Umar Farouq Uthman

On Monday 22^nd of June, 2009, CITAD’s Career Talks team, comprising of Mr. Ahmad Abdullahi, Mr Ado Shehu and Mr Umar Farouq Uthman went to the Government Girls Arabic College (GGAC), Goron Dutse to stage the talk to the studentns of the school. (more…)

<!– /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:”"; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:”Times New Roman”; mso-fareast-font-family:”Times New Roman”;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} –>

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) on Tuesday, April 2, 2009 flagged off its Information Technology Training for youth in Kano under the Microsoft’s Unlimited Potential (UP) scheme. At a ceremony held at the auditorium of the School of Technology, Kano State Polytechnic, CITAD disclosed that with support from Microsoft Corporation it intends to train 400 youth across the North West zone of the country this year. The ceremony was chaired by the Director-General of the Kano State Directorate of Social Reorientation, Dr. Bala Mohammed who was represented by Alhaji Sani Mohammed Usman, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Adaidaita Sahu while the Guest Speaker was Dr. Bashir S. Galadanci, the State Commissioner for Science and Technology.

In his welcome remarks, the Director of CITAD explained that the participants for the programme were drawn from different local governments of the state. He said that aim of the programme was to imparts IT skills on the participants that would make them either employable or to be self-employed. He disclosed tat last year under the Employability Programme jointly supported by Microsoft Corporation and the USA Government 200 youth were trained and that many of them were now working as interns and volunteers with different organizations in the state.

In her remarks, the Corporation Citizenship Programme of Microsoft, Mrs., Nana Adjoor Mintah said that the Unlimited Potentials is the company’s flagship corporate social responsibility engagement aimed at driving technical into the communities. She said this was the third year of the UP in Nigeria and provides training in all the six zones of the country. She later presented set of the Local Language interface software packages to the Hon. Commissioner of Science and Technology.

In his lecture, Dr. Galadanci expressed appreciation with both CITAD and Microsoft for the initiative which he said has significance to the Kano State’s ICT Park project. He explained the essence of the project which he wais aimed at using ICTs as an economic sector to provide jobs and create wealth in the state. He revealed that already the project has reached an advanced stage and that the park would soon be commissioned. May companies, with employment spaces running to hundreds have already shown their commitment to move into the park was soon as it as complete he added. He explained that with this development there would great demand for IT skill people and this was he was urging the beneficiaries to make good use of this opportunity as they would be needed in the ICT Park.

In his own goodwill massage the President of the Kano State Chapter of the Association of Local Government Chairmen and Chairman of Tarauni Local Government said that he was happy that the participants were drawn from different local governments and that they were ready to support the initiative. He revealed that all the local governments have been directed to set up computer centres in their local governments and hoped that many of the participants would be available to work at these centres.

Other guests at the occasion were the Director General of Directorate for Youth Development, the Chairman of Bagwai Local Government and the Chairman of the Kano State Council of Youths as well as representatives of development partners in the state.

As part of the celebration of this year’s International Women’s Day, CITAD organized a public hearing on the State of maternal Health in Jigawa State on 11^th March 2009 at the State Library, Dutse. The event was chaired by Hajiya Hadiza Abdulwahab, the State Permanent Secretary for Rural Infrastructure Development while the Royal Father of the Day was the Emir of Dutse who was represented by Sarkin Gabas and Hakimin Shuwarin, Alhaji Mustafa Abubakar. Guest Speaker at the occasion was Dr. Tajudeen AbdulRaheem, the Deputy Director, UN Millennium Campaign, Nairobi, Kenya. Presentations were made by state agencies, civil society organizations and development partners. Over 100 people attended the event. The pictures below capture some of the moments of the occasion

<!– /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:”"; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:”Times New Roman”; mso-fareast-font-family:”Times New Roman”;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} –>

In pursuance of parts of its goal and objectives which is to ensure Computer literacy and development through the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in Kano State, the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) team proceeded to Government Girls Junior Secondary School, Jido, Kano State on the 19^th March, 2009 as part of its series of enlightenment and sensitization campaign. The team consisted of Umar Farouq Uthman (Program Officer Research), Abdullahi A. Abdullahi (Training Assistant), Kawu M. Ahmad (Interns), Hajara A. Ahmad (Interns) and Abdullhi Dan Balarabe. On arrival at the School, the team proceeded to the Principal’s Office where we introduced ourselves and told him of our purpose to the School, he said they have been expecting us. We now explained that due to some hitches, we couldn’t come as earlier promised. The principal; Mal. Abbas Nafiu then ordered for a Class to be arranged for us. We then proceeded to the Class where the Students and most of the Staffs were seated for the Class. The Principal went ahead and introduced us telling them the name of the Organization we came from and our purpose. He then gave the floor to us, the Presenter; Umar Farouq introduced himself and urged other members of the team to do same.

In order to make the class interactive, the Presenter started by asking the Students” who could explain what a Computer is?” The young girls were initially shy, but as the Class progressed they became a beehive of activities; asking and answering questions, seeking for clarification etc. The Presenter explained to them what a Computer is; its parts and their uses, also the Components and their functions were also explained. Lastly he highlighted the importance of Computers to the Society and its uses in our daily interactions. He also urged the Students to choose careers in the Information Technology field and also others that had other ambitions to inculcate ICTs into their field of study. Then came the Question and Answer segment, questions were thrown to the Students and they actively answered them unlike the shy girls they were earlier. CITAD Souvenirs and IT books were presented to those that answered the questions posed. The Presenter then gave the floor to some of the Staffs to comment on the event. Mal. Husseini Garba, the Islamic Studies and Arabic Teacher then told the Students this presentation is just a tip of the iceberg in the Knowledge of Computer, he further encouraged them not to throw away the Knowledge they have just acquired and to use them wherever they find themselves. Mal. Bashir A. Said on behalf of the Students and Staffs of the School while thanking CITAD for the honor bestowed on them by the visit and the knowledge the Students acquired. He further hoped that this wouldn’t be the last time it would be visiting the School and also emphasized that they the Teachers are in dire need of Computer Training and would be very privileged if they could be considered for training.

Finally, the Principal while delivering his vote of thanks thanked CITAD and urged them not to relent in their effort in spreading and sensitizing the knowledge of ICTs. He further said they had a Computer Teacher with no Computers to teach the Students. He said any effort that would enable them to posses a Computer would be gladly appreciated. In response the Presenter, Umar Farouq said he would relay all their messages to the Director of CITAD. He also informed them that there was a Computer acquisition scheme where they could acquire refurbished Computers.

By

Umar Farouq Uthman

On the 24^th of February, 2009 the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) Team proceeded to Kazaure in Jigawa State for part of its series of enlightment and sensitization campaign of our future generations in Secondary Schools. CITAD went to Government Secondary School (GSS) Kazaure after series of surveys had been conducted by its Staff; Abdulmajid Lawal resident at Jigawa State who chose GSS Kazaure since CITAD had never been to Kazaure for any of its career talk/ICT class series. The team arrived Kazaure in the morning of 24^th and made a call to its Staff who was already on ground who then arrived and together they proceeded to the School.

The CITAD team comprised of the team leader; Mal. Isyak Garba, Umar Farouq Uthman, Abdulmajid Lawal and Abdullahi Auwal. On arriving at the School, we proceeded to the Principal’s Office where he was briefed on our mission to the School. The Principal was happy to see us and immediately ordered for a class to be setup and also since they didn’t have an accommodation that could take all the students, they resolved they would select students from each class for the event.

After setting the class up and the Students were seated, the Principal lead us to the venue where the event was opened by a prayer followed by the National Anthem. The Principal then advised the students to be attentive during the course of the event, he also urged them to pass on what they have learnt to their peers, since they were not opportuned to be here. He then gave the floor to Mal. Isyaku Garba who proceeded to explain what ICT was and how it helps in the educational development of the students. After which he showed and explained to them what a Computer was, its components, their functions, types, classifications and areas where computers could be applied in human life. The students were so passionate in learning, listening attentively and asking questions. Isyaku then offered the floor to Umar Farouq Uthman who talked on Career Opportunities in ICT sector and why they should thread on the ICT line. He also urged those that intended to study other courses to incorporate IT into it. Questions were then asked to the Students and the successful ones were given CITAD’s Official magazine.

While closing the event, the Principal urged CITAD to make it an annual event for their school. He also expressed his profound gratitude to CITAD for the kind gesture.

By Abdullahi Isma’il

In continuation with its effort of promoting awareness about ICTs, the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), has conducted a Career Talk at Government Science Junior Secondary School (GSJSS) Guri in Jigawa State on Thursday, 5^th-February-2009. The career lecture was delivered by Ahmad Abdullahi Yakasai, who led the CITAD team to the occasion. Mal. Usman Muhammad, the H.O.D. Integrated Science of the school welcomed the CITAD team on behalf of the Principal, and expressed the school happiness for being selected as one of the school that to have benefited from CITAD’s educative career lectures. He stated that he himself had benefited alot from the lecture and hoped CITAD would assist in reviving the school’s Computer Club which has died with the departure of its pioneer mentor, a corper, who has left, having completed his assignment. Mal. Usman urged CITAD to provide an opportunity in which staff and students of the school would acquire basic computer literacy and own PCs. The H.O.D. added that “our school doesn’t even have a computer teacher and almost all of us are not computer literate. Also computer education existed as part of our curriculum but it is really disheartening that it has been neglected, in both theory and practical”

Replying, Mal. Yakasai stressed CITAD’s ambition to enlighten Nigerians about ICT and provide schools, civil societies, NGO’s, libraries, and individuals with PCs under the CITAD/CAI Computer Aid program currently going on. Further, Malam Ahmad also informed them that among CITAD’s programmes is the mobile training. The mobile training is designed for schools, organizations or even individuals who are far away from training facilities. In the programme CITAD moves its training facilities and trainers to the site for the duration of the training. Malam Ahmad also said if GSJSS, Guri was interested CITAD can provide such training Guri.

While delivering the career lecture, Mal. Ahmad Yakasai described learning Computer as easy not as difficult as Daukar dumar Magaji da nishi and therefore urged the students to work hard in learning ICT knowledge and skills. “What we are looking for is that even in your matrimonial home, you should be engaged in computer activities as this would help eradicate poverty and make you self reliant. And for those of you who have the privilege to further their education you will know that ICT knowledge is of great importance as in the near future computer will dominate every aspect of human life” Ahmad concluded.

Nearly sixty students attended the lecture and seven teaching staff of the school were present at the occasion including Muhammad Ussaini, Deputy Examination Officer, Muhammad Kime, H.O.D. Islamic Studies, Mansur Isyaku, Discipline Master, Muhammad Sa’id Kaku, H.O.D. Hausa among others.

By Faruuq Umar Uthman

The ICT Career talk train had just concluded its sensitization classes at Secondary Schools in Guri and Ringim both in Jigawa State. They had hardly arrived back at CITAD, when they were told the next bus stop was Government Secondary School (GSS) Dawakin Tofa.

As part of its effort to promote the development of ICT knowledge in our Secondary Schools and encourage the choice of careers in ICT, the ICT career talk train proceeded to GSS Dawakin Tofa to sensitize its students on the 11^th of February, 2009. The team from CITAD comprised of the Head of the train; Mal. Ahmad Abdullahi Yakasai, Mal. Yusha’u Sani Yankuzo, Mal. Umar Farouq Uthman and Mal Abdullahi Yakubu. After arriving at the School, they proceeded to the Dinning hall which was the venue of the event. The event started with an opening prayer by one of the students. The senior master who was the master of the event told the team to introduce themselves which they did one after the other. Mal. Ahmad, the team leader was then given the floor to do what he knows how to do best which is impacting knowledge into people. He then told the pupils the primary aim of them being here which was to sensitize them on the ICTs. He said people in the north complain of being left behind educationally, technologically and in welfare, he said we brought it on ourselves and also said there can be no sweet without sweat. Mal. Ahmad then went to talk about the importance of IT, how simple it is to be an IT Specialist and areas that computers could be used.

The lecture was generally an interactive, with the students contributing in the discussion. Questions were thrown to them and they did themselves and the Principal proud. Later on the computer parts were identified to the students and their functionionality also explained. One astonishing remark that caught my attention during the event was when the Senior Master said look at the way Mal. Ahmad was explaining, joking and teaching the students as if he is a teacher Mallam Ahmad of course is a versatile and experienced teacher who knows how to deal with pupils and also students.

Then came the time for the quiz, Mal. Yusha’u served as the Quiz Master. Three students were selected at random to answer questions and the successful ones were awarded prizes by the Quiz Master. That signaled the closure of the class.

The Principal; Mal. Dangyatuma Abdullahi then expressed his gratitude to CITAD for honoring his school with such a beneficial visit and prayed for their continued support. The Principal then went further by requesting CITAD of its assistance in training of some of its staff in Information Technology, and also that he was glad on the continual annual invitation of the School to its annual quiz competition. They also promised to take the first position since they took the esteemed position the first time they were invited, and that they have began training for the year’s competition. Mal. Umar then gave the concluding remarks on behalf of the CITAD team, while expressing his positive impression on the students who were very impressive during the class. He also promised to relay the Principal’s request to the Director of CITAD. The event was closed by a prayer from a student; Abdullahi Zubair.

INTRODUCTION

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are playing critical role in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of legislative processes. Legislatures are using them to manage proceedings and records keeping, enhance communication process, improve tracking capacity, establish new deliberative platforms and promote better public accessibly.

ICTs also allow the Legislature to organize its own self-generated information in a more efficient way. By using the website; it gives visibility to its work, such that members of the public would always be in the know of what it is doing. It would also readily receive feedback from the public on its activities.

The world is being profoundly changed by ICTs. Part of this change is the way in which we do things. In more ICT-endowed countries, ICTs have provided the mechanism and framework of what is now variously called E-government, parliamentonline, virtual parliament, etc. In a number of countries, the activities of all branches of governments are conducted online. In Nigeria, there are two constrains. The first is the level of the ICT infrastructure in the country. This is already being addressed by various government efforts.

Various state governments have been developing and deploying various ICTs initiatives. Many of these have important issues that require legislation. Still more, their implementation require the Legislature to play its oversight role in ensuring that they are being implemented in accordance with legislative approval. All these require members of the Legislature to have an enhanced capacity to analyze legislative issues in relation to ICT deployment and use, and how they could convert these issues to legislative bills as well as monitor their implementation.

KEY OBJECTIVES OF THE WORKSHOP

Accordingly, this proposal is aimed at building the capacity of the Legislature to use ICTs in discharging its mandate. The specific objectives of the workshop are:

1. To introduce participants to the use of ICTs for legislative processes;

2. To introduce the participants to the use of internet as a source of legislative information;

3. To build the capacity of the Legislators to maintain official and personal websites relating to their duties as members of the Legislature

4. To identify legislative issues in the deployment and use of ICTs by State Governments

5. To introduce participants to how ICT initiatives can be analyzed

6. Examine the role of ICTs in development

TARGET PARTICIPANTS

The participants for the workshop shall be drawn from the following:

· Speakers of State House of Assembly

· Chairmen and Committee Members of Relevant Committees from State Houses of Assembly (Education, ICT, etc)

· Principal Officers of the State Houses of Assembly

· Special Advisers and Special Assistants to Governors on Information Technology/ICTs

SUB-THEMES:

• Understanding ICTs and its uses in Legislative Processes
• ICTs as Research Tools in Legislative Work
• The Concept of e-parliament and its requirements
• Developing Member’s Constituency Website
• ICTs in Parliament: A Case Study of Malaysia
• ICTs in Parliament: A Case Study of USA
• ICTs in Parliament: the Prospects and Problems in Nigeria
• Role of Parliament in advancing the Information Society
• Legislative Issues in the Deployment of ICTs
• Capacity in ICT Project Analysis

RESOURCE PERSONS

Resource persons are drawn from Malaysian, USA and Nigerian IT professionals, researchers and legislative experts. They include Dr. Omid N. Mazandarani (Malaysia), Yap Sing Nian (Malaysia), Brandon Chan Siew Hon. (Malaysia), Dr. Bashir Galadanaci (Nigeria), Y. Z. Ya’u (Nigeria) and Prof. Paul Lubeck (USA).

WORKSHOP ACTIVITIES

Participants will travel to Malaysia for a week. Two of the days will be taken by travel. Four days will be spent on the workshop including visits to relevant sites, agencies and legislative complex. The final day will be free to allow the participants to do site seeing and shopping.

WORKSHOP DATES: 22-29, MARCH, 2009

VENUE OF THE WORKSHOP

The workshop will take place at Conference Centre of the Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, Cyberjaya, Kuala Lumpur, located within the ICT Super Corridor of Malaysia

ORGANIZERS

Limkokwing University of Creative Technology (www.limkokwing.edu.my and www.limkokwing.net): Established by advertising guru and communication maestro turned educationist extraordinaire Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Lim Kok Wing in 1992, Limkokwing University of Creative Technology is one of the Malaysian leading universities. With strong links with industry, Limkokwing’s mission is shaping the human hearts and minds to power global transformations. Limkokwing University is triggering a global change in education. It is advocating the replacement of old system with ones that adequately prepare young people to face new challenges unique to the world as it is today and as it will become tomorrow. A truly global university, today, Limkokwing University has campuses in seven countries, namely United Kingdom, Botswana, Indonesia, Cambodia, Lesotho, China and of course in Malaysia.

CITAD (www.citad.org and www.citad.interconnection.org): Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) was established in 2000 as a capacity building organization in the areas of ICTs, research, training and advocacy. Its overall aim is to provide guidelines informed by both research and practice on how ICTs could be properly deployed in the efforts to promote sustainable development and good governance. CITAD has consulted for a number of organizations including the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NIDTA), Kano State Government and is capacity building partner for many government agencies and schools. It has organized several ICT workshops such as two successful rounds of e-Education workshops in Kano (12-14, October 2005) and Bauchi (1-3, December 2005), ICT Entrepreneurship (2007) and ICT and Employability (2008)

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION, CONTACT:

1. Kano: CITAD, Flat 3, First Floor, White House, Zumunchi Stores Building, BUK Road, P. O. Box 10210, Kofar Kabuga, Kano, Nigeria (08056180208, 08054362931), citadev@gmail.com
2. Abuja: CISLAC, No. 5, Muhathma Gandhi Street, Off Shehu Shagari Way, By Bullet Garden , Area 11, Garki, Abuja 08033844646)
3. Dutse: CITAD Office, No. 22B, Hakimi Street, Gida Dubu, Yadi, Dutse, Jigawa State (08027523751, 08068078282), yzy@citad.org