Lack of Soft Skills, Poor Cv’s And Cultural Barriers Links to Unemployment – Finding

By Salisu Ismail Kabuga
Investigation carried out recently shows that the current rate of unemployment among youths is at its peak, with about 41% of respondents attributing their unemployed state to the rejection of their applications, which is linked to issues relating to the lack of soft skills, poorly Crafted Cv’s and cover letters as well as religious and cultural barriers.
This was hinted by the Chief Executive Officer, Jobberman Nigeria Hilda Kragha while making a presentation during a Zoom seminar on Skills Gap Is the Training of Undergraduates in Nigeria on his paper “Bridging the Gap In Young People” organised by the Centre for Information Technology And Development (CITAD) with support from a West African based – Rose Luxemburg Foundation.
Mr Hilda Kragha during the virtual meeting between stakeholders stated in his presentation that, now aday, the nature of works is requiring new set of skills, noting that, this has resulted in a skills gap as employers are prioritising soft skills over technical skills.
The Executive Director Jobberman, Nigeria, explained that, in Nigeria, the skills gap contributes to the current unemployment rate of 23.1% which means that, 1 in 5 are unemployed among the job seekers.
“Over 60% of Nigeria’s population are below the age of 35 years,By 2020 Nigeria’s population will be 440 million, 60% of which will mean over 264 million young people, we must prepare young people differently for the future of work,” Kragha stressed.
According to him, In today’s world, Disruption in technology and Covid-19 has expanded what it means to be employable as employers are ever more seeking job seekers that are adaptable, creative, resilient, proactive and collaborative.
The finding also discovered that, more employers see soft skills as crucial towards bringing these gap and improving the competency level of young people in the workplace.
However, Mr Kragha’s finding on “Bridging the Soft Skills Gap In Young People” recommended that, Academia can play a useful role by actively seeking ways to embed soft skills into universities’s curricular using innovation pedagogy.
Other recommendations as suggested in the finding includes collaborating with soft skills practioners as co-equal partners can help strengthen the quality of existing soft skills curriculum and also help to galvanise advocacy for policy uptake among others.
The virtual seminar with relaxant participants from almost all angle of life were moderated by Professor Pam Sha of the National Institute for policies and strategic studies, Kuru.
CITAD Communication Officer Ali Sabo, in a remark, reaffirmed the commitment of the center towards advocating for an enabling policies and innovations that would help in equiping students with proper knowledge that they can excel in the labour market in order to reduce the rate of unemployment among Nigeria’s youths.

Decline In Education Reason For Nigeria’s Unemployment Crisis – Don

By Abdulyassar Abdulhamid

Quality university education is imperative in matching demand with supply in the prolong Nigeria’s  unemployment crisis,  Professor Ali Muhammad Garba of the Department of Business Administration, Bayero University, Kano, said.

Speaking at a knowledge Production Dialogue titled “Critical Skills gap in Undergraduate Training in Nigerian Universities”  the Centre for Information Technology and Development, CITAD, organized, in collaboration with Rosa Luxembourg Foundation, on Tuesday, the don attributed the problem to the lack of a link between education and development initiatives in Nigeria.
According to him, the education standards has fallen from basic and secondary levels due to corruption, poor public investment and overall weak policy commitment in the sector.
In paper titled “The Quality of University Education: Imperative of Maching Demand with Supply”, the professor presented at the event, he argued that in the banking sector, for example, graduates from foreign universities are given preference in employment than those  from Nigerian universities simply because education in Nigeria has failed in its  primary responsibility of producing the required workforce with needed knowledge and skills.
Professor Adamu maintained that unlike in many developed nations, in Nigeria  there is no explicit linkage between university education and development objectives, as emphasis is placed on rigor than relevance.
He said: “These explanations may well be valid. However, in this paper, it is suggested the reason for the poor quality of university graduates is the general tendency to isolate university education from mainstream development initiatives.
“There is no explicit linkage between university education and development objectives in Nigeria.  University education is treated in its ‘independent silo’ as a separate endeavour rather than as a tool to advance development objective.
“This, in my view, is contrary to good and progressive practice found in other nations, such as South Korea and Singapore that linked university education to specific development objectives.”
A solution to the problem, according to him, is that universities in Nigeria should, in very practical terms, institute a formal mechanism for evaluating quality, adding that education quality cannot and should not be left to random events or wishes of the operators, as  it must be planned and executed in a systematic and formal way.
Presented also at the knowledge production dialogue was a paper titled “Bridging the Soft Skills Gap in Young People” by the Chief Executive Officer, Jobberman Nigeria, Hilda Kragha.
In his remarks, the Communication Officer, CITAD Mr. Ali Sabo, reaffirmed the centre’s commitment in its advocacy for  coherent policies and innovations that would help in equiping students with proper knowledge and skills needed in the labour market, with a view to reducing the rate of unemployment in Nigeria.

Nigerian Universities are Not Producing Quality Graduates-CITAD

Nigerian universities have been described as lagging behind in producing quality graduates that will compete everywhere in the world and for employment by the private sector.

A lecturer with the Department of Business Administration Bayero University Professor Ali Muhammad Garba stated this while presenting a paper titled the quality of University graduates, Imperative of Matching demand with supply organized by the center of information Technology and development CITAD in its series of Knowledge Production Dialogue.

The dialogue supported by Rosa Luxembourg foundation emphasized on quality education and enabling environment, seeks for a way out for Nigerian graduates to be accepted worldwide as qualitative workforce.

Professor Ali Muhammad Garba who was joined by Ms.Hilda K. Kragha the Chief executive officer, Jobberman, and Professor Pam Sha of NIPSS as moderators and panelists respectively said debates on the quality of Nigerian graduates have taken center stages with several complaints about their poor communication skills among others.

Professor Garba cited an example of how Late President Umaru Musa Yaradua lamented in a National Television that Nigerian university graduates are unemployable compared to graduates produced out by Nigerian Universities in the ’70s and ’80s.

He pointed out that to improve quality education in Nigeria there is an urgent need to have committed scholars like what ASUU has been advocating for as well as monitor changes in areas such as teaching quality, curriculum performance and so on.

He said for Nigerian universities to overcome the challenges there is a serious need for curriculum development and overcoming poor research credibility.

He added that that was the main reasons Academic staff union of universities had overrunning battle with previous administrations including the Babangida administration.

The university don further urged Nigerian Universities to institute a formal mechanism for evaluating the quality or opt for condensed measures provided by UNESCO to suit their purposes and goals.

He said education should not be put to random events or wishes of the operator.

On her part, MS Hilda .K Krgha said  Jobberman is seeking to link five million youth to jobs in the next five years with a focus on Kaduna, Kano, and Lagos within the Agriculture, Digital and Creative sectors.

MS Hilda added that there should be an awareness creation amongst students to sign up on Jobberman’s platform and register for free soft skills training will be useful for them as they complete their studies in the near future.

Cibiyar CITAD Ta Shirya Taron Horar da ɗaliban Jami’a Akan Sana’o’i da ƙwarewa

A cigaba da gudanar da taron ƙarawa juna sani da cibiyar bunkasa fasahar sadarwa ta zamani da ci gaban al’umma CITAD, ta ke yi, cibiyar ta shiryawa daliban jami’a taron ƙarawa juna sani akan sana’o’i da kuma ƙwarewa domin dogaro da kai.

Taron wanda ya gudana a dandalin Zoom ya samu halartar masana daga jami’o’in ƙasar nan daban, inda Farfesa Muhammad Ali Garba daga Jami’ar Bayero da ke Kano, ya gabatar da ƙasida mai taken Babban giɓin sana’o’i da ƙwarewa a tsakankanin ɗaliban jami’a, inda Hilda K Kragha daga cibiyar da ke samar da aiyukan yi ta Jobberman, ta zama mai sanya idanu, sai kuma Farfesa Pam Sha daga cibiyar nazarin manufofi da muhimman bukatu ta kasa (NIPSS) da ke Kuru kusa da Jos, ya zama alkalin taron.

Tun da farko cibiyar CITAD ta saba gudanar da taron ƙarawa juna sanin a duk wata, wanda ya ke samun tallafin gidauniyar Rosa Luxemburg, wacce babbar manufarta shi ne faɗaɗa tunanin a tsakankanin daliban jami’o’in Najeriya, wanda hakan zai ba su wadataccen ilimin da za su yi amfani da shi wajen dogaro da kai bayan kammala karatu, tare kuma da farfaɗo da ɗabi’ar nan ta yin karatu a tsakankanin matasa.

Hakazalika taron ƙarawa juna sanin ya mayar da hankali kacokam akan giɓin da ke tsakanin ɗaliban jami’a da kuma ƙwarewa akan wata fasaha a lokacin da suka kammala karatunsu, domin masana da masu yin sharhi akan al’amuran yau da kullum sun sha bayyana cewa ɗaliban da jami’o’in ƙasar nan ke yayewa ba su da ƙwarewa a lokacin da su ka fita neman aiki.

A ƙarshen taron masana sun bayyana yadda za a bunƙasa harkar koyarwa a jami’o’in Najeriya wanda hakan zai sanya su yi gogayya da takwarorinsu na ƙasashen d uniya.

CITAD Organizes Dialogue to Promote Critical Thinking Among Nigerian Students

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) organized a dialogue with the title: “Critical Skills Gap in Undergraduate Training in Nigerian Universities”, held on Tuesday, 14th July, 2020.

Panelists at the dialogue are Professor Ali Muhammad Garba of Department of Business Administration, Bayero University, Kano, and Ms. Hilda K. Kragha, Chief Executive Officer of Jobberman, while Professor Pam Sha of National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, served as moderator.

The program was organized with support from Rosa Luxemburg Foundation West Africa, with the aim to promote critical thinking among Nigerian students and equip the them with proper knowledge that they can use to excel in labor markets upon graduation.

The seminar which was conducted online focused on the gaps that exist between Nigerian universities’ undergraduate students and the skills needed in the labor market.

The panelists discussed extensively how teaching in Nigerian universities can be improved to compete with those of developed countries.

High Level Political Forum on SDGS Remotely Participated In FCT Communities On The Theme “Recovering Better”

DATE: 7TH TO 15TH JULY, 2020

The High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) is the main United Nation platform on sustainable development. It has a central role in the follow up and reviews of implementation of 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the global level.

All UN Member States as well as representatives from civil society organizations participate in its meetings. The Forum adopts intergovernmental negotiated political declarations at the conclusion of its eight day session.

The High Level Political Forum meets under the auspices of the United Nation Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) annually. In 2020, ECOSOC convened the 2020 session of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development from Tuesday, 7 July, to Thursday, 16 July 2020.

The HLPF was revised due to impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The HLPF took place virtually, and several thematic discussions on the building back better after the pandemic was added to the schedule.

This year’s HLPF Actionaid and CITAD planned for the inclusion of rural communities in FCT to remotely participate in the high level political forum, Leaving No One Behind! Five ICT Centres in FCT communities: Dakwa, Tungan Ashere, Pasepa, Leleyi Gwari and Gaube participated in the forum virtually from 8th July to 15th July. Community Facilitators in the ICT Communities facilitated the forum remotely in their respective communities. The aim is to ensure inclusivity and lifelong learning.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the social distancing guideline, 7 youths participated in each centre (Male and Female). The idea is for the participants to learn. Ask questions from other region experiences on SDGs engagements and also share our own experience in Country.

The VNR Labs provide an informal platform to share best practices and to reflect on the experience with the VNRs, focusing on cross-cutting themes and country experiences.

It is widely recognized that the successful implementation of the 2030 Agenda requires a transformation in our societies that can only be achieved through engaging and leveraging the unique roles and resources of all sectors and stakeholders of society.

 

26th Twitter Chat with Aliyu Dahiru Aliyu, Researcher/Editor Humanangle Newspaper on Countering Misinformation from Religious Perspective

In continuation of its sensitization program on COVID-19 in Nigeria, the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), held its 26th edition of Twitter Chat in the 7th of July 2020.

The guest was Aliyu Dahiru Aliyu, a Researcher and Editor at Humangle Newspaper. He discussed on the topic “COVID19: Countering Misinformation from Religious Perspective” He started by saying, Misinformation from a religious perspective is a deliberate spread of false statements to achieve particular goal. From religious angle it is the same as “lying” or “hypocrisy. He said there are many misinformation being spread by different religious followers in Nigeria but the most popular ones include that Covid-19 is a bioweapons created to attack Muslims and the one saying that facemask has no medical use. The purveyor said it is political manipulation intended to make a puppet out of Nigerians.

 

In responding to a question on how misinformation change the perception of people toward the disease? He said, explaining the difference between disinformation and misinformation first will help answer the question, he said while the former is intentional spread of false information, the latter is unintentional that may arise due to social trust or lack of digital literacy and critical thinking. Both harm people.

 

He stated that ordinary follower has a role in tackling religious misinformation, according to him the Prophet of Islam commanded that we shouldn’t be sharing whatever we receive without thorough investigation. An individual has to fact-check claims before forwarding to anyone to avoid misinforming people.

 

He was asked to what extent misinformation and disinformation jeopardizes the fight against this deadly virus. He respond by saying that “I think misinformation and disinformation has caused many people stop being serious about the pandemic. Many people have said it’s just a flu and others said government is lying to people. Others avoid social distancing measures and continue joining religious gatherings”

 

In responding to another question which says ‘Islam teaches and promotes truthfulness and even set some rules and regulations before accepting a narration. Who misinform people to achieve certain goals?

He said Islam is a perfect religion, but Muslims are not. Although we all know lying is haram, unless under special condition to protect lives, but it is part of human nature to lie. One can’t escape his innate psychological motives without serious efforts. Muslims too spread lies.

 

In conclusion he advises the government and other concerned institutions on measures they should take in countering disinformation and disinformation.

 

He said both the Government and the clerics should work together in saving lives. For the clerics, they should please allow experts to speak on medical issues. When it comes to spiritual exercises, clerics are in better position to speak. But this is pandemic, they should allow epidemiologists to speak.

 

Also Government should use the clerics in fighting religious misinformation. They are so powerful that no institution can do away with them. Radio jingles and attitudes of the government officials are also influencing people.

 

Engagement:

Good afternoon all, please welcome @Aliyussufiy, editor at @HumAngle_ who will be discussing on countering disinformation from religious perspective on the fight against Covid19. @YZYau @fareedear @ICTAdvocates @Mairo_Ado @HariraWakili @ChiromaHope @sagiru_ado @kamalkano

Replying to

@ChiromaHope

@a_sabo12 and 8 others

Thank you

 

Malam

@Aliyussufiy

We will like to know the kind of misinformation being spread by different religious followers in Nigeria.

 

There are many, but the most popular ones include that Covid-19 is a bioweapon created to attack Muslims and the one saying that face-mask has no medical use. The purveyor said it is political manipulation intended to make a puppet out of Nigerians.

 

Malam

@Aliyussufiy

, do an ordinary follower have any role to in tackling religious misinformation? If yes, how?

Replying to

@ChiromaHope

@a_sabo12 and 9 others

The Prophet of Islam commanded that we shouldn’t be sharing whatever we receive without thorough investigation. An individual has to fact-check claims before forwarding to anyone to avoid misinforming people.

 

 

So what measures do you think government and other concerned institutions should take in countering disinformation and disinformation which is mostly spread by religious leaders looking at how sensitive religion is in the country and the large number of followers they have?

 

The two should work together in saving lives. For the clerics, they should please allow experts to speak on medical issues. When it comes to spiritual exercises, clerics are in better position to speak. But this is pandemic, they should allow epidemiologists to speak. Please

 

Government should use the clerics in fighting religious misinformation. They are so powerful that no institution can do away with them. Radio jingles and attitudes of the government officials are also influencing people.

 

@Aliyussufiy, permit us to take you back a little, can you please explain what disinformation from religious perspective is?

 

Disinformation is a deliberate spread of false statements to achieve particular goal. From religious angle it is the same as “lying” or “hypocrisy”.

 

And how did these misinformation change the prospection of people toward the disease?

 

Let’s explain the difference between disinformation and misinformation first. While the former is intentional spread of false information, the latter is unintentional that may arise due to social trust or lack of digital literacy and critical thinking. Both harm people.

 

In your experience, sir, to what extent does misinformation and disinformation jeopardize the fight against this deadly virus?

 

I think misinformation and disinformation has caused many people stop being serious about the pandemic. Many people have said it’s just a flu and others said government is lying to people. Others avoid social distancing measures and continue joining religious gatherings.

 

 

@ICTAdvocates

@a_sabo12

@Aliyussufiy

Islam teaches and promotes truthfulness and even set some rules and regulations b/4 accepting a narration. Who misinform people to achieve certain goals?

 

Islam is a perfect religion, but Muslims are not. Although we all know lying is haram, unless under special condition to protect lives, but it is part of human nature to lie. One can’t escape his innate psychological motives without serious efforts. Muslims too spread lies.

 

Whoever try to explain it to them they will neither listen nor understand it coz it will against Malams’ opinion. Any approach to eradicate such?

 

I think critical thinking should be taught from secondary school level. This will instill the habit of questioning in the minds of youth. I believe, even though it will disturb some clerics in the first time, it will curtail the habit of consuming nonsense from pseudo clerics.

 

Malam Aliyu

@Aliyussufiy, thank you very much for this insightful discussion, on behalf of

@ICTAdvocates

‘s E.D & its entire staff we appreciate you for being with us at this hour & the educative discussion. Thank you once & have a nice day

@ChiromaHope

@ooomiiiii

@teemerh_beekay

 

 

27th Twitter Chat With Olamrewaju Oyedeji Coordinator, Digital Literacy Advocacy Club & Editor, Techmirror Magazine

Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), held its 27th Twitter chat in the 9th of July 2020. The guest was, Olanrewaju Oyedeji, Coordinator, Digital Literacy Advocacy Club & Editor, TechMirror Magazine, he discussed on The Role of ICT in the Fight against Covid19. He started by answering the question on the meaning of ICT where he said that ICT is an acronym for Information and Communications Technology; it is the use of computers to store, retrieve and transmit information or data. It has transcended from computer to Digital gadgets/sites, Apps and other Computer networks.

 

According toAyodeji, ICT has now gone on beyond its definition to be a critical part of every global department and sector. So, defining ICT maybe determined on the context we are referring to and the purpose for such definitions. ICT has outgrown the books. On the way ICT can help in the fight against the deadly corona virus. He said, when the Covid-19 came to be, we had many persons who were worried & at the same time thankful that this kind of pandemic happened when the world is inter-connected. When we can say the world is a global village thanks to ICT. It has helped in many ways… For instance, we are talking of awareness created through ICT platforms. We would attest to the fact that Twitter for instance played huge roles in enlightening people on dangers of the virus, how and why to avoid it. We have had use of multimedia visuals spread on whatsapp….

He continue to explain that in the area of accountability and transparency, we have had ICT helping. We have had many persons who would have otherwise ‘died’ due to Covid-19 getting attention after alarm was raised using platforms powered by ICT, I can go on and on. Tweeted the guest. Take Nigeria for instance, we have seen the NCDC using multimedia platforms to reach Nigerians, it is not strange to see many Nigerians waiting on the Twitter handle of NCDC to see the figures for the day. We see news on lockdown shared here. He further stated that, ICT has helped in Nigeria. It has helped in many ways. Economically, socio-economically, reducing the spread, emotionally and psychologically, participatory solution to the pandemic, reducing civil disobedience and ensuring stability in governance. For instance, let us imagine that we do not have social media platforms for national awareness on the virus, the impact would have been colossal. Nigeria has through active citizens & citizenry engagement managed the virus thus far. Although, there are lapses. Oyedeji Emphasized.

 

On how can individuals, organizations & govt can leverage on these positive side of ICT & help in curtailing this virus or at least reduce its spread in our communities. The guest said that, we can use our social media platforms to promote awareness that Covid19 is still existing. The danger we have currently is the discussions we have on some platforms that Covid19 has winded up. We have more Nigerians online now and we must leverage on this.

The government must not just leave NCDC to giving us updates on figures & sending messages to phones, we must have the Orientation agency mobilized to the grassroots. Let me point it clear that if we must stop community transmission, we must harp on safety measures, we must begin to use ICT tools to rebrand the message we are passing. It has now gone beyond using facemasks but people understanding the usage. People may not listen to you talk to them on why they should not use borrowed Face masks but they read messages. I keep saying the govt, we now must begin to look at sending messages on Phones through local languages, and we would not assume that everybody understands English. As Covid19 elongates, we have myths about it spreading & we must stop this now at communities, we must.

 

Corporate organizations have their part to play. Members of staff of corporate organizations who also make up members of communities should be encouraged to be ambassadors of informing people on their whatsapp groups, facebook platforms about need to be proactive @ICTAdvocates

 

On the way digital solutions can aid Nigeria’s Covid-19 fight. He mentioned that, the fight against Covid19 is not just about curtailing the spread of the virus. Let us not forget importantly that the fight also involves economic stability and survival of people. We have had mobile health solutions currently but will dwell on hunger management. Digital solutions should aim at solving problems around Startups survival, solution that should reduce job loss. For instance, we should fashion ways of using Digital solutions to curb shutting down of companies. Solutions in Edutech, Agrotech and crisis management

 

In responding to the question that, World has in the past experienced pandemic deadly more than Covid 19 such as Spanish Fluid, but the fear and afraid of Covid 19 supersede more than any pandemic. Can we say that ICT at one angle contributes to this? He answered with Yes and No.

Yes because we have many fake information flying round on social media & this causes tension. It is same as when it was said that salt &water curbs Ebola. No, because you wouldn’t blame Social media for failure in information management round the country @ICTAdvocates. Lack of adequate test kits had created fear in minds of people that even the country cannot take care of them enough, when isolation centres were the issue, people panicked that they may die, when the country begged for ventilators, many Nigerians felt scared.

What I am saying is this; Spanish Flu would have had more fear if there were social media, it is what we can’t run away from. Failure of the system will enable fear anywhere, whether on social media or off it. So, even if there no SM, we would have fear @ICTAdvocates

Worldwide, in USA, Italy & many others, Social media created a necessary fear. Pandemic comes with fear, which is why every country must be more proactive nowadays because we are dealing with multiple information sources. He explained that Information and communication assisted public with regards to Covid19 pandemic in areas of awareness, creating hope for SMEs, getting verified information on policies from the right sources, creating new job opportunities for survival and many more time won’t permit to mention.

On the ways Nigeria can leverage on ICT in its economic recovery from the damage caused by covid-19. He said, Beyond Covid19, any country that will survive must invest in Digitalization. This is the time for Nigeria to have Digital Literates. Those who will understand how to tap into the market that will be created companies moving online. Education, Agriculture, Health, Manufacturing, Logistics, media, food & Beverages, Deliveries, Fintech will leverage more on ICT, we must build our economic recoveries around preparing our citizens for this change. It is not enough to pump money into the economy.

 

In his recommendations he mentioned:

1) We should use ICT to make our Covid19 easier to understand through local languages.

2) We should prepare for Post-Covid19 understanding that our citizens need to be faster prepared for Digitalization.

More pro-activeness in use of ICT to stop community transmissions.

We should also make messages passed understandable. We should start looking at survival through Digital media by making our citizens Digital literates.

We must manage information better through ICT.

Finally, we must see the reality of Covid19 by not just sending messages on adhering to protocols but ensuring that SMEs are assisted to survive in this time through ICT. We must begin to look at a Digital Nigeria(ns) now& post-Covid, that is our new system. Thanks

 

How CSOS Can Mobilize & Sensitize The Public On #Covid19″ With Isah Garba, Citad’s Senior Programme Officer

In another edition of its Twitter Chat Series, the Centre for Information Technology and Development CITAD hosted the CITAD’s Senior Programme Officer, Malam Isah Garba. The discussant started with a welcoming remark from the CITAD handle, @ICTAdvocates where it expressed its pleasure to host another Twitter chat hosting our own Senior Programmes Officer, Malam Isah Garba who will be discussing on “How CSOs Can Mobilize & Sensitize the Public on #COVID19.”

Subsequently, the CITAD began asking the questions while the senior programme officer responded to each of the questions asked.

When asked on how do we reach out to people at rural setting especially the ones with no IT infrastructures since that social gathering are discouraged, the Senior Programme Officer responded that we need to have a basic understanding of the civil society first, the CSOs is not limited of what many people perceived; they are voluntary organizations cut across of all ramifications of human endeavors. Therefore CSOs can be found anywhere no matter how remote the community may, there are many self help group who volunteer to help the people in their communities. So reaching out to people  in rural communities or where there is no IT facilities is simple, CSOs can use their networks within the CBOs and i doubt if there is rural community without cellular phones so that can also be utilized. Another avenue of reaching out to them is through the use of Radio, which in area like northern Nigeria we have more listeners of radio then readers or user of the internet.

Another question was by Aliyu Dahiru Aliyu where he said “What CSOs are doing to ensure that governmental and non-governmental organisations are accountable when it comes to the distribution of palliatives?” Malam Isah responded that “CSOs work is multidimensional while others work in the area of sensitizations, mobilizations, pallitive support, there are many CSOs working in the area of anticorruption and also promotion of accountability, these CSOs are working in different dimension to ensure that. There are organizations working towards tracking of the palliatives and its distributions while others form part of the team distributing the palliatives as observers and they not only report to their organization but also share the information with the public.”

Aliyu Dahiru Aliyu asked again whether CITAD is using any ICT tool, like tracing apps or any other tool, to help curb the pandemic, the programme officer said that currently, CITAD is not directly using any app in doing that, but as an organization with large networks it partners with others.

“Governments cannot work alone in responding to the crisis on behalf of vulnerable communities; How has the CSO`s helped initiate a more effective response to humanitarian crises and natural disasters like Covid 19” was Mubarak and Malam Isah responded that it is important to note that CSOs mostly have the trust of the communities they work, therefore, the community will trust them and agree with all that they may say on the Pandemic more than what the government agencies may say.

Another question was asked by Aliyu Dahiru Aliyu was that “NNPC implements a tracing application in Nigeria despite warnings that there could be breech of privacy while using the app, did you consider reviewing the app as an ICT development organisation?” He responded That CITAD is an organization that promotes internet security and privacy, therefore we cannot support any App that may breach into the privacy of the citizens, and therefore, if the App has that implication we will advocate its review.

Sagiru Ado asked “CSOs found themselves at critical situation at this trying time where Covid 19 restricts interaction and gathering of people. What strategies CITAD sets in places with no IT connection and network to complement its engagement b/4 the pandemic? The programme officer answered that CITAD is using radio stations in reaching out to its targets and it doubt if there is a community without radio.

Ali Sabo also asked the question whether we can know how Civil Society can mobilize people at grassroots to ensure they stay safe looking at how government is easing the lockdown in the country, and Malam Isah said they can reach out through their networks at the grassroots and also through the use of radio stations. This is one of the significances of network formation in the CSOs work; other organizations can help you reach where you can’t.

Mubarak Ekute asked on how Covid-19 affecting Civil Society worldwide? Responding, Malam Isah said CSOs are part of the world community and the effect of this pandemic is like that of war its effects depends on your area, so CSOs suffer in the areas of the economy, operations and even the ways they reach out to their targets as we said earlier.

Lastly, the Programme Officer was asked about the swiftness of CITAD to execute their operations and office work online due to the pandemic and whether it could be possible with government at both state and federal levels. Malam Isah responded that this is possible all they need is to build the capacity of their staff towards that. And we have now witness this since FEC meeting and other important engagements of the government are done online, therefore it is possible.

At the end of the discussion, Ali Sabo thanked Malam Isah for the wonderful one hour engagement and urged everyone to remember to always practice good personal hygiene.

The CITAD senior programme officer thanked all for the opportunity given to him and hopes for a continuous work of sensitizations in our communities.

 

@ICTAdvocates

 

Good afternoon our esteemed audience. It is our pleasure to welcome u once again to another Twitter Chat,today & at this time, we’re hosting our own Senior Programmes Officer, Malam Isah Garba (@isahcitad ) who ‘ll be talking on “How CSOs Can Mobiliz & Sensitize

the Public on #COVID19.

 

@ isahcitad

Gafterno

 

Q 1. @ICTAdvocates

 

Malam Isah Garba (@isahcitad ), it is indeed our pleasure having at this time, we would like to please start by understanding the role civil

society organizations such as @ICTAdvocates and others have played so far in getting the public sensitized on the #COVID19 pandemic

 

Answer

 

Good Afternoon Ali and other esteem audience and welcome to this edition of the chat organized by @ICTAdvocates

 

Q 2. @ChiromaHope

 

Good afternoon Sir and welcome to the the meeting. Now that social gathering are discouraged. How do we reach out to people at rural setting? Especially the ones with no IT infrastructures.

 

Answer

 

@ChiromaHope I think we need to have a basic understanding of the civil society first, the CSOs is not limited of what many ppl percieved they voluntary organizations cut across of ramifications of human endeavurs.

 

Therefore CSOs can be found any where no matter how remote the community may, the may self help group who volunteer to help the ppl in their communities.

 

So reaching out to ppl in rural communities or where ther is no IT facilities is simple, CSOs can use their networks within the CBOs and i doubt if there is rural community without celular phones so that can also be utilized

 

Another avenue of reaching out to them is through the use of Radio, which in area like northrn Nigeria we have more listers of radio then readers or user of the internt

 

Q 3.      @Aliyussufiy

 

What CSOs are doing to ensure that governmental and non-governmental organisations are accountable when it comes to the distribution of palliatives?

 

Answer

 

CSOs work is multidimensional while others work in the area of sensitizations, mobilizations, pallitive support, there are many CSOs working the area of anticorruption and also promotion of accountability, these CSOs are working in diff dimension to ensure

that.

 

 

There are organizations working towards tracking of the palliatives and its distributions while others form part of the team distributing the palliatives as observers and they not only report to their org but

also share the information with the public

 

 

Q 4.     @Aliyussufiy

 

Is @ICTAdvocates using any ICT tool, like tracing apps or any other tool, to help curb the pandemic?

 

Answer

 

currently, @ICTAdvocates is not directly using any app in doing that, but as an organization with large networks we do part with others

 

 

Q 5.        @mukhtars_s

 

@isahcitad . Malam, Governments cannot work alone in responding to the crisis on behalf of vulnerable communities; How has the CSO`s helped initiate a more effective response to humanitarian crises and natural disasters like Covid 19?

 

Answer

 

it is important to note that CSOs motly have the trust of the communities they work, therefore , the community will trust them and agree with all that they may say on the Pandemic morethan what the govt agencies may say.

 

Q 6.       @ Aliyussufiy

 

NNPC implements a tracing application in Nigeria despite warnings that there could be breech of privacy while using the app, did you consider reviewing the app as an ICT development organisation?

 

Answer

 

@ICTAdvocates is an organization that promote internet security and privacy, therefore we can not support any App that may breach into the privacy of the citizens, therefore, if the App has that implications we will advocate its review.

 

  1. 7.             @sagiru_ado

 

CSOs found themselves at critical situation at this trying time where Covid 19 restricts interaction and gathering of ppl. What strategies

@ICTAdvocates set in places with no IT connection and network to complement it’s engagement b/4 the pendamic?

 

Answer

 

@ICTAdvocates that is one of the reasons @ICTAdvocates is using

radio stations in reaching out to its targets and i doubt if there is a community without radio

 

Q 8.            @a_sabo12

 

Sir can we know how Civil Society can mobilize people at grassroots to ensure they stay safe looking at how govt is easing the lockdown in the country?

 

Answer

 

As I said earlier they can reach out through their networks at the grassroots and also through the use of radio stations. This is one of the significances of network formation in the CSOs work, another organizations can help you reach where you cant

 

Q 9.     @MubarakEkute

 

@isahcitad How is Covid-19 affecting Civil Society worldwide? How is it Responding?

 

Answer

 

CSOs are part of the world community and the effect of this pandemic is like that of war its effects depends on your area, so CSOs suffer in the areas of the economy, operations and even the ways they reach out to their targets as we said earlier

 

 

 

Q  10.            @sagiru_ado

 

@ICTAdvocates @isahcitad CSOs swift to execute their operations and office work online due to the pendamic, could this be possible

with government at both state and federal levels?

 

Answer

 

This is possible all they need is to build the capacity of their staff towards that. And we have now wtness this since FEC meeting and other important engagements of the government are done online, therefore it is possible

 

Closed

 

@a_sabo12

 

Here we come to the end of this session, on behalf of everyone at @ICTAdvocates we thanks our Senior Program officer, @isahcitad for the wonderful one hour engagement. Remember to always practice good personal hygiene. Stay safe

 

 

@ isahcitad

 

Let me join Ali in thank you for your time and commitments, I do hope we will continue with the work of sensitizations in our communities. STAY SAFE

 

Twitter Chat with Dr. Hussaini Abdu

According to world health organization, as at 5th July, 2020 – the world has recorded over 11.1 million cases of COVID – 19, about 528, 204 deaths and a total of 216 countries were affected by this pandemic and the most alarming part of the report is; 60% of all the cases so far have been reported just in the past month. This is but pointing at the need for all the tenants of this planet to put in more energy and re-strategize in the battle against this deadly virus.

The issue is now beyond just physical distancing, hand washing, face masking and isolating the suspected and confirmed victims but a comprehensive approach to dealing with the pandemic so no window is left open for its further spread. We must leave not even one of these plus others that may sooner or later be discovered; isolation, testing and caring for every case, tracing and quarantining every contact, equipping and training health workers and educating and empowering communities to protect themselves and others.

Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) have since swung into action doing all it could exploring all the available avenues though investing most of its energy in ICT related approaches which is a key component of the organization’s mandate and series of twitter chats is one of them.

This week, we hosted Dr. Hussaini Abdu, a medical practitioner who discussed and attended to questions on XXXXXX topic.

 

Below is the extract of the chats as lifted from the Twitter platform:

 

  1. Sir, can we know how this pandemic affacet donor agencies especially in Nigeria?

 

Ans.Covid 19 is an important global challenge and a significant shaper of development in the medium term

 

The best contribution you can make to social justice is not giving your life to the struggle, but give the REST of your life – Kumi Naidoo

 

Significant part of Nigeria’s GDP doesn’t pay tax – Emir Sanusi

 

The xter of governance must therefore change if we have to respond to this situation

 

We expect that some of them will like to respond to this crises and therefore divert resources for such purposes

 

Donor resources are drawn from tax payers. Taxes are largely function of the the economy

 

When the economy is good, people are able to pay tax , and when its slows down it effect the revenue profile

 

As COVID 19 slows down the economies of the rich and donor donor countries, we expect donor funds to reduce

 

  1. So how are you planning as implementers of the programs to adjust and ensure important interests are not being neglected?

 

Ans.

We also expect donor priorities to change in receiving countries as they concentrate on public health issues

 

And second, is to ensure our development or programme agenda reflects the realities of our people

 

You will agree with the me that our programme approaches must change as physical contacts reduce

 

  1. Is define our development agenda and engage donors on the basis of that.

 

We should have 2 responses to this this emerging challenges

 

Like we all know, the pandemic is a major humanitarian crisis. How we respond to the crisis will determine how quick we get out of it and how prepared we are for the post Covid 19 context

 

There are also immediate response to this challenge, which is about repurposing our projects to enable us work safely and respond to the COVID 19 pandemic

 

If we engage our donors without understanding our context, then we will be compelled to follow their understanding of our context

 

We also must be seen supporting the response, particularly the most vulnarable of our communities

 

  1. @hussainiabdu is there need for reforms as regards to NGO funding so we can deal with threats like COVID-19? If yes,  what is your suggestion.

 

Ans.

If we engage our donors without understanding our context, then we will be compelled to follow their understanding of our context

 

  1. Dr @hussainiabdu, as someone that led many developmental programs & headed many Donor Organizations in Nigeria, apart from health sectors that we already know donors will focus their attention to, which other sectors will also get the attention of donor?

 

Ans.

 

These will remain important, but also depends on how we advance the issues

 

Nigeria is faced with multi dimensional crisis that revolve around our governance capacity and effectiveness

 

Governance and public accountability is still very important and remain so for donors in Nigeria

 

Others include peace building efforts and community resilience

 

Gender and social inclusion is also another area that will remain important

 

  1. @hussainiabdu With the spread of the Covid-19, development aid and donor agencies face new challenges, going by the this short time frame, what are these challenges and the way out?

 

Ans.

Governance and public accountability is still very important and remain so for donors in Nigeria

 

Nigeria is faced with multi dimensional crisis that revolve around our governance capacity and effectiveness

 

 

51.7 Per Cent Female in Higher Institution Students in Kano Suffers Sexual Assault, Says Report

Centre for Awareness on Justice and Accountability (CAJA), has revealed that more that half population of female students studying in higher institutions in Kano suffered one form of sexual harassment from male academic and non academic staff.

Executive director of the Centre, Kabiru Saidu Dakata disclosed this during a virtual conferences organized by Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) on sexual harassment in higher institutions.

The three hours discussion held on zoom dissected issues around “Knowledge Production Dialogue Series Between Knowledge Production and Body Abuse: Debating Sexual Harassment in Knowledge Production Centres Confirmation in Kano”.

Kabiru who raised concern over the soaring rate of sexual abuse, revealed that recent survey conducted by the centre across universities, polytechnics and colleges of education in Kano, indicated no less than 51.7 percent of female students have suffered some form of assault, abuse or outright rape in the hands of their academic and non-academic staff of their institutions.

According to him, ” Outcome of the survey indicated 45 percent physical touch or kiss by lecturers, 36 percent vocal request for sex from female students, 10 percent actual sex and 6 percent of rape. We also have percentages for cases of mutual resolution, no evidence to validate allegation and those on investigation”.

Although, the CAJA director affirmed circumstances where female students approach their male lectures for assistance, he regretted how lecturers usually take cheap advantage of students weaknesses to offer sexual commodity in exchange.

He also cited lack of effective channel to report case of sexual, inadequate security to protect students and absence of enabling laws to genuinely punish perpetrators of the heinous act as major predicament why rapists would never repent.

” Sexual assault and sometimes rape will continue in our higher institutions especially in Kano where we had our survey, for reasons I will advance. There is no proper and effective communication channel where student can safely report cases of assault.

” In some cases when the school authorities announced that we have set up a committee to look into an open case. You will realised the committee will take several months to ramp up their investigation and at the end of the day, is either the case is resolved amicably without justice or everything is buried.

” Also we find out that security in our schools is not very effective to secure female students. You will also realise that our legal instrument lack the strength to severely met our punishment against rapists, such that will serve as deterrent”.

Communication officer of CITAD, Ali Sabo stressed that the centre is advocating enabling laws to addressing the increasing trend in sexual assault on female students in Kano.

CITAD Advocates Enabling Laws to Address Sexual Assault on Female Students in Kano

Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) is advocating enabling laws to address the increasing trend in sexual assault on female students in Kano State.

The communication officer of CITAD, Ali Sabo, disclosed this during a virtual conference organized by CITAD on sexual harassment in higher institutions, supported by Rosa Luxemburg Foundation West Africa.

At the conference, the Executive Director of Centre for Awareness on Justice and Accountability (CAJA) Kabiru Saidu Dakata, has revealed that more than half population of female students studying in higher institutions in Kano state suffered one form of sexual harassment at the institution.

The three hours discussion held on zoom has a theme: ‘Knowledge Production Dialogue Series Between Knowledge Production and Body Abuse: Debating Sexual Harassment in Knowledge Production Centres Confirmation in Kano’.

Dakata who raised concern over the soaring rate of sexual abuse, revealed that recent survey conducted by CAJA across universities, polytechnics and colleges of education in Kano state, indicated that no less than 51.7 percent of female students have suffered some form of assault, abuse or outright rape in the hands of their academic and non-academic staff of their institutions.

The executive director affirmed circumstances where female students approach their male lectures for assistance, he regretted how lecturers usually take cheap advantage of students’ weaknesses to offer sexual commodity in exchange.

He also cited lack of effective channel to report case of sexual abuse, inadequate security to protect students and absence of enabling laws to genuinely punish perpetrators of the heinous act as major predicament why rapists would never repent.

Fiye da kashi 50 na É—alibai mata da ke manyan makarantu a Kano na fuskantar cin zarafi ta hanyar lalata

Cibiyar Wayar da kan Al`umma akan Shugabanci na gari da Tabbatar da Adalci (CAJA), ta bayyana cewa fiye da rabin dalibai mata da su ke karatu a makarantun gaba da sakandire a jihar Kano suna fuskantar cin zarafi ta hanyar lalata daga malaman da su ke koya musu da kuma ma’aikatan makarantun.

Babban daraktan cibiyar Kabiru Saidu Dakata ne ya bayyana haka, a lokacin da ake gudanar da taron ƙarawa juna sani da Gidauniyar Rosa Luxemburg mai kula da Yammacin Afrika ta ɗauki nauyin gudanarwa tare da haɗin gwiwar Cibiyar bunkasa fasahar sadarwa ta zamani da ci gaban al`umma CITAD, wanda aka shirya a shafin Internet, akan cin zarafin da ake yiwa mata a manyan makarantun gaba da sakandire a jihar Kano.

Taron ƙarawa juna sanin wanda ya ɗauki tsahon awanni 3, an yi muhawara akan samar da ilimi da kuma cin zarafi ta hanyar lalata, cin zarafin mata ta hanyar lalata a manyan makarantun da ke jihar Kano.

Kabiru Dakata wanda ya nuna matuƙar takaicinsa a game da yadda ake ƙara samun cin zarafin mata ta hanyar lalata a manyan makarantun da su ke jihar Kano, ya ƙara da cewa wani bincike da su ka gudanar a jami’o’i da kwalejin kimiyya da fasaha da kuma Kwalejin ilimi da su ke jihar Kano, ya bayyana cewa fiye da kaso 51 na ɗalibai mata suna fuskantar zagi, da cin zarafi ta hanyar lalata, a wasu lokutan ma Malamai da ma’aikatan makarantun na yi musu fyaɗe ta hanyar yi musu barazana akan harkokin karatunsu.

”Sakamakon binciken ya nuna cewa kaso 45 na ɗalibai mata sun fuskanci runguma ko kuma sumbatarsu (Kiss) daga Malamansu, yayin da kaso 36 su ka fuskanci kalaman batsa tare da neman buƙatar yin lalata da su daga Malaman na su, sai kuma kaso 10 da Malaman su ka yi lalata da su, ragowar kaso 6 kuma aka yi musu fyaɗe”

Hakazalika babban daraktan na CAJA ya bayyana irin yanayin da ɗalibai mata su kan tsinci kan su a lokacin da su ka buƙaci wani taimako daga Malaman na su, wanda su kuma su kan yi amfani da wannan damar wajen cimma buƙatarsu.

Kabiru Sa’idu Dakata, ya ce rashin wata takaimaimiyar hanya da ɗaliban da aka ci zarafinsu ta hanyar lalata za su kai rahoto, da kuma ƙarancin jami’an tsaron da za su baiwa ɗaliban kariya tare kuma da rashin dokokin da za su hukunta masu wannan mummunar ɗabi’ar, su ne manyan dalilan da ya sa ake yawan samun ƙaruwar lamarin.

”Za a cigaba da samun cin zarafin mata ta hanyar lalata tare da yi musu fyaɗe a manyan makarantu musamman a nan Kano, inda mu ka gudanar da binciken mu. Kuma zamu cigaba da gudanar da binciken, domin babu hanyoyin da daliban za su kai rahoton abin da ya ke faruwa da su.

”A mafi yawan lokuta idan aka samu faruwar irin wannan al’amarin za ka ji makarantun da abin ya faru a ciki sun kafa kwamitoci, wanda kuma a ƙarshe wannan kwamitin ya kan ɗauki watanni kafin ya fitar da sakamakon binciken, ko kuma a ƙarshe a cimma wata matsaya a sirrance ko a ja a rufe batun gaba daya”

”Mun lura cewa akwai ƙarancin jami’an tsaron da su ke manyan makarantun gaba da sakandire da za su lura da ɗalibai mata. Haka kuma dokokin mu ba su da ƙarfin da za su hukunta masu irin wannan mummunar dabi’ar da hakan zai sanya su zama abin misali”

A ƙarshe jami’in yaɗa labarai na Cibiyar bunkasa fasahar sadarwa ta zamani da ci gaban al`umma CITAD, Ali Sabo, ya ce cibiyarsu tana kokarin ganin ta wayar da kan mutane akan samar da dokokin da za su rage cin zarafin dalibai mata ta hanyar lalata a jihar Kano.

Fiye da Kashi 50 na Dalibai Mata da ke Manyan Makarantu a Kano na Fuskantar Cin Zarafi ta Hanyar Lalata

Cibiyar Wayar da kan Al`umma akan Shugabanci na gari da Tabbatar da Adalci (CAJA), ta bayyana cewa fiye da rabin dalibai mata da su ke karatu a makarantun gaba da sakandire a jihar Kano suna fuskantar cin zarafi ta hanyar lalata daga malaman da su ke koya musu da kuma ma’aikatan makarantun.

Babban daraktan cibiyar Kabiru Saidu Dakata ne ya bayyana haka, a lokacin da ake gudanar da taron ƙarawa juna sani da Gidauniyar Rosa Luxemburg mai kula da Yammacin Afrika ta ɗauki nauyin gudanarwa tare da haɗin gwiwar Cibiyar bunkasa fasahar sadarwa ta zamani da ci gaban al`umma CITAD, wanda aka shirya a shafin Internet, akan cin zarafin da ake yiwa mata a manyan makarantun gaba da sakandire a jihar Kano.

Taron ƙarawa juna sanin wanda ya ɗauki tsahon awanni 3, an yi muhawara akan samar da ilimi da kuma cin zarafi ta hanyar lalata, cin zarafin mata ta hanyar lalata a manyan makarantun da ke jihar Kano.

Kabiru Dakata wanda ya nuna matuƙar takaicinsa a game da yadda ake ƙara samun cin zarafin mata ta hanyar lalata a manyan makarantun da su ke jihar Kano, ya ƙara da cewa wani bincike da su ka gudanar a jami’o’i da kwalejin kimiyya da fasaha da kuma Kwalejin ilimi da su ke jihar Kano, ya bayyana cewa fiye da kaso 51 na ɗalibai mata suna fuskantar zagi, da cin zarafi ta hanyar lalata, a wasu lokutan ma Malamai da ma’aikatan makarantun na yi musu fyaɗe ta hanyar yi musu barazana akan harkokin karatunsu.

”Sakamakon binciken ya nuna cewa kaso 45 na ɗalibai mata sun fuskanci runguma ko kuma sumbatarsu (Kiss) daga Malamansu, yayin da kaso 36 su ka fuskanci kalaman batsa tare da neman buƙatar yin lalata da su daga Malaman na su, sai kuma kaso 10 da Malaman su ka yi lalata da su, ragowar kaso 6 kuma aka yi musu fyaɗe”

Hakazalika babban daraktan na CAJA ya bayyana irin yanayin da ɗalibai mata su kan tsinci kan su a lokacin da su ka buƙaci wani taimako daga Malaman na su, wanda su kuma su kan yi amfani da wannan damar wajen cimma buƙatarsu.

Kabiru Sa’idu Dakata, ya ce rashin wata takaimaimiyar hanya da ɗaliban da aka ci zarafinsu ta hanyar lalata za su kai rahoto, da kuma ƙarancin jami’an tsaron da za su baiwa ɗaliban kariya tare kuma da rashin dokokin da za su hukunta masu wannan mummunar ɗabi’ar, su ne manyan dalilan da ya sa ake yawan samun ƙaruwar lamarin.

”Za a cigaba da samun cin zarafin mata ta hanyar lalata tare da yi musu fyaɗe a manyan makarantu musamman a nan Kano, inda mu ka gudanar da binciken mu. Kuma zamu cigaba da gudanar da binciken, domin babu hanyoyin da daliban za su kai rahoton abin da ya ke faruwa da su.

”A mafi yawan lokuta idan aka samu faruwar irin wannan al’amarin za ka ji makarantun da abin ya faru a ciki sun kafa kwamitoci, wanda kuma a ƙarshe wannan kwamitin ya kan ɗauki watanni kafin ya fitar da sakamakon binciken, ko kuma a ƙarshe a cimma wata matsaya a sirrance ko a ja a rufe batun gaba daya”

”Mun lura cewa akwai ƙarancin jami’an tsaron da su ke manyan makarantun gaba da sakandire da za su lura da ɗalibai mata. Haka kuma dokokin mu ba su da ƙarfin da za su hukunta masu irin wannan mummunar dabi’ar da hakan zai sanya su zama abin misali”

A ƙarshe jami’in yaɗa labarai na Cibiyar bunkasa fasahar sadarwa ta zamani da ci gaban al`umma CITAD, Ali Sabo, ya ce cibiyarsu tana kokarin ganin ta wayar da kan mutane akan samar da dokokin da za su rage cin zarafin dalibai mata ta hanyar lalata a j ihar Kano.

51.7% Kano Female Students Suffer Sexual Assault

By Abdulyassar Abdulhamid 

The Centre for Awareness on Justice and Accountability (CAJA), has revealed that more than half of the population of female students studying in higher institutions in Kano State suffer one form of sexual harassment or another from male academic and non-academic staff. 

Executive Director of the centre, Kabiru Saidu Dakata, disclosed this during a virtual conference organized by the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) on sexual harassment in higher institutions, in collaboration with Rosa Luxamburg Foundation, West Africa.

The three-hour conference dissected issues bordering on “Knowledge Production, Dialogue Series between Knowledge Production and Body Abuse: Debating Sexual Harassment in Knowledge Production Centres Confirmation in Kano.”

According to Dakata, a recent survey conducted by the centre across universities, polytechnics and colleges of education in the State, indicated no less than 51.7 percent of female students have suffered some form of assault, abuse or outright rape in the hands of academic and non-academic staff of their institutions.

He said:”The outcome of the survey indicated 45 percent physical touch or kiss by lecturers, 36 percent vocal request for sex from female students, 10 percent actual sex and 6 percent of rape. We also have percentages for cases of mutual resolution, no evidence to validate allegation and those on investigation.”

He added that in some circumstances female students approach their male lectures for assistance, regretting how lecturers take advantage of the helpless students’ weaknesses to offer sexual commodity in exchange.

He also cited lack of effective channel to report case of sexual, inadequate security to protect students and absence of enabling laws to genuinely punish perpetrators of the heinous acts as major predicament why rapists would never repent.

He added:”Sexual assault and sometimes rape will continue in our higher institutions especially in Kano where we had our survey, for reasons I will advance. There is no proper and effective communication channel where students can safely report cases of assault.

”In some cases when the school authorities announced that we have set up a committee to look into an open case. You will realise the committee will take several months to ramp up their investigation and at the end of the day, its’ either the case is resolved amicably without justice or everything is buried.

”Also, we found out that security in our schools is not very effective to secure female students. You will also realise that our legal instrument lacks the strength to severely met out punishment against rapists, such that will serve as deterrent.”

In his remarks, the Communication officer of CITAD, Mr Ali Sabo, stressed that the centre is advocating for enabling laws to address the increasing trend in sexual assault on female students in the state.