This initiative evolved from a project supported by Rosa Luxembourg Foundation on Addressing Youth Problems in the University system. It has now become a quarterly dialogue in which each round, a topical issue is selected and relevant resources persons asked to lead discussion on addressing the project. Topics so far address include Reviving Radical Student Unions in the University, Social Media in Academic Environment, and Improving Quality of Intellectual Work in the University. Each round brings about 100 people from the three public universities in Kano State consist of academics, students, administrators well as media and select civil society organizations.

Job Placement Information Services (JOPIS) is a scheme by CITAD to assist youth looking for employment and entrepreneurship opportunities by bringing information about job opportunities to them. All the job vacancies and Employment opportunities are posting twice a week on “friends of CITAD”, “CITAD ALMUNI”, “Peace now” facebook pages and CITAD main website. It also organizes generic employability training programmes for young people and students as well specific programmes to equip them to apply for specific entrepreneurship opportunities.

The Digital Livelihood for Young Women is a Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) initiative. It is designed to provide ICT training and marketable skills for young women. The curriculum includes training on blogging such as WordPress, the use of graphic apps for events, weddings, etc. digital video and photographic applications, mobile phone/GSM applications for micro-enterprises, and other applications. The training is intended to equip young women with practical ICT training and the use of ICT tools that will empower young women to work in the ICT industry and to start up Micro-enterprises that will add value to their communities. The long-term goal is to boost Nigerian women’s capacity to actively participate in and to grow the Nigerian economy and to also change ages – long tradition of women being economically dependent from their parents’ hands to their husbands’ hands. It is implemented by CITAD Bauchi through support from Equal Digital Skills Fund

Report a Project Radio Program is part of a larger project of the same which is aimed at deepen accountability by getting students to document abandoned and poorly executed projects in the communities in a bi-monthly competition in which the top three reports are given prizes. Thereafter, CITAD works with members of the community to engage relevant duty bearers to address the issue. The radio program is meant to add voice to the demand also serving as feedback mechanism for the communities. It is a means of creating voice of anti-corruption among young people especially students in the tertiary institutions can be engaged and encouraged to be part of the fight against corruption in the communities and to also be reporting abandoned projects in their respective communities. The program is been aired every Thursday at Freedom Radio Dutse by 5pm

[gview file=”https://www.citad.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/mujallar-citad-radio-vol-1-issue-7.pdf”]

By Yakubu Salisu, Kano

Centre for Information Technology, (CITAD) has expressed support for decision of the national telecommunication regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to review its licensing processes and conditions after nearly 20 years ago.

The Executive Director of the Centre, Y. Z. Yaú, in a press statement said the Telecommunication sector is highly dynamic such that its regulatory framework has to be equally dynamic, to respond to changes in technological development.

” It is in this connection that the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) welcomes the decision of the national telecommunication regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to review its licensing processes and conditions. The last such review is nearly 20 years ago”.

According to him, since that review, a lot of major technological developments have occurred, making some of the provision obsolete and thrusting new issues that they hitherto not anticipate.

Within the period, internet has moved from a fringe luxury of the rich to an indispensable tool for all. One of the lessons that the COVID-19 lockdown has taught the world is that the future is increasingly dependent on online interactions. This is why the United Nations has declared access to the internet a right that no one should be left behind”.

Ya’u noted that, although Nigeria has made tremendous progress over the years, there are still many millions of people who are unconnected and are not using the internet.

At the beginning of this year, only about 43% of Nigerians were using the internet. This means more than half of Nigerians are still unconnected, creating an unwanted digital divide in the country.

Cost and infrastructure of access rollout limitations are among the key factors for the persistence of the digital divide in the country. Of course, there are other peculiarities such as the relatively poorer access to the internet by women and people living with disabilities. Infrastructure of access rollout is conditioned by regulations and policy provisions as well as licensing conditions.

To accelerate that and lower the cost of access and use and expand affordability for the many, the NCC is called upon to embrace innovative licensing frameworks that could catalyse speedy roll out with cost crushing down.

One of the innovative approach is the inclusion of community networks as a special category of licenses, available to communities and non-profits to rollout community level networks that could provide access to internet for communities and provide sites for technical experimentation and promotion of digital literacy. This is being used successfully in many countries globally, including in Africa in such countries as Kenya, South Africa Malawi, etc.

We therefore call on the NCC to use the occasion of the review to mainstream community networks licenses within its licensing framework. We would also like to call on the regulator to review the Framework for the deployment of TV white space (TVWS) to enable its utilization for community networks.

We will however caution that this review should not engage with the issues of licensing and regulating of over the top (OTT) platforms which is being clamored for by some within government as part of the fallout of the misunderstanding between the Government and Twitter. We urge that it should be left out of the healthy growth of the telecommunication sector which is necessary for bringing the digital divide and for the nurturing the digital economy in Nigeria.

The Center for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has presented a book to the stakeholder in the counter insurgency fight and general public to enlighten them on the effects of corruption on the insecurity in the Northeast, in its efforts to contrinute to ending the over decade-long insurgency.

Presenting the book titled:  “The Compromised State, How corruption Sustains insecurity in Nigeria and Context and Content in Hate Speech Discourse in Nigeria”, at the Ummah Center, University of Maiduguri, on Monday, Dr. Hassana Waziri said:  “The book is to enlighten stakeholders including the Borno government, Northeast Governors , Federal Government and also intimate the International Non- Governmental Organisations (INGOs), among others, that other challenges apart from attacks  are responsible for the prolonged Boko Haram insurgency”.

Dr Hassana Waziri from the Department of Political Science, who is also one of the authors of the book, said:  “There are issues exacerbating the lack of ability to contain the insurgency, which corruption is one of them. We looked at how corruption is fuelling the insurgency despite the efforts done by the stakeholders. So, they have to retrace their steps and restrategize in order to do way with some of these corrupt practices”

“In all sectors there are issues of corruption. For example, the Executive Governor of Borno State in most cases, go out himself to distribute food items to the IDPs, which is suspicious. This is on the government side. There is outcry from indigenous people who have the capacity to partner the NGOs that they do not partner with them, as they know their community better. The CSO too sometimes consider their personal or organisation’s interest rather than the interest of the beneficiaries”, Dr Waziri added.

The University don further said “some of the tradtional rulers who were engaged to see that the assistance get to the beneficiaries, give their families and relations , stressing that sometimes  even the common man who is not an IDP, claimed to be an IDP and collect what is neaant for them and  sometimes even traditional rulers are being short changed. So, corruption is in all sectors”.

Dr Waziri, therefore, recommended the book to all stakeholders so that they read, be aware and enlightened so that they can retrace their steps and restrategize to deal with corruption with a view to ending Boko Haram insurgency.

For a better society

The Telecommunication sector is highly dynamic such that its regulatory framework has to be equally dynamic, to respond to changes in technological development.  It is in this connection that the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) welcomes the decision of the national telecommunication regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to review its licensing processes and conditions.  The last such review is nearly 20 years ago. 

Since that review, a lot of major technological developments have occurred, making some of the provision obsolete and thrusting new issues that there hitherto not anticipate. Among the technological progress for instance, we have moved from 2G through 3G and now heading for the deployment of 5G. We are witnessing the update of artificial intelligence and internet of all things (IoT) both of which are major users of bandwidth. 

Within the period, internet has moved from a fringe luxury of the rich to an indispensable tool for all.  One of the lessons that the COVID lockdown has taught the world is that the future is increasing dependent on online interactions. This is why the United Nations has declared access to the internet a right that no one should be left behind. 

Although Nigeria has made tremendous progress over the years, there are still many millions of people who are unconnected and are not using the internet. At the beginning of this year, only about 43% of Nigerians were using the internet. This means more than have of Nigeria are still unconnected, creating an unwanted digital divide in the country.

Cost and infrastructure of access rollout limitations are among the key factors for the persistence of the digital divide in the country. Of course, there are other peculiarities such as the relatively poorer access to the internet by women and people living with disabilities. Infrastructure of access rollout is conditioned by regulations and policy provisions as well las licensing conditions. To accelerate that and lower the cost of access and use and expand affordability for the many, the NCC is called upon to embrace innovative licensing frameworks that could catalyse speedy roll out with cost crushing down. 

One of the innovative approach is the inclusion of community networks as a special category of licenses, available to communities and non-profits to rollout community level networks that could provide access to internet for communities and provide sites for technical experimentation. and promotion of digital literacy. This is being used successfully in many countries globally, including in Africa in such countries as Kenya, South Africa Malawi, etc. 

We therefore call on the NCC to use the occasion of the review to mainstream community networks licenses within its licensing framework. We would also like to call on the regulator to review the Framework for the deployment of TV white space (TVWS) to enable its utilization for community networks. 

We will however caution that this review should not engage with the issues of licensing and regulating of over the top (OTT) platforms which is being clamored for by some within government as part of the fallout of the misunderstanding between the Government and Twitter. We urge that should be left out of the healthy growth of the telecommunication sector which is necessary for bringing the digital divide and for the nurturing the digital economy in Nigeria 

YZ. Yaú, June 22, 2021

Executive Director 

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has released two books on how corruption has prolonged the Boko Haram insurgency in northeast Nigeria and how Hate Speech fuels violence in the country.

The two books – “The Compromised State and Context” and “Content in Hate Speech: Discourse in Nigeria” – were presented to a reading audience by CITAD representative and one of the authors, Dr Hassana Ibrahim at the University of Maiduguri on Tuesday.

Ibrahim, a lecturer at the University of Maiduguri, disclosed that “The Compromised State” deals with how corruption is sustaining the insecurity and insurgency in Nigeria.

‘What we intend to do with the book is to enlighten all stakeholders in the conflict and members of the public to be aware that there are other issues that exacerbate the lack of ability to contain the insurgency and corruption is one of the major issues,’ she said.

She said the book was released to reach stakeholders including the governments of Borno State and affected northeast state, the federal government, military and other security agencies, international humanitarian organisations, civil society organisations, traditional rulers and religious leaders.

She disclosed that the books were products of long time researches by scholars to unravel how the state was being compromised by corrupt practices which she noted, hamper all efforts to end the insecurity in the region. She said the researches were funded by McArthur Foundation.

The university don said lack of trust in the past distribution of relief to IDPs may have made the Borno governor personally share foods and other reliefs to victims of insurgency. He also identified some residents claiming to be IDPs to collect relief materials in camps for displaced persons as parts of corruption in the conflict in the northeast.

She said the research output was to help all those involved to ‘retrace their steps and do things the right way to end the was as soonest.’

She also urged political office holders and their supporters to eschew all forms of Hate Speech. She said Hate Speech could inflame anger, resentment and conflicts.

She appealed to the media to support peace-building efforts. She said the research work was funded by MacArthur Foundation, a global organisation that supports effective institution, development and peaceful society in many countries.

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) says more than half of Nigerian people are not unconnected to Internet.

CITAD’s observation is coming as the nation’s telecommunication regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) begins to review its licensing processes and conditions after nearly 20 years.

The Executive Director of the Centre, Mr Y. Z. Yau in a statement made available to ASHENEWS on Tuesday, said the telecommunication sector is highly dynamic such that its regulatory framework has to be equally dynamic, to respond to changes in technological development.

“At the beginning of this year, only about 43% of Nigerians were using the internet. This means more than half of Nigerians are still unconnected, creating an unwanted digital divide in the country.

“Since that review, a lot of major technological developments have occurred, making some of the provision obsolete and thrusting new issues that there hitherto not anticipate.

“Among the technological progress for instance, we have moved from 2G through 3G and now heading for the deployment of 5G. We are witnessing the update of artificial intelligence and internet of all things (IoT) both of which are major users of bandwidth.

“Within the period, internet has moved from a fringe luxury of the rich to an indispensable tool for all.  One of the lessons that the COVID lockdown has taught the world is that the future is increasing dependent on online interactions. This is why the United Nations has declared access to the internet a right that no one should be left behind,” Yau stated.

According to him, “Although Nigeria has made tremendous progress over the years, there are still many millions of people who are unconnected and are not using the internet. At the beginning of this year, only about 43% of Nigerians were using the internet. This means more than half of Nigerians are still unconnected, creating an unwanted digital divide in the country.

“Cost and infrastructure of access rollout limitations are among the key factors for the persistence of the digital divide in the country. Of course, there are other peculiarities such as the relatively poorer access to the internet by women and people living with disabilities. Infrastructure of access rollout is conditioned by regulations and policy provisions as well as licensing conditions. To accelerate that and lower the cost of access and use and expand affordability for the many, the NCC is called upon to embrace innovative licensing frameworks that could catalyse speedy roll out with cost crushing down.

“One of the innovative approach is the inclusion of community networks as a special category of licenses, available to communities and non-profits to rollout community level networks that could provide access to internet for communities and provide sites for technical experimentation and promotion of digital literacy. This is being used successfully in many countries globally, including in Africa in such countries as Kenya, South Africa Malawi, etc,” CITAD further stressed.

The Centre called on the NCC “to use the occasion of the review to mainstream community networks licenses within its licensing framework. We would also like to call on the regulator to review the Framework for the deployment of TV white space (TVWS) to enable its utilization for community networks,” while also cautioning that “this review should not engage with the issues of licensing and regulating of over the top (OTT) platforms, which is being clamored for by some within government as part of the fallout of the misunderstanding between the government and Twitter.

“We urge that it should be left out of the healthy growth of the telecommunication sector which is necessary for bringing the digital divide and for the nurturing the digital economy in Nigeria,” it said.

PRESS STATEMENT ON THE REVIEW OF TELECOMMUNICATION LICENSING FRAMEWORKS BY NIGERIAN COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

The Telecommunication sector is highly dynamic such that its regulatory framework has to be equally dynamic, to respond to changes in technological development. It is in this connection that the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) welcomes the decision of the national telecommunication regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to review its licensing processes and conditions. The last such review is nearly 20 years ago.

Since that review, a lot of major technological developments have occurred, making some of the provision obsolete and thrusting new issues that there hitherto not anticipate. Among the technological progress for instance, we have moved from 2G through 3G and now heading for the deployment of 5G. We are witnessing the update of artificial intelligence and internet of all things (IoT) both of which are major users of bandwidth. Within the period, internet has moved from a fringe luxury of the rich to an indispensable tool for all. One of the lessons that the COVID lockdown has taught the world is that the future is increasing dependent on online interactions. This is why the United Nations has declared access to the internet a right that no one should be left behind.

Although Nigeria has made tremendous progress over the years, there are still many millions of people who are unconnected and are not using the internet. At the beginning of this year, only about 43% of Nigerians were using the internet.

This means more than have of Nigeria are still unconnected, creating an unwanted digital divide in the country. Cost and infrastructure of access rollout limitations are among the key factors for the persistence of the digital divide in the country. Of course, there are other peculiarities such as the relatively poorer access to the internet by women and people living with disabilities. Infrastructure of access rollout is conditioned by regulations and policy provisions as well as licensing conditions.

To accelerate that and lower the cost of access and use and expand affordability for the many, the NCC is called upon to embrace innovative licensing frameworks that could catalyse speedy roll out with cost crushing down. One of the innovative approach is the inclusion of community networks as a special category of licenses, available to communities and non-profits to rollout community level networks that could provide access to internet for communities and provide sites for technical experimentation and promotion of digital literacy.

This is being used successfully in many countries globally, including in Africa in such countries as Kenya, South Africa Malawi, etc. We therefore call on the NCC to use the occasion of the review to mainstream community networks licenses within its licensing framework. We would also like to call on the regulator to review the Framework for the deployment of TV white space (TVWS) to enable its utilization for community networks.

We will however caution that this review should not engage with the issues of licensing and regulating of over the top (OTT) platforms which is being clamored for by some within government as part of the fallout of the misunderstanding between the Government and Twitter.

We urge that it should be left out of the healthy growth of the telecommunication sector which is necessary for bringing the digital divide and for the nurturing the digital economy in Nigeria

Y. Z. Yaú,

Executive Director

A cigaba da gabatar da littattafan da Cibiyar BunÆ™asa Fasahar Sadarwar da Cigaban Al’umma, CITAD, ta wallafa waÉ—anda su ka mayar da hankali akan yadda cin hanci da rashawa su ka dabaibaye É“angaren tsaron Æ™asar nan da kuma yadda kalaman Æ™iyayya kan haifar da tarzoma tare da Æ™ara rura wutar rikici a tsakankanin al’umma.

A jiya Litinin wakiliyar cibiyar ta CITAD, Malama Hassana I Waziri, Malama a sashen kimiyyar siyasa na jami’ar Maiduguri, ta gabatar da littattafan guda biyu a harabar jami’ar ta Maiduguri.

Littafi na farko mai suna The Compromised State: How Corruption Sustained Insecurity in Nigeria, wanda ya mayar da hankali akan yadda cin hanci da rashawa ya dabaibaye ɓangaren tsaron ƙasar nan aka kasa samo bakin zaren.

Sai kuma littafi na biyu mai suna Hate Speech: Discourse in Nigeria, wanda ya mayar da hankali akan yadda kalaman É“atanci su ke Æ™ara rura wutar rikici tare kuma da haifar da tarzoma a cikin al’umma.

Read More

Suspend Land Swap Initiative Resumption, CITAD Begs FG

TECH DIGEST – The Centre For Information Technology And Development, CITAD, has urged the Federal government to immediately suspend the resumption of land swap initiative in the federal capital territory.

CITAD made the call during a press briefing in Abuja.

In the last two years, rural communities within federal capital territory have been battling with several challenges of land grabbing that is taken place in their community
Which makes many farmers to lose their land resulted to major threat in food security not only in FCT but all over the country.

Mr. Mubarak EKute, CITAD sponsorship officer, Abuja spoke during a press briefing, He said: “The FCT rural communities who are land owners and therefore likely to be dispossessed by the initiative were not consulted before the decision to resume the initiative was taken.

“Government has not explain how in the current phase, corruption would be put at bay and how the interests of rural communities would be taken into account in the new phase of the initiative.

“Government has not address any complaints of land grabbing and land misappropriation and dispossession that occurred in the earlier phase for which FCT rural communities have been the major victims”.He added

In conclusion, Mr Mubarak advises the government to further suspend the resumption of the land swap initiative until: “It has carry out consultations among the citizens of the FCT, particularly rural dwellers and Come up with concrete and realistic plan for addressing rural infrastructure, not just infrastructure with the FCT urban area.