CITAD Holds Interactive Session With Female Journalists To Commemorates Int’l Girl Child Day

A non-governmental organization, Centre for Information Technology and Development CITAD with support from Association for Progressive Communications (APC) is organizing an interactive session with female journalists of eight (8) northern states to commemorate the International Day of the Girl Child.

During the session which took place at Sands and Duns Hotel Damaturu, Yobe state, CITAD Gender Officer, Zainab Aminu said the contribution of the girl child to society-building is invaluable, and it is evident across all major spheres, including education, politics, decision making, media, business and even much more.

Aminu added that despite the odds and unfavorable conditions, there is a lot to celebrate about the girl child this year. “They have been worthy ambassadors and we are proud of them all.” She stated.

She also called on stakeholders, parents and government to give adequate attention to girls’ education, as well as ensure a secure and favorable environment for their learning.

Speaking on the theme of this year’s celebration, ‘Our Time is Now, Our Rights, Our Future’ a Kano based journalist Hannatu Sulaiman Abba, said it was a call for the girl child to be free from all forms of biases and her rights restored.

Hannatu also urged mothers to pay attention to their girl child, teach them to develop the ability to think critically and ensure they have equal participation in decision making, either within the family or at the community level.

The female journalists were drawn from eight (8) northern states of Bauchi, Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, Yobe, Gombe, Adamawa and Plateau.

International Day of the Girl Child is observed on October 11 every year and was first observed on October 11, 2012 by the United Nations. This year commemorates the 10th anniversary of the International Day of the Girl.

The day focuses attention on the need to address the challenges girls face and to promote girls’ empowerment and the fulfillment of their rights.

The theme of International Day of the Girl Child this year is: “Our time is now—our rights, our future.”

Center hosts an interactive discussion with women to celebrate Girl-Child Day

A non-governmental organization, Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) with support from Association for Progressive Communications (APC), has organized an interactive session with female journalists of eight (8) northern states to commemorate the International Day of the Girl Child.

During the session which took place at Sands and Duns Hotel Damaturu, Yobe state, CITAD Gender Officer, Zainab Aminu said the contribution of the girl child to society-building is invaluable, and it is evident across all major spheres, including education, politics, decision making, media, business and even much more.

Aminu added that despite the odds and unfavorable conditions, there is a lot to celebrate about the girl child this year. “They have been worthy ambassadors and we are proud of them all.” She stated.

She also called on stakeholders, parents and government to give adequate attention to girls’ education, as well as ensure a secure and favorable environment for their learning.

Speaking on the theme of this year’s celebration, ‘Our Time is Now, Our Rights, Our Future’ a Kano based journalist Hannatu Sulaiman Abba, said it was a call for the girl child to be free from all forms of biases and her rights restored.

Hannatu also urged mothers to pay attention to their girl child, teach them to develop the ability to think critically and ensure they have equal participation in decision making, either within the family or at the community level.

The female journalists were drawn from eight (8) northern states of Bauchi, Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, Yobe, Gombe, Adamawa and Plateau.

International Day of the Girl Child is observed on October 11 every year and was first observed on October 11, 2012 by the United Nations. This year commemorates the 10th anniversary of the International Day of the Girl.

The day focuses attention on the need to address the challenges girls face and to promote girls’ empowerment and the fulfillment of their rights.

The theme of International Day of the Girl Child this year is: “Our time is now—our rights, our future.”

REPORT OF ONE-DAY TRAINING WORKSHOP ON DIGITAL SKILLS AND THE USE OF SOCIAL
MEDIA FOR ADVOCACY AND ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE ASSOCIATIONS OF PHYSICALLY

By
Sagiru Ado Abubakar

In many states, the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) noted that
people living with disabilities have no access to educational institutions, no appropriate policies
to address their needs and concerns at schools and in place of work. People living with
disabilities face discrimination in matters of admission to high education and in places of
employment. In order to address these challenges CITAD has on Saturday 10 th September, 2022
organized a one-day training workshop on Digital Skills and the use of Social Media for
Advocacy and Accountability for the Physically Challenged People in Kano State. The workshop
was part of CITAD project titled ‘Supporting and Amplifying the Voice of People with Disabilities
to demand for Accountability’ which initiated by CITAD to sensitize the association of PWDs to
raise voice on issues of accountability and inclusion and engage PWDs to tell their stories on the
impact of corruption on their lives. In his opening remark, Malam Sagiru Ado Abubakar, the
coordinator of the project said that this workshop was organized when the centre noted that
People living with disabilities are economically and politically excluded and also lack the voice
to make effective demand for inclusion and accountability on matters that affect them. He said
that there is need to support associations of people living with disabilities to project their voice
and demand for accountability and inclusion as well as help them to sustain that voice.

On his part, the Executive Director of the Centre, Engr. Yunusa Zakari Ya’u said the training will
support the physically challenged in the society and prepare them to be self-reliant and
demanding accountability from the leaders to seek alternative means through social media.
Engr. Ya’u added that the training is one of CITAD’s initiatives aimed at addressing the exclusion
of people with special needs on access to digital skills and the use of social media for advocacy.
The Executive Director was represented by Centre Communication and Campaign Officer, Ali
Sabo who added further that technology can serve as a powerful tool for public opinion that
could compel leaders to be accountable. That’s why the training aimed at bringing PWDs on
board and equipping them with digital skills and use of social media for advocacy.
The first presentation talked about the concept of accountability, it explained that
accountability is about using power responsibly. It involves taking account of the needs,
concerns, capacities and disposition of affected parties, and explaining the meaning of, and
reasons for, actions and decisions. Therefore, it also about the right to be heard and the duty to
respond, based on the following five dimensions: Transparency, Participation, Learning and
Evaluation, Staff Competencies and Attitude, Complaint and Response Mechanism (CRM).
Buhari Abba Rano made the second presentation on the use of social media platforms for
advocacy and accountability. He explained social media platforms as interactive digitally-
mediated technologies that facilitate the creation or sharing/exchange of information, ideas,
career interests, and other forms of expression via virtual communities and networks. When
using social media, Rano said that make sure you can answer questions like:

• Why am I using this platform?

• Who will I reach on this platform?
• What post types work best on this platform?
• How are my posts unique to this platform?

If you have a hard time answering these questions, it might be time to dig deeper into why
you’re investing time there. Answering these questions will also help you develop your strategy
for that platform.
The last presentation was on Content Development by Ali Sabo. He explained that Social Media
Content plays a crucial role in achieving social media objectives such as brand recognition,
thought leadership, audience engagement, and lead generation. He added that, he content
allows you to cement your position as a go-to destination for your target audience, whether it is
for mobilization, advocacy, entertainment, education, or inspiration. According to Malam Ali
effective Social Media content will help you to build long term relationships with your audience.
One of the beneficiaries of the training, Amina Abubakar, described her experience during the
training as challenging and exciting, noting that she intends to further her knowledge in Digital
Skills so as to be competition worthy in the tech space.

REPORT OF THE WOMEN INTERNET GOVERNANCE FORUM 2022 (WIGF2022) ORGANIZED BY
THE CENTRE FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT IN COLLABORATION
WITH NIGERIAN INTERNET GOVERNANCE FORUM HELD ON THE 14 TH OF SEPTEMBER, 2022 VIA
ZOOM

INTRODUCTION
On the 14 th of September, 2022 the Centre for Information Technology and Development held
the 4 th Women Internet Governance Forum as part of the 2022 Internet Governance Forum
activities. The event which is being held annually is part of the Nigerian Internet Governance
Forum (NIGF) pre-event activities., This year, the event theme was Making the Internet for
Livelihood, Love and Life: Tackling Gender and Child Abuse Online and was held online with a
limited physical attendance/participation in Kano. The theme was a well thought one, looking
at the global happenings around gender and child abuse online which has become a norm by
the perpetrators. Madam Marry Udoma, Chair West African Internet Governance Forum served
as the chair with Mrs. Ibukun Odusote, Chair, Kalu D Foundation as the Keynote Speaker while
Jan Moolman, Co-Manager: Women’s Rights Programme, Association for Progressive
Communications served as the Guest Speaker.
Also, two technical sessions were held on Gender Violence Online and Child Protection Online.
At the two sessions, distinguished personalities and experts on Gender Based Violence and
Child Protection spoke and shared their experience and knowledge with the participants. The
first session which was titled Dealing with Gender Violence Online was chaired by Professor
Amina Kaidal of the University of Maiduguri while the speakers at this session were Zainab
Aminu, CITAD Technical Officer, Mrs. Martha Alade, Founder, Women in Technology and Msen
Nabo, Digital Media Associate at Connected Development.
The second session which focused on Dealing with Child Protection Online, had Hajiya Suwaiba
Muhammad Dankabo, Programmes Manager at ActionAid International as chair while Aminu
Adamu Naganye of the Star Newspaper, Harira Wakili, a Gender and Human Rights Activist and
Barrister Aisha Mahdi of Green Edge Attorneys served as the speakers.
OPENING SESSION
In his opening remarks, the Executive Director of CITAD, Y.Z Ya’u started by explaining the
purpose of this year’s WIGF during which he stated that, the essence of organizing the forum
was to encourage discussion, especially among women, on internet governance and harvest
strategies for addressing issues that tend to reinforce the marginalization of women in the
digital space. Mr. Ya’u further stated that the WIGF focuses on two specific issues:

2

  1. Issues of Gender Based Violence: in this regards, Mr. Y.Z said a lot of young women have
    suffered and still suffering from different kind of gender violence from people whose aim was
    to deter them from using the internet. He also lamented that in some cases these young
    women face gender violence by their social media friends. Moreover, the Executive Director
    also said many women especially political aspirants are being abused and castigated on social
    media based on their gender, which contributes in furthering the political marginalization of
    women.
  2. Child Abuse Online: on this, the Executive Director stated that the Federal Government of
    Nigeria has set up panel to advise on a policy framework on how to address this issue. Speaking
    further on this, Ya’u hoped the forum would give the participants a chance to harvest strategic
    ideas that can help in shaping the policy, raise awareness and involve other stakeholders in
    trying to sanitize the digital ecosystem so that the women in particular can be able to make
    effective use of the internet in the country, have access to educational materials and ability to
    use the internet without being harassed or intimidated.
    Speaking about the importance of the internet, Mr. Ya’u stated that internet allows individuals
    and academics to make research when there is accessible and safe internet. Fearing that some
    factors may hinder the proper use of the internet, Ya’u advocated that factors which inhibit
    people from using the internet needed to be removed and issue of affordability should also be
    addressed. He observed that women find it more difficult to access the internet than men due
    to the economic disparity that exists between two.
    Moreover, Ya’u said the aims of the forum were to: improve user security competence among
    women, ensure women are able to use the internet safely & secure their communications and
    that their privacy is well respected. At the end, he emphasized that “we must take internet as a
    right for everybody in the country”
    Giving her remarks at the Forum, the West African Chair of the Internet Governance Forum,
    Mrs. Marry Uduma said in discussing about children and women on the net, we need to first
    understand that these category of people are already being marginalized and a huge gap exists
    in the society. She also stated that women and children are every day being abused and
    violence being meted on them online but little is being done to curtail the situation. Further,
    the West African Chair said, these categories needed to be encouraged and supported to use
    the internet without being harassed and their rights not being violated in order to benefit from
    the ample opportunities the internet presents. At the end she encouraged the participants to
    actively participate at the forum.
    The Keynote Speaker at the Forum, Mrs. Ibukun Odusote, Chair, Kalu D Foundation mentioned
    that in the early days of the internet, it has been a concern to the whole nation. Discussing on

3

the responses to Gender Abuse Online and the multiple questions to address bordering around
gender violence online, the keynote speaker said, there is need to develop campaigns messages
to counter the misusers of the internet and contributed to the current processes of developing
national strategy on child protection online. The speaker also stated that the essence is to find
ways on how to address physical and online abuse, and how to protect vulnerable people from
being harmed on the internet. For this, she said more budget need to be allocated to this area.
Mrs. Ibukun went further to state that under United Nations Charter for Child Protection, every
child is expected to have a fundamental right to education, a right to health and a right to
livelihood, children are supposed to be allowed to speak and to be heard, but a lot of
constraints are preventing them from being able to fully access their fundamental rights
especially in Africa due to the cultural issues. Speaking about the ample advantages of the
Internet, Mrs. Odusate said if there was no internet during the COVID-19 pandemic, many
people could have lost their lives. The internet had also served as school for many children
during the lockdown, however, it also came with many disadvantages where some people used
it to abuse children.
Buttressing child abuse further, the keynote speaker said child and women abuse is a daily
reality in Nigeria; six out of ten children experience one form of abuse or the other, one in four
girls, and ten percent of boys have also been abused according to UNICEF data. She said
Technology when use in the right way has a potential to broaden opportunities and reduce the
level of abuse if there are proper guidance. The keynote speaker also lamented that many
opportunities are still not fully explored, but people tend to use the negative side of the
internet, bullying others and amplifying hate speech on social media platforms.
On the negative consequences of child abuse on education, Mrs. Odusate said report has
shown that one in five children skipped school due to abuse, and of recent, kidnapping of
school children has also brought a lot of problem to children education in the country.
Discussing about the strategies to follow in preventing gender abuse and safety promotion
among children, the speaker said, for that, educational institutions must to be protected as well
as ensuring privacy of children online. For this, government must ensure all the necessary
regulations are in place and civil society organizations need to intensify advocacies to relevant
government agencies on the issues. Also teaching digital literacy and online safety skills will go
a long way in addressing the menace.
Moreover, there was need to articulate and introduce policies on how to prevent the abuses,
promote parental care education, enlightenment on online activities for the children and
women need to be properly educated. There is need for guidelines on installation of
appropriate technology and software to prevent children falling into the traps of their abusers.

4

And creating trauma management techniques and advocacy for protecting young people online
will go a long way in finding the solution to the problem.
In her contribution, the Guest Speaker, Ms. Jan Moolman started her contribution by saying
that the journey for the improvement of women’s rights especially on the internet is a difficult
one, looking at how the internet impact the lives of women from the ICT to digital technology,
from the focus of ICT for D from the 1990s to 2000s and even in the contemporary discussion
regarding privacy, disinformation, misinformation, censorship and hate speech, the role of
women in influencing, shaping and benefiting from digital technology is getting much more
grounded, and this recognition is largely due to the consistent work of organizations and people
in the global south that consistently call for inclusion, diversity and bringing gender approaches
to all the work that concerned human rights, both online and offline. Information around
gender based violence has been at the core of this work and has duly serve in bringing different
actors into the same room to find solution, the speaker added. She went further to say that it
took many years of lobbying and advocacy and work within women movement, including
building knowledge, research, campaigning, sharing experience and finally getting a common
language to get recognition on violation women experience when they are online. And this
work and persistency led to the 2018 adaptation of the UN Human Rights Council first ever UN
resolution on preventing and responding to violence against women and girls in digital context
and other different resolutions including the recent one in Africa has brought more relief to
women and girls in the continent.
Speaking on the issues APC and its partners pay more attention to when it comes to women
rights and digital technology, Ms. Moolman mentioned the followings:

  1. Joy, hope and Justice: according to the Guest speaker, for people who experienced
    violence online, there is hope they can find joy with regards to connection, information,
    solidarity, friendship, fun and even in some cases love. And for this, APC and its partners
    think it is important to encourage people to continue the work they are doing and to
    keep women safe and in a productive way on the digital space.
  2. Access: Even though women face many forms of violence online but there is need to
    ensure they have access to online platforms as easily and affordable as possible in order
    to carry out their normal activities. Emphasizing on how women are being marginalized
    when it comes to accessing the internet, the speaker said, the 2019 ITBU report stated
    that globally only 48% of women are online and in the global south this is even lower at
    28%. This according her shows that there is wide gap between the connected and
    unconnected in the society. And unless we are able to address the issue of accessibility,
    many women and marginalized communities will remain in darkness and their voices
    silent.

5

  1. Third is about companies that own social media platforms that are regulating contents
    that lacks clarity and consistency and which upon violate the rights of people without
    accountability or remedy. These companies are determining online discourses with
    focus on profits at the expense of users’ privacy and rights.
  2. The fourth is about how feminists organizing online and offline are expanding and taking
    new forms. These groups are upon targeting for gender based violence online and it
    sometimes manifest to offline spaces.
    FIRST TECHNICAL SESSION: DEALING WITH GENDER VIOLENCE ONLINE
    CHAIR: Professor Amina Kaidal
    PANELISTS: Martha Alade, Zainab Aminu, Msen Nabo
    The first technical session was on Dealing with Gender Violence Online. The session which was
    chaired by Professor Amina Kaidal of the University of Maiduguri had Mrs. Martha Alade,
    Founder of Women InTechnology, Zainab Aminu, Gender Technical Officer, Centre for
    Information Technology and Development and Msen Nabo, Digital Media Associate at
    Connected Development.
    In her presentation, Zainab Aminu started by defining the Gender-Based violence which
    according to her refers to harmful acts directed at an individual based on their gender and
    rooted in gender inequality, the abuse of power and harmful norms.  Mss. Aminu said Gender-
    based violence (GBV) is a serious violation of human rights and a life-threatening health and
    protection issue, which is estimated that one in three women experiences sexual or physical
    violence in their lifetime.
    Zainab further stated that gender violence is not a new phenomenon; it has been existing since
    time immemorial which can include sexual, physical, mental and economic harm inflicted in
    public or in private and threats of violence, coercion and manipulation. Mss. Aminu also said
    gender violence can take many forms such as intimate partner violence, sexual violence, child
    marriage, female genital mutilation and so-called ‘honour crimes’ while its consequences are
    devastating and can have life-long repercussions for survivors. 
    Speaking about the impact of cyber violence, the speaker said it differs according to the victim’s
    gender. She gave an example with a study conducted by the Pew Research Centre which
    revealed that 38% of harassed women found their most recent experience with online
    harassment extremely or very upsetting, compared to only 17% of harassed men. The research
    further said that compared to male users, who tend to be more concerned about damage to
    their reputation, females are more likely to fear physical harm. This corresponds to the nature
    of online abuse these groups experience. Where men and boys are more likely to be victims of
    defamation and libel, women are more likely to be subjected to derogatory remarks or sexual

6

images and threats, such as non-consensual pornography. She gave another example with
another study which found that female college students (age 18-24) who were victims of offline
stalking were three times more likely to be stalked online than their male counterparts. The
study also found that “while particular variables influence victimization risk among females,
virtually none of the variables in the analyses produced statistically significant relationships
with victimisation among males”.
Moreover, Zainab said key distinction between offline and online gender-based cyber violence
is that it is significantly more difficult “to permanently remove abusive or triggering content
from the Internet, which obliges the survivor to re-experience their victimisation all over again.”
This can exacerbate the psychological impacts of these forms of violence, such as flashbacks of
the incident and/or perpetrator, as well as increase the victim’s isolation period.
Discussing on the long term negative impact of gender violence online, Zainab said the greatest
impact that women experience is self-censorship. Women start censoring themselves online.
And that is what the abusers want. Another impact she said is that online violence attempts to
keep women from major sectors of the public sphere because public only take physical violence
seriously. The third impact is that some women leave the online platform [after being
harassed]. The forth impact which is being associated with online violence is public health issue
and the effects which results in physical, sexual, psychological or economic harm, and erodes
self-esteem.
Offering some solutions on how one can protect selves online, Zainab Aminu mentioned the
followings:
• Creating a strong password 
• Having different passwords for different accounts
• Downloading apps from authentication platforms and using two factor verification
• Logging out of accounts when not in use
• Not using public WIFI for sharing sensitive information 
At the end the speaker said, to stop gender violence online, there is need for public awareness
in order for people to understand it consequences which in many cases metamorphosed to
offline.
The second speaker, Mrs Martha Alade started by quoting the 1993 UN Declaration on the
Elimination of Violence against Women which defines ‘violence against women’ as an act of
gender-related violence (GBV) that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual,
psychological or economic harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion
or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life [or online].

7

Discussing on the different types of Gender Violence Online, Mrs Alade said it includes; Doxing
(leaking unauthorized info to public), Sexist abuse, Hate speech, Threat to free expression,
Threat to privacy, Impersonation, Defamation, Gender-based discriminatory memes,
Cyberstalking, Online misogyny etc. On the category of people that experience Gender
Violence, Mrs Martha said women and girls from marginalised communities are the easy
targets and their voices are often unheard. Mrs Alade also said, in most of the times, girls in
local communities are being violated but they are not even aware they are being violated. She
gave a scenario on a case they worked on which happened to a small girl in a community they
are working in and the girl was abused but due to lack of proper awareness about the issue she
was not even aware she was abused until she was examined then it was discovered the girl was
violated.
At the end, the speaker said, to stop gender violence the followings need to be considered

  1. Education in local languages
  2. Increase Sensitization/Advocacy – culturally responsive and relevant
  3. Consent and privacy
  4. Human Rights Enforcements by Public and Private
  5. Employ AI for Filtering offensive contents
  6. Content Enhancement
  7. Enable more support and help channels for victims
  8. Drive programs that amplify voices of the marginalized women and girls
  9. Support NGOs working around the subject

The third at this technical session, Miss Msen Nabo, Digital Media Associate at Connected
Development said appealing to governments to take the issue of GBV more serious is
something its advocates need to take beyond social media and also people’s attitudes need to
be changed. Mss. Nabo also stated that Gender Violence especially online is something that
people come across everyday but most of the times the victims ended up being punished by the
society. The gender activist said when victims of gender violence try to speak out against the
violence mated on them they usually receive silent feedback or they are advised to keep mute
in order to protect their image.
Mss. Msen went further to say that a clear example where government is an accomplice to this
act is the case of Kano State where the State House of Assembly refused to domesticate the
Child Protection Act even though the state is ranked among the states with high rate of gender

8

based violence and child abuse. According her, this need intense advocacies and awareness
creation.
Speaking further on how people violate others on social media platforms, Mss. Nabo stated
that sharing someone’s pictures, address, videos without his/her consent are all forms of
violence online and these types of violence can turn to offline. And for this, she suggested that
advocacies and awareness creation need to be carried out in order to stop it.

SECOND TECHNICAL SESSION: DEALING WITH CHILD ABUSE ONLINE
CHAIR: Hajiya Suwaiba Muhammad Dankabo
PANELISTS: Barrister Aisha Mahdi, Harira Wakili, Aminu Adamu Naganye
The second session was moderated by Hajiya Suwaiba Y. Dankabo of ActionAid Nigeria and the
Three (3) distinguished personalities and experts on Gender Based Violence and Child
Protection spoke and shared their experience and knowledge with the participants.
A Gender and Internet Right Advocate, Harira Abdulrahman Wakili started her presentation
with explaining the ample opportunities internet presents to young generations, Mss. Wakili
said that growing up internet offers limitless opportunities through computers, smartphones,
gaming consoles, and televisions, children learn, imagine and develop their social networks. But
she cautioned that these platforms need to be used in the right way, where she stated that
when these are used in the right way – and accessible to all – the internet has the potential to
broaden horizons and ignite creativity. She also said that with these opportunities come serious
risks. Harira added that cyberbullying and other forms of peer-to-peer violence can affect
young people each time they log on to social media or instant messaging platforms. Speaking
about what children can be exposed to on the net, Miss Wakili mentioned that when browsing
the internet, children may be exposed to hate speech and violent content – including messages
that incite self-harm and even suicide. According to her, what happens online reflects the
realities children face every day – at home, at school and in their wider communities. In
conclusion, Ms. Wakili emphasized that every child must be protected from violence,
exploitation and abuse on the internet.
The Second speaker at this session was Barrister Aisha H. Mahdi of Green Edge Attorneys, who
emphasized that with the widespread use of the Internet, the advancement in technology and
the proliferation of Internet-enabled devices have created borderless and unlimited access to
information. Barr. Aisha said progress brings by the internet has given the bad eggs in the
society the opportunities to exploit, put the children at risk, and make them vulnerable to
abuse. She said that there is an urgent need to balance the immense benefits of technology,
commercial interest and ensuring online safety of children with appropriate safeguards and
strong legal and institutional framework. Speaking on the safety on children online, the speaker

9

said there is a growing concern about the safety and privacy of children online which is amongst
the problems identified by relevant stakeholders in Nigeria.
Discussing about the internet penetration in the country, Barrister Mahdi said as internet
penetration increases, more children are connected to the grid, and this gives the children
better understanding of technology than the average adult. The speaker also mentioned that
new phones, smart toys, computers, and privileges for using a device give birth to new
responsibilities. Speaking about the exposure of the children to social media, Aisha stated that
the increased use of social media and online services allows children to share and consume
tremendous volume of personal information online. And at the same time the children use the
Internet as a means to learn, share and participate in civic life.
The legal practitioner added that in Nigeria, Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution and Section 8
of the Child Rights Act provide for children’s right to privacy. And Section 23 of the Cybercrimes
Act 2015 punishes child pornography. The Cybercrimes (Prohibition and Prevention) Act also
criminalizes cyberbullying and cyber stalking that could affect children. According to her,
though the Act punishes consumption of such contents and provides for other offenses, there is
no other specific legal guidelines or direction to protect the online safety and privacy of the
Nigerian child. Giving recommendations on how to safeguard children online, Barrister Aisha
Mahdi said:
i. Nigeria needs an online privacy protection law for children which will seek to protect
the personal information of children on websites, online services and applications
and it should be binding on online service providers collecting the personal data of
children to ensure consent management.
ii. Service providers should require the consent of the parents or guardians if the data
collection affects a child below the established age.
iii. There is need to digitalize the Nigerian courts and repeal some laws to ensure
efficient and quick judgments related to children abuses

Sharing his experience at the forum, a Kano based journalist, Aminu Adamu Naganye of The
Star Newspaper said Internet Service Providers and Electronic Service Providers need to ensure
their platforms are secure and do not put children at risk. He added that Service providers
should implement privacy and security by design and default. Service Providers have to do
more in creating and ensuring age-appropriate contents by managing content and dealing
effectively with abuse, misuse of their platforms and illegal contact with children.
Aminu Naganye said the legal framework alone cannot guarantee complete protection for the
Nigerian child. Excessive regulation will stifle children’s participation and access to the immense
benefits of the internet. Speaking further, Mr. Naganye said there is need for increased digital
literacy for both children and their parents/guardians. According him, providing this will ensure
children implement best privacy preferences, understand the implication of oversharing, and
have good online behavior. Another recommendations the journalist gave was that
parents/guardians should ensure they always install safety tools on their wards’ devices which
will protects children from inappropriate behavior and laying their hands on inappropriate

10

online contents. It will also prevents disclosure of personal information and assist parents and
guardians manage time spent on the devices.

CLOSING
Following the presentations, participants asked questions and made comments as well offered
specific recommendations that would help in making the internet safer for both women and
children. This segment also allowed the presenters to clarify on some of the issues they raised
and positions advanced as well as father interrogated some of the proposed solutions to the
challenges that women and children face online. Participants agreed that there was need to
carry both the discussion and the proposed solutions offline to reach more people and
especially engage government and other stakeholders to respond to these challenges so that
both women and children would use the internet safely and productive to ensure that it serves
their needs.
The organizers also promised to distill the recommendations and issue a communique as the
outcome of the Forum while exploring all possibilities to continue to engage both the
participants at this Forum as well as other stakeholders to mount a sustained public awareness
on the issues and an advocacy for action to address the problems,

Invitation for Participation in a Three-Day Workshop on Data Analysis Using Stata for Humanities and Social Sciences

Introduction

There has been a major improvement in the quality of data analysis in quantitative research in the social sciences across the world. This is largely due three factors. First, the availability of computer hardware and software which has simplified data analysis. Second, major developments in the underlying statistical theories and better upstanding of thematic issues, various subject matter theories and their adaptation for applied research. Third, availability of research data. We have developed the ability to collect or tease out high quality social research data at individual household, firm, national and global levels.

However, to effectively use quantitative data analysis a researcher has to get several things right. The data has to be effectively harnessed and explained. The appropriate theory has to be used as a foundation for this endeavor.

While theory is being effectively taught in our universities, applied data analysis is still very weak at best and completely absent in most places.

This is where CITAD is going to make an intervention, by organizing a three-day hands-on workshop on applied data analysis using Stata. The first workshop will be an introductory course with emphasis on primary data analysis. In future it will become a data analysis training series. Other types of data analysis such as advanced primary data, time series data, panel data, multi-criteria data, big data, simulation, Bayesian analysis will be taught.

The main objectives are to improve the quality of degree research findings. This will translate into better policy recommendations that will lead to implementation of evidence-based policies in Nigeria.

Stata statistical software will be used for the workshop because it is suited for primary data analysis. Other types of software will be introduced for later depending on the type of type to be covered by future workshops.

Duration: Three days intensive hands-on workshop

Software: Stata17

Target participants: Postgraduate students of Nigerian public universities

Venue: CITAD Head office

Date: Tuesday 11th to Thursday 13th October, 2022

Proposed topics

  • Introduction to social statistics
  • Types of social data
  • Introduction to Stata
  • Data management
  • Descriptive statistics
  • Graphics
  • Contingency table
  • Measures of central tendency and dispersion
  • More on descriptive statistics
  • Inferential statistics
  • Causal relationship
  • Correlation
  • Regression analysis

If you will like to participate please go the following website https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1JdIxzh1wrCg6U59Qaf_fryIS29K0Yx66dV65AbC9FY4/edit

 to complete data form.

Application deadline: Monday 3rd October 2022

Requirements

Prospective participant must be:

  1. A dully registered graduate student of social sciences and humanities in any public university in Nigeria. Academic staff of any public owned tertiary institution can also apply. Evidence will be required during the selection process.
  2. Computer literate.
  3. Willing to devote three days needed for the workshop.

The workshop is free as part of CITAD’s educational services. However, participants from outside Kano will be responsible for their travel and accommodation.

CITAD EMPOWERS PEOPLE WITH VISION IMPAIRMENT ON DIGITAL SKILLS AND USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA FOR ADVOCACY AND ACCOUNTABILITY

People living with disabilities are not only economically marginalized and politically excluded but also lack the voice to make effective demand for inclusion and accountability on matters that affect them. In many states, such people have no access to educational institutions, no appropriate policies to address their needs and concerns at schools and in places of work and they face outright discrimination in matters of admission to high education and in places of employment. Although they have been associations, most of the associations by people with disabilities have taken the form of seeking for economic support rather than address the systemic constrains that make them to remain economically marginalized and generally excluded from political processes. At the national level, advocacy has resulted in the establishment of the National Commission for Disabilities. However, at state levels, there are hardly policy responses to their plight. Educational institutions lack policies to ensure that campuses are conducive for people living with disabilities. In its effort to support associations of people living with disabilities to project their voice and demand for accountability and inclusion as well as help them to sustain that voice, Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has on Saturday, 27th August, 2022 conducted a one-day Training Workshop on Digital Skills and use of Social Media for Advocacy and Accountability for People with Vision Impairment in Kano. The workshop was organized for the Visually Impaired Educational Forum of Special education School Tudun Maliki, Kano (VIEFSESMT) aimed to catalyze a voice for the demand for inclusion and accountability of people living with disabilities Kano State.In his welcome remark, Sagiru Ado Abubakar who coordinates the activities of PWDs in CITAD said that the training workshop was part of ‘Disabilities, ICTs and the Quest for Inclusive Development’ forum held on June this year at CITAD Annex, Women Development Centre, Court Road, Kano to discuss challenges that people living with Disabilities face in accessing and using ICTs. He informed the participants that CITAD wants see PWDs discussions on social media on issues that touch their lives and advocate for inclusion and accountability in governance issues. He added that during such engagement with PWDs there will be weekly interactive radio programs to create and support voice of PWDs demanding for accountability and inclusion.CITAD Communication and Campaign Officer, Malam Ali Sabo represented the Centre Executive Director at the event. Sabo said that the training is one of CITAD’s initiatives aimed at addressing the exclusion of people with special needs on access to digital skills and the use of social media for advocacy. He stated that the training will support the physically challenged in the society and prepare them to be independent and self-reliant and demand accountability from the leaders to seek alternative means through social media. He finally encouraged the participants to make use of technology as powerful tool for public opinion that they could compel leaders to be accountable.The first presentation talked about the concept of accountability, it explained that accountability as about using power responsibly. It involves taking account of the needs, concerns, capacities and disposition of affected parties, and explaining the meaning of, and reasons for, actions and decisions. Therefore, it also about the right to be heard and the duty to respond, based on the following five dimensions: Transparency, Participation, Learning and Evaluation, Staff Competencies and Attitude, Complaint and Response Mechanism (CRM).Buhari Abba Rano made the second presentation on the use of social media platforms for advocacy and accountability. He explained social media platforms as interactive digitally-mediated technologies that facilitate the creation or sharing/exchange of information, ideas, career interests, and other forms of expression via virtual communities and networks. When using social media, Rano said that make sure you can answer questions like:Why am I using this platform?Who will I reach on this platform?What post types work best on this platform?How are my posts unique to this platform?If you have a hard time answering these questions, it might be time to dig deeper into why you’re investing time there. Answering these questions will also help you develop your strategy for that platform.The last presentation was on Content Development by Ali Sabo. He explained that Social Media Content plays a crucial role in achieving social media objectives such as brand recognition, thought leadership, audience engagement, and lead generation. He added that, he content allows you to cement your position as a go-to destination for your target audience, whether it is for mobilization, advocacy, entertainment, education, or inspiration. According to Malam Ali effective Social Media content will help you to build long term relationships with your audience.

FOURTH SESSION WORKSHOP FOR ANTI CORRUPTION CLUB MENTORS

To make sure that anti-corruption club activities survive in the long term and have
a long-lasting impact even once the support runs out, the Centre for Information
Technology and Development (CITAD) has on Wednesday 7 th July, 22 conducted
the fourth session workshop for anti- corruption club mentors. The workshop was
last part of the Master Training to build the capacity of the selected teachers
which in return will step the training down to the anti corruption clubs formed in
their respective schools. CITAD has been implementing a project titled ‘Engaging
Students of Secondary Schools for Raising Awareness about Corruption and
Accountability’ supported by MacArthur Foundation, with the following
objectives:
 Inculcate in the minds of the students an early understanding of the
negative impact of corruption on the society
 Use the opportunity of the engagement of the students to raise public
awareness about corruption and how to fight it
 Encourage students to think critically on how to address the menace of
corruption in the society.
In his opening remarks, Malam Kamilu Isa said that the last part of the training
workshop aimed to understand the challenges that the anti corruption clubs
might face that will hider sustainability of the anti corruption clubs activities in
schools and proposed possible solutions. He said that lots of project final results
do not longer last after the life span of projects. He added that CITAD wants make
sure that the resources spent on this project are not lost.
Malam Isa Garba, Senior Program Coordinator made the first presentation. He
said that the Anti graft club like any other social clubs among the clubs and
societies in our secondary schools is designed to create an effective and
sustainable change among teenagers so as to inculcate in them the needed
attitude that are transformed into them through the clubs activities. Therefore,
the anti corruption clubs, are aimed at developing the clubs members to not only
grow with the attitude of hating corruption but also working towards its
eradication in their schools. Thus, equipping them to be anti corruption vanguards

when they grow up and join the larger spectrums in the society. He then listed the
following as challenges that the anti corruption clubs might have face that will
hinder their sustainability
 Scarce Resources; for example financial resources, are very scarce, most
secondary schools function on shoestring budgets and are expected to fund
fragmented extracurricular events. The small amount collected by the
schools management as clubs and societies fees, or as general registration
fees can not cater for the cost of running the schools while membership
contributions often deter students from actively participating the club
activities
 Lack of Inceptive: lack of incentive to improve their competencies in
extracurricular coaching has a ripple effect on teachers. Few have been in
schools where the principal is an extracurricular enthusiast and in many
instances principals do not value the contribution of social activities for
developing a healthy body to contribute to the development of a healthy
mind
 Lack of Interest: When principals or teachers do have an interest in one
particular sport, the tendency is to focus on that resulting in neglect of
other valuable sporting activities. This leaves learners with no option but to
participate in the sport that is offered even if they may not have an interest
in it. Many may choose not to participate, with the detrimental effects that
follow.
Hamza Ibrahim presented the second paper on mobilizing stakeholders to support
anti corruption clubs in schools. He explained that stakeholders are individuals,
bodies, pressure groups, CSOs, government agencies etc that share some form of
commonality with the task, work or assignment you are handling. He first urged
the anti corruption club mentors to conduct a mapping of all anti-corruption
related agencies and institutions. They should hold an introductory session
inviting stakeholders such as parents, community and religious leaders, CSOs,
government officials, KSSSMB, etc. They should then seek for collaboration with
the anti-corruption agencies and the stakeholders and reach out to media, seek to
feature in their programmes, invite them to cover your activities, pay them

advocacy visits-tell them about the initiative. He lastly said that stakeholders are
mobilized for reasons such as support, knowledge sharing, strength tapping,
consultation/counselling, networking building and collaboration.
The last presentation was made by Dr. D.J Usman, Provost, Kano State Anti
Corruption Institute. Dr. Usman shared ways that the Kano anti corruption
institute hopes to mainstream teaching of anti-corruption in schools.
In the first group work, participants were divided into three and asked to work on
the following:

  1. How do we address the challenges of sustainability of anti-corruption clubs
    in schools?
  2. What are the challenges?
  3. What are the probable solutions?
    Below were the group findings:
    Group one work
    Question one
     Club should have the specific date and time in acceptance by the school
    authority
     Enlighten the school management, colleagues, students and stakeholders
     Funding should come from the stakeholders and students
    Question two
     Time
     Interest
     Financial/sources of fund
     Stigmatization
    Question three
     Activities should be done during break time

 Students should be encouraged by giving them different examples of
corruption and its effect in the society
Those involve should be encouraged to fund the club so as to be sustain
2 nd work
Question one
 Funding
 Commitment to duty
 Transitional successions
 Motivation through certification
Question two
 Funding should be sourced from the community, stakeholders and school
management
Question three
 Enlightenment
 Invitation
 Consultation
 Collaboration
Group two work
Question one
 Informing the school management
 Club mentor should have a partner who will be helping
 Selection of club members should be from all arms S.S 1, 2 and 3
Question two
 Lack of resources
 I don’t care attitude from the mentors
 Lack of support from the school management

 Undemocratic selection of the club members
Solutions
 Providing adequate resources from the school management, PTA,
community and other stakeholders
 Tolerance, endurance, and putting more effort from the students and the
entire stakeholders
 Selection of club members should base of the student interest
2 nd work
Question one
 Stakeholders
 Mentors
 Club members
 Question two
 From individuals, bodies, CSOs, pressure groups, government agencies etc
Question three
 Notifying the stakeholders
 Launching of calendar containing club activities
 Establishing entrepreneurship among club members
 Contribution from mentors and club members
Group three work
Question one
 By mobilizing the stakeholders to support the anti-corruption clubs in
schools
 Motivating new members to join the club
 The students should choose their own leaders by themselves
 Teachers should participate in the club activities
 Mentors should contribute money for conducting programs

 Seek to collaborate with other teachers in related discipline such as civic
education, religious studies,
Question two
Get more than one mentor in case of transfer or retirement to oversee the
activities of the club
Mentors should take care of other club activities
 Taking pictures documenting the program of the event
 Seek collaboration with anti corruption agencies and stakeholders
 By donations from the teachers, school management and dues from
students
 By mobilizing stakeholders for support
 By setting goals and objectives of the clubs
 Inviting the stakeholders to the club activities
Second group work
Question one
 Time factor
 Lack of support from the school management
 Lack of incentives to improve the school activities
 Lack of interest from the students and staff
 Contributions often deter students from participating in the activities of the
club
 Understanding the interest of principal and students
 Create awareness on the program for the students
At the end of the workshop and as next step, participants agreed to immediately
start the local quiz after Sallah break.

CITAD trains 40 champions of GBV, harps on advocacy

By Rabiu Musa

HOTPEN – In its sustained effort to curtail violence against gender in Kano, the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), has conducted the 2nd edition of training for 40 champions to advance the cause of advocacy against gender violence in the state.

The training, according to the organization is aimed at deepening the knowledge of the participants on violence against gender, response, monitoring, and approaches to eliminate the scourge among societies.

The Centre’s Gender Technical Assistant, Zainab Aminu made this known while fielding questions from Journalists in Kano.

HotPen reports that the training, supported by Ford Foundation took place at Hall B, CITAD main office, Kano.

Aminu noted that “Gender violence is a harmful act directed at individuals or groups of people with malicious intent and this posed a significant threat to the general well-being of human societies”.

She said, “The prevalence of gender-based violence among societies is quite disturbing, as it hinders inclusive economy, educational, technological participation, etc, thus, the need to train champions and assist in carpeting the menace in Kano”.

According to her, the champions, selected from various communities in Kano will be empowered to conduct step-down training in their respective claimes to spread a word against gender violence.

“The champions comprised of both men and women as well as people living with disabilities”.

Speaking to HotPen during the training, one of the participants, Fareedah Zahraddeen said the training has provided with her an opportunity to learn how to report, respond amicably and create a robust sensitization campaign on the nemesis of gender violence in her host communities.

Fareedah noted with dismay how stereotyping is gaining ground in our societies, adding that it’s imperative to continue creating an impactful awareness campaign aimed at reducing the menace from one to zero.

Kano Chief Iman Commends CITAD On Gender Violence Campaign, Extols The Position of Women in Islam

Kano Chief Iman Commends CITAD On Gender Violence Campaign, Extols The Position of Women in Islam

By Rabiu Musa

HOTPEN – The Chief Imam of Kano Central Mosque, Professor Muhammad Sani Zaharaddeen said the position of women in Islam is very noble, packed with honor, gentleness, and all attributes of dignities.

Professor Zaharaddeen made this known when he received the project team on gender-based violence from the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), in his office in Kano.

The Chief Imam said Prophet Mohammed (S.A.W), stressed that women should be treated well, saying: “So act kindly towards women.”

The Imam also added that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was most emphatic in enjoining Muslims to be kind to their women when he delivered his famous khutba on the Mount of Mercy at Arafat in the presence of his Companions who had gathered there for the Hajj al-Wada (Farewell Pilgrimage).

Professor Zaharaddeen said whenever he honor the Qur’anic graduation invitation he preached to the Muslim Ummah to treat women with respect and kindness.

While responding, the Centre Gender Officer, Zainab Aminu revealed that CITAD is worried at the rate of cases concerning sexual violence is rising which is why the center started campaigning against this menace with support from Ford Foundation.

She charged Chief Imam to use his vintage position to continue preaching against the menace of sexual and gender-based violence, particularly against women and girls.

Miss Aminu also said gender-based violence was more of culture, tradition, and attitude rather than religion, declaring that Islam had stipulated the rights of women.

According to her, “if a woman is not well educated, actually she will not be able to contribute to the decision that is taken as enshrined in the Qur’an.

“We want to see our women well educated and the involvement of more in decision making in different spheres of human lives”.

“We are encouraging the Imams and Ulamas to use their sermons to preach against SGBV in the mosques because it is a serious issue, a menace that is affecting the entire society,”

Professor Zaharaddeen commended CITAD on their effort toward enlightening the public on gender-based violence.

EVENTS FOR THE WEEK TO 8TH TO 14TH AUG 2022

EVENTS FOR THE WEEK TO 8TH TO 14TH AUGY 2022

  1. Event: Continuation of DICI_YOW Training
    Date: Monday, 1st August, 2022
    Time: 1:pm
    Venue: CITAD Academy Women Centre Gyadi-Gyadi Court Road
    For more Information, please contact suhail@citad.org
  2. Event: Continuation of DIT programme
    Venue: CITAD Training Center, Itas Office, Bauchi State.
    Date: Monday 13th to 14th August, 2022
    Time: 10:00am
    For more information, please contact muneeb@citad.org
  3. Programme: Criminality in a Society; Causes & How to Curtail it
    Anchor: Sheik Abbas Alhassan
    Date: Every Monday
    Time: 11am -11:30am
    Venue: CITAD Online Radio
    For more Information, please contact asabo@citad.org
  4. Program: Likitan CITAD Topic: Farfadiya Epelapsy
    Guest: Dr. Kabiru A. Yusuf
    Venue: CITAD Online Radio
    Date: Duk Ranar Litinin
    Time: 2:30pm
    For more Information, please contact asabo@citad.org
  5. Event: Continuation of DICI_YOW training
    Date: Monday, 8th to 14th August, 2022
    Time: 9:00am
    Venue: CITAD NBTE Centre Women Centre Court Road Kano
    For more information, please, contact suhail@citad.org
  6. Event: Continuation of Digital creativity and Innovation for young Women and girls.
    Venue: CITAD Training Center GSS Itas, Bauchi State.
    Date: Monday 8th to 14th August 2022
    Time: 10:00am
    For more Information, please, Contact: muneeb@citad.org
  7. Event: Online Radio Joint Committee Meeting
    Date: Tuesday, August 9, 2022
    Time: 3pm
    Venue: CITAD Kano
    For more Information please contact info@citad.org
  8. Event: Hate Speech Team Meeting
    Date: Tuesday, August 9, 2022
    Time: 11am
    Venue: CITAD Kano
    For more Information please contact hamza@citad.org
  9. Event: Itas Community Network Meeting on way forward.
    Date: Tuesday 9th-August-2022
    Time: 4:00am
    Venue: Central Science primary school Itas, Itas-Gadau LGA Bauchi State Nigeria.
    For more Information please contact muneeb@citad.org
  10. Event: Business Committee Meeting
    Date: Wednesday, August 10, 2022
    Time: 3pm
    Venue: CITAD Kano
    For more Information please contact info@citad.org
  11. Programme: Public Speaking Is Not a Barrier
    Anchor: Sheik Abbas Al-hassan
    Date: Every Wednesday
    Time: 10:30
    Venue: CITAD Online Radio
    For more Information, please contact asabo@citad.org
  12. Event: Monthly mentorship experience sharing of DLP beneficiaries
    Date: Wednesday 10th August, 2022
    Venue: CITAD Hall B
    Time: 2:00pm
    For more Information please contact ibrahim@citad.org
  13. Event: Digital creativity and Innovation for young Women Training.
    Venue: CITAD Office Jama’are.
    Date: Monday, 8th-Wed 10th, August, 2022.
    Time: 10:00am- 12: 30pm
    For more Information, please, Contact: dahiru@citad.org
  14. Event: Digital creativity and Innovation for young Women Training.
    Venue: CITAD Office Jama’are.
    Date: Tuesday 8nd to Thursday 11th August, 2022.
    Time: 10:00am- 12: 30pm
    For more Information, please, Contact: dahiru@citad.org
  15. Event: NBTE Committee Meeting
    Date: Tuesday-Wednesday, 8th-9th August, 2022
    Time: 3:00am
    Venue: CITAD Kano Conference Hall
    For more Information, please isyaku@citad.org
  16. Event: DLP Radio program
    Date: Every Thursday
    Venue: Premier Radio FM 102.7
    Time: 4pm-5pm
    For more information, please contact ibrahim@citad.org
  17. Event: Twitter Chat on COVID19 Vaccination Centres in Kano
    Date: Every Thursday, 2022
    Time: 2:30pm
    Venue: Twitter.
    For more Information, please contact hamza@citad.org
  18. Program: LITERACY CAN’T WAIT
    Anchor: Patience Obande
    Date: Every Thursday
    Time: 11am
    Venue: CITAD Online Radio
    For more Information, please contact asabo@citad.org
  19. Event: Martabar Ƴa Mace
    Venue: Guarantee Radio FM
    Date: Every Thursday, July 2022
    Time: 11:00am – 12:00PM
    For more Information, please contact: buhari@citad.org
  20. Event: KANSIS Planning Committee meeting
    Date: Thursday, 28th July, 2022
    Time: 3pm
    Venue: CITAD’s Conference Hall
    For more Information, please contact asabo@citad.org
  21. Event: DLP Radio program
    Date: Every Thursday
    Venue: Premier radio FM 102.7
    Time: 4pm-5pm
    For more Information, please contact ibrahim@citad.org
  22. Event: KANSIS Planning Committee Meeting
    Date: Thursday, August 11, 2022
    Time: 3pm
    Venue: CITAD Kano
    For more Information please contact info@citad.org
  23. Event: Management Committee Meeting
    Date: Friday, August 12, 2022
    Time: 3pm
    Venue: CITAD Kano
    For more Information please contact info@citad.org
  24. Event: Commemoration of International Youth Day 2022
    Venue: Gofidna community, AMAC FCT
    Date: Friday 12th August 2022
    Time: 10am
    For more Information please contact yesmin@citad.org
  25. Event: Experience Sharing Meeting with PEV Partners
    Venue: Online
    Date: Thursday 11th August, 2022
    Time: 11:00am
    For more Information please contact hamza@citad.org
  26. Event: Rigar Mutunci
    Venue: Arewa Radio
    Date: Every Saturday, 2022
    Time: 11:00am – 12:00PM
    For more Information, please contact: buhari@citad.org
  27. Event: Radio program on FOI Act Zauren Ɗan-Ƙasa
    Venue: BRC FM 94.7 Azare
    Date: Every Wednesday and Saturday 2022
    Time: 4-5pm
    For more Information, please contact: mujahid@citad.org
  28. Event: Data Software Analysis Training
    Date: Thursday 11th August, 2022
    Time: 2pm
    Venue: Boardroom, CITAD, Kano
    For enquiry please contact: isah@citad.org
  29. Event: the Rigakafin Korona
    Venue: Jewel FM Gombe, Gombe State
    Date: Every Sunday,
    Time: 11:00am-12:00
    For more Information, please contact: hamza@citad.org

Kano records 140 cases of Gender Based Violence in June

Kano records 140 cases of Gender Based Violence in June

 

Story from Shafa’atu DAUDA, Kano

 

About 140 cases of Gender Based Violence (GBV) were reported with some involving minors in Kano State in the month of June 2022.

 

This was revealed by the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) an NGO in the state while addressing journalists during a monthly press briefing on the GBV situation.

 

The CITAD’s project coordinator, Zainab Aminu said GBV had significantly increased in June compared to the reported cases in May.

 

“In comparison with the data obtained in previous months, GBV cases are still on the increase. 140 cases were reported via our GBV App for the month which includes rape, sexual harassment, online harassment, sexual abuse and wife battering.”

 

She expressed happiness over the increased rate of reportage, describing the development as encouraging.

 

Aminu lamented the increase of GBV cases in Kano, calling on relevant stakeholders to join hands to curtail the scourge.

 

According to her, the GBV offenders’ database adopted recently by the government will go a long way in curbing the menace, as offenders will rather desist from the act than be publicly disgraced.

 

Aminu explained that within the period in review, cases of rape were 7, online harassment 22; sexual blackmail 8; sexual harassment 60; sexual abuse 39; wife battering 3 and school violence 1.

 

“As part of our social responsibility, we would continue to advocate and improve awareness against GBV, but we still urge the citizens to take responsibility in their environment to see that these issues are curbed.”

 

Aminu appealed to parents, relatives and other key stakeholders to always report cases to the various agencies handling GBV cases, stressing that keeping silent will not protect the victims.

 

She also called on the government to establish a Gender Abuse Monitoring Unit in the Ministry of Education and its parastatal responsible for education at different levels and in the schools.

 

Aminu further stressed the need for establishing special courts that will adjudicate GBV cases.

PUBLIC DISCUSSION ON THE DRAFT NATIONAL CHILD ONLINE PROTECTION POLICY AND STRATEGY DEVELOPED BY THE NATIONAL INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY ORGANIZED BY THE CENTRE FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT ON THE 20TH OF JULY, 2022 AT CITAD OFFICE KANO

The issue of child abuse, pornography, sexual exploitations and stalking online is becoming a major concern to all the stakeholders as the menace is becoming rampant day by day. For this reason, countries all over the world started to enact laws that will curtail the crimes and prevent predators from getting access to young people online. It is in view of this that the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) came up with a policy that will regulate the activities of young people on the net in order to protect them and safeguard their privacy which is entitled National Child Online Protection and Strategy.

To have an all inclusive policy, NITDA invited stakeholders from different fields to make inputs into the policy. CITAD as one of the organizations working in the area of Information and Communication Technology and child protection online was offered the opportunity to make recommendations that would be included into the policy. For this, CITAD on the 20th of July, 2022 organized a One Day Public Discussion where it invited stakeholders to give their contributions. At the public discussion, three panellists from different professions such as legal, media and ICT expert led the discussion. The panellists include; Barrister Aisha Haruna Mahdi of Green Edge Attorneys, Amina Ibrahim Idris, Programs, Partnerships and Engagement Officer at Paradigm Initiative and Aminu Adamu Naganye, Senior Correspondent with The Star Newspaper, while Sule Kawu Rano, PhD of the Department of Sociology, Bayero University, Kano served as the chairman at the discussion.

 

Some of the recommendations offered at the discussions were:

The major tech giant companies should know that there is issue of cultural differences, by this, contents should be sieved according to the regions and countries

Media organizations should be cautious on reporting cases that have to do with children both online and offline

Children should not be allowed to access the internet without the supervision of their parents

Teachers in school should only exposed their students to relevant websites that will help the students in their development both academically and in life

Children to be educated on how to be relating in the internet including how and whom they share their pictures and videos with

Nigerian existing laws on children need to be refilled to accommodate issues of cyber stalking on children

Parents need to be educated on the dangers that are associated with the internet

The policy needs to address the issue of age determinant (to define who is a child)

Parents and guardians should be held responsible for the mistakes committed by their children online

There is need to digitalized the courtrooms in the country so as to be speeding up cases that have to do with child abuse, stalking, trafficking, pornography online

Children should be taught that it is okay to report when they are abused

Government to make ICT and Digital Security and Skills subjects compulsory in secondary schools

Introduce Radio programs on children protection online

 

REPORT OF THE ONE-DAY INTERACTIVE SESSION IN CELEBRATION OF 2022 WORLD MICRO, SMALL-SIZED AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES DAY HELD AT CITAD ON 7TH JULY, 2022

By

Hamza Ibrahim and Sagiru Ado Abubakar

In strengthening Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and startups, particularly in Kano State, the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has on 7th July, 2022 conducted one-day interactive session to recognize the importance of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to local and global economies in addition to their contribution to sustainable economic development. The Interactive Session held at CITAD Office, Kano to commemorate this year’s Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (MSMEs) Day. world Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Day is a day designated by the United Nations General Assembly to serve as a reminder that small enterprises provide sustainable development goals, encourage innovation, provide livelihoods to millions, and are essential for the economic wellbeing of any society. The theme of this year’s World MSMEs Day is “Resilience and Rebuilding: MSMEs for Sustainable Development.” The session gathered entrepreneurs running small and medium-sized businesses, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) and other business actors in Kano with a view to exploring and sharing their experiences on obstacles and challenges to the existence and sustenance of the business.

In his welcome remarks, the Executive Director of CITAD, Dr. Yunusa Zakari Ya’u who was represented by Senior Programmes Officer, Isah Garba noted that the day whose theme is “Resilience and Rebuilding” was originally observed on 27th June, 2022 and it was set by the United Nations to highlight the vital role of micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises for a fair and sustainable recovery. Ya’u added that interfacing the small and medium-sized businesses owners with agencies such as SMEDAN is a way to build resilience and sustainability through experience sharing and networking.

 

Also in his remarks, CITAD’s coordinator for Jobs Placement and Information Services Unit (JOPIS), Sagiru Ado Abubakar said CITAD took interest in marking the day with stakeholders and actors within the small and medium-sized enterprises because of its passion for growth, promotion and support to enterprises and entrepreneurship activities. Sagiru said, “at JOPIS unit we have been couching, training and supporting entrepreneurship activities, small and medium-sized businesses, ideas and innovations, solutions, etc aimed at providing jobs, livelihood and sustenance to individuals and groups for many years”. “We held several training sessions and hands-on guidance on accessing grants, starting businesses, surviving challenges and excelling, in our database we have good stories to share on individuals and groups we trained who succeeding getting grants, start-up supports, jobs, etc”.

In his presentation on “Resilience and rebuilding of Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises”, Alh. Muhammad Kamis Umar, Chairman, Association of Sharada Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises narrated series of challenges faced by the enterprises and what he termed as “destroyers” of surviving enterprises. According to him enterprises have had their worst experiences during and at post-COVID periods. “Multiple taxation, high electricity tariffs, high cost of diesel, low or no profit, maintaining workforce, lack of governmental interventions and support to enterprises, etc have severely crippled and killed many enterprises”. “It is shocking how many enterprises have shutdown exacerbating the plight of many families and there are no concrete reactivation mechanisms from the government”. “We normally hear of interventions said to be designed for small and medium-sized enterprises but the irony is these interventions don’t get to the real enterprises, they end up reaching the non-operational and paper-based enterprises this is unfortunate”. “Many enterprises had to lay off staff not because they want but because they want to do that but because of the unbearable situation”. Malam Umar lastly recommended that for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises to recover and survive taxation has to be decent and centralized and subsidy on electricity tariffs be provided to the enterprises.

In his remarks also at the commemoration, Alh. Bashir Jafar Aminu, the Kano state manager, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) unveiled programmes and support interventions rolled by his agency to the small and medium enterprises. He said the agency has number of interventions at the moment to support small and medium enterprises such as One Local Government One Product (OLOP), National School Entrepreneurship Programme (N-SEP), Sub-contracting and Partnership Exchange (SPX), etc.

The interface ended with promise for collaboration between the members of the micro, small and medium-sized enterprises community in Kano and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN) in the areas of information sharing, guidance and couching around interventions aimed at supporting the recovery and growth of the enterprises.