By
Sagiru Ado
ICT quiz continue to be a major ingredient for raising awareness on ICT among teachers and students, encouraging the study of computer education and test ICT knowledge of students of secondary schools. In its effort to promote the ICT literacy in the state and the country,
KANO PRO-DEMOCRACY CSOs, HELD ON SATURDAY 29/11/2014, AT THE CITAD CONFERENCE HALL, KANO STATE
TIME TO HALT THE SLIDE TO ANARCHY
We the undersigned representatives of Civil Society Organizations consider it necessary to draw attention to the increasing threats to our pledging democracy. The purpose is to get all stakeholders recognize the danger that current events pose and act to stop it before our slide away from democracy become irreversible.
TIME TO HALT THE SLIDE TO ANARCHY
HELD ON 28TH NOVEMBER, 2014 AT NUP PRESS CENTRE, BAUCHI
Gentlemen of the press I welcome all to this necessary and important press conference on again to communicate to the world through you the position of the Civil Society Organization in this region on the current dangerous attempts by some political office holders to move our country to precipice. At this juncture I represent the Civil Society Organization here present and those absent for genuine course whom we stand proxy for that.
The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) with support from MacArthur Foundation conducted a 2-day training on the Use of Social Media for Peace advocacy for CSOs in the North-East and North-Western states of Nigeria. It was held at RiverEdge Resort, Bauchi on 11th and 12th of June, 2014. The participants numbering 36 were drawn from the CSOs in the 5 states of the North-East, namely Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba, Adamawa, and Borno.
Centre for information Technology and Development (CITAD) in continuation of its capacity building on promoting peace and national unity using social media organized 2-day training on social media for peace campaign for Civil Society organizations from North-Central of Nigeria held on 25th and 26th September, 2014 at Westpoint Hotel, Abuja.
THEÂ TRAINING OF THE FEMALE SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS OF BAUCHI SATE CONDUCTED BY THE CENTRE FOR INFORMATION TECHONOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT (CITAD) WITH SUPPORT FROM WeTech
The programme was officially declared open by the representative of the honourable commissioner ministry of education Bauchi and also the Director ICTs of the Ministry Alh. Salisu Zwall.
An expert has revealed how the advent of Boko Haram insurgency has crippled business activities in Yobe State, north west Nigeria. “Non-indigenes in Yobe who constituted the (majority) in the commercial and trading activities ..were forced to flee. ..evidence abound ..in Damaturu,Potiskum and Gashua where gaps were created.In most cases , the important goods required in towns have to be booked in advance ,because (they) have to be sent in from either Kano,Kaduna,Lagos or Onitsha.This is because the Ibo traders that mostly sell these commodities have relocated to their places of origin or a more peaceful environment”. This was part of the gripping disclosures made by Raji Rafiu Boye,a lecturer at the Department of Political Science,Yobe State University,Damaturu.
PREAMBLE:
Digital tools have become integral component of almost all organisations – governmental, non-governmental, corporate etc. Likewise, advocacy campaigns by Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) are gradually shifting from the traditional platforms; to social media networks. And some of the most-utilised digital communication, information sharing and advocacy platforms include websites, blogs, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google Plus, Gmail, Yahoo Mail and SMS. Over the years, the Kano-based Center for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has been engaged in building the capacity of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and journalists on how to exploit social media networks as cogent platforms for the promotion of their various advocacy campaigns.
By
Sufyan Lawal Kabo and Shehu Usman Salihu
 On 9/12/13, the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) with support from SAVI organized a 2-day Social Media training for advocacy training for CSOs at the State Library Dutse, Jigawa State. 28 members (17 Male, 11Female) from various Civil Society Organizations attended the workshop, these organizations were: PMP, BASNEC Bauchi State, PTE, GSI, HERFON, MNCH, MNEH, and CLO.
The specific objectives of the workshop was:
After the Opening prayer was observed by a volunteer among the participants,SAVI’s Programme Officer, Mrs. Jummaiset the context for the training byoutlining the background of the workshop. In her Opening remarks, she welcomed the participants and introductions were made by all.CITAD’s M&E Officer, Malam Isyaku Garba gave brief objectives of the workshop. In his remarks, Garbasatetd that in order to re-direct this energy and potentials to transform society, there is need to strategically engage the use of social media for specific socially identified goal such as the campaign for peace. Doing this requires building of a core of social media activists who would consciously engage the use of social media toward a defined goal. Civil society organizations provide a natural depository of this possible core of social media activists.
It was therefore decided to sensitize and train a number of CSOs with a view to getting them to contribute through use of social media for such noble causes as the campaign for peace and against violence. These trained CSO activists could then provide the base for amplifying and multiply the messages of the campaigns across all the various dimensions of the social media.
The workshop he said was specifically designed and developed for that purpose.
The workshop has assumed that users are already ICT literate. The approach adaption- is how CSOs can strategically deploy social media for advocacy purpose and campaign purposes. The training is therefore focused on
The workshop consists of 2 units including the introduction. While introductory unit provides an exposure on the various dimensions of social media, the other unit was designed in the form of hands-on skills impacting sessions.
After his remarks, the ground rules were set and the training commenced.
The first session UNDERSTANDING SOCIAL MEDIA was taken by Sufyan Lawal Kabo. In it, he defined Social Media, types of Social Media and the statistic on social media patent growth. The presentation extensively exposed the participants to Social Media and a range of innovative examples of qualitative and mixed methodsused in evaluation.These innovative lessons provided opportunities for the participants,thus made them to question the presenter on how they can explore the methods in their own contexts.
Shehu Usman Salihu took the second session which was on use of Facebook, Twitter and Youtube in theory. He took each one and explained its origin, its uses and how it could be used.
 The third session was on EVALUATING SOCIAL MEDIA by Sufyan Lawal Kabo. The participants learnt the Evaluation procedures; what needs to be evaluated at the beginning, mid-term and end of a program and the methodology to be used.
The second day also featured three presentations during the morning session. These were PLANNING SOCIAL MEDIA ADVOCACY, BUILDING UP FRIENDS AND FOLLOWERS by Mal. Isyaku Garba and understanding Twitter by Shehu Usman Salihu.
After the aforementioned presentations, the participants were taken through hands-on practical on facebook, twitter and YouTube all facilitated by Shehu Usman Salihu which carried them through Setting up their personal accounts, Managing profiles, Twitter handles as well as groups and pages. The practical also featured on various skills for the use of these tools such as sending messages, uploading pictures/videos, adding friends, deleting posts, placing picture, video conferencing and permanent deletion accounts, etc.
The last session, HOW SOCIAL MEDIA FOR PEACE CAMPAIGN CAN BE USED BYCSOS was facilitated by Mal. Isyaku Garba. The participants went through specific examples of use of social media for peace campaign in different areas.
There was an incredible amount of listening, learning, and enthusiasm during the presentations.Finally, the participants thanked CITAD /SAVI and MacArthur for organizing and conducting the training. In their comments, they showed their appreciation in terms of overall knowledge gained and practical application. Comments on the evaluation forms include: excellent, effective, and fantastic,”while some said the visit to them served as a vital catalyst in the reformulation of theirorganizations because it has launched them into a new planning orbit.
The participants were extensively exposed to the use of social network, how to sign up on facebook, twitter, and YouTube accounts, sharing activities on social networks, create awareness online etc.
At the end of the program, Malam Haruna Adamu Hadejia from SAVI gave the closing remarks. In it, he thanked both the participants and facilitators. The workshop closed with a closing prayer by a volunteer from the participants.
By
Kabiru Dakata
Introduction
Dr. M. S. Sagagi presenting a paper
The Kano State House of Assembly recently took highly commendable decision by seeking for citizens input on the 2014 budget proposal in the State. In response to the need for participatory budgeting, the State House of Assembly has called for submission of memorandum from concerned Civil Society Organizations and citizens in the state.
Conscious of the need for consensus-building amongst civil society groups in Kano State on the 2014 budget proposal and, of course, which will form civil society inputs to the budget formulation process, theCentre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), in collaboration with the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD),organized a CSOs forum on the 22nd January 2014.
In its effort to promote entrepreneurship and create awareness on information and communication technology (ICT) among the citizens, the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) in collaboration with the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development on Thursday 16th January, 2014 conducted one-day YouWin Sensitization lecture.  The lecture was organized as a result of the observation made by the Ministry of Women Affairs that a lot of the women in the state lack the technical skill to register with YouWin and develop good business plan. This resulted the massive failure of the women in the previous awards, as the award is solely an ICT based. To overcome the challenge, the Honorable Commissioner Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr. Binta Tijjani Jibril requested to collaborate with CITAD and sensitize women populace in the state.
The sensitization lecture was conducted at K.E.R.D ETF Hall, Gandun Albasa and was attended by over 300 participants. Hajiya Aishatu Atiku Director Women Affairs made the welcome remark. In her remark, she stated that this is one-day workshop organized by the ministry to sensitize our sisters to benefit with the YouWin program. She then drew the attention of the audience to listen attentively and urged them to raise questions on anything they do not understand on the award.
In her speech, the honorable commissioner Ministry of Women Affairs and Social development Dr. Binta Tijjani said that, YouWin is not program of the state government. It is a program of the federal government initiated to promote entrepreneurship and reduce poverty in the country. In the YouWin program you can win up to 10 million naira. She then expressed her worry on the number of the women who benefited with the award in Kano State.  Saying that since the inception of the program, only 25 women from Kano State benefited from the award. Moreover, the worrisome part of it some of the awardees were not indigene of the state due to the fact that some of our women do not have even email address talk less of operating the computer and developing good business plan. The honorable commissioner lastly informed the gathering that the administration of his Excellency Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso place more concern on the women. She cited example with the massive marriage of widows and different empowerments programs in the state.
Malam Jamilu one of the beneficiaries of the YouWin program shared his experience on the award. He urged the participants to follow the guidelines of the award and develop good business plan irrespective of the nature of their businesses. He then drew their attention when applying to be innovative, show the potentiality of the business to growth, identify the possibility of employing many staff in the business and design a realistic budget.
In his presentation, Malam Isyaku Garba who coordinated the program, explained that YouWin stands for Youth Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria, and is an innovative business plan competition, by the federal government of Nigeria, aimed at job creation by encouraging and supporting aspiring entrepreneurial youth in Nigeria to develop and execute business ideas. He said that the first round of the competition was awarded in 2011 with 1200 successful businesses. While YouWiN Women was the second edition of the entrepreneurial scheme, which was designed for only female entrepreneurs aged 45 years or less. YouWiN 3 is the third edition and will feature men and women entrepreneurs in Nigeria between the ages of 18 to 45. Malam Isyaku added.
Subsequently, Malam Ahmad Abdullahi Yakasai sensitized the gathering on the role of ICT in modern businesses. While Kabiru Said Dakata CITAD’s Senior Program Officer made his presentation on developing good business plan. Dakata told that a structure of good business plan must comprise the following: Cover page, table of contents, executive summary, business description, business environment analysis, industry background, competitor analysis, market analysis, marketing plan, operations plan and management summary.
The last presentation was a tutorial and demonstration on filling the online YouWin application form. The tutorial session was facilitated by Khadija Idris of CITAD. Malama Khadijah demonstrated the way an applicant should fill the form and what is required in the application form.
Hajiya Binta Rabi’u Executive Secretary Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development made the vote of thank. She thanked Almighty Allah for helping us to conduct such wonderful program. She then expressed her gratitude to the administration of his Excellency Dr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso for different empowering programs and showing more concern on women and youths in the state. She also thanked the Hon. Commissioner for her efforts on the progressive programs in favor of women in the state. Lastly, she thanked CITAD and described them as the backbone of this lecture. Adding that without them the Hon. Commissioner, the directors of the ministry and you the participants will not be here. “Due to their effort even the closing date of this award was extended to 31st of this monthâ€, she added.
On 21/12/2013, the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) in its effort to sensitize rural communities on how to use ICTs for community development, collaborated with Babura Facebook Users Forum and organised a one day workshop on the use of ICT for community development at GGSS Babura. At least 103 comprising of youths, and elderly people attended the workshop. Also in attendance were the Hakimi (District head) of Babura, Alhaji Hadi Mustapha (Sarkin Bai of Ringim) ably represented by Alhaji Nura Mustapha. Others were Engr Abdurrazak Nakore, the Executive Secretary of Jigawa State Rural Electrification Board, Mal Kamilu Adamu, a retired Zonal Director of Jigawa State Ministry of Education and other respected dignitaries.
 Certificate of Appreciation |
 Alhaji Nura Mustapha representing District head of Babura presenting certificate to CITAD |
 Photograph of Guests, Members and Perticipants |
 Cross Section of the Participants |
The objetive of the workshop was to sensitize participants on the use of  ICTs for community development.The opening prayer was offered by Alhaji Bature Alhassan Babura, a community elder who prayed for a successful completion of the workshop.
