1. 1.      Expose the participants to various new ICT tools for media work that would enhance their professional competence
2. 2.      Enhance the skills of the participants in the use of ICTs
3. 3.      Introduce the participants to new media businesses using ICTs

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Cross Section of High Table		YZ Yau (Exec. Director, CITAD) addressing the participants
CITAD Facilitators preparing for the worshop		Cross section of participants

Participants numbering 32 were drawn from the various departments and sections of the television station. The opening ceremony, which held on Tuesday, 25^th October was chaired by the Bauchi State Head of Service, Mr. Abdon D. Jin represented by permanent Secretary, Alhaji Waziri Yahaya Jalam. The Guests of Honour were the Chief press Secretary to the Bauchi State Governor, Mr. Ishola Michael and heads of other media organizations in the state. The Managing Director of Bauchi Television Authority, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris Shal in his welcome remarks said that his management pays premium on staff capacity development and that was why it decided to partner with CITAD to roll out this training. He disclosed that other programmes have also been lined up to further update the skills of the workers. The Executive Director of CITAD, Y. Z. Ya’u provided briefing on the objectives and nature of the programme, stressing that this was meant to introduce participants to various new skills to enhance their professional development.  The keynote address on the importance of ICT to media work was delivered by the Hon Commissioner of Information, Alhaji Umar Saleh. Goodwill messages were also offered by several others, including the Chief press Secretary to the Bauchi State Governor. The chairman of the occasion said that his office was ready to work the Bauchi Television to improve the skills of its staff.

The training programme consisted of five modules. Module 1 which was introduction to ICTs was facilitated by Ahmed A. Yakasai. This dealt with understanding of the concept of ICTs and its various dimension and well as some the ways it impact on media practice. Module two was on social media and social networking and facilitated by Bashir Muzakkari who took the participants through the evolution of social media and social networking, noting the differences between the two and interactively demonstrated the various uses of both social media and social networking. Many of the participants have some familiarity with this aspect of the training. Module three was on Online Tools for Journalists and facilitated by Engr Kamaludden Umar. This covering such topics as Online document storage (from the storage of video clips and other documents), advance search techniques for information sourcing and background research on covered topics, online document translation (to speed up ) new processes and ICTs tools for interview and survey. The fifth module dealing with basic ICTs skills (covering advanced word processing and PowerPoint presentation) was facilitated by Isyaku Garba. Sufyan Jamil facilitated the last session on Editing Processes (dealing with video, voice and graphics). This turned out to be the most engaging module.

On the afternoon of the final day, a short closing ceremony was done during which certificates were distributed to participants. Barrister Haruna D.  Mohammed who represented the Managing Director expressed appreciation of the management and staff of the corporation to CITAD for the kind of training they got. Also speaking in the same vein, Malam Ibrahim Sani, Director new said that was an eye opener and hoped that CITAD would not get tired of request from the organization. The ED of CITAD in his own remarks thanked all the participants who showed a remarkable commitment to learning, and to the facilitators who shared their knowledge and skills with the participants. He also thanked the management of the Bauchi State Television for agreeing to partner with CITAD in this progrmrme and disclosed that CITAD was ready to partner on other areas of ICT capacity building with the Bauchi Television as well as other sister media organizations in the state.

Ibrahim Aboki, CITAD, Bauchi

As part of its develop to develop the capacity of CSOs in Bauchi State to monitor the implementation of the State Public Procurement Law, CITAD with support from Pact Nigeria held a one-day training workshop on ICTs and Social Media For Information Sharing. The workshop which held on Monday 24^th October, 2011 at Iya Abubakar Community Resource Centre, State Library, Bauchi was attended by representatives of 20 CBOs from across the State.

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YZ Yau Addressing the participants		Cross section of the participants
Cross section of participants		Cross section of participants
Mr. Yinka Lawal addressing the participant		Cross section of participants

The Executive director of CITAD, Engr. Yunusa Zakari Ya’u who gave welcome remarks at the beginning of the workshop said that this was an opportunity for the CBOs to learn to use ICTs to share information, report on their monitoring activities and general use them to enhance their organizational effectiveness. He stressed the need for the participants to effective use of the opportunity. Delivery a goodwill message, Mr. Yinka Lawal of PactNigeriawelcomed the training which he described as a major state in the efforts making towards promoting transparency and accountability in the State. He saidNigeriawas faced with leadership problem which could also be overcome through the mainstreaming of transparency and accountability in governance. he finally commended CITAD for a good job it was doing.

The first facilitator was Mallam Ahmad Yakasai who took the participants through the topic Understanding ICTs to lay the foundation for the training. He discussed the concept of ICT and its various dimensions, ending with posers on the key problems militating against the effective use of ICTs in the country.

The second session, facilitated by Bashir Muzakkari was on social media and social networking. He took the participants through the evolution of social media and social networking, noting the differences between the two and interactively demonstrated the various uses of both social media and social networking. At the end of the session, he helped a number of those who did not have facebook accounts to set up one and also established a group for members of the network named Bauchi Procurement Monitors with which members could share information and discuss on issues of common interest.

The third session facilitated by Engr Kamaludden Umar was devoted on online document and data storage. He outlined some advantages and disadvantage of online data. He carried the participants through various methods and techniques of storing documents online including use of mail accounts, web space and commercial storage sites.  He also facilitated the session on advanced search techniques Engr. Kamal as well as on online language translation tools. As part of the online tools, he also took a session on used of ICTs for surveys, taking time to demonstrate how to set up online questionnaire and the use of frontline sms using our browsers on mobile phones to carry out questionnaire administration.

The last facilitator was Engr. Yunusa Zakar Ya’u, the executive director of CITAD, who had a very short session running and managing list serves as tool for sharing information and facilitating discussion among group members   .

Cross section of Studens		Prize being given to the winners
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Certificates being presented to the participants		TV Set being presented to the best Female Participant
Shadda materials being given to the participating students		Shadda materials being given to the participating students

The occasion which took place at the Multi Purpose Hall, Digital Bridge Institute, Kano Campus witnessed the presence several dignitaries including Hajiya Ladidi Sani Fagge who represented the Director General, Kano State Senior Secondary School Management Board (KSSSSMB), Alhaji Ibrahim Muhammad Ibrahim who represented Alhaji Sagir Muhammad, the Managing Director of Intersystem, Malam Sadiq Imam Abdullahi of Ministry of Science and Technology, Kano, Malam Mahadi Garba Doka who represented the Provost of Federal College of Education (Technical) Bichi, Alhaji Adamu Aliyu Wari and Malam Usman A. Usman  representative of Engineer Femi Afolabi, the Chief Executive Officer, Only Computers Limited, Kano.

Other distinguished personalities that witnessed the occasion were Malam Ahmad Baita and Malam Murtala Muhammad representatives of the Vice Chancellor, Kano  University of Science and Technology (KUST) Wudil, Malama Rabi Isma, Special Adviser to Kano State Governor on Civil Society Organizations, Malam Auwal Abdullahi Tudun Wada and Malam Muhammad Bashir Yahaya  representatives of Directorate of Youth Development, Kano, Mr. James Audu, Mr. Adeola Allen and Malam Umar Abdullahi of Hands on Institute of Information Technology (HIIT), Kano among others.

The ICT competition hosted twenty three senior secondary schools from all parts of KanoStateand forty six contestants wrestled to emerge victorious of the 9^th ICT competition inKano. The competition was divided into two exciting sessions; morning and afternoon.

In the welcome address at the opening ceremony, the Executive Director of CITAD, Y.Z Yau  who was represented by Malam Ahmad Abdullahi Yakasai the significant of ICT is thoroughly unveiled especially in the area of educational institution. He stated that without ICT skills learning will not be effective and that already institution of learning themselves are migrating many of their processes including student-teacher interaction online, meaning those who have no online skills will be left out. In addition the paper called on the state government to pay attention to the provision of ICT facilities. He also announced the introduction of new innovations of rewarding the winning school with a school website instead of the traditional laptop, and proving personal prizes for the finalists.

In his remarks Alhaji Adamu Aliyu Wari, the Chairman of the occasion (Morning Session) urged the students participating in the quiz to put more efforts towards acquiring ICT knowledge as the entire world was now reduced into a smaller global village. Alhaji Aliyu called on the government and the elite to always contribute in the area of ICT education by providing ICT gadgets to institutions of learning.

In another paper presented at the occasion by Malam Ahmad Baita Garko, on behalf of the Vice Chancellor,KanoStateUniversityand Science and Technology, industrialization used to be seen as a factor measuring country’s economic strength but nowadays ICT wais gradually replacing it. A good example, according to the paper, is the ICT giants among the developing nations are the Asian countries ofIndia,Malaysia,China,Indonesia, andSingaporeamong others. The paper viewed ATM Machine in the Banking sector, the e-learning, e-registration and e-library in the academic arena as few of the changes brought by the wind of ICT inNigeria. Malam Baita expressed appreciation for the organizers of the quiz and said that KUST is ready to partner with CITAD in making Nigerian ICT complaints

The students were also urged to redouble their efforts in acquiring ICT knowledge. This was contained in a speech delivered by Malama Rabi Isma, the Special Adviser to Kano State Governor on Civil Societies. Malama Rabi stated that ICT was in every profession and every aspect of human endeavor and therefore stressed the need for the students to acquire ICT knowledge in order to be able to face the challenges ahead of them

Malam Auwalu Abdullahi Tudun Wada who represented the Director General, Ministry of Youth Development, Kanorevealed that the ICT Quiz was one of the most interesting innovations for students to acquire ICT knowledge. Malam Auwal commended the organizers for hosting the Kano9^th Annual ICT competition and promised that his Directorate will support the ICT Quiz in the future

Mr. Ademola Allen of Hands onInstituteofInformation Technology(HiiT)Kanocommended CITAD for a job well done and offered a free scholarship for Certificate in Information Technology (CIT) for the two students of the winning school. Mr. Allen added that HiiT offered 70% discount for the two students of first-runner up school and 50% discount for the students of the second up school respectively

The students on the other hand were urged to double their efforts towards learning by the Deputy Director of the Ministry of Science and Technology. The Deputy Director, Malam Sadiq Imam Abubakar said that the students were living in a modern complex society where competition was everywhere, in a situation where by students do not have proper education, life could be miserable. Malam Sadiq therefore stressed the need for the students to acquire knowledge especially ICT based

After the delivery of speeches, the Chairman of the Kano9^th Annual Quiz Alhaji Adamu Aliyu Wari declared competition opened at about11.52pm. The competition hosted twenty three senior secondary. Below is the list of the schools:

Government Technical College Kano, Government Girls College Dala, Government Senior Secondary School Dala, Government  Girls Senior Secondary School Shekara, Government  Girls Arabic Senior Secondary School Tudun Wada, Government  Senior Secondary School Sabuwar Kofa, Government  Girls Senior Secondary School Sani Mai Negge, Government  Girls College Gwale, Dawakin Tofa Science College, Day Science College, Government  Girls College Gezawa, Government  Senior Secondary School Tarauni, Girls Science Techical College, Aminu Kano Commercial College Goron Dutse, Government  Senior Secondary School Kawaji, Government  Girls Arabic Secondary School Kawaji, Government  Senior Secondary School Stadium, Government  Girls Senior Secondary School Yar Gaya, Government  Girls Unity College Kachako, Government  Girls College (WTC) Kano, Government  Girls Senior Secondary School Giginyu, Kano Foundation Girls Secondary School Bebeji, and Government Senior Secondary School Dawakin Tofa.

The schools were grouped into two: Group A, contained twelve schools while Group B contained eleven schools, each group held four exciting rounds at the end of which three schools from each group emerged out as winner for the final round. From Group A, Day Science Kano scored 8 points and was on top of the group; Dawakin Tofa Science College, score 6 points ended second, followed by Girls Technical College Kano, which came at the bottom with 4 points.

In group B,KanoFoundationGirlsSeniorSecondary School, (KFGSSS) Bebeji was the first to emerge out of the group with 8 points, followed byAminuKanoCommercialCollege, (AKCCC) Goron Dutse,Kanowith 6 points andGovernmentGirlsUnityCollege, Kachako (GGUC) ended at the bottom of the group with 4 points

In the final round of the quiz, Day Science College Kano set a new record wining all the points in all the rounds, earning twelve points and becoming the winner of the 2011 Kano9^th Annual Quiz

GovernmentTechnicalCollegeKano, with 10 points, won the second place position whileFoundationGirlsSeniorSecondary School, won the third place position with 6 points.

Rewarding the winning schools, contestants, and their teachers has since been the tradition of the quiz organizers. CITAD had therefore lined up prizes for the winning schools, contestants and teachers. Presentation of the prizes immediately began after the conclusion of the quiz, thus;

• First position, a website donated by CITAD won by Day Science Kano, and presented to the school by Mal. Auwal Abdullahi Tudun Wada of Directorate of Youth Development
• Second position, laptop donated by Engineer Femi Afalobi, CEO/MD Only Computers Limited,Kanowon byGovernmentTechnicalCollege,Kanoand presented  to the school by Malam Mahadi Garba Doka of Federal College of Education (Technical) Bichi
• Third position, printer donated by Alh. Sagir Muhammad, CEO/MD Intersystem,Kano, won byFoundationGirlsSeniorSecondary School, Bebeji and presented to the school by Hajiya Ladidi Sani Fagge who represented the Director General, Kano Senior Secondary Schools Management Board,Kano

Other prizes consisted of Refurbished Desktop as the prize for the Best Performing Student donated by CITAD, Hamza  Lawan Abdullahi of Day Science Kano won the prize which was presented to him by Muhammad Bashir Yahaya of the Directorate of Youth Development,Kano. Amina Muhammad Isa ofFoundationGirlsSeniorSecondary School, won the prize for the Best Female Participating Student, a color Television Set, donated by CITAD, which was presented to her by Mallam Ahmad Abdullahi Yakasai of CITAD.

Additionally, the prize for the Teacher of the winning school, a scanner donated by CITAD went to Malam  Abdulfatah Muhammad of Day Science Kano. Malam Ado Bala Bichi ofGovernmentTechnicalCollege,Kanoand Mrs. Mrs. Asibi Yahaya ofFoundationGirlsSeniorSecondary School, Bebeji,Kanowon i-Pod each donated by CITAD as the prize of the teacher of the first and second runner up schools respectively

The finalists Hamza Lawan Abdullahi and Abdulwahid Garba Rabi’u (Day Science,Kano), Aminu Alhassan Lawan and Umar Habib Shu’aibu (GovernmentTechnicalCollege,Kano) Amina Muhammad Isa and Asma’u Umar (FoundationGirlsSeniorSecondary School,Kano) received each personal gift of clothing materials donated by CITAD

After the presentations and distributions of these prizes and gifts, Malam Auwal Abdullahi Tudun Wada stressed at the end of the occasion the need for students to work hard and acquire ICT knowledge. Malam Auwal restated that Directorate for Youth Development will assist in organizing the future ICT quiz

In the closing remarks by Malam Ahmad A. Yakasai, the quiz master urged the participating students to work harder in order to be able to become winners of the ICT quiz in the near future

Malam Ahmad expressed gratitude to Digital Bridge Institute, Kano State Senior Secondary School Management Board, Ministry of Science and Technology, Special Adviser on Civil Society Organizations to Kano State Governor, Only Computers Limited, Intersystem, Mediwat, Kano University of Science and Technology, Wudil, Federal College of Education (Technical) Bichi, HiiT, Kano, Directorate of Youth Development, Kano, teachers and students of the participating schools, the media, the quiz team and everyone that contributed to the success of the 9^th Annual ICT quiz in Kano

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Certificate presentation		Prize giving to the winners
Cross section of the Teachers, Students and Guest

Thirteen senior secondary Schools from all part ofBauchiStateparticipated in the quiz and battled to emerge as winners of the prestigious ICT competition.

Dr. Shehu Mahdi, the Chairman of the occasion expressed his satisfaction for the organisers of the quiz and thanked them for their effort towards promoting ICT knowledge in the nation. Magajin Garin Katagun viewed the ICT competition as one of the greatest innovations that focus on promoting ICT knowledge which has now become compulsory upon this generation. Dr. Mahdi viewed this generation as Western Generation that can not do without computers and therefore urged them to use the experience gain from the quiz as a stepping stone for future knowledge acquisition.

On his part Alhaji Salisu Muhammad, the Director of Statistics and ICT lamented that ICT was the future and the students should be grateful to Allah Almighty because they are born in an age of computer where every aspect of human life could be obtained. He further urged students to make positive of the ICT. The Director also said the Ministry intended to sponsor the ICT quiz but due to hot political situation in the state the sponsorship has to be postponed. “But I am hoping in the near future the Ministry sponsor of the ICT competition inBauchiState” The Director stated.

In his welcome remark, Mallam Ahmad Abdullahi Yakasai who represented CITAD, said ICT was viewed as the backbone of human society and he urged students to cultivate reading habits and put into practice whatever knowledge they obtain especially with regard to ICT as this was the only way they could compete with the ICT changing trend brought in our society.

The competition was considered more exciting then the previous edition because it hosted thirteen senior secondary schools while the previous edition had only nine senior secondary schools. The participating schools this year were: Wabi Academy, Bauchi, Government Day Senior Secondary School, Azare; Government Day Technical College, Jama are; Government Arabic College, Jama are, Government Secondary School Itas, General Hassan Usman Katsina Unity College, Bauchi; Government Technical College, Gadau, Government Girls College, Toro; Government Day Senior Secondary School A/B Bauchi, GCDSSA and GCDSS B/H GG

Four interesting rounds were held at the end of which five schools emerged as finalists. To determine the winners another round was conducted and at the end GCDSS Bauchi prevailed with Ten Points making it the first school in the history of the ICT competition to answer all its question in each round of the quiz, General Hassan Usman Katsina Unity College, Bauchi won the second position with a total number of Eight Points, having lost Two Points at the end of the Fifth Round, Government Arabic College Jamaare took the Third Position.

As usual there ‘were eight prizes lined up for the winning schools, their teachers and the contestants. These prizes as well as the winners were as follows:First Place, Website Hosting for the school and free training for two teachers of the school who are expected to be maintaining and managing the website. This prize was donated by CITAD and won by GCDSS Bauchi  and was presented to the School by Alhaji Salisu Muhammad, Director Statistic and ICT. A refurbished Desktop and Sound System (Speakers) were presented as the second prize toGeneralHassanUsmanKatsinaUnityCollege, Bauchi by Alhaji Salisu Muhammad. This prize was donated by Hajiya Sa’adatu Mahdi, the National Coordinator Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA). The Third Place Prize, a Refurbish Desktop also donated by Hajiya Sa’adatu Mahdi went to Government Arabic College Jama’are. This prize was presented to the school by Mallam Ahmad Abdullahi Yakasai, the quiz master.

Another prize was a Television Set as the prize of the Best Performing Student, donated by Kitabu Transportation, Azare. Hajara Abubakar of Government Girls Secondary Schools Bauchi won this prize which was presented to her by Mallam Ahmad A. Yakasai. Next was the prize for the Overall Performing Student, a Brand New Printer donated by Alhaji Shehu A. Wadaji, former aspirant for the position of Federal House of Representatives under P.D.P. This prize went to Sulaiman A. Adamu ofGovernemntArabicCollege, Jama’are.

In addition, a Radio Stereo Set donated by CITAD as the prize of the Teacher of theBestPerformingSchoolwent to Mr. Emmanuel Ofor ofGeneralHassanUsmanKatsinaUnityCollege, Bauchi and presented to him by Alhaji Salisu Muhammad. The prize for the Teacher of the First Runner Up school, a Wall Clock donated by CITAD went to Mallam Lawan Babaji of  General Hassan Usman Katsina Unity College, Bauchi and that of the Teacher of the Second Runner Up School, a Wall Clock also donated by CITAD went Mallam Aminu Muhammad ofGovernmentArabicCollege, Jama’are

At the end of the occasion, Mallam Abubakar Magaji of Government Arabic College Jama’are called on Bauchi State Government to support the ICT Competition by offering donations and being present whenever the quiz is taking place. He expressed satisfaction over the effort CITAD has been making over the years in advocating ICT knowledge.

The quiz master, Ahmad Yakasai in his vote of thanks commended all the schools that participate in the quiz and congratulates the three winning schools that are expected to represent BaucchiStateat National ICT quiz. Ahmad urged the schools to work hard so that they could win the National ICT scheduled to take place at Digital Bridge Institute, Kano Campus. Yakasai expressed gratitude on behalf of CITAD to Dr. Shehu Mahdi, Wanban Katagum, Alhaji Salisu Muhammad, Ministry of Education, Kitabu Transportation Limited, Hajiya Sa’adatu Mahdi, Alhaji Shehu A. Wadaji, Representatives of Schools, Teachers, Students and every one who contributed to the success of the occasion.

The ICT competition hosted nine Senior Secondary Schools and Eighteen contestants struggle to emerge winners of the fourth ICT quiz.

In his opening remark the Chairman of the occasion, Alh. Hussaini Ayuba, Deputy Director, Ministry of Education and Science Technology, commended CITAD for its tireless effort in the promotion of ICT knowledge in Jigawa State, as this was the fourth ICT Quiz CITAD conducted in the State. Alh. Ayuba emphasized the significant of ICT in modern society and urged the contestants as well as the others to put more effort towards acquiring ICT knowledge.

In addition, he expressed the readiness of the Jigawa State government to engaged and support any program that facilitates ICT knowledge. According to the Deputy Director, some social problems our society faces can be solved with acquisition of ICT knowledge. He cited example with unemployment a problem that could be reduced if computer knowledge is provided.

Earlier, Malam Ahmad Abdullahi Yakasai, the Quiz Master in his welcome remarks on behalf of CITAD, read the ICT Quiz proceedings to the contestants and declared the Quiz open at 12:45 noon.

The competition with nine senior secondary schools in contest was described by spectators as very exciting. The nine schools that participated in the quiz were: Government College Birnin Kudu, Science Senior Secondary School Lautai, Government Senior Secondary School, Hadejia Fantai, Government Senior Secondary School, Roni, Government Girls Senior Secondary School Kazaure, Government Senior Secondary School, Kazaure, Government Girls Unity Senior Secondary School, Gwaram, Dutse Model International Senior Secondary School and Government Science Technical College Hadejia.

The competition held three interesting rounds. In the final round of the quiz, six finalists competed to emerge as winners of the prestigious ICT quiz but it was Dutse International Secondary School that prevailed with Eight Points ahead of Government Science Technical College Hadejia which had Six Points and ended up winning second place, while Government Senior Secondary School, Kazaure came third with Four Points.

As it is the tradition of the ICT competition, eight prizes were line up for the participating schools and their teachers: These prizes as well as the winners were as follows: First place, a Brand New Computer, donated by the Ministry of Education Science and Technology was taken by Dutse Model International Secondary School, and presented to the School by the Chairman of the occasion, Alh. Babangida Ismatu, Second place, also a Brand New Computer, donated by the Office of the Secretary to the Jigawa State, and won by Government Science Technical College Hadejia which was presented to the School by Alh. Idris Isah, a representative of the General Manager, Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, Dutse, and the Third place prize a three in one printer, donated by the Jigawa State Ministry of Ministry of Information went to the Government Senior Secondary School Kazaure. The prize was presented to the school by Ibrahim Dabo, Ministry of Information, Jigawa State.

A Television Set as the prize for the Best Performing Student donated by Alh. Kiri M. Shaaibu, Executive Secretary, Jigawa State Contributory Pension Scheme, won by Yusuf Nuhu of Government College Birnin Kudu while Halima M. Lawan of Dutse Model International Secondary School won the prize for the Best Female Performing Students, a stereo Radio Set, donated by CITAD.

In addition the prize for the Teacher of the Best Performing School a scanner donated by Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) Jigawa Branch went Mr. Aniedu Ndaruke of the Dutse Model International Secondary School. The prize of the Teacher of the First and Second Runner up Schools, a Wall Clock each donated by CITAD went to Malam Haruna Idris of Government Science Technical College Hadejia and Malam Sha’ aibu Umar of Government Secondary School Kazaure.

The three winning schools will now represent Jigawa State in the National ICT Quiz that will hold in August later this year at the Digital Bridge, Institute , Kano. The Jigawa State Quiz was the first in a series of state-level competitions to select state representatives for the national competition. The next round of state competition will hold in Bauchi State on 30th June, 2011.

Mallam Ahmad Abdullahi Yakasai delivered the lecture in English with help of the principal of the school who served as an interpreter between Ahmad and the students. He extensively discussed the importance of computer especially in our modern society, He emphasized that it was incumbent upon each and every one of the student to learn how to use the computer and therefore get enroll actively into an IT world. Ahmad Yakasai described region as being left behind in terms of ICTs as compared to other parts of the country.

Ahmad who used projector to deliver the lecture stated that people with disability are given special consideration in developed countries of the world especially in their learning institutions and the end result is a productive community of people with disability. He said that with determination his audience (the Deaf Students) would learn everything they wish and form an active portion of the society

Also Yakasai explained the uses of the internet as part of the information technology especially in the learning institutions. “The computer is used as e-Library for collecting data from the ocean of knowledge provided by the internet and all aspects of human endeavor have a lot to benefit from the internet” Ahmad cited Education, Religion, Economy, Politics as example of human endeavors that greatly benefited from the internet.

The students who attended indicated that they benefited greatly from the career talk especially pertaining how significant IT knowledge to human society. And their interest to pursue ICT knowledge was apparent.

In his speech, the principal commended the effort of CITAD for coming to the school in spite of its location in a rural area. He said that he school has computer in its curriculum but did not a single computer as a teaching aid to the students. The principal expressed satisfaction for the lecture and stated that the lecture has motivated him to the extent that he will write and solicit for a projector from the Local Government Authority as this will facilitate learning for the special students. He therefore urged CITAD to assist the school in any way possible for the student to have ICT knowledge.

The Teaching Staff of the school who attended the occasion include Musa Isyaku Computer studies Teacher, Abdullahi Muhammad, Usman Sule, Muhammad Nura Hassan, Umma Muhammad Nabayi, Bello Ali Kaluwa, Abba Muhammad, Anyanwu Grace, Hussaini Muhammad, Abubakar Ali Shehu, Musa Abubakar Ibrahim. Otherv members of the career team were Abdullahi Isma’il of Awareness Department of CITAD, Haruna Adamu Hadejia, Shehu Usman and Abdullahi Danbalarabe Transport Officer.

Moreover, Ahmad described Northern Nigeria as left behind in term of ICT as compare to the Western part of the nation. He added that, “This is a big challenge to the youth in the Northern Nigeria to try hard and engage in ICT knowledge acquisition.” The one hundred and twenty seven students who attended the lecture were indicated improvement concerning what they have learned from Yakasai about the importance of ICT knowledge this was evident in the questions they asked.

The Principal of school, Rabi’u Bala Yankatsari in his remark describe the career lecture as the most interesting and comprehensive lecture he ever witnessed. Yankatsari commended Ahmad for his marvelous lecture. He also solicited CITAD to assist the students with ICT material such as computer manual {handout} that could help the students in building up their IT learning. He added that they have Computer Studies in their studies curriculum but do not have a single computer. In addition, the Principal expressed his satisfaction over CITAD effort to educate not only students but the staff in general.

After the lecture the team asked the students some questions relating to the talk. Ahmad was impressed by some of the students for their ability to answer ICT questions thrown to them. In particular Ibrahim Isa and Aminu Hassan were identified as ICT brilliant students for their ability to answer question given to them pertaining ICT. According to Yakasai, this has shown that the students are ready to learn.

The Teaching Staff of the school who attended the occasion were Saleh Bashir Muhammad, Bashir Abdullahi Juma, Muhammad Aliyu Juma, Rabi’u Sharif Auwal, Adam Isa Mijinyawa and Abdubakar Umar. The career lecture team led by Ahmad Abdullahi Yakasai, include  Abdullahi Isma’il, Abdullahi Abdu Jido, Khadija Isma’il Idris all of Publications and Awareness Department of CITAD  and Malam Isyaku the Transport Officer.

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INTRODUCTION

As part of its youth development agenda, the Federal Ministry of Youth Development in conjunction with the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) conducted a one-week IT-based  Entrepreneurship Development Programme for Youth from 18 states and the Federal Capital Territory at the Kano University of Science and Technology (KUST), Wudil Kano State, the objectives of the training which held from 9th to 16th, January 2011 include:

1. To train youth development officers on IT-based youth development programme

2. To facilitate the development of a model youth development programme for the Ministry

3. To prepare youth for the work place by equipping them with life and employability skills.

4. To provide youth with crucial work based experiences within a youth – development approach

5. To develop the entrepreneurship ability of the youth

6. To develop their ICT skills for job creation and employment generation

7. To provide youth with an employment experience that put them in touch with real life labour expectations and practices

8. To provide youth with career instruction and greater awareness of support networks and various employment opportunities

The following states were invited to participate, nominating 12 youth. In addition, the youths were accompanied by Directors of Youth from their States:

1. Adamawa

2. Bauchi

3. Benue

4. Bornu

5. FCT

6. Gombe

7. Jigawa

8. Kaduna

9. Kano

10. Katsina

11. Kebbi

12. Nassarawa

13. Niger

14. Plateau

15. Sokoto

16. Taraba

17. Yobe

18. Zamfara

REGISTRATION

On the Sunday, 9th January, 2011, the facilitator organization of the programme in conjunction with the host University set up a registration desk to receive, register and allocate participants to both their places of residence as well as to their training group. Participants were also given the Joining Instruction (appendix 2) which served as guide for participation in the Programme. As not all the states were able to arrive on the arrival date of Sunday, 9th January, the registration desk was left to continue registering the participants as they came..

THE PROGRAMME

The training programme consisted of the following Modules:

1. Windows 97

2. Microsoft Word

3. Microsoft Excel

4. Microsoft PowerPoint

5. Internet Utilization

6. Entrepreneurship

In addition as youth development problem, it also included sporting and cultural activities.

The full programme is attached as Appendix 1 to this report, as can be seen participants were divided into three groups for easy of management. As a largely hands on training each participant has access to a computer through out the duration. An additional class was set for state officials, who accompanied the youth from the various states so that they could also benefit from the programme,

FORMAL OPENING CEREMONY

Although actual training commenced on Monday, 10th January, 2011, the formal opening ceremony for the programme was held on Tuesday, 11th January, 2011. The event held at the main auditorium of the University. The programme of the Opening Ceremony is annexed as Appendix 3. The programme which was facilitated by the head of the Public Relation Unit of the University started with the introduction of Guests at the high table, followed by an opening prayer. The Vice Chancellor of the University who was attending a meeting of the Association of African Vice Chancellors was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Dr. M. T. Yakasai, along with all the Management team of the University. In his welcome address, the Vice Chancellor expressed appreciation for the selection of the university to host the training. He said that although a relatively young university but has already made some impressive achievements particularly in the area of IT training. He revealed for example that in the last two national computer Science competitions the university had came second and first respectively and now it was holding the National Trophy for the Best Student Software Designer. He assured the participants of a conducive atmosphere and good system with which to train. He also revealed that he was not the first time the university was collaboration with the University. Many of the academic staff of their university, including the former and current Deputy Vice were trained by CITAD under a special training programme entitled ICT for Academic Purposes. He also assured that the campus and Wudil were safe place and invited the youth development officials from the states to patronize the university.

The representative of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth Development, Mr. Peter A. Attabor then read the welcome speech of the Permanent Secretary, giving the background the programme and its objectives. This was followed by Remarks on the nature of the Programme by the Executive Director of CITAD. Hon. Minister, Ministry of Youth Development, Senator Akilabi Olasunkanmi, who was represented by Dr. Isa Baba, a Director in the Ministry then read his speech of the Minister giving the rationale of the programme and what was expected out of the programme. He traced the idea of the IT training to an earlier joint effort between the Ministry, Microsoft Corporation and CITAD which resulted in a two-week training of trainers for youth development officers from the Ministry as well as the states of the federation. He said that the end of the programme which held in May at the Digital Bridge Institute, Abuja the Ministry, realising the important of the programme decided to step it down for all the states of the federation, giving birth to this particular programme. He disclosed that other ICT-based programme that the ministry was considering included an e-mentoring scheme which would match youth people with experienced mentors across the country using an ICT-platform for the youth mentees to acquire business knowledge, skills and networks on their way to becoming successful entrepreneurs.

The event was covered by several local and national media including the NTA, Kano State Television (ARTV), Freedom Radio, Kano State Radio, Trust newspapers among others.

The focus of the training was to expose the participants to the various IT skills and to let them figure out what career opportunities were there so as to entice into taking the sector more seriously.

COURTESY VISITS

As part of ensuring a problem-free programme the team (consisting of the Ministry officials and staff of CITAD) paid a courtesy call on the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Wudil in his office on Monday, 10th January 2011. The team briefed him about the programme and its objectives as well as the participants and requested the support and cooperation of the Police during the programme. The DPO thanked the team and promised to offer any assistance requested. He however assured the team that Wudil was a peaceful place and they need not worry too much,

The team also on the same Monday visited the Commandant of the Road Safety Corps in Wudil and briefed him of the programme and made a request for the Corps to offer excursion and cover for the participants on the date they would be going out for excursion. He expressed appreciation for the courtesy call, promising that the Corps would provide the assistance and requested that a formal letter be put to that effort,

The Team led by the Vice Chancellor and the Representative of the Minister also paid a courtesy call on the Makaman Kano and District Head of Wudil who received the team in his palace on Tuesday 11th January, 2011. The Vice introduced the entourage while the representative of the Minister, Dr. Isa Baba spoke on behalf of the Team which consisted on delegates from all the participating states. Following the Speech of the traditional Ruler, CITAD Director then offered a vote thanks, indicating that the team was very happy that in spite of the fact that we gave the Traditional Ruler very short notice he accepted to welcomed and received us in his palace.

THE EXCURSION

As part of the Programme arrangements were made to visit forum places however because of time constraint this reduced to only two places. The two places were selected for their education value. These were the Kano State ICT Park which the state government has invested in the building and setting up of a work class technology enclave that would generate thousands of jobs especially for youth and the Kano Museum which provides a tour course on the history of Kano and the culture of its people. The excursion which took place on Friday (instead of Saturday as planned in the programme) was escorted by the officers and men of the Road Safety Corps).

At the Kano State ICT Park the participants were received by the officials of the Kano State Ministry of Science and Technology led by its Permanent Secretary as well as the Special Senior Assistant to the Kano State Governor on ICT, Malam Salisu Abdullahi. The Director of CITAD introduced participants and their coordinators as well as the Federal Ministry of Youth Development officials, spoke on the National IT training programme. The Special Adviser, Malam Salisu Abdullahi then formally introduced members of the Kano ICT Park Project Team, including the ICT Park Consultant (who happened to be the Director of CITAD) and briefed the participants on the project, its objectives, significance and the state of the completion. He then entertained questions from the youth after which they were taken round the various section of the project.

At the Kano State Museum the youth were taken to various parts of the museum where the guides explained different aspects of the history and culture of Kano State.

CLOSING GALA NIGHT

The Gala Night was held on Friday, 14th January 2011. The idea to hold it on Friday rather than Saturday it was planned for was to allow those who wanted to leave at the end of the training on Saturday to have the opportunity to participate in the event. Prior to the event, CITAD had asked members of each of the participating teams that were interested in making cultural presentation to indicate interest and if they needed some cultural costumes to also specify them so that these could be procured. Some of the states did and CITAD procured the costumes while other said that they were going to give impromptu performance and would not need any special costumes.

A cow was also slaughtered for the event. The event held at the Main Auditorium from 9.omm. It featured speeches and cultural dances from both Kano State based cultural Group (the Koroso dancers) as well by the states contingents. The event lasted 12 mid night.

Following the Gala night certificates of participation were distributed to the participants in the morning

OUTCOMES

The training has imported IT foundation skills on the participants and has given them wider knowledge and awareness about the business potentials in the IT sector. In particular, the following are some of the outcomes of the programme:

1. The States have now a foundation crop of potential IT trainers for future IT training programmes for youth in the respective states

2. State Ministries of Youth have been sufficiently motivated to replicate the same programmes in their respective states as part of the their youth development programme aimed at reducing youth unemployment

3. The trained youth have know been exposed to IT and would seek for avenues to further deepened their knowledge and skills on IT

4. Both the Federal and State Ministries of Youth Development have now based curricula materials upon which to build future youth development programmes

5. The image of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development as a proactive establishment concerned with the problems of youth in the country has been deeply created in the minds of the youth as well as the state ministries. This has earned the Ministry and indeed the Federal Government goodwill from the participants, their states ministries and their parents

6. Bringing together the youth from different states provided an opportunity for the youth to experience living with people of different cultural and religious background, establish new friendship and set up networks thaht afre needed for national unity and harmony in the country.

CONCLUSION

The following recommendations are made:

• Where the Ministry wishes to provide training to many people, it should consider non-residential training which is cost effective

• For participants to gain more skills, programme like this one should last for at least 10 days

• The Ministry should capitalize on the trainings and move its proposed e-Mentoring Scheme from the concept stage to a practical reality

• The Federal Ministry of Youth needs to develop a mechanism to follow up on the participants to able to establish to what extent the beneficiaries are able to capitalize on the training to advance their careers.

• There is need to further encourage the State Ministries to further replicate similar trainings at their state level

• The Federal Ministry of Youth Development should utilise the existing skills, personnel and equipment from within it to provide IT training in its various youth development centres across the States.

• This training had focused on foundation IT skills. There is need to follow with more advanced IT skills training that would see the participants acquiring competitive skills that would make them IT service producers and providers in their communities

• It would be useful for the Ministry to set up listserve for the participants to continue to network and share experience, and thereby developing an e-based peer-to=peer mentoring programme.

As part of its social corporate responsibility, Microsoft partnered with the Edo State Government and the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) and trained youth in the state. The training which was held in ICT Unit of the Edo State Government House, Benin City from the 6th to the 11th December, 2010 was facilitated by CITAD. The Office of the Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor took the responsible of mobilizing the youth as well as provided fro training facilities such as the training hall, computers and other training needs. Fifty (50) took part in the programme.

	…		…		…
Malam Ahmad giving lecture on advanced ICT skills		A participant responding to a question		Mal. Kamaluddeen umar giving lecture onn web design		Mal. Aliyu giving lecture on IT Base Small Scale Business
Mal. Abubakar Tsangarwa Giving lecture on Corel Draw		Group picture of participants, Pacilitators and S.A. to the Edo State Governor on IT		A group picture of facilitators and S.A. to the Edo State Governor on IT

Training objectives

The broad objective of the programme was to building the capacity of the youth development officers and other youth to deliver youth development programmes. Accordingly the specific objectives include:

1. To train youth on IT-based youth development programme

2. To facilitate the development of a model youth development programme for the Government

3. To enhance the readiness of the Government to launch and maintain e-mentoring platform

4. To prepare the youth development officers to run successful youth development programmes that would:

a. Provide the youth with life and employability skills.

b. Provide youth with crucial work based experiences within a youth – development approach

c. Develop the entrepreneurship ability of the youth

d. Develop their ICT skills for job creation and employment generation

e. Provide youth with career instruction and greater awareness of support networks and various employment opportunities

Training Content

The training content consisted of four modules, carefully selected to meet the objectives of the programme. The first module, centering on advanced ICT skills covered training in Web design, CorelDraw, PhotoShop and Advanced Skills in Microsoft Word. The specific aim of these was for the participants to be proficient in these aspects of IT skill and seek for niche in the emerging business areas that utilize these skills. The second Module was ICT-based Small Scale Businesses. Through it, the participants were taken through different types ICT-based small scale businesses that the youth could establish. The module included the types of business opportunities, the services or goods to be offered, the requirements for setting up the business, regulatory imperatives and the resources needed. The module also provided sources of support and further information in the different sub-business opportunity areas. The third Module focused on Entrepreneurship skills where participants were taken through such topics as Turning Ideas into Business, Setting up my business, business requirements, conducting feasibility survey for market for the proposed business, Managing the Business, Marketing Skills, Financial Management, Business Communication, Determining Prices for Goods and Services. Finally a forth model consisting of two units, Training of IT Trainers, which was aimed at imparting training skill for those who may seek an opportunity in IT training and e-Mentoring, which was aimed at exposing them to web-based mentoring schemes a means of their getting support as they set about planning and actually running their small scale enterprises.

Training Methodology

The training combined both hands-on training and experiential training facilitation methodologies. Each participate has set up appropriately designed manual for each of the modules. In line with the mobilization requirements, all participants had some IT skill, which allowed these to be consolidated, and allowing the focus of the training to remain on how to utilize the skills to create business opportunities for the youth.

Outcomes

Fifty 50 were training in the programme. The trained youth now constitute a crop of facilitators that could be used to expend the skills and knowledge to others. The State Government has also copies of the training manuals with which it could use to replicate the training for more beneficiaries in the state. It has also already given indication of its commitment to do this through the Office of Special Adviser on IT in collaboration with the State Youth Empowerment Programme. The Adviser, Mrs. Yomi Keri also indicated the possibility of setting up an e-mentoring scheme to allow youth to access business skills and knowledge as well as obtain counseling from experienced business entrepreneurs and professionals online.

Closure

No formal closure could take place due to the death of the wife of the State Governor two days into the programme. It was therefore decided that the Edo State Government would at the end of the mourning fix date during which the closing ceremony and the distribution of certificates would be done.

Feedback

Below are the comments of some of the participants with respect to the training.

The facilitators were splendid. With what we learnt we can be able to create website and work with other packages to produce publications. But the time is too short. Thank a lot.

Vasco Okoduwa vdlove4u@yahoo.com, 08053461104

I have gained a lot in business management, web design and CorelDraw. So I am truly glad I participated in the training.

Charity Omoruyi, omoruyi.charity@yahoo.com, 08056748960

Have made to understand how IT can be used in small scale business, how to create website, a detailed use of CorelDraw among others.

Oseni Al-hussain, husilam@yahoo.com, 08051801003

Thanks a lot for this training. I’ve gained a lot in advanced Microsoft Word, CorelDraw and IT-based small scale businesses. Our facilitators were excellent. The only problem was from our State Government that did not provide enough time and logics.

Evbo-Imade Osarumwense, dazjp4u@yahoo.com, 08026230551

The training is satisfactory with well equipped facilitators

Mary Salami, 08062883133

The facilitators are wonderful in the area of CorelDraw, enterprises management and web design.