To drive its advocacy efforts, CITAD on Thursday 22nd, March, 2012 held a one-day sensitization workshop for media professionals. The workshop, conducted in partnership with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Kano State Council at the NUJ Press Centre Kano was attended by 20 journalists from various media organizations in the state. Welcoming participants to the workshop the NUJ Chairman, Comrade Abduljalil Haruna said the workshop was in line with The human development agenda of the council which aimed at uplifting the professional standards of members in the state. He disclosed that already the council was establishing a Computer Centre at the press which when commissioned would serve as a training point for journalists in the state.

In his remarks on the workshop, the Executive Director of CITAD represented by Malam Ahmad A. Yakasai said that objectives of the programme were expose the participants to various new ICT tools for media work that would enhance their professional competence, Enhance the skills of the participants in the use of ICTs and Introduce the participants to new media businesses using ICTs. He explained that the programme was one in a series of programmes we have been conducting to support skill enhancement of journalists across the country. Earlier we have given full training to the staff of both Jigawa Broadcasting Corporation (May 2011) and Bauchi State Television Corporation (November 2011) and members of the Zamfara State Council of the NUJ (2009) on ICTs Tools for Media Professionals. We have also run a full training for members of the NUJ in Bauchi State last January. He also revealed that two years back the organization had conducted a free computer training programme for members of the NUJ in Kano.

In his remarks the Commissioner of Information who was the Guest of Honour commissioner of information, Dr. Farouk Umar through his representative, advised the participants to be attentive and focused on the topics to be taught and commended both the NUJ and CITAD for organizing the workshop that would promote professionalism among the media workers in the state.. otherh Guests at the occasion included the Managing Director of Abubakar Rimi Televisoon (ARTV) and exeuctivie members of the NUJ State Council.

The workshop featured four presentations. The first was Online storage of documents by Kamal Umar who demonstrated various ways in which journalists could keep their documents cheaply and conveniently online without worrying about space constrain and possibility of damage and destruction. This was followed by advanced search techniques also facilitated by Kamal Umar. The third presentation was by Ahmed A. Yakasai who carried the participants through automatic online translation. He said with this journalists could assess documents from any other languages. The final presentation was on social media and social networking by Isyaku Garba who demonstrated various uses of social media and carried the participants through on how to set up facebook accounts, groups and other services.
Participants expressed appreciation for the workshop. In his vote of thanks the Secretary of the Council Comrade Adamu Gamo said that the council was very grateful to CITAD for extending its hands of fellowship to the NUJ and prayed that the two organizations would continue to partner and work together to improve the practice journalist in the state.

As part of its effort to improve  ICT literacy among the public, the Centre for Information Technology and Development(CITAD) in conjunction with Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bauchi state chapter conducted a three day workshop for journalists on ICT for media professionals at Professor Iya Abubakar Community Resource Centre , Bauchi. The training took place between Thursday 26 toSaturday 28 January, 2012.

The opening ceremony of the workshop has witnessed the present of many dignitaries in the state including; the Emir of Dass, Alhaji Usman Bilyaminu Usman who was the Royal Father of the occasion, the Bauchi State Head of Service, Mr. Abdon gin as Chairman of the Occasion, the commissioner for information, Alhaji Umar Saleh  who was the Guest of Honour, the General Manager Bauchi Television and the Secretary to Bauchi State Government, represented by the Director-General, Bauchi ICT Directorate, Alhaji Mohammed Lawal who declared the workshop opened. Other guests at the occasion included the, NUJ Chairman Bauchi state chapter, Dahiru Mohammed Garba, the National Vice Chairman (Zone E) of the NUJ, Alhaji Mukhtar Gidado, Chief Press secretary to the Bauchi State Governor, Mr. Ishola Micheal, Press secretary to Bauchi State Deputy Governor (Abdullahi Wunti), among others. While delivering his welcome address, the NUJ chairman said that the workshop was part of the efforts of the union to build the capacity of its members. In his own remarks the Royal Father noted that no journalist now could function effectively without ICT and therefore urged the participants to make good use of the opportunity. The Executive Director of CITAD explained the themes and components of the workshop. In declaring the workshop opened the Secretary to the State Government said that the Bauchi State Government was committed to assisting journalists in the State so as to ensure that they perform their duty of informing and enlightening the public. He added that the government was always ready to assist the NUJ as demonstrated by the resumption of work in the NUJ Press Centre.

After the opening ceremony, Mallam Ahmad A. Yakassai took the first session ‘ICT literacy’ during which he explained the concept of ICTs, tracing its historical development, dismeentns, components and uses. This was to prepare the participants’ mind to better understanding of role of ICT in the journalism profession. The next session, ‘Professional Development’, which focused on skills and technical know-how required of every professional journalist; was undertaken by Mallam Dalhatu Yola. He dwelled on new ways of writing news and techniques of conducting interviews. The last session for the day saw Mallam Ahmad Yakasai back taking another session, ‘Advanced ICT skills’,. This was skill training on advanced uses of Microsoft word package.

On the second day, Sufyan Lawal Kabo, a film editor and director, took the session ‘media work tools’. He elaborated on video format, aspect ratio and editing and took the participants through various aspects of editing of video, sound and pictures. Mallam Isyaku Garba later facilitated the session, ‘online document and data storage’. He noted that media organizations have problem of storage of documents such as tapes and papers and observed that in electronic formats such documents could be stored online to be retrieved anytime and anywhere needed. He cited examples of both free and commercial data storage sitesas well as demonstrated how to use them and store documents online. The final session for the day was office mail handling facilitated by Mallam Ahmad Yakassai.

On the third day, which was also marked as the last day, Mallam Isyaku Garba took the sessions throughout the day. He first started with online translation, followed by social media and finally Microsoft PowerPoint.

The second to the last session was devoted to sharing of experiences by the participants. They appreciated the ICT skills they have acquired and how they would use it in their journalistic works. They also wished the workshop had extended beyond the time space, for, according to them ‘the workshop is more interesting’. Some commended NUJ for organizing the workshop, and urged the NUJ to keep organizing workshop of such kind. A participant wanted a session to focus on photography as some of the participants were into photo journalism. Mallam Ahmad Yakasai wrapped up the workshop by thanking God and urging the participants to put in to practice and always keep updating what they have learnt in order to build their own capacity.

During the closing session CITAD executive director, Engr. Y.Z. Ya’u thanked the participants for their active participants, interest and their determination to learn. He described the training as beginning, urging the participants that now was the time for them to learn more in order to make effective use of ICTs in their professional duties. He also thanked the NUJ for the partnership and expressed the readiness of CITAD to continue to work with the NUJ in the human capacity development of its members.

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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