In its efforts on equipping the students to become digitally-enabled in Jama’are
local government the center for Information technology and development
conducted the first annual ICT quiz competition in the community, the quiz was
conducted on Thursday 15, December, 2022 at WABI Academy, the quiz was
started at 11:00am with opening prayer, The executive director center for
information technology and development represented by Mal. Ahmad Yakasai
made the opening remarks he embarked upon by being grateful to almighty Allah
for given the opportunity to witness the day and the huge impact CITAD produces
in transforming the lives of people and the society at large. He made mention that
CITAD has been organizing this ICT competition for over twenty years in kano.
But by considering the performance of CITAD office Jama’are and her focus on
improving the technology related activities CITAD decided to start up the trail of
this first ICT competition Quiz competition, to instill and broaden the interest of
younger generation to adopt the system and encourage students to priotize
leveraging technology at their early stages of life. He made it clear that whatever
fields a student chooses to study in his/her carrier, information technology is the
ingredient to all field of study.
He lastly listed the prizes to be won in the completion as follows
I C T QUIZ COMPETITION
a. First position : A New brand of Bicycle
b. Second position Y5 Hawie Android Handset
c. Third position A five Yards of Shadda
WEBSITE DESIGN
a. First position : A New brand of Bicycle
b. Second position Y5 Hawie Android Handset
c. Third position A five Yards of Shadda

Eleven secondary schools participated in the competition namely

1. Government Arabic College Jama’are
2. Government Day Secondary school Jamaare
3. Government Day Secondary School Hanafari
4. Hassan Muhammad Senior Secondary school Jama’are
5. Wabi Academy
6. Aliyu Maisango Junior Upper Secondary Basic School Jama’are
7. M C Abubakar Junior upper Basic Secondary School
8. Ahmad Muhammad Wabi Junior Upper Basic Secondary School
9. Future Solution Academy
10. Asasul Islam Junior Secondary School
11. Al-Furqan Academy
    The second speaker at occasion who is Dahiru abubakar the program officer of the
    center stated all the activities CITAD is doing to the community, ranging from
    conducting the Inspiring Leadership Reflection series in first quarter of the year
    with two prominent key figures in the community in the month of January and
    febuary this year, they are Alh isah Hassan Mohd Tafidan Jamaare and Prof.
    Ahmad sale, Dean Faculty of Agric Bauchi State University Gadau, training of
    fifty women across the L G A on Plastic Waste Recycle Management, training of
    fifty women on Recycle Energy, Training of twenty young girls and women in
    the local government under digital Creativity and innovation training founded by
    Lenovo foundation, training of fifteen women on Video Editing and graphic design
    under Digital Livelyhood program, donations of two set of computers to Nigerian
    Correctional service staff and free training of fifteen staff of the Nigerian
    correctional service staff, its Efforts towards Establishing the Community
    Network in Jama’are local Gov’t, admitting five students from the community into
    School of Nigerian community network , conducting the first annual ICT quiz
    competition and he mentioned that CITAD will round off their this year activity
    with a town hall Meeting with various political party candidates on December
    26,2022.
    The education secretary made a clear statement to the public that he is a
    beneficiary of CITAD training and urges the community to value CITAD
    initiatives and honoring their engagement to ensure the continuity of their work.
    One of the traditional title holder in Jama’are Alh sabo Likita, Sarkin Yakin
    Jama’are thanked the entire CITAD staff and especially the Director for his
    concerned towards improving the future of our younger generation, he thank
    CITAD for conducting free Computer base test JAMB training to the entire
    secondary school students of the emirate.
    The chairman of the quiz Mal Yahuza Bello from Jama’are concern citizen Forum
    declared the quiz open by mentioning the guidelines of the quiz. In the first round
    three schools scaled for the second round and in the second round GAC emerged

as the winner and two schools went for the third round then lastly Wabi academy
seized the second position while Alfurqan became Third.
The category of the competition was divided in to two segment ICT quiz and
Website Design.
Government Arabic college Jama’are Emerged as winner in the ICT quiz, Wabi
Academy Second and Alfurqan Academy hold the third position, in another
segment of the competition Website design Al-Furqan Academy Emerged as First
and Future Solution Academy second while Government day secondary School
Hanafari became third place.
LIST OF WINNERS AND THEIR PRIZES
Category of
completion

School Position Prizes

QUIZ Government Arabic College

Jama’are

1 st New brand of

Bicycle

Wabi Academy 2 nd Y 5 Hawei
Android handset
Alfurqan Academy 3 rd Five Yards of

Shadda

WEBSITE
DESIGN

Alfurqan academy 1 st New brand of

Bicycle

Future Solution 2 nd Y 5 Hawei
Android handset

Government Day Secodary
School Hanafari

3rd Five Yards of

Shadda

One of the students Abdulbasid Yahaya thanks and shown his appreciation to the
organizers and CITAD body by their tireless efforts and outstanding commitment.
He reaffirm that CITAD has been his major motivator to nurture his passion to
become technically oriented.
Closing remark was offered by the Principal of Wabi Academy Mal. Shuaibu
Nafada.

Digital Rights: CITAD Condemns Unlawful Detention of Citizens

CITAD Demands Citizens’ Digital Right Be Respected, Calls For An End To ‘Continued Unlawful Detention’Of Citizens https://arewaagenda.com/citad-demands-citizens/

CITAD demands release of detained journalist by Sen. Elisha Ishiaku Abbo 

NGO Demands Respect Of Digital Right For Nigerians https://nigeriantracker.com/2023/01/06/ngo-demands-respect-of-digital-right-for-nigeri

CITAD Wants Nigerian Police to End Unlawful Detention of Citizens 

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has called on Security Agencies to respect the right of the citizens and unlawful detentions.

This was made known in a press release which was signed by Ali Sabo, Program Officer, obtained by TechMirror. The statement reads parts; “Our attention is been drawn to the Nigerian security agencies, especially the Nigeria Police force for its continued arbitrary arrest and detention of the citizens for exercising their fundamental human rights as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.

It is important to state here clearly that section (IV) sub section (c) of the Nigerian constitutions has prohibits any security agency from unlawful arrest, incarceration or detention of the citizens without following due process” “What we are witnessing today in Nigeria is clearly contrary to what the Nigerian constitution has provided and these acts by the Nigerian security agencies if not checked and addressed will flung the country into anarchy and will negate the principles of democracy which is being practiced in Nigeria enshrined in the 1999 constitution as amended” “We will remember that in the months of November and December we did organize similar press conferences during which we drew the attention of the Nigerian authority about the negative implications of these arbitrary arrests and detentions of the citizens to the country’s image in the comity of nations and to our young democracy.

It is a well-known fact that criticism is part and parcel of any democracy and it is one of the cardinal pillars through which democracy is being build, but this government in many occasions has displayed arrogance, impunity and lack of tolerance where at any slight instances has ordered the arrest of the citizens for excising their fundamental human rights” “It should be recalled that in the month of November, 2022, the Nigeria Police on the orders of the wife of the president arrested and detained a 500 level student of Federal University, Dutse, Aminu Adamu for merely excising his rights online.

He was held for days without being allowed access to his family or his lawyers. Also on the 11th of December, 2022, a minor named Umar Garba was arrested in Nguru Local Government Area, Yobe State over an alleged defamation of character of the Yobe State Governor, Maimala Buni.

The boy was held captive by the Nigeria Police for more than two weeks without a court order or any arrest warrant. Similarly, the boy was not taken to court” “These impunity being excised by the Nigerian politicians has transformed to another level to the extent that citizens are being deprived their fundamental human rights to speak about things that concern them and their country and interrogate their representatives without being harassed by the security agencies.

These cases have continued to grow spontaneously as many cases are being reported every day and in every corner of the country which is worrisome and threat to our democracy” “Another and more recent case we have received is the arrest and detention of Yau Saeed, a Freelance Journalist and founder of Y2S Online Television based in Yola that was arrested by the Nigeria Police, FCT Command by the order of Senator Elisha Ishiaku Abbo, Senator representing Adamawa North for excising his rights as citizen and journalist since 27th of December, 2022. The most unfortunate thing is that the Nigeria Police has refused the detained journalist access to his wife, lawyers and family” These arbitrary arrests of the citizens are against the Nigerian constitution and international covenant of human and people’s rights. Section IV of the Nigerian Constitution has clearly stated that: i.

Any person who is arrested or detained in accordance with section (1) (C) of this section shall be brought before a court of law within reasonable time.

The expression of reasonable time under this section means:

a. In case of an arrest or detention in any place where there is court of competent jurisdiction within a radius of 40 kilometres, a period of one day; and

b. In any other case, a period of two days or such longer period as in the circumstances may be considered by the court to be reasonable It is significant to know that allowing citizens to express themselves and constructively criticize leaders are cardinal to democracy and no democracy can grow where those at the helm of the affairs of the country are using the country’s security agencies to clamp down on dissents and activists.

“The collusion between security agencies and politicians to harass and intimidate citizens against freely expressing their opinions is a serious attack to our democracy. Democracy strives by the maintenance of a free market of opinions and availability of information that allow citizens to make informed choices in exercising their civic responsibility. When journalists are seized, detained, and tortured because they have exposed their dirty underbelly of some politicians, we are trampling on the foundation on which our democratic experiment is sitting”

We must also not forget that it was the brazen police brutality that led to the EndSars protest with all its attendance consequences to the nation. We cannot afford to continue to repeat this sad experience. Such illegal and unconstitutional acts and conduct by police and security agencies bread the ground and context for anarchy to set in which is of not good to anybody. It is based on these that we are calling on the:

1. Nigeria Police and its sisters’ security agencies to be neural in conducting their duties and should not allow themselves to be used as rent-organizations by politicians to shield their despicable acts and conduct.

2. The security agencies should respect the Digital Right of the citizens as they are the logical and legitimate extension of our fundamental human rights which are protected in our constitution and all the international instruments on human to which Nigeria is a signatory and the country is duty bound to accord the same respect to rights online as rights offline.

3. The Nigeria Police should desist from arbitrary arrest of the citizens and ensure they are following due process in the arrest and detention of the citizens

4. The Nigeria Police should avoid the unlawful detention of the citizens and ensure every arrest made is with an order of a competent court

5. Anybody arrested for any offence shall be taken to court within specified period of time as in the Nigeria constitution

6. Civil Society Organizations should join hands to call on the Nigeria security agencies to stop the arbitrary arrest of the citizens without due process

7. CSOs should collaboratively work together for a sustained advocacy to ensure the bill is to be passed and assented by the president “However we demand that the Nigeria Police should allow the detained journalist access to his family and lawyers and also his release together with all those arrested unlawfully” the statement states

28th December 2022
Gentlemen of the press, it is my honour and privilege to welcome you on behalf of the Centre for
Information Technology and Development (CITAD) to this press conference which is being
organized to draw the attention of the Nigerian authorities and other stakeholders to bring to
an end the continued harassment and detention of the citizens online in the country. These
harassments and continued detentions of the citizens without following due process is negating
the principles of democracy which is being practiced in Nigeria and absolute abuse of the
human rights of the citizens as enshrined in the 1999 constitution as amended.
Gentlemen of the press you will remember that last month, specifically on the 30 th of
November, 2022 we held a similar press conference to call on the Nigeria Government to
assent to the Digital rights Bill in the Country which will paves ways for digital development and
guaranteed citizens’ rights and protection on the internet. The Digital Rights Bill if being passed
will ensure guarantee application of the human rights which apply offline within the digital
environment and online and it will also ensure due process with the regard to arrest of anybody
deem to have committed any offence.
This particular press conference is necessary due to the increased of arrest of citizens by the
Nigerian security agencies on the order of some state governors. To highlight some of the
examples, on the 11 th of December, 2022, a minor named Umar Garba was arrested in Nguru
Local Government Area, Yobe State over an alleged defamation of character of the Yobe State
Governor, Maimala Buni. The boy was held captive by the Nigeria Police for more than two
weeks without a court order or any arrest warrant. Similarly, the boy was not taken to court up
to the time of his release
It would be recalled that another youth, a 500 level student of the Federal University, Dutse,
Aminu Adamu was also arrested last month over alleged defamation of character of the wife of
the president, Mrs. Aisha Buhari. Similar case had also happened in Kano State were two
Tiktokers were arrested, detained and beaten for alleged defamation of character of the Kano
State Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. If these arrests are allowed to continue the country is
going to be turned into an authoritarian one where citizens will not have the rights to express
themselves online.
.These arbitrary arrests of the citizens are against the Nigerian constitution and international
covenant of human and people’s rights. Section IV of the Nigerian Constitution has clearly
stated that:

i. Any person who is arrested or detained in accordance with section (1) (C) of this
section shall be brought before a court of law within reasonable time. The
expression of reasonable time under this section means:
a. In case of an arrest or detention in any place where there is court of competent
jurisdiction within a radius of 40 kilometres, a period of one day; and
b. In any other case, a period of two days or such longer period as in the
circumstances may be considered by the court to be reasonable

Digital Rights are the logical and legitimate extension of our fundamental human rights. They
are therefore protected in our constitution and all the international instruments on human to
which Nigeria is a signatory and the country is duty bound to accord the same respect to rights
online as rights offline.
Consequently, , we call on the following stakeholders to adhere to the followings:

1. The Nigeria Police should desist from arbitrary arrest of the citizens and ensure they are
   following due process in the arrest and detention of the citizens
2. The Nigeria Police should avoid the unlawful detention of the citizens and ensure every
   arrest made is with an order of a competent court
3. Anybody arrested for any offence shall be taken to court within specified period of time
   as in the Nigeria constitution
4. The president should ensure the speedy assent of the Digital Rights and Freedom Bill as
   soon as it is transmitted to him as this will bring an end to the arbitrary arrest of the
   citizens by the Nigerian Security Agencies
5. Civil Society Organizations should join hands to call on the Nigeria security agencies to
   stop the arbitrary arrest of the citizens without due process
6. CSOs should collaboratively work together for an sustained advocacy to ensure the bill is
   to be passed and assented by the president

Ali Sabo
Program Officer
Digital Rights

CITAD urges FG to end violation of citizens’ digital rights 

CITAD worries over continuous arrest of citizens online by Gov’t authorities 

CITAD Decries Alleged Harassment, Detention Of Citizens Online By Government Authority https://arewaagenda.com/citad-decries-alleged/

CITAD Laments Alleged Harassment Of Citizen By One Of Nigerian Governors https://nigeriantracker.com/2022/12/29/citad-laments-alleged-harassment-of-citizen-by-one-of-nigerian-governors/

Beneficiaries Laud CITAD’s Stride Over Training On Digital Innovation 
https://infomedia.ng/beneficiaries-laud-citad/

A young enterprise and aspiring digital photographer said she actualized her lifelong dream of becoming a refined photographer through the auspices of Digital Livelihood training.

The training, organized by the Center for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) with support from Association for Progressive Communications (APC) is aimed at facelifting the lives of young girls in contemporary digital innovation for sustainable development.

The beneficiary, identified as Hussaina Ibrahim Hamma made the revelation in Jama’are local government at the closing ceremony of Digital Livelihood training in Bauchi state.

Hamma said, “I have always had a passion for photography which was actualized by CITAD through the digital innovation program”.

“I gained suitable experience during the training which drastically changed my life. I developed an interest in photography after completing the digital livelihood training”.

“Now I don’t have any ambition other than to become a professional digital photographer in my life”.

She further said that “The skills acquired during the training will significantly assist in establishing and sustaining a business enterprise, particularly in areas of digital technology for self-reliance”.

She promised to leverage the knowledge obtained during the training and promote her chosen career.

The Digital Livelihood is a four-monthly program that took place in Jama’are and Itas Local Governments of Bauchi State and focused on training women on digital technology and digital entrepreneurship in northern Nigeria.

The program equips young girls and women with the basic knowledge of technology, skills acquisition, and information and communication technology (ICT) to make them self-reliant, and useful to themselves and employers of labor.

By Mustapha Salisu

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has been commended by a dozen young girls and women in Jama’are and Itas Local Government Area of Bauchi State for empowering them with Digital Livelihood skills.

Speaking to newsmen CITAD’s Technical Officer Engr. Suhail Sani Abdullahi said with the world becoming a global village in the face of modern technological innovations women should make the best use of digital innovations.

“It is a program that introduces them to basic and advanced knowledge on computer usage, business incubation and idea development designed to run for a year” He added.

According to him, technology/IT is important, considering that the world has advanced beyond the stage of doing things manually which makes technology-driven businesses more faster and successful.

Engr. Suhail further charged the participants to make good use of the opportunities provided to them by CITAD to establish their entrepreneurship empires.

The Technical Officer said the young women and girls trained on Graphics Design,  Audio, Video Editing and Photography among others. He said women and girls need to be empowered especially through the utilization of digital knowledge so that they can be self-reliant through different business areas.

Hussaina Ibrahim Hamma, an aspiring professional photographer who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, explained that they were equipped with knowledge on how to utilize ICT towards running a successful business enterprise as well as to bridge the gap between the genders.

“Adding that young women and girls need to be empowered especially through the utilization of digital knowledge so that they can achieve self-reliance in different business areas.

She also expressed her gratitude to the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) of the laudable programme and promised to make good use of the knowledge.

Digital Livelihood and Digital Creativity Beneficiaries Trained on Entrepreneurship, Business Support Sources

By

Sagiru Ado Abubakar

Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) under Digital Livelihood and Digital creativity and Innovation Programs has trained young women and girls to acquire information communication technology (ICT) knowledge. The goal of these programs was to contribute to reducing the gender digital divide and unemployment through technology skill transfer that will enable young women and girls to acquire ICT-based entrepreneurship skill and set up small scale ICT-based businesses. To achieve aforementioned goal, on 11^th and 12^th December, 2022, the Job Placement Information Service (JOPIS) unit of the Center for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has organized sensitization workshops for the beneficiaries of digital livelihood and digital creativity innovation programs in both Kano and Bauchi (jJama’are and Itas) training centers on how to secure jobs and source entrepreneurship and business support.  

The workshops introduced the participants to sites that they can visit to secure soft loans and grants from government initiatives, Bank of Industries (BOI), Bank of Agriculture (BOA) and foundations so that they can be self-reliant and even employ others as an entrepreneur cannot work alone. 

At the start of the workshop, a call of volunteers from Save the Children was shared and helped the participants to apply. The job opportunity is looking for applicants with ICT-Based skills similar with that of digital livelihood and digital creativity beneficiaries to actively involved in the implementation of the PLANE project. The opportunity paid attention to female candidates, marginalized groups and those with disabilities

Other opportunities introduced to the participants included Women Startup Challenge, Tech Startup Grant, 2023 ‘Open Minds – Young Voices’ Youth Activists Program, the 3rd Cohort for iHatch free intensive incubation program and the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). 

Job Placement Information Services (JOPIS) is a scheme by CITAD to assist youth looking for employment and entrepreneurship opportunities by bringing information about job opportunities to them. Functions of JOPIS Unit are getting job opportunities on newspapers from Libraries, collaborating with reliable sites advertising job opportunities and creating library and reference on the job opportunities so as easily refer to it when the need arises.

Job Placement Officer will be responsibility for providing advice, council and information to prospective applicants. All job vacancies, employment and entrepreneurship opportunities are posting time to time on CITAD facebook groups “friends of CITAD”, “CITAD ALMUNI”, “Peace now” and pages

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has joined 163 organizations to call on the European Parliament, the European Commission, the Council of the European Union and EU Member States to ensure that the EU Artificial Intelligence Act (EU AI Act) protects the rights of all people including migrants.

This was contained in a draft jointly signed statement by CITAD, 163 global organizations and 29 individuals and was made available to newsmen by the Centre’s Executive Director, Engineer Yunusa Zakari Ya’u in Kano.

“The EU AI Act which was recently amended does not adequately address and prevent the harms stemming from the use of AI in the migration context.

“States and institutions are focused on promoting artificial intelligence (AI) in terms of benefits for wider society, marginalised communities and people on the move particularly migrants, asylum seekers and refugees.

“But the states and institutions have failed to understand that the AI technologies fit into wider systems of over-surveillance, criminalisation, structural discrimination and violence,” the statement reads.

The statement added that solutions include to prohibit unacceptable uses of AI system in the context of migration and ensure that all AI systems used in migration are regulated.

http://www.newskeeper.com.ng/2022/12/eu-citad-160-other-organizations.html

2. https://www.theskuup.com/protect-rights-of-people-include-migrants-citad-urges-eu-others/
3. https://newsdiaryonline.com/eu-ai-act-citad-over-160-organizations-globally-advocate-
   migrants-protection-by-european-union/
4. https://stalliontimes.com/2022/12/08/eu-ai-act-citad-over-160-organizations-globally-
   advocate-migrants-protection/
5. https://independentpost.ng/eu-ai-act-citad-over-160-organizations-globally-advocates-
   migrants-protection-by-european-union/
6. https://arewaagenda.com/act-citad-over-organizations/
7. https://www.thecampuswatch.com/2022/12/08/eu-ai-act-citad-over-160-organizations-
   globally-advocates-migrants-protection-by-european-union/
8. https://citadradio.com.ng/2022/12/08/eu-ai-act-citad-over-160-organizations-globally-
   advocates-migrants-protection-by-european-union/
9. https://primetimenews.ng/eu-ai-act-citad-over-160-organizations-globally-advocates-migrants-
   protection-by-european-union/
10. https://newsdiaryonline.com/eu-ai-act-citad-over-160-organizations-globally-advocate-
    migrants-protection-by-european-union/

By Salisu K Ismail

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has joined 163 organizations and 29 individuals globally to called on the European Parliament, the European Commission, the Council of the European Union and EU Member States to ensure that the EU Artificial Intelligence Act (EU AI Act) protects the rights of all people including migrants.

This was contained in a draft that was jointly signed by CITAD, 163 organizations and 29 individuals globally and was made available to Newsmen by the Centre’s Executive Director, Engineer Yunusa Zakari Ya’u in Kano.

The release explained that the EU AI Act which was recently amended does not adequately address and prevent the harms stemming from the use of AI in the migration context.

Adding that, “states and institutions are focused on promoting AI in terms of benefits for wider society, marginalised communities and people on the move particularly migrants, asylum seekers and refugees”

“But, the states and institutions have failed to understand that, the AI technologies fit into wider systems of over-surveillance, criminalisation, structural discrimination and violence” the release added.

The release unbundled to newsmen the recommendations put forward to the EU by the 163 organizations and 29 individuals following amendments of the AI Act;

“Prohibit unacceptable uses of AI system in the context of migration” 

“Also to ensure that, all AI systems used in migration are regulated to include ‘high-risk’ of (Biometric identification systems, AI system for border monitoring & surveillance, Predictive analytic systems used for people on the move)

“Ensuring the AI Act applied to all high-risk systems in migration, including those in use as part of EU IT systems”

“And to ensure that transparency and oversight measures apply” 

The release also stressed that, the EU AI act must be amended to prevent harm from AI systems used in migration and border control, guaranteeing public transparency and empowering people and groups to understand, seek explanations, complain and achieve remedies when AI systems violate their rights.

By

Sagiru Ado Abubakar

In its effort to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities, the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has on Sunday 4^th December, 2022 joined the global communities to commemorate this year’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2022.  International Day of Persons with Disabilities is a global effort aim at promoting empowerment and helping to create real opportunities for people with disabilities. The celebration is a one-day event held at ground floor, CITAD with a theme “Kano State Disability Law: Prospects and Challenges” has a representation of almost all clusters of People Living with Disabilities in Kano State and dwelled deeply on the Kano State Disability Law signed by His Excellency Executive Governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. Malam Isyaku Garba, CITAD Programs Cordinator represented the Executive Director of CITAD at the event. He welcomed the participants and said that International Day of Persons with Disabilities gives opportunity to government, policy makers, human right activists, development workers and every stakeholder to deliberate on strategic ways to make effective demand for inclusion and accountability on matters that affect people living with abilities. He then hinted that CITAD has been making effort to establish a centre that promote inclusion, access, participation, disability rights and mainstreaming of issues of critical concern of people living with disabilities. 

Malam Sagiru Ado Abubakar coordinates the activities of people living with disabilities at CITAD. He took the participants back on the discussion during Kano Social Influencers Summit (KANSIS 2022) on the arrangement INEC made with regard to PWDs during the forthcoming general elections. He then informed that ‘Technology, Disability and Election’ breakout session in KANSIS 2022 was one of the best sessions in KANSIS 2022 in term of attendance and won momentum of dignitaries. 

Hajiya Bilkisu Ibrahim Mahmoud, a lecturer at College of Arts Science and Remedial Studies, (CAS) Kano chaired the event. In her opening remarks, she acknowledged the work of CITAD in helping the PWDs in Kano to understand the law, makes sure that the law has been provided with all necessary assistance and proper implementation. She apologized to CITAD for her inability to attend the KANSIS 2022 organized by CITAD saying that she was given short notice a day only to the event.

Malam Saifullahi Mukhtar Sadiq, Program Officer, Kanawa Educational Foundation for the Disables and Secretary Visually Impaired Educational Forum, Tudun Maliki, Kano made the first presentation. He presented paper on the Kano State Person with Disability Law signed by His Excellency Governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. He said that the bill was approved November 22 held at Government House, Kano. Saifullahi explained that the law would pave a way for the inclusion and development of PWDs in the state. The law has provided for the establishment of a board to oversee the affairs of PWDs and when established, the board would be given all the necessary assistance to make the law functional according to international standard.

Other content of the law maintained that no person with disability shall be discriminated against on the ground of his or her disability by any person or institution in any manner of circumstances. No person with disability shall be subjected to prejudice or negative segregation, including those based on gender, work, education, health, age, tradition and any other area of life. State, Local Government and private sectors must give special consideration to PWDs in social walfare, and other programs in line with the existing law. After highlighting major sections of the law he then informed that the draft of the law is available with them and waiting for the final version of the law from the state government. 

Barrister Nura Ahmad Muhammad, Executive Director MUFARKA Youth Development Association, made the last presentation. He looked into the prospects and challenges that the law might have face. He said that now that the Kano State Disability Law has been assented by the Governor of Kano State, the implementation of the Law is depending largely on the establishment of the Commission responsible for the implementation. However, we can make a look at the prospects and challenges with regards to the implementation of the law. He listed as follows: 

PROSPECTS:

• Protection for the rights and dignity of Person with Disabilities. The Law will ensure the protection of People with Disabilities in Kano.

• Legal framework. Disability Law is a legal document which will help in protecting the rights of People with Disabilities.

• Sustainability of Policy. Now that the Bill is passed into, there will be continuity in policies and programs related to People with Disabilities.

CHALLENGES:

• Proper implementation of the law. This can be achieved if the Commission created by the Law has been established.

• Funding of the Commission. For the Commission to function properly it has to be funded adequately. And all the fund allocated to the commission be released on time.

• Awareness Creation. Members of the public need to sensitized about the new Law. This will help in the successful implementation of the Law in Kano State.

At the end of the program, participants commented as follows

• Malam Hamza Isa Baffa, PRO, Kanawa Educational Foundation for Disabled drew the attention of the participants to make good plan for follow ups.  He said that now election is coming, they can engage political aspirants as early as possible to see the actualization of the law
• Malam Yahya A. Yahya, Chairman National Association of Physically Challenge People, Kano state chapter worried on how some clusters of PWDs in Kano are busy making contact to govern the commission when established. He said that until now there is no mechanism for implementation
• Amina Abubakar Haruna urged the clusters of PWDs to make effort on sensitization and awareness creation to the wider public
• Fatima Aminu, a physically Challenged participants requested CITAD to hold their hands and continue guiding them in order to ensure fully implementation of the law in the state
• Safina Sani emphasized that many institutions in the state are not aware of the law, she said that with social media training the undergone at CITAD they will take that advantage and ensure proper enlightenment on social media

By

ZAINAB USMAN SALIHU
AND
SAGIRU ADO ABUBAKAR

The Centre for Information Technology and Development has on 30 th November, 2022
conducted the 21 st ICT Quiz competition for Secondary Schools in Kano State. The ICT quiz that
has been conducted annually aimed to explore the major issues teachers and students
encounter in ICT and computing education at school, stimulate the students and teachers to
think more deeply about the IT career and serve as an advocacy tool for policy makers to
provide an enabling ICTs policies and basic infrastructures to secondary schools. For years
CITAD has been conducting the quiz in one of the tertiary institutions in the state. This is to
serve as an eye opener to the participating secondary school students and familiarize them to
higher institutions environment. This year’s ICT quiz took place at Main Auditorium, Yusuf
Maitama Sule University, City Campus, Kano. About 50 senior secondary schools have been
invited for this year’s quiz competition but 36 schools showed up. The schools were: New Girl’s
Science & Technical College, GGSS Aisami, Dawakin Tofa Science College, S.A.S Kano, GSTC Dala,
GTC Sani Abacha, GSS Kofar Nasarawa, GTC Kano, GGSS Sumaila, GDSS Kundum Sumaila, GGSS
Janbulo, Prof. Hafsat Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Mukhtar Adnan DSCK, Governors College, GGSS
Kabo, GGSS Dorayi Karama, GGASS Bichi, GSS Dantube, First Ladies College, Kano, and GSCS
Commercial. Others included MTGSTC, GSS Dala, GSS Unguwar Gano, GGSS Jogana, GGSS
Maryam Abacha, Sani Bello Science College DKD, GTC Warawa, GGSS Bulukiya, KUST Staff

Secondary School Wudil, GSS Yada Kwari, GTC Ungogo, GSS Ganduje, GGSS Dorayi Babba, GGSS
Zakirai, GGSS Bichi and GSS Shekara, Kano
In his welcome remark, the Executive Director, Centre for Information Technology and
Development (CITAD) Malam YZ Ya’u who was represented by the Training Coordinator, Malam
Ahmad Abdullahi Yakasai said that CITAD uses the quiz as a tool for raising awareness on ICT
among teachers and students, encourage the study of computer education and testing ICT
knowledge among secondary school students. He added that this year’s ICT quiz is unique
looking at the number of participating schools and for the first time holding at Yusuf Maitama
Sulr University, Kano. He added that much have been done for the past 20 years inculcating the
value of ICT knowledge among secondary school students. He finally announced the prizes to
be won at the end of this year’s ICT quiz. The prizes were as follows:
1 st position: Laptop computer, printer, wall clock, 2 dozen of exercise books, 2 bags and 2 slots
for ICT scholarship for the participating students
2 nd Place Position: Laptop, wall clock, 2 dozen of exercise books, 2 bags and 2 slots for ICT
scholarship for the participating students
3 rd Place: refurbished desktop computer, wall clock, 2 dozen of exercise books, 2 bags and 2
slots for ICT scholarship for the participating students.
Best Teacher: Plasma TV
All Participating School: Certificate of Attendance for teachers and the students
Dignitaries present during the ICT quiz competition included Prof Amina Salihi Bayero, DVC
(Academic), Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Kano, Dr. Sani Danjuma, HOD Computer Science,
Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Kano, Prof Tijjani Salihi Bichi, Kano University of Science and
Technology, Wudil, Malam Sani Abdurrahman Naruwa, NITDA, Malam Aminu Idris, Kano State
Senior Secondary School (KSSSMB), Kano, Malam Auwal Mukhtar, Kano State Senior Secondary
School (KSSSMB), Kano and Malam Musa Isa, Science and technology School Board, Kano. In his
goodwill message the Vice Chancellor, Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Kano who served as the
chief host and ably represented by Prof Amina Salihi Bayero thanked the organizers for

selecting their institution to host the quiz competition out of the number of institutions in the
state. She said her both wanted to be attend the competition by himself but due to certain
reasons beyond his control could not be able to attend. Prof. Salihi assured the organizers and
the participating schools all necessary support during the competition. She informed that ICT is
one of the programs that received number of students seeking for admission every year. Yusuf
Maitama Sule has been offering BSc Information Communication Technology and BSc Computer
Science. Recently, National University Commission has granted permission for the university to
start offering BSc Software Engineering and BSc Server Security. She emphasized that soon the
university will establish faculty of computing offering many computer related courses. She
finally welcomed CITAD and participating schools on behalf of the university community.
Malam Musa Isa, deputy director Science and Technical School Board represented the
Executive Director Science Board at the quiz competition. In his message, said that CITAD
deserved to be applause for organizing the quiz for the past 20 years. He hoped that the
organizers will not relax for a second in making students excel in ICT career. He extended the
warm greeting of his boss to the organizers, the students and the teaching staff who he
described as backbone of the competition. Malam Aminu Idris represented Executive Secretary
Kano State Senior Secondary School Board, Kano. He urged the students to make sure that they
have a virtue of hardworking because it’s the formular of successes. He said that the Executive
Secretary wished them the participants success not only for this quiz competition but in the
entire endeavor in life.
Dr. Sani Danjuma, HOD Computer Science served as the Chief Judge at quiz. He said that as a
Chief Judge, he must guide and ensure the smooth running of the quiz. He then announced the
following rules and regulations for the quiz competition.
 There are three rounds for each session
 Each school will answer one question per round
 Each question carries 2 marks
 There is only one attempt, think before voicing out the answer
 Participants can discuss silently among themselves for the correct answer

 Only one participant should voice out the answer
 No bonus question will be answered
 Participants should voice out the answer loudly before 20 seconds
 In case of bracket additional question would be selected to clear the bracket
 No student should participate in two consecutive years
 Anybody found giving leakage to the participant both the school and the person would
be disqualified and will be reported to the ministry for further action
 The school are divided into two groups
 From each group three schools with highest scores will qualified for the final
 The six qualified schools would run the final session from which 1 st , 2 nd 3 rd position will
emerge

The first round of the competition featured 20 schools in the system of first come first to serve
basis. The schools were as follows: New Girl’s Science & Technical College, GGSS Aisami,
Dawakin Tofa Science College, S.A.S Kano, GSTC Dala, GTC Sani Abacha, GSS Kofar Nasarawa,
GTC Kano, GGSS Sumaila, GDSS Kundum Sumaila, GGSS Janbulo, Prof. Hafsat Abdullahi Umar
Ganduje, Mukhtar Adnan DSCK, Governors College, GGSS Kabo, GGSS Dorayi Karama, GGASS
Bichi, GSS Dantube, First Ladies College, Kano, and GSCS Commercial. Interestingly, no school
has scored zero in the first round of the competition. GGSS Aisami, GTC Sani Abacha, GGSS
Janbulo, Governors College, GGSS Kabo, GGSS Dorayi Karama, GGASS Bichi and GSS Dantube
answered one question and score 2 marks each. GGSS Sumaila, First Ladies College, Kano and
GSCS Commercial answered 2 questions and scored 4 marks each. New Girl’s Science and
Technical College, S.A.S Kano, GSTC Dala, GSS Kofar Nassarawa, GDSS Kundum Sumaila, and
Mukhtar Adnan DSCK answered all their 3 questions and scored 6 marks each. Because of the
tally, the Chief Judge announced that there should be additional round for the schools that
scored 6 marks to clear the bracket. New Girl’s Science & Technical College, GSTC Dala and
Mukhtar Adnan DSCK couldn’t and answer the question given to them at the additional round,
they scored zero each. Another round still had to be given to S.A.S Kano, GSS Kofar Nassarawa,
GTC Kano and GDSS Kundum Sumaila. S.A.S Kano, GSS Kofar Nassarawa and GDSS Kundum

Sumaila answered the question given to the and qualified to be at the final session of the
competition.
The second round featured 16 schools as follows: MTGSTC, GSS Dala, GSS Unguwar Gano, GGSS
Jogana, GGSS Maryam Abacha, Sani Bello Science College DKD, GTC Warawa, GGSS Bulukiya,
KUST Staff Secondary School Wudil, GSS Yada Kwari, GTC Ungogo, GSS Ganduje, GGSS Dorayi
Babba, GGSS Zakirai, GGSS Bichi and GSS Shekara, Kano. GGSS Bulukiya was the only school that
couldn’t answer any question in the entire competition and scored zero. GSS Unguwar Gano,
GGSS Jogana, GSS Yada Kwari, GTC Ungogo, GSS Ganduje, GGSS Dorayi Babba, GGSS Zakirai and
GSS Shekara, Kano answered one question and scored 2 marks each. MTGSTC, GSS Dala, Sani
Bello Science College, Dawakin Kudu and GTC Warawa answered 2 questions and scored 4
marks each. GGSS Maryam Abacha and KUST Staff Secondary School, Wudil answered 3
questions and scored 6 marks each. This means that GGSS Maryam Abacha and KUST Staff
Secondary School, Wudil that answered 3 questions and scored 6 marks each qualified to the
final session automatically. For the MTGSTC, GSS Dala, Sani Bello Science College, Dawakin
Kudu and GTC Warawa that answered 2 questions and scored 4 marks each must be given
another round in order to have one school that join the 2 schools with 6 marks each in the final
session. GSS Dala and GTC Warawa couldn’t make it, scored zero. MTGSTC and Sani Bello
Science College Dawakin Kudu battled again to clear the tally of 2 marks scored each in the
additional round. Sani Bello Science College answered the question given to them and joined
GGSS Maryam Abacha and KUST Staff Secondary School that emerged winners in this group to
the final session.
Subsequently, Malam Ali Sabo, CITAD Communication and Campaign Officer who served as
Master of the Ceremony (MC) asked the participants and the audience to go for lunch and rest
for 30 minutes and come back for the final session. The final session featured the following
schools: GSS Kofar Nassarawa, GDSS Kundum Sumaila, GGSS Maryam Abacha, KUST Staff
Secondary School and Sani Bello Science College. GSS Kofar Nasarawa couldn’t answer any
question and scored zero. GDSS Kundum Sumaila and KUST Staff Secondary School answered
one qyestions and scored 2 marks each. S.A.S answered 2 questions and scored 4 marks. While
GGSS Maryam Abacha and Sani Bello Science College, Dawakin Kudu answered all the 3

questions and scored 6 marks each. The result has shown that GSS Kofar Nassarawa that
couldn’t answer any question and scored zero and GDSS Kundum Sumaila and KUST Staff
Secondary School that answered one question and scored 2 marks each couldn’t make it. S.A.S
Kano that answered 2 questions and scored mark has automatically won the 3 rd position of the
21 st ICT competition. Still there was a bracket between GGSS Maryam Abacha and Sani Bello
Science College, Dawakin Kudu that answered all the 3 questions and scored 6 marks each.
They should compete in view of having the 1 st and 2 nd position. It was so excited to see the two
schools answering the additional round given to them. It took the two schools 4 added rounds
before GGSS Maryam Abacha scored zero in the last chance. This specified categorically that
Sani Bello Science College that answered the last chance won the 1 st position of 21 st ICT quiz
competition and GGSS Maryam Abacha came second.
The Vice Chancellor, Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Kano who was represented by Prof. Amina
Salihi Bayero, DVC Academic helped to present the prizes of the first-place position to Sani Bello
Science College that emerged victorious for the first-place position. Former DVC Admin, Prof.
Tijjani Saleh Bichi presented the prizes of second-place position to GGSS Maryam Abacha that
emerged victorious for second-place position. Malam Musa Isa who represented the Executive
Secretary, Science and Technical School Board presented the prizes of 3 rd -place position School
for Arabic Studies (SAS) that won the 3 rd position.
Giving his remarks Prof. Tijjani Sale Bichi, former DVC Admin, Kano University of Science and
Technology (KUST), Wudil congratulated the winners of the competition and appreciated the
effort of CITAD in doing great Job. He then finally expressed his worries about the poor
performance of two secondary schools from his home town.
A floor of comments and observations were opened finally to allow the students, the teachers
and the general audience to make contribution. Malam Isa Musa from Science Board advised
that the quiz should add subjective questions (fill in the blank) to expand the quiz. Abdulyasar
Yahaya Musa a student from GSS Kofar Nassarawa expressed his appreciation on the
performance of the participants and offered his advice to have a written form next time.

Mu’azzam Salisu from GTC Warawa also appreciated the members of the high table and the
organizers of the program and congratulate the winners.
Malam Haruna Adamu, CITAD made the vote of thanks