The Center for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) through it’s Job Placement and Information Services (JOPIS) organized a one day workshop on Job Interview Techniques, Employment and Entrepreneurship Support Opportunities to Federal University Dutse (FUD) and Jigawa State Polytechnic graduating students. JOPIS is a department initiated by the organization to help teeming unemployed youths with skills of becoming self reliant. In his welcome remarks, the coordinator of the Center in Duste, Ali Sabo welcomed the participants to the workshop and urged them to listen to the presenters with interest and also pass what they learn to others who could not attend the workshop.

In his introduction, the coordinator of the unit Sagir Ado Abubakar stated activities of the unit saying that the main objective of the unit is to gather and sensitize the job seeking youths on the entrepreneurship opportunities as well as properly train them on how to be innovative and develop business plans so that they can benefit from loans and grants opportunities meant for startup businesses. He urged the students to start thinking on how to explore new ideas and be more creative. Hamza Ibrahim who took the participants on the importance of developing a good CV and Interview techniques while advising them to be truthful and state only what they can be able to do and depend in their resumes.

Three presentations were made at the workshop, namely: JOPIS Unit of CITAD and its activities by Sagir Ado of Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), Interview Techniques/CV Development: How to Excel and Sale Yourself during interview by Hamza Ibrahim Chinade of the same center, Job Scams and Entrepreneurship Opportunities also by Sagir Ado. All the papers presented dealt extensively with topical issues, and they revolved around pressing areas bedeviling the teeming unemployed graduates and at the same time exposed the participants to think beyond eyeing white color jobs.

The programme ended with vote of thanks by Usman Aliyu, President of Students for Peace, Federal University Duste, he thanked the presenters and the Center for organizing the educating workshop and at the same time advised the participants to start applying what the learned at the workshop immediately and wished everyone a successful journey back to their destinations.

By Hamza Ibrahim Chinade.

The training department of the Center for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has conducted a sensitization training for SS2 and SS3 students of fourteen (14) senior secondary schools in Kano state. The training is meant to prepare the students for the tertiary institution entry examination popularly known as Computer Based Test (CBT). Over one hundred and fifty (150) male and female students were trained on the necessary skills to properly and correctly attempt and answer the programmed computer examination.

There has recently been massive failure in the Computer Based Test especially among students that lacked computer literacy not only in Kano but in many states across the country, and this problem has resulted in many applicants not securing the required marks for admission into various tertiary institutions. Giving an opening remark, the Training Coordinator of CITAD, Malam Ahmad Abdullahi Yakasai advised the participating students to attentively listen and benefit from the training so that they can successfully write and pass the digital examination in order to gain admission into universities, polytechnics, colleges of education and other tertiary institution of their choice in one attempt.

Practical CBT Orientation session was facilitated by Kamilu Isah Ahmed who gradually took the participants through methods and techniques of attempting the examination. Apart from CBT coaching, the sensitization also invited Malam Muhammad Tahir Isa of Kano State Senior Secondary Schools Management Board (KSSSSMB) to facilitate a session on “Guidance and Counseling” on choice of course of study and how to face tertiary education. The participating students asked many questions and sought clarifications on issues raised by the two facilitators after which concrete responses were made.

Members of Parents Teachers Association (PTA) of four of the participating schools also attended the training alongside other teachers. The participating schools are: S.A.S Kano, GSS Kofar Nassarawa, GASS Yolawa, GSS Goron Dutse, GGC Kano, GGASS Tahir, GGASS Goron Dutse, GGSSS Dukawuya, GSS Sabuwar Kofa, GSS Salanta, GGSS Hausawa, GSS Tarauni, GGSS Shekara and GGSS Wailari.