Matsalar Ruwan Sha A Ƙaramar Hukumar Ƙunchi

 

Matsalar Ruwan Sha A Ƙaramar Hukumar Ƙunchi A Jihar Kano
Ruwa aka ce shi ne ginshikin rayuwa, don haka samar da tsabtatatcen ruwan sha ga jama’a wani nauyi ne da ya rataya a wuyan kowacce gwamnati.
Sai dai abin ba haka ya ke a Æ™aramar hukumar Ƙunci da ke jihar Kano, domin al’umma a mazabun Shuwaki da Gwarmai na fama da mummunar matsalar ruwan sha, inda su kan yi tafiya mai nisan gaske kafin su kai ga samun ruwan sha.
Tawagar Cibiyar BunÆ™asa Fasahar da Cigaban Al’umma CITAD sun kai ziyarar gani da ido zuwa waÉ—annan yankunan da su ke fama da matsanancin wadataccen ruwan sha, inda mazauna garuruwan su ka bayyana irin wahalar da su ke sha kafin su samu ruwan da za su yi amfani da shi a gidajensu.
Al’ummar Æ™auyukan Baji da Limamai da Agalawa da Kuku da Gwadama da Kargo da kuma Hayin Malamai na zuwa wata rijiya wacce wani mutum mazaunin jihar Kaduna ya gina a yankin Kwardakwalle inda su ke É—ebo ruwan da za su yi amfani da shi.
Dagacin Baji Malam Umaru Salisu wanda ya samu wakilcin Muhammadu Umaru ya bayyana cewa suna fuskantar matsalar ruwan sha a yanku nan na su, domin su kan yi tafiyar a kalla kimanin kilomita Biyar (5) zuwa Bakwai (7) kafin su kai ga inda za su samu ruwan da za su yi amfani da shi.
A nasa É“angaren mai unguwar Gwalaida Malam Haruna Mai Unguwa Dan Gidan Zubairu, ya bayyana irin yadda matsalar rashin ruwan ke hana Æ´aÆ´ansu zuwa makaranta.
Mai Unguwa Haruna ya ce ƙauyukan da su ke zagaye da Gwalaida kan taso ƙafa da kafa su zo Kwardakwalle neman ruwan sha, duk da irin nisan da ke tsakaninsu da rijiyar.
Yahuza Muhammad Yahuza Kuku yana ɗaya daga cikin magidanta da mu ka same shi a bakin rijiyar yana jiran layi ya zo kan sa ya debi ruwan, ya bayyana cewa haƙiƙa suna tsananin fama da matsanancin rashin ruwan sha a ƙauyukan na su domin a wasu lokutan har kwana su ke a wajen diban ruwan.
Ya ƙara da cewa sun yi iya bakin ƙoƙarinsu wajen ganin hukumomi a yankin ta hanyar kai musu kokensu amma har yanzu shiru babu labari
Wani matashi da mu ka zanta da shi mai suna Abdullahi Mustapha ya ce yadda su ke fama da matsalar ruwa a yanku nan na su kan tilasta musu ficewa zuwa cirani.
Matsalar ruwan sha da fannin ilmi da wutar lantarki na daga cikin abubuwan da mahukunta a Najeriya ke gangamin yakin neman zabe da su. Sai dai har yanzu babu É—aya da aka magance
A Æ™arshe al’ummar wannan yanki sun yi kira ga hukumomi da sauran kungiyoyi da su kai musu agajin gaggawa akan wannan matsala ta ruwan sha.

REPORT OF THE TWITTER CHAT ON THE SAFENESS OF COVID19 VACCINES AND THE NEED FOR EVERYONE TO GET VACCINATED WITH PROFESSOR ISAH ABUBAKAR SADEEQ, DIRECTOR, CENTER FOR INFECTIOUS DISEASES, BAYERO UNIVERSITY, KANO HELD ON THE 25TH MARCH, 2021

 

As skepticism on taking the Covid19 vaccines is growing among people and trust deficit between government and Nigerian citizens is also widening, there is need for organization working in the area of creating awareness to bring experts in the area of diseases prevention and curation to dispel and regain the trust of the citizens to ensure every citizen get vaccinated in order to defeat the virus squarely. It is for this reason that the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) hosted Professor Isah Abubakar Sadeeq, Director, Center for Infectious Diseases, Bayero University, Kano to discuss on the Safeness of Covid19 Vaccines and why everyone should get Vaccinated. The professor started the discussion by informing the audience about the number of vaccines developed globally and their efficacy by saying that “There are more than 100 candidates’ vaccines at different stages of Clinical trials but so far Nigerian authorities have authorized the use of 6 of them. Of them modern and Pfizer Biotech have the best efficacy rates of 95-96% but are more difficult to handle & more expensive” and when he was asked about the importance of the mass vaccination, he went further to state that “Mass vaccination is essential in that it raises the Community level immunity referred to as herd immunity. When about 80-90 % is reached, transmission of the virus may not be possible. The disease may thus be eliminated through the mass immunization strategy”

Hello everyone,

Join me to welcome @ICTAdvocates today’s twitter chat guest on #CITADagainstCovid19, Prof. @isaabubakar_, Director, Centre for Infectious Diseases, BUK who will discuss on the Safeness of Covid19 Vaccines & the Need for Mass Vaccination in Nigeria. Welcome sir.

Thank you very much indeed

Question:

Sir, can we start by knowing how many vaccines we currently have and their efficacy?

Responses:

There are more than 100 candidates’ vaccines at different stages of Clinical trials but so far Nigerian authorities have authorized the use of 6 of them. Of them moderna and Pfizer BioNtech have the best efficacy rates of 95-96% but are more difficult to handle & more expensive.

There are more than 150 Candidate vaccines at different stages of Trials, but so far WHO has approved the use of 6 ready for use.

Question:

Prof @isaabubakar_, how do ordinary people get access to the vaccines in Kano?

Responses:

For now health workers and leaders are being vaccinated. The authorities concerned will roll out plans for other people soon.

Question:

Good afternoon sir, is the Covid19 vaccine safe for people to take, and what are some of the advantages attached to taken the vaccine? #CITADagainstCovid19

Response:

The benefits of taking the vaccines have by far outweigh the risks. The side effects are mild & self-limiting. They include mild fever, feeling of unwell, mild rashes

Question:

Given that the vaccine is limited, how can people be assured they can get it without being subjected to demand for some form of payment by vaccine administration officials? Are there mechanisms for citizens to report this if this occurs?

Responses:

Although it is limited, the vaccination program is a continuous exercise. Govt and partners will do all that is possible to provide adequate amount of vaccines to vaccinate at least 70% of Nigerians within 2 years 2021 & 2022

Question:

So sir, can you tell us the importance of Mass Vaccination?

Response:

Mass vaccination is essential in that it raises the Community level immunity referred to as herd immunity. When about 80-90 % is reached, transmission of the virus may not be possible. The disease may thus be eliminated through the mass immunization strategy

Question:

Sir, there is some argument among the people that why should someone that is being vaccinated still wear facemask. Can you tell us more about this?

Responses:

None of the measures is 100% effective in preventing against the disease. The more measures we take the better until herd immunity is achieved. It is recommended that we continue to wear mask even after vaccination for now. The situation may change in the near future

Question:

As we are coming to the end of this discussion, what advice do you have for citizens to ensure they get vaccinated and what recommendations do you have for Govt to ensure enough vaccines are being provided in the country, sir?

Responses:

Everyone should avail themselves for vaccination as it is the surest way of wiping this disease. The world is now united against the disease and the powerful are helping us to deal with the disease. We do not want a situation where the will succeed and leave us lagging behind

 

Here we come to the end of this discussion, on behalf of everyone  @ICTAdvocates’s we thanks our guest most sincerely for taking his time to educate us on this important topic. Thank you once again, sir.

 

CSO decries acute water shortage in a LGA of Kano

 

REPORT OF A ONE DAY FIELD VISIT TO KUNCHI LOCAL GOVERNMENT ON WATER CHALLENGES SOME COMMUNITIES ARE FACING BY THE CENTRE FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT (CITAD) ON THE 28TH OF MARCH, 2021

INTRODUCTION:

Water is one of the necessity for human lives and it challenges is making life difficult for many people and communities around the globe most especially in developing nations which Nigeria is included. For this reason, the United Nation set aside the 23rd of March of every year to highlights the importance of fresh water.

The day is used to advocate for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. It’s on this note that the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) on the 28th of March, 2021 constituted a media team and paid field visits to some of the communities that are in dare need of water in Kunchi Local Government of Kano State. The objectives of the visit was to:

  1. Assess the level of the challenges the communities are facing in terms of accessing water
  2. Gather some evidence and data that will be used to advocate to the concerned authorities, Philanthropies and Non-Governmental Organizations to come to the aid of the communities

iii.            Bring the issue to the public notice so that necessary actions will be taken

The team started the visit with Gwalaide village of Gwarmai ward where more than 20 communities depended on a single well that was built for over 35 years by a philanthropy for their source of water. The communities according to the ward head of the Gwalaide village that are using the well are: Dagiri, Limamai, Kargo, Jodade, Gadango, Borin Zare, Madaka, Gwadama, Waire, Santa, Agalawa, Hayin Malamai, Kuku, Gidan Maigari, Gobirawa, Sabuwar Tasha, Tutawa, Jinjimawa, Baje Yola etc. According to the ward head of Gwalaide village, Malam Haruna Mai Unguwa Dan Zubairu these communities are coming to the well every day for over 30 years to get the water they would for their daily activities.

Also in our interview with a 65-year-old resident of the area, Malam Yahuza Muhammadu Yahuza of Kuku community narrated to the team that his community people are in dare need of water. He stated that every day he has to trek for more than 30 minutes and waited on the queue for 8-10 hours before he can get the water his family will use in that particular day. He continued in a cracked voice to mention that because of this problem they have for long stopped their children from going to schools in order for the children to fetch the water the family will use.

 

Another resident of the area, Malam Abdullahi Mustapha revealed to the team that this water challenge in the area has deprived the people of the communities many things; their children are not being able to go to schools, frequent diseases outbreaks in the area because they are using same water their animals are using and as Muslims, their women are no longer sitting indoors as prescribed by the Holy Qur’an because they have to come out too to help the family in getting the water and most of the times during Ramadan they used to force their children to break their fast in the day time due to the hardship they are facing in fetching the water. Malam Mustapha described the politicians in the area as deceivers and people with empty promises.

However, the team also visited another community in the Local Government, named Kwardagwallen Shuwaki of Shuwaki ward, the community is not more than 22 kilometres from the Local Government Headquarter.

This particular community has only one hand borehole which more than 10 communities relied on for their source of water. According to Malam Muhammad Umar, a resident of the community, thousands of people from the neighboring communities are every day trooping to get their daily water. He noted that the communities are in this difficult situation for a very long time but no one cares to come to their aid.

When he was asked whether they have ever complained to the government, Muhammad Umar said he could not remember how many times they have complained to the authorities but what they received every time is empty promises.

Observations:

  1. The communities’ people are finding it difficult to access water
  2. Their children are not being able to go to schools

iii.            Frequent disease outbreaks in the areas

  1. The communities’ people are using the same water their animals are using
  2. As Muslims, their women are no longer sitting indoors as prescribed by the Holy Qur’an because they have to come out too to help the family in getting the water
  3. During Ramadan, they used to force their children to break fasting in the day time due to the hardship they are facing in fetching the water

Recommendations:

  1. Governments both at local and state levels should provide wells and boreholes in the areas
  2. Philanthropies and Non-Governmental Organizations to also help in the massive construction of boreholes and wells in the communities

iii.            Government should build schools in the area

  1. Government should construct a road that connects these communities
  2. Civil Society Organizations to sensitize the communities’ people on the importance of community contributions

CITAD PARTNERED JOBBERMAN NIG. LTD AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TO CELEBRATE THE 2021 INTERNATIONAL WOMEN DAY

 

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) partner with Jobberman; an organisation that is a Nigerian based job portal and career platform,and other organizations to celebrate the International Women Day, the activity took place on the 10th of March, 2021 at the Centre for Democratic Research and Training, Mambayya House of the Bayero University, Kano.

The theme for the 2021 International Women Day is “Challenge the Norm”, the programme was directed towards going with the theme of the year, the goal of the programme was to enlighten women on success tips for career growth, the importance of #Emotional intelligence and effective communication as a woman. Many times women are referred to as overly sensitive or sentimental, imagine a world where women had a firm grasp of their emotions and use this as a tool to springboard their way into success. Hence, the topic will challenge gender norms and stereotypes.

A panel discussion was held at the programe where prominent and potential women featured, the presenters at the sessions were; Fatima Abubakar Nahuce – internationally Accredited Negotiator, and Civil/Commercial Mediator, Dr. Sana Mu’az from the Software Engineering Department of the Bayero University, Kano, Hajiya Salamatu Garba the head of the Women Farmers Association of Nigeria, (WOFAN).

The discussions were directed towards what society will benefit as individuals, families, and communities when they prioritise girl’s/women’s education, how gender discrimination and outdated social constructs are barriers to educational opportunity. They further added how not only educating women and girls is essential to achieve higher level of economic growth and development, it is also the right thing to do for humanity.

Other partners in the celebration were Women Farmers Association of Nigeria (WOFAN) and Bridge Connect.

Some of the questions asked during interactive session are; Why more women are needed in leadership? women are the majority of the populace and are ruled by men who keep dictating without considering them, but with more women as leaders, women will be considered. Secondly, how can a woman balance work/business and home duties? To balance career and home duties one has to plan accordingly, when you set the objective of progressing in your career you have to plan and adhere to it in order to achieve your goal. Feedback was collected from participants at the end of the event which determines the success of the objective.

The programme titled Women in Leadership had in attendance 584 out of the 869 that registered for the event, although it was a women-only event few male youths also attended among the participants.

Review education sector curriculum to adopt digital technologies – CITAD tells FG

 

KANO – Centre for Information Technology And Development, CITAD has called on the Federal government to review the education sector curriculum to adopt digital technologies to aid teaching and learning in the country. The Centre made the call in a communique issued by it Communication Officer, Ali Sabo after a one day zoom meeting it organized on Digital Transformation of Educational Sector with the theme “Creativity and Innovation in the Deployment of ICTs in Schools to Prepare Digital Nigerians for the Digital Economy.” Sabo said reveiwing the educational sector curriculum will help the students to compete globally with other students.

 

The rapid evolution of digital is having a significant impact on corporate industries and is serving to provide exciting new opportunities, maximize efficiencies, increase collaboration and reduce costs “As the educational sector becomes more competitive, digital transformation is now becoming a necessary means of survival as this new digital world requires educators to adapt and adopt digital technologies, methodologies and mindsets. “The Federal government should mainstream innovation into school’s curriculum to foster better learning outcomes. “There is need to review the present curriculum to further update more digital skills. Proper integration of technology in the learning environment gives children the opportunity to develop social interaction and collaboration. “Government both at state and national level should leverage on the capabilities of the present-day technology and continuously stay updated. “If the schools can be digitally transformed it will help the students to be independent even after school because they can use the knowledge they get to empower themselves and others in the society,” he said. Sabo further said, “Mobile network providers should support accessibility in schools by keying to universal service provision principles in addition to their statutory commitment to the Universal Service Provision fund (USPF). “ICT too should be integrated in teacher recruitment, deployment and retention and train those teachers on digital skills to impart knowledge to the wider students. “Similarly, there is need to enroll teachers and educationists in ICT skills training for them to understand the current practices in the education sector. “Educators to guide children to interact using technology and highlight how this integration forms playful play structures for both the students and their peers “Parents and teachers to provide children with opportunities to express their creativity through color, music, dance etc,” Sabo however stated.

CITAD URGES NIGERIA’S GOV’T TO MAINSTREAM DIGITAL SKILLS IN TO SCHOOLS’ CURRICULUM TO BOOST DIGITAL CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION

 

CITAD Urges Nigeria’s Gov’t to Mainstream Digital Skills in to Schools’ Curriculum to Boost Digital Creativity and Innovation

 

INFOMEDIA – The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has urged gov’t at all level in Nigeria to mainstream digital skills into schools’ curriculum as part of the stipulated requirement for all students to graduates in order to boost digital creativity, innovation right from grassroot.

 

This is contained in a Communique issued at a One Day Webinar on Digital Transformation of Educational Sector In Nigeria organized by CITAD on Wednesday, 10 March 2021 and singed by Mal. Ali Sabo, the Centre’s Communication and Campaign Officer.

 

CITAD noted that the increasing migration of educational processes online and the imperative to produce a digitally competitive generations of Nigerians, there’s a dire need to surface ICTs policies which will serve as a roadmap for Digital Transformation of Educational Sector as well as becoming a key instrumentality for Students’ creativity and innovation in the country.

 

According to the Centre, the objective of organizing the webinar was to provide an opportunity for stakeholders to interrogate how ICTs are used in school both for learning and for running the schools, understand the challenges of preparing the upcoming generations and propose pathways for enhancing the deployment of technology to improve learning outcomes.

 

The webinar was chaired by Professor A. L Tukur, Vice Chancellor, Modibbo Adama University, Yola while the keynote address was delivered by Professor Garba Azare, the Executive Secretary of the National Teacher Institute on the theme ’ “Leading the Digital Revolution in Schools”. Two other papers were presented as follows:

 

1. Ms. Aissata Sow, Country Programs Lead, Nigeria & Digital Economy Lead, MasterCard Foundation on Supporting Creativity and Innovation in Schools: Preparing the next Digital Nitizens

 

2. Mr. Amos Emma, Chairman/Chief Software Architect for Programos Software Group on Promoting Creativity and Innovation among Schools Children.

 

Speaking during the webinar, some participants share their experiences “As the educational sector becomes more competitive, digital transformation is now becoming a necessary means of survival as this new digital world requires educators to adapt and adopt digital technologies, methodologies and mindsets”, it added that “Transforming the educational sector will help the students to compete globally with other students”.

CITAD, Stakeholders urge Govt to mainstream innovation into school curriculum

 

The Federal Government has been urged the to mainstream innovation into school curriculum to foster better learning outcome.

 

This was contained in a communique issued on Thursday, from a webinar on the Digital Transformation of Educational Sector in Nigeria with the theme”Creativity and Innovation in the Deployment of ICTs in Schools to Prepare Digital Nigerians for the Digital Economy.”

 

According to the communique which was signed by the Communication and Campaigns Officer, CITAD, Ali Sabo, promoting creativity among the students/pupils will allow them discover new ideas and process their thoughts in a resourceful and imaginative way.

 

It pointed out that transforming the educational sector will help the students to compete globally with other students, adding that there is low political interest by some state governors in promoting digital access in schools.

 

It decried the fact that schools in Nigeria are not well equipped to adopt to the transformation agenda.

 

The Communique noted that as the educational sector becomes more competitive, digital transformation is now becoming a necessary means of survival as this new digital world requires educators to adapt and adopt digital technologies, methodologies and mindsets.

 

It stated,”The Federal government should mainstream innovation into school’s curriculum to foster better learning outcomes.

 

“Parents should encourage creativity in children by allowing them to share their creative work and showing appreciation to each child’s unique creative output.

 

“ICT policies should be developed at state levels to serve as a roadmap to actualize digital skills needs.

 

“Mobile network providers should support accessibility in schools by keying to universal service provision principles in addition to their statutory commitment to the Universal Service Provision fund (USPF).”

 

 

 

The communique stressed the need for a review of the present curriculum to further update more digital skills.

 

It urged the government both at state and national level to leverage on the capabilities of the present-day technology and continuously stay updated.

 

“Integrate ICT in teacher recruitment, deployment and retention and train those teachers on digital skills to impart knowledge to the wider students.

 

 

 

“There is need to enroll teachers and educationists in ICT skills training for them to understand the current practices in the education sector.

 

 

 

“Educators to guide children to interact using technology and highlight how this integration forms playful play structures for both the students and their peers.

 

“Parents and teachers to provide children with opportunities to express their creativity through color, music, dance etc,” it stated.

 

It further noted that before student’s/pupils learn to share content through Information and Communications Technology (ICT) platforms such as blogs, videos, and photos, they must first be exposed to creativity.

 

According to the communique, proper integration of technology in the learning environment gives children the opportunity to develop social interaction and collaboration.

 

It therefore stressed that if the schools can be digitally transformed, it help the students to be independent even after school because they can use the knowledge they get to empower themselves and others in the society.

 

The webinar was chaired by Professor A. L Tukur, Vice Chancellor, Modibbo Adama University.

 

Other discussants include Prof.Garba Azare, the Executive Secretary of the National Teacher Institute, Ms. Aissata Sow, Country Programs Lead, Nigeria & Digital Economy Lead, MasterCard Foundation, and Mr. Amos Emma, Chairman/Chief Software Architect for Programos Software Group, among others.

CITAD presents prize to winners of its Secondary Schools quiz competition

 

 

 

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CITAD presents prize to winners of its Secondary Schools quiz competition

 

 

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has presented prizes to the Secondary Schools that emerged as winners of its quiz competition.

 

The presentation of the award which took place at the Senior Secondary Schools Management Board (KSSSMB), had the winning secondary schools in attendance.

 

Daily Focus reports that in December last year, CITAD organized its 19th ICT Secondary Schools Quiz at Kano State University of Science and Technology Wudil with 26 participating secondary schools from Kano state.

 

At the event the Centre distributed computers, printers and other prizes to the winning secondary schools.

 

In his remark, the Executive Director of the Centre, represented by the Technical Officer, Engineer Kamilu Umar stated that the secondary schools that emerged as first, second and third positions, together with seven schools that showed an outstanding performance during the quiz would be given twenty thousand Naira each.

 

He added that in the categories of the students, three of them were awarded fifty thousand naira.

 

“Students in the 1st and 2nd positions would be given twenty thousand Naira each while the 3rd position students would go with ten thousand Naira”

 

 

In his opening remarks, the Executive Secretary Kano State Senior Secondary Schools Management Board, Dr. Bello Shehu who was represented by the Director Schools, Malam Ahmad Tijjani Idris said “computer knowledge has become a necessity in today’s world because you cannot do anything without it.

 

 

The students recieving thier prizes

He urged teachers and schools to adopt Information and Communications Technology in order not to be left behind.

 

The schools that won the first, second and third positions were GTC Ungogo, Maitama Sule Science College and GTC Kano respectively.

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT A ONE DAY WEBINAR ON DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OF EDUCATIONAL SECTOR IN NIGERIA ORGANIZED BY THE CENTRE FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT HELD ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 2021

 

Given the increasing migration of educational processes online and the imperative to produce a digitally competitive generations of Nigerians, the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) on the 10th of March, 2021 held a webinar on Digital Transformation of Educational Sector with theme Creativity and Innovation in the Deployment of ICTs in Schools to Prepare Digital Nigerians for the Digital Economy. The objective of organizing the webinar was to provide an opportunity for stakeholders to interrogate how ICTs are used in school both for learning and for running the schools, understand the challenges of preparing the upcoming generations and propose pathways for enhancing the deployment of technology to improve learning outcomes. The webinar was chaired by Professor A. L Tukur, Vice Chancellor, Modibbo Adama University, Yola while the keynote address was delivered by Professor Garba Azare, the Executive Secretary of the National Teacher Institute on the theme ’ “Leading the Digital revolution in Schools”. Two other papers were presented as follows:

1. Ms. Aissata Sow, Country Programs Lead, Nigeria & Digital Economy Lead, MasterCard Foundation on Supporting Creativity and Innovation in Schools: Preparing the next Digital Nitizens

2. Mr. Amos Emma, Chairman/Chief Software Architect for Programos Software Group on Promoting Creativity and Innovation among Schools Children

Observations:

The participants noted that:

1. Before student’s/pupils learn to share content through Information and Communications Technology (ICT) platforms such as blogs, videos, and photos, they must first be exposed to creativity. Promoting creativity among the students/pupil’s that allow to discover new ideas and process their thoughts in a resourceful and imaginative way

2. Transforming the educational sector will help the students to compete globally with other students

3. There is low political interest by some state governors in the promoting digital access in schools

4. Our schools are not well equipped to adopt to the transformation agenda

5. The rapid evolution of digital is having a significant impact on corporate industries and is serving to provide exciting new opportunities, maximize efficiencies, increase collaboration and reduce costs

6. As the educational sector becomes more competitive, digital transformation is now becoming a necessary means of survival as this new digital world requires educators to adapt and adopt digital technologies, methodologies and mindsets.

7. Proper integration of technology in the learning environment gives children the opportunity to develop social interaction and collaboration.

8. If the schools can be digitally transformed it help the students to be independent even after school because they can use the knowledge they get to empower themselves and others in the society.

Recommendations:

Participants recommend that:

1. The Federal government should mainstream innovation into school’s curriculum to foster better learning outcomes

2. Parents should encourage creativity in children by allowing them to share their creative work and showing appreciation to each child’s unique creative output.

3. ICT policies should be developed at state levels to serve as a roadmap to actualize digital skills needs

4. Mobile network providers should support accessibility in schools by keying to universal service provision principles in addition to their statutory commitment to the Universal Service Provision fund (USPF)

5. There is need to review the present curriculum to further update more digital skills

6. Government both at state and national level should leverage on the capabilities of the present-day technology and continuously stay updated

7. Integrate ICT in teacher recruitment, deployment and retention and train those teachers on digital skills to impart knowledge to the wider students

8. There is need to enroll teachers and educationists in ICT skills training for them to understand the current practices in the education sector

9. Educators to guide children to interact using technology and highlight how this integration forms playful play structures for both the students and their peers

10. Parents and teachers to provide children with opportunities to express their creativity through color, music, dance etc.

Ali Sabo

Communication and Campaign Officer

CITAD Host Stakeholders, Make Key Recommendations On IT Deployment To Schools

 

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT A ONE DAY WEBINAR ON DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OF EDUCATIONAL SECTOR IN NIGERIA ORGANIZED BY THE CENTRE FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT HELD ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 2021

Given the increasing migration of educational processes online and the imperative to produce a digitally competitive generations of Nigerians, the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) on the 10th of March, 2021 held a webinar on Digital Transformation of Educational Sector with theme Creativity and Innovation in the Deployment of ICTs in Schools to Prepare Digital Nigerians for the Digital Economy.

The objective of organizing the webinar was to provide an opportunity for stakeholders to interrogate how ICTs are used in school both for learning and for running the schools, understand the challenges of preparing the upcoming generations and propose pathways for enhancing the deployment of technology to improve learning outcomes.

The webinar was chaired by Professor A. L Tukur, Vice Chancellor, Modibbo Adama University, Yola while the keynote address was delivered by Professor Garba Azare, the Executive Secretary of the National Teacher Institute on the theme ’ “Leading the Digital revolution in Schools”. Two other papers were presented as follows:

1. Ms. Aissata Sow, Country Programs Lead, Nigeria & Digital Economy Lead, MasterCard Foundation on Supporting Creativity and Innovation in Schools: Preparing the next Digital Nitizens

2. Mr. Amos Emma, Chairman/Chief Software Architect for Programos Software Group on Promoting Creativity and Innovation among Schools Children Observations: The participants noted that:

1. Before student’s/pupils learn to share content through Information and Communications Technology (ICT) platforms such as blogs, videos, and photos, they must first be exposed to creativity. Promoting creativity among the students/pupil’s that allow to discover new ideas and process their thoughts in a resourceful and imaginative way 2. Transforming the educational sector will help the students to compete globally with other students

3. There is low political interest by some state governors in the promoting digital access in schools

4. Our schools are not well equipped to adopt to the transformation agenda

5. The rapid evolution of digital is having a significant impact on corporate industries and is serving to provide exciting new opportunities, maximize efficiencies, increase collaboration and reduce costs

6. As the educational sector becomes more competitive, digital transformation is now becoming a necessary means of survival as this new digital world requires educators to adapt and adopt digital technologies, methodologies and mindsets.

7. Proper integration of technology in the learning environment gives children the opportunity to develop social interaction and collaboration.

8. If the schools can be digitally transformed it help the students to be independent even after school because they can use the knowledge they get to empower themselves and others in the society.

Recommendations:

Participants recommend that:

1. The Federal government should mainstream innovation into school’s curriculum to foster better learning outcomes

2. Parents should encourage creativity in children by allowing them to share their creative work and showing appreciation to each child’s unique creative output.

3. ICT policies should be developed at state levels to serve as a roadmap to actualize digital skills needs

4. Mobile network providers should support accessibility in schools by keying to universal service provision principles in addition to their statutory commitment to the Universal Service Provision fund (USPF)

5. There is need to review the present curriculum to further update more digital skills

6. Government both at state and national level should leverage on the capabilities of the present-day technology and continuously stay updated

7. Integrate ICT in teacher recruitment, deployment and retention and train those teachers on digital skills to impart knowledge to the wider students

8. There is need to enroll teachers and educationists in ICT skills training for them to understand the current practices in the education sector

9. Educators to guide children to interact using technology and highlight how this integration forms playful play structures for both the students and their peers

10. Parents and teachers to provide children with opportunities to express their creativity through color, music, dance etc.

Ali Sabo

Communications and Campaigns Officer

CITAD ta raba kyautar kuɗi ga ɗaliban da su ka yi nasara a gasar kacici – kacici da ta shirya

 

Cibiyar Bunƙasa Fasahar Sadarwa da Cigaban Al’umma CITAD ta rabawa ɗaliban makarantun Sakandare da su ka yi nasara a gasar kaci – kaci da cibiyar ta shirya akan ilimin na’ura mai ƙwaƙwalwa kyautar kuɗi.

Da ya ke jawabi a gurin taron rabon kuɗin jami’i mai kula da gasar kaci – kacin na cibiyar ta CITAD, Malam Kamilu Isa ya ce makarantun Sakandaren da su ka yi nasarar zuwa matakin farko da kuma na biyu an ba su kuɗi kimanin naira dubu ashirin – ashirin, sai kuma makarantar da ta zo ta uku inda aka ba ta naira dubu goma.

Haka kuma cibiyar ta CITAD ta baiwa ɗaliban da su ka jagoranci makarantunsu da su ka yi nasarar lashe mataki na ɗaya da na biyu an ba su kyautar kuɗi naira dubu ashirin – ashirin sai kuma dalibin da ya zo na uku aka ba shi kyautar naira dubu goma.

Makarantun Sakandaren da su ka yi nasara sun haÉ—a da kwalejin fasaha ta Ungogo wato Government Technical Ungogo, inda ta zo mataki na É—aya, sai kuma Kwalejin kimiyya ta Maitama Sule da ke Gaya ta zo na biyu, da kuma Kwalejin fasaha da ke Kano wato GTC Kano, inda ta zo ta uku.

A nasa ɓangaren shugaban hukumar kula da makarantun Sakandare ta jihar Kano, Dakta Bello Shehu ya jawo hankali malamai da ɗalibai akan amfanin ilimin na’ura mai ƙwaƙwalwa, inda ya ce ya zama wajibi ga malamai da ɗalibai da su rungumi ilimin domin fuskantar ƙalubalen zamani.

Idan za a iya tunawa dai cibiyar ta CITAD dai ta shirya gasar ne a ƙarshen shekarar 2020, inda aka samu makarantu fiye da guda arba’in da su ka halarci gasar.

Taron rabon kuÉ—in ya gudana ne a É—akin taro na hukumar kula da makarantun Sakandare na jihar Kano.

NEWSCITAD Awards Cash Prize To Secondary School ICT Quiz Winners

 

The center for information technology and development CITAD has awarded a cash prize to winners of ICT quiz for secondary schools held at the Kano University of science and technology last year.

The award which took place at the senior secondary school’s management board had the winning secondary schools in attendance.

According to the technical officer, CITAD  engineer Kamilu Umar said the secondary schools that won the first,second, and third position won 20 thousand Naira while the third position school had 10 thousand Naira as the cash prize.

He noted that the students that won 1st and second positions have 20 thousand Naira each while the  third positions had ten thousand Naira.

 

The schools that won the first prize are GTC Ungogo while Maitama Sule science college came second and GTC Kano clinched the third position.

 

In a remark the executive secretary Kano state senior secondary school management board Dr Bello shehu represented by Director Malam Idris Ahmad said its necessary for teachers and schools to adopt Information and communications technology because its necessary for teaching and learning as the world has become a global village.

REPORT OF THE TWITTER CHAT ON COVID19 WITH KABIRU DANLADI LAWANTI ON COVID19 SECOND WAVE AND GROWING OF MISINFORMATION HELD ON THE 4TH MARCH, 2021

 

In continuation of its twitter chat on Covid19 and looking at how the virus is fast spreading across states in Nigeria with many misinformation spreading in the country especially with the Covid19 vaccines, the Centre for Information Technology and Development hosted Kabiru Danladi Lawanti, Lecturer with Department of Mass Communication, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria to discuss on how these misinformation is spreading in the society like wildfire, how the misinformation is effecting negatively the credibility of the vaccines and the ways that can be followed to tackle them. Mr. Lawanti who is an expert in the area of converting and countering misinformation started by explaining how these messages are being circulated and how they are affecting the war against Covid19 virus and the credibility of the vaccines in Nigeria where he started by defining what misinformation is, according Malam Kabiru misinformation is “Misinformation is false or inaccurate information circulated to scare people away from something or make them believe something” when giving example on how people were misinformed about the virus, Malam Kabiru said that “First, there was this information circulated early this year that #COVID19 was brought back because vaccination companies realized they could not sell their vaccines if the issue is downplayed”. However, when he was asked on how do the merchants of misinformation coin and spread information in the society, he went further to say that the purveyors of misinformation usually use social media, particularly Facebook and WhatsApp to generate information which are maliciously false and have no iota of truth, like the vaccine story he mentioned.

 

Discussions from the Chat:

 

Good afternoon all, 

Join me to welcome @ICTAdvocates today’s twitter chat guest on #CITADagainstCovid19, @kblawanty, Lecturer with the Mass Communication Dep. ABU Zaria who will discuss on Covid19 Second Wave and Growing of Misinformation. Welcome sir @YZYau @teemerh_beekay

Thank you @ICTAdvocates for inviting me

Today we are looking at the #COVID19 second wave and growing misinformation

Misinformation is false or inaccurate information circulated to scare people away from something or make them believe something

Replying to @kblawanty @a_sabo12 and 9 others First, there was this information circulated early this year that #COVID19 was brought back because vaccination companies realised they could not sell their vaccines if the issue is downplayed

Question: 

Replying to @kblawanty @ICTAdvocates and 8 others so in this aspect, how do the merchants of misinformation coin and spread these messages easily in the society? @YZYau @ICTAdvocates

@teemerh_beekay @sagiru_ado @kamalkano @kblawanty

Answers:

They usually use social media, particularly Facebook and WhatsApp to generate information which are maliciously false and have no iota of truth, like the vaccine story I mentioned

Question:

Looking at the major channels (Facebook and WhatsApp) these merchants of misinformation are using, can’t these big tech companies block these messages since they know they are harmful to the society? 

@Facebook @WhatsApp @YZYau @kblawanty @teemerh_beekay @sagiru_ado @kamalkano

Answers:

  1. No, I don’t think that is the solutions. The solutions lie in putting more efforts to counter these merchants of misinformation
  2. For instance, what are governments around the world doing to enlighten their citizens on #COVID19. In Nigeria, #COVID19Nigeria is still seen as a hoax or part of an elite plan, masterminded by the likes of Bill Gates, to control the population.

Question:

Do you think Nigerian govt is doing enough to counter this narrative, sir? @MBuhari @macfound

@sagiru_ado @YZYau #COVID19Nigeria

Answers:

  1. The problem in Nigeria was that, no synergy between the agencies. The agencies responsible are 

@NCDCgov and @NOA_Nigeria but the latter has more responsibility because that is their constitutional responsibility. But were they empowered to do that?

Question:

In our societies, even the most enlighten people among us are found to be susceptible to this misinformation not talk of the illiterate ones, what can you really say is the problem?

Answers:

  1. Media literacy is actually lacking. In the past, we dealing with conventional media, whose stories pass through different levels of gatekeepers, who sieve the information before disseminating it, but today everyone could go online and post anything, with the existing belive …
  2. Internet is also a medium, most think that the information on Internet is true, especially if shared by people they trust

Question:

Since we know most of these misleading information are being spread through social media, as an expert in the area of communication, what do you think is the solution this problem?

Answers: 

  1. There is no one solution to this problem, it needs collaborative efforts by both NGOs, Government, CSOs and CBOs. The need for media literacy
  2. A basic understanding of how information is circulated on the Internet will go a long way in making understand anyone can go online and post what he wants.

Question: 

As we coming to the end of this discussion, what are your advice to these gullible online consumers of misinformation and what are your recommendations to govt in solving this problem? #CITADAgainstCovid19 @YZYau @ICTAdvocates @kblawanty

Answers: 

  1. I won’t call them gullible, I rather call them victims of misinformation. In the past stories from radio e.g. @bbchausa @voahausa @dwnews are accepted without questioning because they are credible media, our people see information on Internet the way they used to see in these ..
  2. Credible media. Media consumers need to understand that on the Internet, even these credible sources faced growing impersonation, people use their logo or cloned website to post misinformation
  3. And since they don’t have the capacity to differentiate they fall victims. So if the story is not carried by several credible sources, ignore it. A simple search on Google will help confirm the authenticity of information

Final comment:

Here we come to the end of this discussion on Covid19 Second Wave & the Growing of Misinformation with @kblawanty, Lecturer with Dep. of Mass Comm. ABU Zaria, on behalf of @ICTAdvocates‘s E.D we thanks our guest most sincerely for taking his time to discuss this topic with us.

Response: 

Thank you for the opportunity

 

Sadiya Danyaro: Meet Kano Woman Making Waves In Graphic Design

 

For many graduates, life after completion of the compulsory national service year is scary as they move from one place to another jostling for the not so available white collar jobs.

In the process, some eventually waste years which could have been put into a more productive venture.

For Sadiya Lawal Danyaro, a Geography/Education graduate of the Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Kano (YUMSUK), the four years she has spent as Online Graphics Designer, have not only been productive to her, but have also made her a successful and self-reliant businesswoman. Today, her siblings and even colleagues look up to her for financial assistance.

It is not a common in Northern Nigeria to see women engage in such business as a way of earning a living, as it is mainly male dominated.

But, Sadiya insists that there is a hidden secret behind being a Graphics Designer.

“What actually motivated me to pick interest in it was a Non-governmental Organisation (NGO) (Centre for Information Technology and Development, CITAD), which trained us on different skills.  During the training, I realised that I was interested in design and that I also had the talent.  Furthermore, you do not require a huge capital to start it.

“I ventured into this business in 2017. I design invitation cards for weddings, birthdays, naming ceremonies and so on. I also do video design (for invitations and for adverts) and I design logos, flyers and several other things.

“Most of my clients are online. Whenever I design or edit a video, I include my contact number at the end, so people contact me and ask for samples of my previous work, and I share with them.

“Sometimes, when new clients contact me and hear my voice, they would ask, ‘where is the person in charge?’ They are usually surprised when I tell them that I am the business owner.

“So far, there has been a lot of progress; to God be the glory. When I graduated in 2017, I was highly dependent on my parents. I used to ask of money for virtually everything, including recharge card and clothes.

“But, with this business, I am now self-reliant and I even assist my siblings with pocket money. I am not lazy.

“When I started, I was just using a smart phone, but now Alhamdillah, I  got a laptop computer and even more sophisticated phone to grow the business. I use different applications like Canva, Power Director, Easy Sketch pro, Explaindio, Videoscribe and many more,” Sadiya added.

‘Family, friends are major challenge’

The major challenges Sadiya is facing according to her, are family and friends.

According to her, “People, especially relatives and colleagues always ask me to design graphics for them for free and that is not fair because I invest my talent, time and other resources in it.

“Some will not tell you it is free until you are done. That is when expressions like ‘we are family’ or ‘we are friends’ will arise.

“But I have developed the confidence to tell them that there are no free things. It is not easy spending time to design something for someone and they just tell you that we are family,” she added.

On where she sees herself in the next few years, Sadiya said, “I see myself as a successful entrepreneur, who will be motivating, training and employing youths in Kano State and Nigeria at large. I want to be more successful in it and achieve even more.”

Sadiya called on fellow youths, especially women to follow her trend by embracing entrepreneurship.

“I will like to call on fellow youths, especially women to take on graphics design; it is not for men alone. It’s for everyone! It’s something they can do in their comfort zone without going out and still make good money,” she said.

Sadiya is presently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Bayero University, Kano (BUK) and it is being funded by money she makes from her business.

Yesterday’s Skills Not Enough for Today’s Digital Transformation Age – CITAD Boss

 

Yesterday’s Skills Not Enough for Today’s Digital Transformation Age – CITAD Boss

 

TECH DIGEST – Dr. Yunusa Z. Yau is the Executive Director /Founder of Centre for Technology and Development (CITAD) an ICT-focused NGO, and a former lecturer in the Department of Electrical Engineering, Bayero University Kano, shares his thoughts regarding the impact of ICT innovation on the economy.

 

The Vice President, Information Technology (Industry) Association of Nigeria (ITAN), also talks on the need for collaboration between industry and institutions of higher learning, local content in ICT sector, and other sundry issues in this exclusive interview with Inyene Ibanga and Abbas Badamasi of TechDigest.ng.

 

Can you tell us the objectives of CITAD as an ICT-focused NGO and, how they impact the digital economy drive in Nigeria?

 

As an ICT4D organization, CITAD’s overall goal is to see Nigeria leverage the transformative potentials of ICT and change our development trajectory from that of poor underdeveloped country to a developed one. This is consistent with our vision which is building a knowledge-based democratic and self-reliant society.

Specifically, our objectives include: Raising awareness about the use of ICTs in development; Using ICTs as tools for the promotion of democracy and good governance; Propagating best practices in ICTs applications for the development; Campaigning for appropriate national policies on ICTs, Conducting research on ICTs in development; Providing training to disadvantaged groups such as women, children and other marginalized groups on ICTs; Running community computer resource centers for people to have access to computing facilities and Monitoring the application of ICTs in the society.

These all have direct impact to the digital economy drive. For instance, you cannot implement the digital economy without appropriate policies. Similarly, you cannot drive the digital economy without people with digital skills. You cannot get digital skills unless you address issues which make some people not to want to use it. Gender violence and hate speech are examples, which drive away women. This is why we have invested a lot of resources and time in monitoring and combating both gender violence and hate speech online. We have been training thousands of people yearly, contributing to the national stock of digital skill that is needed for the digital economy. We have set up community centres in rural areas so that these digitally marginalized communities could have access to opportunity to learn and use digital technology. We use this to demonstrate the benefits of digital inclusion.

 

We have continued to work with different partners to showcase various digital technologies and applications with the hope of adaptation. We have encouraged young people and civil society organizations to embrace civic tech which is needed to improve governance and close the gap between citizens and government. All these are contributing to the national ecosystem for the digital economy in the country.

 

CITAD has come a long way providing ICT training and digital skills to meet the demands of the digital economy especially in the area of entrepreneurship. What is the organization doing to empower our people with skills in digital innovation and entrepreneurship?

 

Empowerment has become an abused word in Nigeria, so one has to use it carefully. We see politicians bringing environment polluting motorcycles which soon become junk in the name of youth empowerment, we see them training people on skills that are no longer relevant in the digital economy. For us, we see empowerment as transformational process that turns young people from being job seekers to job creators. In addition to digital skills, we give them entrepreneurship training focused on how to set up, run and manage their businesses, how to find and access business support programmes. We provide them with top class mentors to guide them as they navigate their way to founding and running their business. We organize regular business clinics to assess the health of these young enterprises, we interface beneficiaries with business development support, service providers, including accessing loans and grants and we provide to some of them the space to flourish.

We recognize that rent and municipal services rates do inhibit the survival of young enterprises. Therefore, our Hub provides spaces for youth entrepreneurs so that they don’t have to pay for rent, do not pay for electricity and connectivity as well as match them with the market so that they could drive their goods and services to the market place. In the last couple of years, we have trained and mentored over 1000 young women and youth. Many of them are running their businesses now. Many of them have obtained grants and loans and a number have won awards. Some of our products are running successful digital hubs across the countries that are providing support for start-ups.

 

Recently, CITAD collaborated with NITDA to organize a webinar on Local Content Policy in ICT Sector. Why do we need the local content policy in the ICT sector?

 

The local content policy in the ICT sector is one of those pieces of policies that we consider appropriate. It is aimed at promoting the use and consumption of locally produced ICT goods and services without compromising standards. It requires that public procurement of ICT goods and services should ensure that at least 30% is locally produced or by local producers. This can be in the form of hardware, software and services such as training. Such a policy has an important role to play in driving the digital economy in the country. In particular, it provides an opportunity for local producers to be patronized which will make them grow and expand. Once they grow and expand, they will absorb many people into their employment, thus contributing to reducing unemployment in the country.

Patronizing local players will enable creativity and innovation that will spur many young people to task their brain. This development is what will cumulate into a massive uptake of digital technology to transform not only the economy but also the society. The policy will also reduce foreign exchange flight out of the country which in turn will help in stabilizing the national currency. The volatility of the national currency has been a major disabling factor for the growth of our economy. Such stability as aided by the local content policy will impact positively on the economy. The creativity and innovation activities that will arise as a result of the policy will increase both the availability and affordability of digital technology in the country.

 

Developed locally ICT goods and services will be more context specific, cutting off the stage of customization in the use chain, thus speeding up uptake and use. But it also means that accessibility will be enhanced. Improving availability, affordability and accessibility will lead to greater experimentation and the update of civic tech by both governments and non-state actors such as civil society organizations, mainstreaming ICTs in governance and in monitoring and tracking governance, thus improving transparency and accountability. This will ultimately lead to increase in effectiveness and efficiency of governance as well as bridging the gap between government and citizens, thus serving to consolidate democracy.

Finally, the growth in ICT production that the policy will stimulate will transform the country from a consuming nation to a producer with potential to export and once industries have the right support, they will make the country globally competitive in the ICT sector. And any country that is today globally competitive in the ICT sector will by the same token be economically competitive.

 

What does Nigeria need to do in order to effectively utilise local content to enable the country attain high level of technology development like India, China, Japan and other emerging tech countries.

 

I think from our observation, there is low awareness about the Local Content Policy especially at state level, and consequently, in spite of the good work that NITDA is doing to enforce compliance, there is also low level compliance with the policy. This means that there is need for government as represented by NITDA to step up awareness and sensitization programmes around the policy.

 

Secondly, the government has to lead in the use and consumption of locally produced ICT goods and services. It cannot tell citizens to patronize made in Nigeria ICTs while locked on made in China goods. This action of government will give citizens the confidence to embrace made in Nigeria ICT goods and services. But mere implementation of the policy without addressing other constraints that ICT firms face will not do the magic. Government has to address these challenges.

Number one is the question of power. You cannot grow the digital economy using generators. Government has to quickly fix the power sector to provide for cheap, affordable and clean energy to run the ICT industry and use.

Thirdly, We note that the National Broadband Plan is a good document. But a good document that is not backed by diligent implementation is as good as nothing.Government should implement the plan and help to spread the penetration of high speed internet access across the county. The digital economy can only be possible when there is high speed internet.

Thirdly, government has to protect industry from dumping that takes place via the importation of second-hand digital equipment and devices. On a monthly basis, thousands of used ICTs equipment and devices are imported into the country. Many of these are near end of their life cycle and they quickly become eWaste, turning into an environmental problem for the country. But they also make it difficult for people to patronize new goods produced in the country.

 

Fourthly, government has to come up with a national digital inclusion agenda which will address the various shades of digital divide in the country. It manifests in gender, digital marginalization (exclusion) of people living with disabilities, rural people, etc.

 

You cannot make success of the digital economy and transform Nigeria to be like India, China, with large swaps of the population digitally left behind.

 

Finally, we need to address the education sector to infuse digital learning into the system. This has to start from basic education. It should not be the type we see now where teaching computer skills is like teaching history or watching a football match with hundreds of students gathered around one system and the teacher telling them about it rather than helping them to learn how to use it.

 

Nigerian universities churn out thousands of graduates annually without jobs. In what ways do you think these graduates can be gainfully engaged to create employment opportunities?

 

It seems to me that we do not pay enough attention to the job market. We see unemployment but often we fail to see also skills shortage. The paradox is that we have graduate unemployment in the context of high skill gaps. This paradox should make us to avert our minds to the problem of our institutions of learning. What is happening is that there is disconnect between industry and the institutions. Universities are producing skills but not the type that industries require.

 

Research institutes are producing research outputs but not the type of outputs that industry needs. Policy think tanks are producing policies which never get to policy users and policy makers. They remain in shelves. What digitization has done is to bring this disconnect into sharp focus.

 

What is needed is to institute a regular interface and dialogue between industry and training institutions so that institutions can understand better what the industry needs and therefore tailor their training outcomes toward meeting that. When people talk about gaps between what is produced and what is needed, it is not just about content. It is also about orientation.

 

Take engineering as whole for example, the problem is not just that the content is outdated but that we need to realise what industry need is not a graduate engineer with knowledge and the skills ready-made to work in an industry but about the ability and disposition to learn, relearn and adapt to changing work environments. This is the era in which critical thinking is what we need more than just knowing the content of the subject. But it is also true that our content is lagging behind.

 

Today many of the Software Engineering curricula currently in our universities are far behind what industry is using and so graduates come out, and are not able to fit into the real industry.

 

Digitalization is the new normal today. What is the relationship between CITAD, other NGOs, government, and the academia towards promoting digitalization in Nigeria?

 

We understand that digitalization is new and many are yet to understand what actually it means for society. We realise that of course we cannot be outside it and to be left behind is a huge disadvantage.

 

This means that we need to get the message across to all that we must prepare adequately for the digital transition.

 

Preparation for this transition is not the work of NGOs alone. It is a collective national responsibility, with different actors having different roles to play. While government can provide policies and address critical infrastructure needs, NGOs can help in raising awareness by sensitizing the population, complementing training which is the primary responsibility of the academic institutions while the private sector needs to produce the ICT goods and services needed by the citizens as well as governments and other organizations.

 

In this, working across purposes cannot serve our interest. We need to have a shared goal and strategy to collectively move the country digitally forward. For this reason, CITAD has cultivated the partnership of governments at both state and federal levels, the private sector as well as with academic institutions.

 

It goes without saying that we also work together with other NGOs to mount common advocacy and campaign and implement joint programmes to address areas of felt needs. We have in the past two years instituted what we call the Critical Knowledge Dialogue working with academics, students and administrators of universities to support the re-launch of critical debates and dialogues in our university system as a means of transforming teaching and learning in the 21st century. It may interest you that even though we are an ICT focused organization, we run an annual Institute of Philosophy for young academics which is aimed at encouraging critical thinking among the participants.

 

The webinar on the local content is an example of the sort of partnerships we deployed, but it was not the first. In January we had a similar one with Linkserve, NIRA and Skyline University, on Business Opportunities for young entrepreneurs on domain name trading. Before it, we had one on 5G Technology in collaboration with NITDA and the Association for Progressive Communication, a global ICT-focused NGO.

 

We are also planning one with NCC on Community Networks as complimentary means of driving connectivity in rural and underserved communities.

 

How would you assess the current level of digital skills among tech enthusiasts and what caliber of digitally skilled personnel are required for attainment of digitalization in Nigeria?

 

By and large, there is incredible development of what one may call learning outside the formal classroom in which students of History, Linguistics, Philosophy etc use their spare time to learn about programming and apps development. This class of tech enthusiasts is a major asset to the country that needs to be cultivated and allowed to flourish.

 

Unfortunately, we put too much premium on certificate such that this class of tech enthusiasts who learn through doing are not accorded a place of recognition and given the incentive to grow and grow the tech sector for Nigeria.

 

I think we need to realise that creativity and innovation are not classroom subjects. They are products of critical thinking and we need a system of recognition and reward that positively value creativity and innovation and not just paper certification with no skills for innovation. I can say that we have a highly talented and skilful youth population but they need to be encouraged, supported and given the space to give the best to the country in terms of leading the processes of the digital economy.

 

Of course, we also need to expand our capacity for the local production of digital skills to meet the demands of the digital economy. Due to infrastructure shortage, many of the ICT related departments in our institutions of higher learning are not able to expand, end up producing just a few ICT professionals as if they are on test run.

 

Can the establishment of ICT Hubs across the six geo-political zones by NITDA bail out the country from the current economic challenges?

 

ICT Hubs are important element of the ICT ecosystem. However, in themselves, they are no solution to the problems the ICT sector faces in the country. I had earlier itemised a number of challenges that need to be addressed to help the sector grow. So yes, ICT Hubs provide spaces for young digital entrepreneurs, including, mentoring and co-working to unburden start-ups and we have seen a number of exciting products coming out from the NITDA initiative and supported hubs but they would perform better if the challenges of the general ICT ecosystem in the country are addressed.

 

Six centres can make contribution but they are not enough for a country with a population of over 200 million people. We need several of these hubs in each state of the federation.

 

How can the recently established NITDA National Centre for Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship be a viable solution to the large scale unemployment among the youth of Nigeria?

 

As proof of concept, the NITDA National Centre for Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship is a welcome and very important development. It can help many young entrepreneurs to find their feet in the slippery terrain of business survival. However, we need several of these centres across the country for them to make significant contribution in addressing unemployment.

 

We need many of the Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship centres in our universities to transform into similar concept. I will say, therefore, the role of NITDA here is to demonstrate to Nigerians what can be done with such a concept as the National Centre for Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship and is left to Nigerians, both in government and private sector as well as in the development sector to learn from the experience and replicate and upscale it across the country.

 

As a key stakeholder in the tech sector, what are the specific challenges facing ICT-focused NGOs in Nigeria, and how can they be addressed.

 

ICT-focused NGOs face three peculiar challenges. One is that donors tend to focus their attention more on governance and elections as well as healthcare and hardly provide support for ICT programming. Funding is generally difficult to come by.

 

Secondly, many people including donors find it difficult to understand the work of ICT-focused NGOs. They support one or two-day training on advocacy skills but in the case of ICT you want develop the skills of the beneficiaries and this takes comparatively longer period. Government and donors want to quickly tick the boxes and report whereas ICT-focused NGOs need time to ensure that the beneficiaries are properly groomed. This takes time and donors do not have the patience for such.

 

Thirdly, ICT-focused NGOs need to invest in equipment and facilities, including stable internet connectivity and constant power supply.

 

These are tall order problems in the context of Nigeria.