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 16^th 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 31^st of this month”, she added.