| CITAD |
| Centre for Information Technology and Development |
The Buji Youth Development Association (BYDA) organized Accountability Forum in Buji Local Government. The activity took place at the Community Primary School on Wednesday April, 3rd 2008.
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Computer Aid International (CAI) has donated a Compaq Laptop to Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) on 6th May 2008. The donation was made during the CAI official visit to CITAD. Ms Gladys Muhinyo, the Africa Programme Manager for CAI and Ms. Ann Musyoki, the West African Programme Officer for CAI, represented CAI and hav–e a discussion session with the Executive Director, CITAD, in his office.
Issues discussed were the employability programme now in progress and the delay encountered for the Computers CITAD has ordered. Y.Z. Ya’u expressed his dissatisfaction over the difficulties and delays always entered during the clearing processes especially at the port, before the containers of the Computers finally reach its destination.
But in this direction, Miss Ann assured CITAD to expect effective delivery from now on, explaining that some of the reason behind the difficulties and delays experienced were as the result of some unauthorized persons claiming to be clearing agents and extort money from individual clients. Ann Musyoki provided CITAD with phone number and e-mail address for an authorized and Confide clearing agent who would ensure CITAD Computers have safely and timely reach its destination.
CAI expressed its satisfaction over the well organized Computer Training CITAD conducts, especially the on going Youth Employability Programme. Gladys and Ann went round CITAD’s various units, computer training class and recommended the organization for its job well done.
Miss Oge Okeye, the National Endowment for Democracy, (NED)’s Assistance Program Officer for Africa, paid an official visit to Centre for Information Technology and Development, (CITAD), on 3rd- April-2008. Miss. Oge had a meeting with the Executive Director, CITAD, Y.Z. Ya’u as and other officers of the centre.
Issues discussed at the meeting involved; CITAD activities in promoting political awareness especially in Jigawa State, women participation in politics, CITAD’s contribution to the development political participation, it’s execution of NED program, accountability among others.
With regard to promoting political participation, the Executive Director, Y.Z. Ya’u unveiled that CITAD has formed a political sensitization team, which actively participated in creating political awareness through holding comprehensive discussions and lectures with the mass populace of Jigawa State. “Through activities like these,” according to Y.Z. Ya’u, “there has been a large turn out of voters in Jigawa State especially in contrast to with previous elections.” Further, the Director informed Miss Oge that due to the positive impact of CITAD’s team in eradicating political apathy in Jigawa State, the government in the plan to replicate the same so as to reinforce CITAD’s effort and create a democratically advantaged populace in Jigawa State.
On the gender issue and women political participation, Mrs. Fatima informed the NED’s Assistant Program Officer for Africa that in Jigawa State there is still the problem of inadequate political participation of women in politics. She added that CITAD has been trying very hard to ensure that women come out and cast their votes. Says Mrs. Fatima:
“We have been going to every nock and corner in Jigawa State, reaching out to women, educating and sensitizing them on the dividends of democracy and the important role they can play especially with their large population. Culture in this part of Nigeria does not promote women mixing freely with men, but with more sensitizations, people are now understanding the responsibilities tied around their neck, and so in the recent time there is improvement in the number of women who come out to cast their vote. The effort of CBO’s like CITAD contributed a lot.”
Miss Oge Okeye, went around the various CITAD’s units and saw their activities with satisfaction.
The employability programme began in Kano 5th May 15, 2008 with 124 trainees. Who
have satisfactory attended the five –days work-shop organized by the LEAP Africa, and delivered at the Auditorium Hall, School of Technology Kano.
The training which is to be provided by the Centre for Information Technology (CITAD) has been categorized into three: The first category is for the trainees who are totally not computer literate, and therefore, must under go a basic certificate in Information Technology (CIT) in this category there are one hundred (100) who are currently undergoing the CIT programme. To ensure the successful conduction of the CIT, CITAD has divided the 100 trainees in to four groups of 25 trainees each. Group “A” is the morning session starting from 9-11am, Group “B” is the afternoon session beginning from 2-4pm, Group “C” is also an afternoon session starting from 11-01pm, while Group “D” is the last, beginning from 2-4pm every Monday to Thursday respectively.
The next category for the trainees who are already computer literate but wishes to extend their knowledge.Centre for Information Technology and Development has identified 24 trainees who satisfactory been place either in Diploma Information (DIT) or Diploma in (DCMR). Out of these 24 trainees 14 are currently undergoing the DIT programme while the remaining 12 are receiving the DCMR training. Like the CIT trainees, the DIT and DCMR trainees, receive their training four days a week (mon-thursdays). The morning session begun between 9-11am and is for the DIT trainees while the evening session beginning from 4-6pm is for the DCMR trainees.
A two- day International Workshop titled: The Kano ICT Park: from concept to reality was conducted at Tahir Guest Palace, Kano. The workshop which took place between Wednesday 7th and Thursday 8th May 2008 was an official declaration for the opening of the Kano State Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Park.
The occasion witnessed the attendance of international representatives from Malaysia and Ghana, representatives of International Organization such as DFID, top governmental officials, academicians, professional ICT companies, various non-governmental organizations from all part of the nation. A number of papers were presented dealing with the Conception of the ICT Park in Kano, its development, sustainability, entrepreneurship, man power supply among other important issues. The Deputy Governor of Kano state Engineer Abdullahi Tijjani Muhammad Gwarzo who represented the Executive Governor of Kano Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau declared the ICT Park open after expressing the state government appreciation on the workshop. Engineer Abdullahi Tijjani stated that the entire world socio-economy is moving faster due to Information Communication Technology [ICT] which is the driving force behind it. He added that Kano State Government, in its effort to catch up in the race for ICT and socio-economic developments, establish the office of the Special Adviser on Education and Information Technology under the leadership of Dr. Bashir Galadanchi which eventually metamorphosed into the Kano ICT Park from concept to reality. The Deputy Governor concluded that even though the ten storey building popularly known as investment house was not build for ICT purpose, it is now an excellent decision by the state to convert the structure into an ICT park.
The aim of this is to promote the achievement of universal computer literacy in the country. To this end, it provides free computer training to a variety of groups, especially those that are not in a position to acquire these skills either through public institutions or from private institutions.
Target groups for training under this include members of community-based organizations (CBOs), NGOs, Women Groups, children, workers and people under special care.