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 partnership with the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Dutse on Tuesday 27th January, 2015 organized one-day YouWin Sensitization lecture. The lecture was organized in consideration of the need to promote women participation from the state in the scheme, as a lot of the women in the state lack the technical skill to register with YouWin and develop good business plan. This results the massive failure of the women in the previous awards, as the award is solely an ICT based.

The sensitization lecture was conducted at NULGE Secretariat Dutse, Jigawa State and attended by about 50 participants. Alhaji Magaji Uba Idris Permanent Secretary Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development Jigawa State made the opening remark on behalf of the Honorable Commissioner Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development. In his remark, he welcomed the CITAD team and the participants and expressed his gratitude on the activities of CITAD in Jigawa State especially those that are related to the ministry and the women. He then drew the attention of the participants to try as much as they could to benefit from the YouWin fourth round award.
The first presentation was on the YouWin program from the first round to the fourth round of the scheme. Malam Sagiru Ado Abubakar CITAD’s program officer, entrepreneurship, highlighted the history of the program. He told that the Youth Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria (YouWiN!) Program is a collaboration of the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Communication Technology (CT), the Ministry of Youth Development and the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development that will launch an annual Business Plan Competition (BPC) for aspiring young entrepreneurs in Nigeria, in line with the Federal Government’s drive to create more jobs for Nigerians. The program will be implemented in partnership with Nigeria’s private sector, which will be requested to provide funding support. Sagiru Ado also stated the goals and objective of the program and the criteria of the eligibility to apply for the business plan competition.
Shehu Usman Halipha made the second presentation on the YouWin registration procedure. Malam Halipha stated all the requirements for the registration ranging from personal details, address, education and qualifications. The last presentation was on developing the YouWin business plan. The presentation demonstrated the nature of good business plan with examples.
Hajiya Halima Isyaku Director Planning of the ministry made the vote of thanks. She thanked CITAD for organizing the sensitization lecture and urged the participants to follow all the guidelines and the procedures of the program in order to benefit from the award.