CITAD boss tasks digital livelihood beneficiaries

-As 40 young women, girls get training to become self-reliant

The beneficiaries of the five-week hands-on digital skills training have been urged to make use of the skills they acquired in order to contribute to their socio-eco­nomic development.

The call was made by the Execu­tive Director of the Center for Infor­mation Technology and Development (CITAD), Malam Yunusa ZakariYa’u during a business clinic organized by CITAD for 40 young women and girls at Mambayya House, Wednesday.

Zakari, who was represented by CI­TAD Training Coordinator, Malam Ah­mad Abdullahi Yakasai, strongly advised the digital skills trainees to ensure proper usage of the acquired skills.

According to him, the trainees were equipped with skills on film and video editing, graphics design and photography, digital marketing among other skills.

“6, 205 young women and girls ap­plied for the digital livelihood for young women and girls and 40 of the applicants were carefully selected and enrolled in two batches that lasted for five weeks each in order to ensure the quality of the training. He reminded the trainees for emerging the luckiest out of the huge number of the applicants,” he said.

He finally thanked the Embassy of the United States for supporting the entrepreneurial programme.

Those in attendance were Cen­tral Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Bank of Industry, National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Con­trol (NAFDAC) and Small and Me­dium Scale Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Cor­porate Affairs Commission (CAC), and other successful entrepreneurs spoke about their experiences with a view to encouraging them to start their own businesses

Kano election: CITAD condemns ‘do-or-die’ comments by APC chairman Abdullahi Abbas

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), a front-line advocacy group campaigning against hate speech, has condemned comments by Abdullahi Abbas, chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), who described the March 23 supplementary elections in Kano state as a “do-or-die” affair.

In the short video, the party chairman also assures supporters his party would provide maximum protection for its members even if it means ensuring the dismissal of police officers who try to restore order.

Speaking in Hausa, he said his listeners should stand against any opposition that comes their way during the elections.

“There is every possibility that you can be arrested. But let me tell you; before you get to the police station we will make sure you are released and the police that arrested you will likely lose his job.

“We are going to give you every protection that is required. This election is a matter of do or die for us. We must win this election,” Mr Abbas had said.

However, in a statement CITAD urged politicians, especially those in the major parties the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to exercise caution and avoid inciting the public ahead of the re-run polls.

“As an organization that works in the area of peacebuilding, the Center for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) is greatly concerned with this bad development.

“Very disturbing in this respect is the viral 58 seconds video clip of Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Abdullahi Abbas addressing youth in a clear inciting and dangerous manner on the coming election.

“The remarks constitute serious danger to the election and period beyond as they licensed the listening youth to beat up anybody they so wish because soldiers and police will do nothing to them.

“The second danger is the reiteration of Hon. Abbas’s earlier statement that the election will be won by them either in chaos or conflict. We regrettably condemn these remarks,” the statement signed by Hamza Ibrahim read.

The group added that it is unfortunate that inciting comments keep increasing, raising the potential for disturbing peace in the state.

“These remarks are highly disturbing amidst a fragile situation of election cancellation and plan for rerun by the national electoral body.

“Elections come and go, therefore, no citizen or body no matter how highly placed should be allowed to jeopardize it’s conduct if our democracy is to be safeguarded and strengthened”.

CITAD therefore recommended steps that should be taken by stake holders in order to forestall the negative consequences of hate speech and incitement.

In particular, no election should cost the life anyone in the state. It against this background that CITAD recommends the following:

1. Youth must understand the hope society places in them and resist any provocation to cause chaos before, during and after the rerun election.

2. We call on elders of Kano to take the matter with seriousness it deserves and immediately take necessary actions to ensure the planned election takes place peacefully and violence does not occur before, during and after the election.

3. We urge traditional and religious leaders, business community, academic community, etc to greatly help in making the election peaceful.

4. The Kano Election Peace Committee should continue to engage political actors and relevant stakeholders across the state to ensure peace reigns in the state.

5. Politicians, their supporters/followers and youth should be orderly and avoid hate speech or spreading fake news either online or offline.

6. We urge security agents to be professional and neutral in the discharge of their duties.

7. Media and members civil society groups should support and strengthen awareness creation on peaceful conduct of the election.

8. We urge professionals from different disciplines and all members of the society to also support the peaceful conduct of the rerun.

Signed:

Hamza Ibrahim,
Coordinator, Curbing Hate and Dangerous Speech Project,
Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD).
hamza@citad.org
14th March, 2019.

Culled from Daily Focus
https://dailyfocus.ng/kano-election-citad-condemns-do-or-die-comments-by-apc-chairman-abdullahi-abbas/?fbclid=IwAR00Ybydt4XaGUG5LU2266Fgm3ABGqlagH-2V0nbYY4GlvOMIfueuHjCjdc

Kano APC chair denies describing supplementary election ‘do-or-die affair’

The Chairman of the ruling APC in Kano State, Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas, said yesterday that he was not the one seen in a video that went viral in which he purportedly described the March 23 supplementary election as a ‘do-or-die affair.’

Speaking to Daily Trust yesterday, Abbas said the video was cloned to tarnish his image.

Abbas said, “Of course it was me in the video, but the voice is not mine. I believe someone voiced over the statements just to tarnish my image,” he said.

“I want to categorically dissociate myself from the video; it is not my voice and I have never said the forthcoming supplementary election will be do or die,” he said.

He said as a Muslim and chairman of the ruling party in the state, he could not make such inciting statements at this critical time.

The chairman advised journalists to always verify any information that came their way before transmitting same to the public.

Culled from Daily Trust
https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/kano-apc-chair-denies-describing-supplementary-election-do-or-die-affair.html

Kano re-run is do or die: Centre calls for arrest of APC chair

The Centre for Information Technology and Development, CITAD has called for the arrest and investigation of the Chairman, Kano state chapter of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas over alleged inciting remarks to his party supporters ahead of the state’s supplementary governorship election.

The Curbing Dangerous and Hate Speech Project Coordinator, CITAD, Malam Hamza Ibrahim made the call on Thursday in a phone conversation with Daily Trust shortly after he had issued a statement drawing attention of relevant agencies to the spate of dangerous speeches preceding the re-run election.

It could be recalled that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday declared the state governorship election inconclusive, and thus scheduled a new date for the re-run in 172 poling units across the 44 local government areas of the state.

Ibrahim emphasized the need for the security agencies across the country to be pragmatic in their approach to curbing dangerous and hate speeches so as to serve as deterrent to others.

The centre in a statement signed by Malam Ibrahim identified as dangerous for peace of the state the video trending on social media, depicting the party chieftain encouraging team of supporters to ensure the party emerges victories in the re-run at all cost.

Ibrahim described Abbas’ remarks as disturbing and dangerous for peace of the state as well as the country’s democracy.

“As an organization that works in the area of peace building, the Center for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) is greatly concerned with this bad development. Very disturbing in this respect is the viral 58 seconds video clip of Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Abdullahi Abbas addressing youth in a clear inciting and dangerous manner on the coming election.

“The remarks constitute serious danger to the election and period beyond as they licensed the listening youth to beat up anybody they so wish because soldiers and police will do nothing to them.

“The second danger is the reiteration of Hon. Abbas’ earlier statement that the election will be won by them either in chaos or conflict. We regrettably condemn these remarks. They are highly disturbing amidst a fragile situation of election cancellation and plan for rerun by the national electoral body.

“Elections come and go, therefore, no citizen or body no matter how highly placed should be allowed to jeopardize its conduct if our democracy is to be safeguarded and strengthened. In particular, no election should cost the life anyone in the state.

He also enjoined the youths to understand the hope society places in them by resisting any provocation to cause chaos before, during and after the rerun election.

Speaking further Ibrahim condemned the recent invasion of Nassarawa collation centre by some political thugs during collation process, calling on relevant security agencies and the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) to sanction the perpetrators of the electoral offence and their political party accordingly.

Culled from Daily Trust
https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/kano-re-run-is-do-or-die-centre-calls-for-arrest-of-apc-chair.html

Kano election: CITAD condemns ‘do-or-die’ comments by APC chairman Abdullahi Abbas
The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), a front-line advocacy group campaigning against hate speech, has condemned comments by Abdullahi Abbas, chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), who described the March 23 supplementary elections in Kano state as a “do-or-die” affair.

In the short video, the party chairman also assures supporters his party would provide maximum protection for its members even if it means ensuring the dismissal of police officers who try to restore order.

Speaking in Hausa, he said his listeners should stand against any opposition that comes their way during the elections.

“There is every possibility that you can be arrested. But let me tell you; before you get to the police station we will make sure you are released and the police that arrested you will likely lose his job.

“We are going to give you every protection that is required. This election is a matter of do or die for us. We must win this election,” Mr Abbas had said.

However, in a statement CITAD urged politicians, especially those in the major parties the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to exercise caution and avoid inciting the public ahead of the re-run polls.

“As an organization that works in the area of peacebuilding, the Center for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) is greatly concerned with this bad development.

“Very disturbing in this respect is the viral 58 seconds video clip of Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Abdullahi Abbas addressing youth in a clear inciting and dangerous manner on the coming election.

“The remarks constitute serious danger to the election and period beyond as they licensed the listening youth to beat up anybody they so wish because soldiers and police will do nothing to them.

“The second danger is the reiteration of Hon. Abbas’s earlier statement that the election will be won by them either in chaos or conflict. We regrettably condemn these remarks,” the statement signed by Hamza Ibrahim read.

The group added that it is unfortunate that inciting comments keep increasing, raising the potential for disturbing peace in the state.

“These remarks are highly disturbing amidst a fragile situation of election cancellation and plan for rerun by the national electoral body.

“Elections come and go, therefore, no citizen or body no matter how highly placed should be allowed to jeopardize it’s conduct if our democracy is to be safeguarded and strengthened”.

CITAD therefore recommended steps that should be taken by stake holders in order to forestall the negative consequences of hate speech and incitement.

In particular, no election should cost the life anyone in the state. It against this background that CITAD recommends the following:

1. Youth must understand the hope society places in them and resist any provocation to cause chaos before, during and after the rerun election.

2. We call on elders of Kano to take the matter with seriousness it deserves and immediately take necessary actions to ensure the planned election takes place peacefully and violence does not occur before, during and after the election.

3. We urge traditional and religious leaders, business community, academic community, etc to greatly help in making the election peaceful.

4. The Kano Election Peace Committee should continue to engage political actors and relevant stakeholders across the state to ensure peace reigns in the state.

5. Politicians, their supporters/followers and youth should be orderly and avoid hate speech or spreading fake news either online or offline.

6. We urge security agents to be professional and neutral in the discharge of their duties.

7. Media and members civil society groups should support and strengthen awareness creation on peaceful conduct of the election.

8. We urge professionals from different disciplines and all members of the society to also support the peaceful conduct of the rerun.

Signed:

Hamza Ibrahim,
Coordinator, Curbing Hate and Dangerous Speech Project,
Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD).
hamza@citad.org
14th March, 2019.

Culled from
Daily Focus
https://dailyfocus.ng/kano-election-citad-condemns-do-or-die-comments-by-apc-chairman-abdullahi-abbas/?fbclid=IwAR00Ybydt4XaGUG5LU2266Fgm3ABGqlagH-2V0nbYY4GlvOMIfueuHjCjdc

Put the Skills You Acquired Into Use, CITAD Executive Director Tells Digital Livelihood Beneficiaries

By Hamza Ibrahim

Beneficiaries of the five weeks hands-on digital skills training have been urged to make use of the skills they acquired in order to develop themselves. The plea was made by the Executive Director of Center for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), Malam Yunusa Zakari Ya’u during a business clinic organized by CITAD for 40 young women and girls at Mambayya House on Wednesday 13^th March, 2019. The ED who was represented by Training Coordinator, Malam Ahmad Abdullahi Yakasai strongly advised the digital skills training beneficiaries to ensure prompt usage of the acquired skills. The trainees were equipped with skills on film and video editing, graphics design and photography, digital marketing, etc.

Ya’u stated that 6,205 young women and girls applied for the digital livelihood for young women and girls and 40 of the applicants were carefully selected and enrolled in two batches that lasted for 5 weeks each in order to ensure quality of the training. He reminded the trainees for emerging the luckiest out of the huge number of the applicants. He finally thanked Embassy of the United States for supporting the entrepreneurial programme.

Representatives of organizations such as Central bank of Nigeria (CBN), Bank of Industry, National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and Small and Medium Scale Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) attended the business clinic and explained to the trainees their services and how they can benefit from the services. Other successful entrepreneurs also attended the clinic and spoke to the participants about their experiences with a view to encouraging them to start their own businesses. The trainees were also guided on how they can register their businesses with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

CITAD ga waÉ—anda suka samu horo: Ku yi amfani da abinda ku ka koya
An yi kira ga wadanda suka amfana da bada horo kan kasuwanci a Intanet na tsawon mako biyar da su yi amfani da abinda suka koya don su bunkasa kawunansu.

Babban Daraktan Cibiyar Bunkasa Fasahar Sadarwa, CITAD, Malam Yahuza Zakari Ya’u ne ya yi kiran lokacin wani bada wani horo kan kasuwanci a Intanet na musamman da CITAD ta shirya wa ‘yan mata da manyan mata su 40 a Gidan Mambayya ranar Laraba, 13 ga watan Maris.

Babban Daraktan, wanda jami’i mai kula da bada horo, Malam Ahmad Abdullahi Yakasai ya wakilta ya shawarci wadanda suka amfana da horon kasuwanci a Intanet ɗin da su yi amfani da abinda aka koya musu.
An koya wadanda suka samu horon dabarun yin fim da tace finafinai, zane a Intanet, kasuwancin Intanet da sauransu.

Malam Ya’u ya bayyana cewa ‘yan mata da manyan mata 6,205 ne suka bukaci a ba su horon, aka zabi mutum 40 daga cikinsu, aka kasa su rukuni biyu aka ba su horo na tsawon makonni biyar.

Ya tunatar da wadanda suka amfana sa’ar da suka yi, yadda suka samu nasarar samun wannan horo duk da dubban mutanen da suka nema.

Daga karshe ya gode wa Ofishin Jaladancin Amurka bisa yadda suka tallafa wa shirin kasuwancin.

Wakilan Hukumomi kamar Babban Bankin Najeriya, CBN, Bankin Masana’antu, Hukumar Kula da Ingancin Abinci da Magunguna ta Kasa, NAFDAC, Hukumar Kula da Kanana da Matsakaitan Masana’antu ta Kasa, SMEDAN sun halarci taron bada horon, sun kuma yi wa wadanda suka suka karbi horon bayanin aikace-aikacensu da kuma yadda za su amfana da su.

Sauran wadanda suka yi nasara a fagen kasuwanci su ma sun halarci taron, sun kuma yi magana da wadanda suka karbi horo bisa irin gogewarsu don karfafa musu guiwa su kafa sana’o’insu na kansu.

An kuma nuna wa wadanda suka samu horon yadda za su yi iya wa harkokin kasuwancinsu rijista da Hukumar Yi Wa Kamfanoni Rijista ta Kasa, CAC.

Culled from Labarai 24
https://labarai24.com/2019/03/14/citad-ga-wa%C9%97anda-suka-samu-horo-ku-yi-amfani-da-abinda-ku-ka-koya/

Youths have been advised to imbibe The culture of acquiring digital livelihood experiences aimed at having the requisite knowledge and training of digital entrepreneurship.

The head of programmers for center of information technology Alhaji Ahmad Yakasai stated this during a one day business support clinic of livelihood training for young women and girls held in Kano.

Yakasai said the center in collaboration with the embassy of the United States of America Abuja office had embarked on training young women and girls modern technology of learning skills acquisition training through information technology aimed at making them to be self reliant.

He said forty participants were selected out of over six thousand women and young girls who applied for the training targeted at achieving the set objectives.

Yakasai said various government organisations like Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), NAFDAC and other business oriented agencies were invited to impart modern techniques of learning small scale business.

Presenting a paper, NAFDAC official Suleiman Umar acquainted the participants with the necessary requirements needed by an entrepreneur to possess NAFDAC Registration, aimed at ensuring that they are running a legitimate business accepted by the law.

Maryam Ibrahim from bunkure local government area and Mary Oluwole from Fagge local government were among the participants of the training.

The beneficiaries said the training will go along way in building their capacity on how to use modern information technology in moving their businesses forward.
Culled from Time Express
https://timeexpressng.com/2019/03/13/citad-trains-40-women-on-digital-entrepreneurship/

CITAD trains 20 more women on digital entrepreneurship
As part of its determination to sustain empowerment of women and girls, the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has graduated 20 more women who had acquired skills on digital entrepreneurship.

This is the second phase of the empowerment program , known as “Digital Livelihood Training for Young Women and Girl,” held at the Centre for Democratic Research and Training, Mambayya House in Kano city.

The program is being supported by the United States Embassy, according to the organizers.

Representative of CITAD, Ahmad Abdullahi Yakasai, in his remarks said the the workshop seeks to equip beneficiaries with knowledge on how to utilize ICT to run successful business enterprises.

“Many women who have acquired skills in the initial phase of this program have excelled in their businesses. Some of them are even giving the same training to other women and girls so they can also succeed,” he said.

He said women and girls need to be empowered especially through the utilization of digital knowledge so that they can achieve self reliance in different business areas such as food production, decoration, photography, and film and video editing.

Officials from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), were also invited to enlighten beneficiaries on existing loan schemes provided by the government to empower women and youths such as the Agri-Small and Medium Enterprises Investment Scheme (AGSMEIS).

Also an official of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDA) Suleiman Umar explained guidelines for acquiring NAFDAC registration to beneficiaries.

He said the agency has slashed registration fees for small scale businesses from N50,000 to N26,000, adding that it is now easier and faster to obtain NAFDAC number than it was in the past.

A beneficiary, Maryam Ibrahim from Bunkure local government area to our reporter that she had acquired efficient business skills on digital photography which she hopes to practice in order to be self-reliant.

Maryam expressed gratitude to CITAD for exposing her to the world of computer and digital technology and its potentials.

Another beneficiary, Mary Oluwole from Fagge local government area also said she was trained on the use of computer which she said makes her work easier, adding that she was grateful to CITAD for the training.

Culled from Daily Focus
https://dailyfocus.ng/citad-trains-20-more-women-on-digital-entrepreneurship/

CITAD Trains Women on Digital Enterprenuership

Youths have been advised to imbibe The culture of acquiring digital livelihood experiences amied at having the requisite knowledge and training of digailat wnterp.

The head of programmers for center of information technology Alhaji Ahmad yakasai stated this during a one day business support clinic of livelihood training for young women and girls held inkwno.

Yakasai said the center in collaboration with the embassy of the United States of America Abuja office had embarked on training young women and girls modern technology of learning skills acquisition training through information technology aimed at making them to be self reilant.

He said fourty participants were selected out of over six thousand women and young girls who applied for the training targetted at achieving the set objectives.

Alhaji Ahmad yakasai said varoius government organisations like central bank of Nigeria,NAFDAC and other business oriented agencies were invited to impart modern techniques of learning small scale business.

Presnting a paper NAFDAC official Suleiman Umar acquainted the participants with the necessary requirements needed by an enterprenuer to posses NAFDAC Registration,aimed at ensuring that they are running a legitimate business accepted by the law.

Maryam Ibrahim from bunkure local government area and Mary oluwole
From fagge local government were among the participants of the training, they said the training will go along way in building their capacity on how to use modern information technology in moving their businesses forward.

Culled from Horizon FM , Radio Nigeria Dutse
http://horizonfm.ng/citad-trains-women-on-digital-enterprenuership/

Central Bank of Nigeria, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control and Bank of Industry on Wednesday sensitized young women on how to start up small scale businesses.

Prime Times News reports that the women, numbering 20 are the beneficiaries of the second batch of Digital Livelihood Training for Young Women and Girls, organised by Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) in collaboration with US Embassy.

Speaking at the one-day sensitization workshop, held at Mambayya House in Kano State on Wednesday, representative of the CBN, Hassan Tom urged the beneficiaries to apply for several loan scheme, especially AGSMEIS, which is introduced by the apex bank for those that want to start up small scale businesses.

He added that there are many loan schemes introduced by CBN, but people were too haste to benefit, noting that if Nigerians should be patient, majority of the citizens would benefit from the schemes.

In his session, NAFDAC official, Suleiman Umar acquainted the participants with the necessary requirements needed by an enterprenuer to make registration, noting that, that would ensure they run a legitimate business accepted by law.

In his remarks, the CITAD’s head of the Digital Livelihood programme, Alhaji Ahmad Yakasai urged the beneficiaries to make proper use of the training and knowledge they acquired in order to earn a living.

Yakasai also advised youth to imbibe the culture of acquiring digital livelihood experiences in order to be in tune with modern internet business.

One of the beneficiaries, Maryam Ibrahim from Bunkure Local Government area of Kano State expressed happiness for being exposed to knowledge of IT.

According to her, the training had made her know a lot of things which she thought were not existing, adding that she had now acquired the nitty gritty of internet business within a shirt period of time.

Culled from Prime Time News
https://primetimenews.ng/citad-digital-livelihood-training-cbn-nafdac-boi-sensitizes-women-on-entrepreneurship/

ACORN: February 2019 ROUND UP

Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD)

 

Strategic Engagement

·         The Y-PAC project program officer of CITAD attended a 3-day master training on election observation organised by YAF from 2nd to 4th February 2019 at Dennis hotel, Abuja. The aim of the training was to equip its Y-PAC partners with necessary skills so as to go back to their respective states and step down to their observers of the general election. Checklist was developed during the training and CASE app was also introduced as the two tools agreed to be used for election observations. CITAD and CAJA were asked to collaborate in stepping down the training and coordinating the general election observations for the observers in Kano state and it was agreed by the two organizations that CAJA to lead the process as state coordinator while CITAD to provide two out of three supervisors for the observations which are to come from the three senatorial districts of the state. ·         A 2- day step down training was conducted for the fifty seven observers and two ICPC representatives from 12th to 13th February, 2019 at Nassarawa Guest palace, Kano where CITAD in collaboration with CAJA handled the training for the two days. Modules of the master training were used for the step down.  The participants were trained on how to use CASE app and SMS in reporting election malpractices and general conduct of the elections as well as using the Checklist for the detail report which is to be submitted after the election to the supervisors and to the coordinator at last for final submission to YAF through ICPC. ·         As directed during the master training, on Monday 11 February, CITAD went to meet with Kano ICPC commissioner after several communications on emails and phone, where Ibrahim Nuhu met with two ICPC members and discussed the step down training and the needs of collaboration with members of ICPC in carrying out the training and election observations as designed by YAF. ·         Presidential and federal legislatives elections was held on Saturday 23 February, 2019 and the fifty six observers were posted across the six local governments (2 in each senatorial district) and to different wards to observe the general conduct of the elections. They all went, observed and reported appropriately using the above tools though the effective supervision of the three supervisors and the coordinator and then submitted their checklists from Monday 25 to Wednesday 27 February to CITAD office as requested and were all paid a stipend of thirteen thousand naira (N13,000) as allowances for the exercise. ·         The three supervisors wrote a report of their supervision and sent to the state coordinator as he is to send the final report to YAF. The checklists were handed over to the coordinator by CITAD which he then handed to ICPC office in Kano as designed. ·         The election observation was done in peace and neutralism since all the non-partisan observers are not being harmed or harmed others as we have not seen or heard any form of violence during the processes neither from observers nor from supervisors. ·          The only challenge we had was the postponement of the general election by INEC after most of our observers already reached their far polling units for observation and spent their little resources without the purpose which we had to sympathise with them even though it was not from our own end. We then encouraged them to be at their various polling units on the day re-scheduled by INEC, Saturday 23 February which they did as early as possible and conducted the observations as required of them.

Cross Programme Coordination and Communications

First Batch Report of the Digital Livelihood for Young Women and Girls

Introduction

“Digital Livelihood for Young Women and Girls” is a project organised by Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) with support from Embassy of the United States of America, Abuja. It is aimed at training 40 young women and girls on various digital and entrepreneurship skills and pipelining them through an incubator program at the end of which we hope to get at least 10 small scale businesses set up by the beneficiaries while deepening engagement with policy makers on job creation strategy. The participants who are young women and girls, will be trained on digital skills,  digital entrepreneurship skills, Digital Marketing, Business skills and Internet Safety and Security as well undergo a period of 2 month of e-mentoring attaching them to highly accomplished entrepreneurs. The focus is having women entrepreneurs which can support themselves, their children and boost the national Economy.

Following a selection procedures, CITAD proposal to the U. S embassy was approved for funding. The objectives of the project were:

1. 1. Provide the 40 Young women and girls with life and entrepreneurial skills.
   2. Provide the 40 Young women and girls with ICT skills
   3. Provide 40 young women and girls with after-training enterprises development services
   4. Link 40 young women and girls to support networks and various enterprise development support opportunities such as SMEDAN, the Film Production Fund (FPF), Micro, Small and medium Enterprises (MSME) development fund launched by Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), etc

1. Facilitate the establishment of at least 10 new small scale enterprises by the beneficiaries

 

Report on Orientation of Second Phase of Digital Livelihood Program for Young Women and Girls Held at Mambayya House, Gwammaja, Kano on Wednesday 6^th December, 2018 with Support from US Embassy Abuja Through Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD)

The program was hosted by Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) with 35 participants from different communities within and outside Kano state.

Opening Statements

The meeting was opened by Malam Ahmad Abdullahi Yakasai on behalf of the Executive Director of CITAD. In his statements, he noted the importance of the program, orientating the applicants on the project’s expectations while congratulating them as successful applicants. He emphasized that the issue of women’s participation in ICT and entrepreneurships aspect in Kano continued to be of serious concern. However, due recognition needed to be given to the progress that has been made on the new project, where 40 successful applicants out of 6,205 applicants is a leading example that the women need to tighten up their mind and be self-sustainable.

Being a project from U.S Embassy doesn’t mean we empower women and girls by giving the money, we only empower them with skills and mentorship on how to promote your businesses online and so on. In emphasis to women participation, this give a clear impression that there is need of participation of young women and girls and people with disabilities in our localities to have a democratic society free of hunger which is achievable through projects like this. Said Ahmad

He finally urged that the applicants should be punctual, avoid irregularities or inconsistency in attending the training, avoid inclusion of uninvited applicants and must have a sound character and be focused and pointed out that women’s movements should also be seen as having a representational role to play; both in terms of substantive and descriptive representation.

Malam Ibrahim, the Program Officer, thanked the U.S Embassy for collaboration with CITAD to support the training. In his statement, after presenting the concept of the project, the courses to be offered which are more advanced compared to the first phase of livelihood program, the duration, he identified major achievements and challenges in promoting women’s equal participation in processes at all levels. He finally explained three (3) major project expectations at end of the training in context of the project, the participants should have the knowledge on all skills acquired and can be able to impact it on other women and girls in the society at any time and any moment.

• Should have a full knowledge on ICT and entrepreneurship skills
• Should register their business names with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and other concerned regulatory agencies related to their businesses to have a legal back up and;
• The participants should be participating in e-mentoring and be meeting from time to time for mentoring to discuss on how to expand their business, and search for other job opportunities.

Malam Kamal Umar, the Technical Officer, presented on some factors that hinders northern women in acquiring skills based on experience are bigotry, extreme poverty, lack of education, lack of parent’s and husband support’s due to culture and tradition that exposed them to gender discrimination and the necessity of the mechanisms is for promoting women in entrepreneurship skills even in their homes.  The Digital Livelihood Training will be an effective agent. He also mentioned some mechanisms for increasing women’s participation in ICTs and entrepreneurships acquisition;

• Mindset and zeal: When we change our negative thinking to positive, it increases attention and social movements.
• Timing is an important consideration, is a sign of gaining momentum
• Training and skill development: Training and mentoring will increase efficiency and ensure sustainability.

The training arrangements was briefed by the Training Officer on how it is commencing and the rules behind the training to avoid enacting measures that will affect single or majoritarian beneficiaries.

Project finance officer explained on how to go along with the logistics in order to adopt clear and transparent rules to ensure effective training by paying them transport fare weekly.

A session for question and answers was provided, the beneficiaries contributed in encouraging themselves to increase the era of enterprise.

 

Challenges:

• Some of the issues that occurred during the meeting were absence of invited concerned guest and government officials, which also leads to late commencement and provision of opportunity for the applicants from government actors, only representative from ministry of education attended but left before commencement.

Recommendations:

1. Use ICT training as a tool in education and training efforts, in particular to overcome the digital divide between men and women in the use of new technologies and to provide women with equal access to information.
2. The beneficiaries should ensure that they have equal opportunities during training, such as providing access to the ICT facilities, spending weekly transport fare wisely, our intention of running businesses are disclosed and shared among ourselves.
3. We should have clear rules that can allow us make a meaningful inputs during the training.

The session closed, refreshments served and transport fare paid at 2:47pm.

Report on Orientation of Second Phase of Digital Livelihood Program for Young Women and Girls Held at Mambayya House, Gwammaja, Kano on Wednesday 6^th December, 2018 with Support from US Embassy Abuja through Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD)

The program was hosted by Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) with 35 participants from different communities within and outside Kano state.

Opening Statements

The meeting was opened by Malam Ahmad Abdullahi Yakasai on behalf of the Executive Director of CITAD. In his statements, he noted the importance of the program, orientating the applicants on the project’s expectations while congratulating them as successful applicants. He emphasized that the issue of women’s participation in ICT and entrepreneurships aspect in Kano continued to be of serious concern. However, due recognition needed to be given to the progress that has been made on the new project, where 40 successful applicants out of 6,205 applicants is a leading example that the women need to tighten up their mind and be self-sustainable.

Being a project from U.S Embassy doesn’t mean we empower women and girls by giving the money, we only empower them with skills and mentorship on how to promote your businesses online and so on. In emphasis to women participation, this give a clear impression that there is need of participation of young women and girls and people with disabilities in our localities to have a democratic society free of hunger which is achievable through projects like this. Said Ahmad

He finally urged that the applicants should be punctual, avoid irregularities or inconsistency in attending the training, avoid inclusion of uninvited applicants and must have a sound character and be focused and pointed out that women’s movements should also be seen as having a representational role to play; both in terms of substantive and descriptive representation.

Malam Ibrahim, the Program Officer, thanked the U.S Embassy for collaboration with CITAD to support the training. In his statement, after presenting the concept of the project, the courses to be offered which are more advanced compared to the first phase of livelihood program, the duration, he identified major achievements and challenges in promoting women’s equal participation in processes at all levels. He finally explained three (3) major project expectations at end of the training in context of the project, the participants should have the knowledge on all skills acquired and can be able to impact it on other women and girls in the society at any time and any moment.

• Should have a full knowledge on ICT and entrepreneurship skills
• Should register their business names with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and other concerned regulatory agencies related to their businesses to have a legal back up and;
• The participants should be participating in e-mentoring and be meeting from time to time for mentoring to discuss on how to expand their business, and search for other job opportunities.

Malam Kamal Umar, the Technical Officer, presented on some factors that hinders northern women in acquiring skills based on experience are bigotry, extreme poverty, lack of education, lack of parent’s and husband support’s due to culture and tradition that exposed them to gender discrimination and the necessity of the mechanisms is for promoting women in entrepreneurship skills even in their homes.  The Digital Livelihood Training will be an effective agent. He also mentioned some mechanisms for increasing women’s participation in ICTs and entrepreneurships acquisition;

• Mindset and zeal: When we change our negative thinking to positive, it increases attention and social movements.
• Timing is an important consideration, is a sign of gaining momentum
• Training and skill development: Training and mentoring will increase efficiency and ensure sustainability.

The training arrangements was briefed by the Training Officer on how it is commencing and the rules behind the training to avoid enacting measures that will affect single or majoritarian beneficiaries.

Project finance officer explained on how to go along with the logistics in order to adopt clear and transparent rules to ensure effective training by paying them transport fare weekly.

A session for question and answers was provided, the beneficiaries contributed in encouraging themselves to increase the era of enterprise.

Challenges:

• Some of the issues that occurred during the meeting were absence of invited concerned guest and government officials, which also leads to late commencement and provision of opportunity for the applicants from government actors, only representative from ministry of education attended but left before commencement.

Recommendations:

1. Use ICT training as a tool in education and training efforts, in particular to overcome the digital divide between men and women in the use of new technologies and to provide women with equal access to information.
2. The beneficiaries should ensure that they have equal opportunities during training, such as providing access to the ICT facilities, spending weekly transport fare wisely, our intention of running businesses are disclosed and shared among ourselves.
3. We should have clear rules that can allow us make a meaningful inputs during the training.

The session closed, refreshments served and transport fare paid at 2:47pm.

Report on Digital Entrepreneurship Skills Under The Project “Digital Livelihood For Young Women And Girls” Implemented by CITAD with Support from Office of Embassy of the United States of America, Abuja.

Digital Entrepreneurship Skills Report for First Batch
After completion of the ICT skills phase, the twenty (20) young women of the first batch were introduced to Digital Entrepreneurship skills for ten (10) days. The session started from Wednesday 19th December, 2018 and ended by Friday 4th January, 2018 with the skip of X mass and New Year breaks. Here, the 20 beneficiaries were further divided into two different groups of twelve and eight based on their choice of their interesting packages or skills in two classes all in the morning, 9am-1pm to ease facilitation and understanding as well as improving student-centred learning. This phase was aimed at making the beneficiaries to learn digital entrepreneurship skills like Graphic design and infographics (Class A) Photography and Film and Video Editing (FAVE) in class B. In the first five days of the phase, the women were trained on the respective skills using PCs while in the last five days Android Tablets were used. The essence of facilitating using different tools is to make the beneficiaries know that they can use any available tool for them to do the business and support their learning skills especially the android phones which are very common in use nowadays. It was done successfully and the women acquired the relevant skills of their choice for the whole ten days. They demonstrated the acquired skills by using the Tablets and PCs to produce different items like calendars, Memos, Invitation cards, Fliers, Pictures and shapes as well as video coverage with editing styles. The next activity which is Business skills training has started immediately on Monday 7 January which will last for four (4) days training on three (3) components; Digital marketing for two days, Business skills training on Build Your Business Modules developed by Microsoft, International Youth Foundation (IYF) for a day, and Internet safety and security training for the last day.