Way-out to female invisibility in politics is mentorship – Mal Aminu Aliyu

A lecturer at Bayero University, Kano Department of Sociology Mal Aminu Ali said female youth inclusion in politics in the country is poor despite an increased effort by civil society groups and other women champions to mainstream their participation during a webinar meeting organized by Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) with support from Rosa Luxemburg Foundation.

Mal Aminu added that Women in Northern Nigeria are facing a lot of stigmatization when engaged into politics due to culture and religious belief couples with outdated norms and values. “we must intensity efforts in engaging public with advocacy, sensitization and campaigns that will change the mindset of the public on women inclusion in politics”. He added

Furthermore, Aminu also said, the way out to female invisibility in politics is mentorship, in a sense that it will not encountered with their religion and traditional factors. Female youth have significant role to play when it comes to politics in the society, urging female youth in the country to join politics.

On her part, Madam Princess Hamman -Obels of Initiative for Research Innovation and Advocacy in Development (IRIAD) said Actions need to be showed when it comes to women inclusion in politics in Nigeria, when compare with some African countries like Rwanda, Tanzania, Senegal, South Africa etc. we are at the back bench. The increasment of women in parliament has arose to 40 to 50 percent and those countries are same with ours (Nigeria) when it comes to cultural and Religious factors that always drawn the female Gender backward. The inclusion of female in politics will lead to positive ways on developing the country in many aspects. She added

Mrs Angela Odah at Rosa Luxemburg Foundation commended CITAD for organizing the fruitful interaction with the youth and the presenters that showcased way out on resolving the problems women face in participating into politics in Nigeria.

CITAD Decries Invisibility of Women in Nigerian Democracy, Demands Inclusion

By Yakubu Salisu, Kano

A Non Governmental Organization, Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) on Wednesday decried the Invisibility of Women in the decision making process of Nigeria as a country and it’s democracy at large.

The Centre stated that the situation is worrisome considering the total number of political seats won by women in the 2019 General Elections which stood at about 5% which is far less to what they had in the 2015 elections and it is a clear indication that the political arena of the country has become more intolerant of the women folks.

CITAD made their concerns known during a Webinar with the Topic: The Invisibility of Female Youth in the Youth Political Inclusion Discourse and What can be Done to Address it
supported by Rosa Luxembourg Foundation which featured two guess speakers and other notable participants from various fields of endeavors.

The Executive Director of the Centre, Y. Z. Yaú in his welcome remarks stated that the call for the inclusion of more women in politics and governance became pertinent for the country to attain true democracy.

He said that, women who constitute a large number of the Nigerian population have been relegated to the background despite their outstanding performances in the fields they have occupied hence the need for the call to carry them along to participate fully in decision making processes and matters that affects their lives.

In her presentation, Princess Hamman-Obels, Initiative for Research, Innovation and Advocacy in Development (IRIAD), said for democracy to function effectively, every group in the society must be involved in the decision-making processes. Thus, participation of all citizens in formal political processes is fundamental for democracy.

That despite the rising trend for inclusiveness, gender balance in politics is still far from reality in Nigeria as women’s political representation is still a major challenge because Nigeria still does not have a system that ensures and promotes political inclusion of women, looking at appointive positions, only seven women (17%) were appointed ministers following the 2019 elections consequently, Nigeria ranks very poorly, at 179 out of 187, based on the IPU’s latest ranking of women in national parliament

Furthermore that “even with this poor state of political exclusion among women, upon closer analysis it is evident that female youth have been excluded even further, of the seven women in the Senate and the 11 women in the House of Representatives, none is a young woman under the age of 35″, this shows that even the minimal level of female representation in parliament does not include female youth”, she added.

In order to address the single-axis analyses that have resulted in the invisibility of female youth, Obels explained that it is important to consider the intersection of age with gender, and the impact that this has on people who fall within these groups. Doing so will enable different stakeholders to make specific interventions that are aimed at improving the visibility of female youth.

That their recommendations for promoting the visibility of female youth are as follows; INEC, through its Gender and Inclusivity Department, should adopt an intersectional approach to conduct programmes targeted at female youth. National and state legislatures should consider the specific implications for female youth in any Bill aimed at promoting the political inclusion of either women or youth.

Political parties should actively encourage female youth to join their parties and run for positions. Government officials should adopt a deliberate policy to appoint a certain percentage of female youth into public positions, as well as review the National Youth Policy to make provisions for female youth.

Others are; CSOs should conduct trainings and advocacy addressed at the needs of female youth. Researchers should bring the concerns of female youth into the youth political exclusion discourse. The media should bring issues relating to female youth to the public’s attention.

The combination of these efforts from different stakeholders should ensure that interventions aimed at youth or women’s political inclusion are not dominated with the concerns of older women or male youth alone. The result should be an advancement of the position of female youth, which should in turn trigger a deeper level of inclusion and representation in Nigeria’s political process.

Also in his presentation, Aminu Ali, a lecturer at the Department of Sociology, Bayero University, Kano recommends some strategies to raise young women’s participation in the discursive space, politics and public life such as;

1. Countering stereotypes and prejudice against females and building their confidence to participate in political discourses through leadership training and political education programme. This will go a long way in enhancing their capacity for soft advocacy and direct action and, by extension, raise their visibility in the discursive spaces.

2. Dialogues, symposia and political education class on female-youth participation in politics should be organized to, among other things, identify passionate young females, who should be mentored by veteran women activists and those in active politics. This is with a view to expose them to strategies and methods used in different times and spaces by women to foster their participation in politics.

3. Capacity building trainings on communication skills and organization building and networking need to be regularly organized for young females. Structures for step-down training should be created, so that as many young females as possible would benefit from the skills and knowledge necessary for active participation in the discursive arena.

An buƙaci matasa da su yi amfani da shafukan sadarwa na zamani dan su tabbatar da adalci

Shugaban sashen sadarwa da aikin jarida na jami’ar Bayero da ke Kano, Dakta Nura Ibrahim ya buƙaci matasa da su yi amfani da shafukan sadarwa na zamani da su yi amfani da shafukan wajen ganin shugabanni sun tabbatar da adalci a dukkanin matakai.

Dakta Nura Ibrahim ya bayyana hakan ne a lokacin da ya ke gabatar da wata lacca akan yadda matasa za su yi amfani da shafukan na sadarwa wajen ganin shugabanni sun tabbatar da adalci a lokacin da su ke jan ragamar al’umma.

Taron lakcar wadda Cibiyar Bunƙasa Fasahar Sadarwa da Cigaban Al’umma CITAD ta shirya tare da tallafin gidauniyar MacArthur, zai baiwa matasa horar da matasa 500 a faɗin ƙasar nan akan wannan batu.

Malamin jami’ar ya kuma buƙaci matasan da su dinga bambancewa tsakanin labaran ƙarya da kuma sahihan labarai a lokutan da za su wallafa a shafukan su na sadarwa.

Ya ƙara da cewa yanzu lokaci ne da fasahar sadarwa ta ke da matuƙar tasiri a cikin al’umma, saboda haka ya zama wajibi matasa su yi amfani da shafukan sadarwa wajen ganin an samar da shugabanci na gari.

A nasa ɓangaren daraktan cibiyar Nazarin harkokin demokiraɗiya ta Jami’ar Bayero ta Mambayya, Farfesa Isma’il A Zango jan hakalin matasan ya yi wajen kaucewa yaɗa labaran ƙarya da su kan haifar da rudani a cikin al’umma.

Haka kuma Farfesan ya ce muddin matasan su ka yi amfani da sahihan labarai a shafukan su na sadarwa to haƙiƙa zai sanya shugabanni su yi abin da ya kamata.

Taron lakcar dai yana cikin shirin cibiyar ta CITAD na horar da matasa 500 daga sassan ƙasar nan wanda ya samu tallafin gidauniyar MacArthur.

Youth Urged To Leverage Social Media For Accountability

The Head of Department of Information and Media Studies Bayero University, Kano, Dr Nura Ibrahim has urged youths who are afraid of the consequence of demanding accountability from their leaders to seek for alternative means through the social media platforms.

Dr. Nura gave this charge at lecture presentation on Social Media for Accountability Governance in Nigeria organized by Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) with support of MacArthur Foundation, today Tuesday 29th of June at the Centre’s head office in Kano.

He said that technology can serve as a powerful tool for public opinion that could compels leaders to be accountable, adding, ‘’I expect that if there is an issue with national interest, youth should take to the social media, make an issue of it, demand accountability from the parties concerned.’ Dr Nura, however cautioned social media users to discern between credible information from malicious posts, adding that if one stands on the path of truth, he can’t do anything against the truth but for the truth.

Meanwhile, speaking earlier, the chairman of the occasion Professor Isma’il A Zango, who is the director of Aminu Kano Centre for Democratic Research and Training, Mambayya, tasked the youth to verify any information or news before posting it on social media.

He added that some social media users, influencers and self-styled warriors are using their social media platforms and fringe websites to proliferate misinformation and fake news, for just growing their online followership. Professor Isma’il Zango urged the youth to post genuine and accurate information on their social media platforms in order to draw the attention of our leaders for accountability.

He further stated that youth can youth social media to bring about positive changes and reforms in the country. Also social media can be used to hold government officials accountable for their action which in normal circumstances cannot be done. He added The lecture is part of CITAD’s and MacArthur Foundation efforts to train 500 youth in the country on how to use Social Media to demand for accountability from their leaders in the country as stated by the Communication Officer of the organization, Malam Ali Sabo.

Youths urged to use social media to demand accountability from leaders

The Head of Department of Information and Media Studies Bayero University, Kano, Dr Nura Ibrahim has urged youths who are afraid of the consequence of demanding accountability from their leaders to seek for alternative means through the social media platforms.

 

Dr. Nura gave this charge at lecture presentation on Social Media for Accountability Governance in Nigeria organized by Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) with support of MacArthur Foundation, today Tuesday 29th of June at the Centre’s head office in Kano.

He said that technology can serve as a powerful tool for public opinion that could compels leaders to be accountable, adding, ‘’I expect that if there is an issue with national interest, youth should take to the social media, make an issue of it, demand accountability from the parties concerned.’

 

Dr Nura, however cautioned social media users to discern between credible information from malicious posts, adding that if one stands on the path of truth, he can’t do anything against the truth but for the truth.

 

Meanwhile, speaking earlier, the chairman of the occasion Professor Isma’il A Zango, who is the director of Aminu Kano Centre for Democratic Research and Training, Mambayya, tasked the youth to verify any information or news before posting it on social media.

 

He added that some social media users, influencers and self-styled warriors are using their social media platforms and fringe websites to proliferate misinformation and fake news, for just growing their online followership.

 

Professor Isma’il Zango urged the youth to post genuine and accurate information on their social media platforms in order to draw the attention of our leaders for accountability.

 

He further stated that youth can youth social media to bring about positive changes and reforms in the country. Also social media can be used to hold government officials accountable for their action which in normal circumstances cannot be done. He added

 

The lecture is part of CITAD’s and MacArthur Foundation efforts to train 500 youth in the country on how to use Social Media to demand for accountability from their leaders in the country as stated by the Communication Officer of the organization, Malam Ali Sabo.

Youths should use social media to demand accountability from leaders – CITAD

By Ismail Auwal

 

The Head of Department of Information and Media Studies Bayero University, Kano, Dr Nura Ibrahim has urged youths who are afraid of the consequence of demanding accountability from their leaders to seek for alternative means through the social media platforms.

 

Dr. Nura gave this charge at lecture presentation on Social Media for Accountability Governance in Nigeria organized by Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) with support of MacArthur Foundation, today Tuesday 29th of June at the Centre’s head office in Kano.

 

He said that technology can serve as a powerful tool for public opinion that could compels leaders to be accountable, adding, ‘’I expect that if there is an issue with national interest, youth should take to the social media, make an issue of it, demand accountability from the parties concerned.’

 

Dr Nura, however cautioned social media users to discern between credible information from malicious posts, adding that if one stands on the path of truth, he can’t do anything against the truth but for the truth.

 

Meanwhile, speaking earlier, the chairman of the occasion Professor Isma’il A Zango, who is the director of Aminu Kano Centre for Democratic Research and Training, Mambayya, tasked the youth to verify any information or news before posting it on social media.

 

He added that some social media users, influencers and self-styled warriors are using their social media platforms and fringe websites to proliferate misinformation and fake news, for just growing their online followership.

 

Professor Isma’il Zango urged the youth to post genuine and accurate information on their social media platforms in order to draw the attention of our leaders for accountability.

 

He further stated that youth can youth social media to bring about positive changes and reforms in the country. Also social media can be used to hold government officials accountable for their action which in normal circumstances cannot be done. He added

 

The lecture is part of CITAD’s and MacArthur Foundation efforts to train 500 youth in the country on how to use Social Media to demand for accountability from their leaders in the country as stated by the Communication Officer of the organization, Malam Ali Sabo.

 

Centre to train 500 Youths on effective use of Social Media

The Head of Department of Information and Media Studies, Bayero University, Kano, Dr Nura Ibrahim has urged youths who are afraid of the consequence of demanding accountability from their leaders to seek for alternative means through the social media platforms.

Dr. Nura gave this charge at lecture presentation on Social Media for Accountability Governance in Nigeria organized by Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) with support of MacArthur Foundation, today Tuesday 29th of June at the Centre’s head office in Kano.

He said that technology can serve as a powerful tool for public opinion that could compels leaders to be accountable, adding, ‘’I expect that if there is an issue with national interest, youth should take to the social media, make an issue of it, demand accountability from the parties concerned.’

Dr Nura, however cautioned social media users to discern between credible information from malicious posts, adding that if one stands on the path of truth, he can’t do anything against the truth but for the truth.

Meanwhile, speaking earlier, the chairman of the occasion Professor Isma’il A Zango, who is the director of Aminu Kano Centre for Democratic Research and Training, Mambayya, tasked the youth to verify any information or news before posting it on social media.

He added that some social media users, influencers and self-styled warriors are using their social media platforms and fringe websites to proliferate misinformation and fake news, for just growing their online followership.

Professor Isma’il Zango urged the youth to post genuine and accurate information on their social media platforms in order to draw the attention of our leaders for accountability.

CITAD launches books on corruption, hate speech

From Timothy Olanrewaju, Maiduguri

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CITAD Ta Gabatar Da Sababbin Littattafan Da Ta Wallafa A Jami’ar Maiduguri

 

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

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

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

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

Suspend Land Swap Initiative Resumption, CITAD Begs FG

Suspend Land Swap Initiative Resumption, CITAD Begs FG

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

CITAD made the call during a press briefing in Abuja.

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

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

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

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

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

CITAD FAULTS FG’S DECISION OVER RESUMPTION OF FCT LAND SWAP INITIATIVE

INFOMEDIA – The Centre for Information Technology and Development, CITAD, has faulted the FG’s plan to resume land swap initiative.The dissatisfaction was contained in a press statement signed by Mubarak Ekute for the organization. The statement reads in part, “The Federal Executive Council at the end of its meeting announced that it was resuming the Land Swap Initiative that was earlier suspended by the government.

The objective of the initiative according to government is to address infrastructure gaps in the FCT by providing land to investors who in return will finance infrastructure rollout.” “CITAD has over the last two years engaged rural communities of the FCT who are extremely concerned about the phenomenon of land grabbing that is taking place in their communities. Many have lost their land which as farmers, is their only means of livelihood.

The  Land grabbing is a major threat to food security not only in FCT but all over the country.” The organization noted that it is happy to see infrastructure deficit addressed in the Federal Capital Territory but aired concerns on the land swap initiative.

While CITAD is happy to see infrastructure deficit is being addressed in the FCT rural communities, it would like to draw the attention of the concerned authorities to the following with respect to the land swap initiative: “The FCT rural communities who are land owners and therefore likely to be dispossessed by the initiative were not consulted before the decision to resume the initiative was taken. “Government has not made public its findings of investigation of the operation of the Land Swap as it suspected that it was riddled with corruption.

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

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

“FCT rural communities did not benefit in terms of infrastructure development in the earlier phase, this has led many of the communities hard to reach due to the lack of roads; there is no drinking water; rural schools are scandalous sites and healthcare facilities do not exist.”

The centre advised the government to suspend the land swap so as to allow for consultations particularly rural dwellers and come up with a plan for assessing rural infrastructures.

LAND SWAP: GRABBING MAJOR THREAT TO FOOD SECURITY IN NIGERIA – CITAD

The Centre for Information Technology and Development, CITAD, has reacted to Federal Executive Council, FEC, approval for the Federal Capital Authority Development, FCDA, land swap initiative but cautioned that land grabbing, which the initiative was certain to promote, will serve as the major threat to food security in Nigeria.

Recall that the Federal Executive Council, at the end of its meeting, had announced that it was resuming the Land Swap Initiative, which government earlier suspended, disclosing that the “objective of the initiative is to address infrastructure gaps in the FCT by providing land to investors who in return will finance infrastructure rollout.”

However, in a statement by the Sponsorship Officer of the Abuja office, Mubarak Ekute and made available to ASHENEWS on Thursday, CITAD said that its two years of engagement with the rural communities in the FCT reveals that they are “extremely concerned about the phenomenon of land grabbing that is taking place in their communities.

“Many have lost their land which as farmers, is their only means of livelihood. Land grabbing is a major threat to food security not only in FCT but all over the country,” the Centre stated.

Though excited to see that infrastructure deficit is being addressed in the FCT rural communities, CITAD drew the attention of the concerned authorities to certain issues relating to to the land swap initiative.

“The FCT rural communities who are land owners and therefore likely to be dispossessed by the initiative were not consulted before the decision to resume the initiative was taken.

“Government has not made public its findings of investigation of the operation of the Land Swap as it suspected that it was riddled with corruption.

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

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

“FCT rural communities did not benefit in terms of infrastructure development in the earlier phase, this has led many of the communities hard to reach due to the lack of roads; there is no drinking water; rural schools are scandalous sites and healthcare facilities do not exist,” the statement reads.

CITAD advised Nigerian government to further suspend the resumption of the land swap initiative until:

“It has carried out consultations among the citizens of the FCT, particularly rural dwellers and come up with concrete and realistic plan for addressing rural infrastructure, not just infrastructure with the FCT urban area.

“It makes public the report of its investigation of the abuses of the initiative in the first phase, leading to its suspension and propose clear, adequate and realistic measures to stop and mitigate the problems of land grabbing in the FCT rural communities,” the Centre said.

CITAD Faults FEC’s Approval of FCT Land SWAP Initiative, Call for Suspension

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), has faulted the Federal Executive Council’s approval of the Land Swap Initiative of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

 The  non- governmental organisation working to ensure good governance through the use of information and communication technologies for peaceful coexistence and sustainable development made its stance known on Thursday in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja, a copy of which was obtained by Humanity Watch obtained.

 The FEC had at the end of its meeting on Wednesday announced that it was resuming the FCT  Land Swap Initiative that was earlier suspended by the government following allegations of corruption.

According to the FEC, the objective of the initiative is to address infrastructure gaps in the FCT by providing land to investors who in return will finance infrastructure rollout.

Worth about N1 trillion under the previous dispensation, the initiative was designed to remedy the infrastructure deficit in the FCT by swapping land with private investors who would in turn provide the necessary infrastructure.

 However,  CITAD says it is concerned that the  initiative would further encourage land grabbing which has dispossessed  many indigenes of their farmland,  as it advised the government to  suspend the resumption of the land swap initiative until it can guarantee that the initiative will not be another avenue for corruption in the FCT land administration system.

 The statement signed by the organization’s Sponsorship Officer, Mubarak Ekute says: “CITAD has over the last two years engaged rural communities of the FCT who are extremely concerned about the phenomenon of land grabbing that is taking place in their communities.

 “Many have lost their land which as farmers,  it is their only means of livelihood.  Land grabbing is a major threat to food security not only in FCT but all over the country.”

 The statement said while CITAD is happy to see infrastructure deficit  being addressed in the FCT, it  is concerned that the FCT rural communities who are landowners and therefore likely to be dispossessed by the initiative, were not consulted before the decision to resume the initiative was taken.

 “Government has not made public its findings of an investigation of the operation of the Land Swap as it suspected that it was riddled with corruption. Government has not  explain how in the current phase of the initiative, corruption would be put at bay and how the interests of rural communities would be taken into account in the new phase of the initiative.”

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

“FCT rural communities did not benefit in terms of infrastructure development in the earlier phase, this has led many of the communities hard to reach due to the lack of roads; there is no drinking water; rural schools are scandalous sites and healthcare facilities do not exist,” the statement read.

 The organisation therefore, advised the government to suspend the resumption of the land swap initiative until: “It has carried out consultations among the citizens of the FCT, particularly rural dwellers, and come up with concrete and realistic plan for addressing rural infrastructure, not just infrastructure with in the FCT urban area.”

 CITAD also advised the government to make public report of its investigation of the abuses of the initiative in the first phase leading to its suspension and propose clear, adequate and realistic measures to stop and mitigate the problems of land grabbing in the FCT rural communities.

CITAD cautions Kano on COVID-19 protocols for schools

NEWS DIGEST – The Centre for Information Technology and Development have issued an advisory on safety protocols In Kano Secondary schools, this was revealed in a statement signed by Ali Sabo, Campaign and Communication Officer at the CITAD. The statement read in part we are all aware that Covid-19 has become a threat to our lives, economy, social, education as well as every aspect of our lives. As of yesterday, 31st January, 2021, it has been reported that more than 100 million individuals have been infected with this deadly virus with more than 2.2 million casualties globally (Aljazeera English). In Nigeria, as reported by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) so far the country has 131,242 confirmed cases with 1,586 casualties. While speaking on the source of the virus, it was noted that while the source of origin and transfer to humans is not known, human transfer has been confirmed widely. “The coronavirus virus (COVID-19) is a highly transmittable and pathogenic viral infection caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which emerged in Wuhan, China in 2019 and spread around the world. Genomic analysis revealed that SARS-CoV-2 is phylogenetically related to severe acute respiratory syndrome-like (SARS-like) bat viruses, therefore bats could be the possible primary reservoir. The intermediate source of origin and transfer to humans is not known, however, the rapid human to human transfer has been confirmed widely. COVID-19 made its official landing in Nigeria on 27th February, 2020 via Lagos and spread across the country like wildfire”. CITAD recalled that the Kano State Government heeded the calls made by different stakeholders in the state, after receiving a green light from the Federal Government for all schools in the country to resume academic activities, the state government set up a committee under the chairmanship of the States Deputy Governor who is the Chairman States Task Force Committee on Covid-19. The Committee was saddled with the responsibilities of coming up with strategies and road map on how the schools would be reopened in the state. Some of the policies came up with by the committee for schools including Islamiyya schools in the state included; That, Primary 1 and 2 pupils were to attend classes only on Mondays and Tuesdays while Primary 3, 4 and 5 pupils will attend classes only on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Also, JSS 1 and SS1 students in both public and private schools are to wait at home for additional five weeks until the end of transitional and qualifying examinations to ensure social distances in classes and hostels. In the same vain, JSS 2, JSS 3 & SS 2 were to fully resume in preparation of the forthcoming qualifying and transitional examinations among other recommendations such as compulsory wearing of face mask, social distancing . CITAD noted that during the first reopening, a survey was conducted to assess the compliance of these Covid-19 safety protocols in the secondary schools in the state as prescribed by the state Task Force Committee on Covid-19. This was done with support of MacArthur Foundation and International Institute of Education on the 25th and 26th of November, 2020 . 60 secondary schools were captured by the state. According to Ali, “ The essence of conducting the survey was to: ascertain the level of compliance with the Covid-19 safety protocols in schools as prescribed by Kano State government and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), understand the gaps that are in existence in terms of complying with the Covid-19 protocols in the schools, generate data that will be used to advocate to concerned authorities for proper action as it has been proven that Covid-19 is a disease that can be transferred easily between person to person by either contact with persons, objects or through fluid. For the sampling of the schools, the survey sampled 60 schools, 20 schools each from the three zones (Kano Centre, Kano North and Kano West) in the state which comprised senior and junior secondary schools, science, conventional, special schools, girls, boys and mixed schools in the state” CITAD listed some of their findings as below; That there is little observance of social distancing in class rooms, dormitories, sporting arenas and dining halls. Also, Hand sanitizers are only being provided at the gates of the schools, students are required to wash their hands at the gates but the use of hand sanitizers in classes, hostels and schools premises is minimal as at the time of the research. Class rooms, hostels, dining, laboratories and other facilities are not being disinfected regularly; Temperature check for visitors and students temperature at the gate of the schools is compulsory ; Thermometers for temperature checks are not adequate, The report noted. While wearing of facemask was said to be compulsory, Students compliance of wearing of Face masks in the schools premises is very minimal and the authorities are not enforcing it “Teachers are not complying with social distancing and wearing of Face masks; Teachers were properly being sensitized about the importance of observing Covid-19 protocols but students were not being sensitized properly; There is poor or no mechanisms in place by the government to ensure compliance with the directed protocols in school; Schools are poorly financed to provide adequate availability of hand sanitizers and Face masks for students and staff on a daily basis ; There have not been sufficient public awareness and sensitization programmes in many of the schools and among the students, there is still doubt about the reality of COVID 19” Based on the above findings CITAD called on the Kano State Government to ensure the prompt implementation of the following recommendations in order to safeguard the lives of both students and their teachers: 1. The state government should provide more structures in schools to minimize congestion in the class rooms and hostels 2. The State government should provide adequate protective materials such as hand sanitizers, Face masks, thermometers and disinfection materials. This can be done through mass purchase and distribution of these to the schools 3. More sensitization to the teachers and students on the importance of observing Covid-19 protocols 4. Schools authorities should ensure the enforcement of all Covid-19 protocols in their schools by setting a Covid-19 Task Force Committee in their schools 5. There should be regular disinfection of classes, staff rooms, dining halls and students hostels 6. The Ministry of Education should establish a mechanism that will go to schools to observe compliance with the protocols. This mechanism can be an add up function for the School Inspectorate Department. However, in this case schools inspection must be regular 7. There should be sustained sensitization to reach all the schools in the state so that all students, teachers and other workers or members of school communities are aware about COVID 19 and know how to protect themselves as well as stop its spread through their action. Sharing of the findings of the survey has become more urgent given the reality of the second wave which has made the state government to ask workers below grade level 12 to stay at home. If government is so concerned about controlling the spread of the virus at work places which have more spaces for social distancing and with individual workers capable of affording to use face masks and hand sanitizers, it is curious that schools should on the other hand reopen. Our schools are not in a position to enforce social distancing given the crowding in the schools. They cannot afford to provide face masks for pupils nor is government providing the schools with adequate and regular supply of hand sanitizers. Parents and guardians, under the present circumstance cannot be expected to bear this burden. The statement read in its closing part.