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/

Text of press conference addressed by Y. Z. Yaú, Executive Director, Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) on Wednesday, May 4, 2022 at CITAD, Kano

Members of the press, I welcome you to this press conference on an issue of national importance. This is the issues of technology-assisted gender violence. By technology-assisted gender violence we mean the way in which technology is deployed specifically to harm women and girls, including harassment online, rape, kidnapping and killing facilitated via interaction and use of digital technology. 

Within the past two weeks, we have two very disturbing contents on the internet, both of which degrade and dehumanise women and the individuals involved. The first was a posting of sexual escape of students of Chrisland, Lagos in faraway Dubai which went viral, leading to the suspension of academic activities in the school. The second concerned a lady in Ado-Ekiti who was invited her to a hotel room by her friend who had arranged with his three other friends and not only gang-raped her but also posted the act on the internet. A third case in which a lady was kidnapped for money occurred earlier last month in Abuja when a man the lady befriended on social media invited her to his hotel, only for him and his friends to kidnap her, demanding N50million from her parents as ransom.  There have been many other such cases in which social media friends lured their female friends only to rape them and in some instances, kill them to cover up the crime. 

Cases of young girls falling victims of this technology assisted crime have been on the rise and are contributing negatively to the efforts to address and overcome the gender dimension of the digital divide in the country, which casts women on the negative side of the divide and making it difficult for them to access and make use of the opportunities and benefits digital technology offers for educational advancement, economic empowerment and social inclusion. 

CITAD has for the past five years been engaged in monitoring and countering gender violence online and take this very serious, because we have in an earlier research found that gender-based violence online has been a major factor inhibiting factor for the effective use of digital spaces by girls and women in the country as they have internalised the fear that harmful content online has induced in them. In another research, we found that harmful content online is targeted at female politicians and women in career such as female journalists and academics, with the aim of discouraging them from those spaces, thus furthering their marginalization in those spheres. For example, female politicians are subjected to social media abuse and intimidation and that in many of cases, they were forced to drop out of contesting of elections because of this. In addition, parents and husbands are also using the same excuse to prevent their daughters and wives from using the internet. Unfortunately, in the world we live today, we must all make use of the internet. 

In all these cases, it is the country and society that suffer from this criminal misappropriation of the powers of the internet. As learning, commerce, social interactions and government services move online, it means that those left behind digitally or are unable to access and use the internet, will equally be left behind in those other spheres. Women constitute slightly more than half of the population of the country. As majority of these women are remaining offline as a result of gender violence online and other harmful contents, it means that a large population of Nigerians is left behind. In this situation, Nigeria cannot achieve the sustainable development goals as most of them require effective deployment and use of the internet. Girls are at disadvantage in getting admission to higher education because they have been prevented from learning to use digital skills which are necessary for passing the entrance examinations to the higher institutions in the country. Yet here in the North we complain of lack of sufficient number of female doctors and other health related professionals, even when we deny girls the opportunity to learn digital skills to gain admission to study for medical profession. Women are the majority of citizens who are identity excluded in Nigeria and consequently also financial services excluded, making it difficult for them to access financial services and progress in business. Lack of identity also is inhibiting their ability to exercise their freedom of movement as some important modes of travel cannot convey people without authenticated identity. 

It is for these reason that we at CITAD takes the issue of technology-assisted gender violence online as a serious national problem, that the government has to consider and take necessary means to address it.  We note the recent empanelling of a Committee by the Federal Government to study and propose solutions to ensuring the protection of children online. While we welcome this action, we would like government to also consider and act in the same manner with respect to gender violence online. It is important to reflect that technology-assisted gender violence is pernicious as it is not easily visible, making the victims to suffer doubly as victims of violence and as victims of stigmatization when they report and make their suffering public. This is why victims do not report, allowing themselves to suffer in silence. 

In this respect CITAD will like to call on the federal government as well as state governments to as a matter of national urgency:

1. Set up a panel to study and propose solutions to technology-assisted gender violence, including proposing legislations on how to deal with it. In making this call, we would like to caution against throwing the baby with the bathwater. Government should not use this as an opportunity to inhibiting access to the internet for citizens but rather improve on how citizens are able to access and safely use the internet. 
2. The Federal Government should incorporate safety and privacy online in the computer studies curriculum of secondary schools. In this way, computer studies can then not be just done to get a credit for admission to higher institutions but also to get life skills that will prepare the students for successful emersion into the digital world. While we have made computer studies compulsory at secondary schools, we have not incorporated safety issues in the curriculum. This gaps should be addressed quickly because learning computer studies is not just for passing examinations but to gain skills that are needed to fit into the digital world of today.
3. Lot of the criminal uses of the internet is relating to poor understanding of digital rights. In particular, government itself has not shown proper appreciation of the importance of digital rights. Without a bill of digital rights, the use of the digital space can be counterproductive as we see it now. In this respect, the National Assembly should quickly pass the Digital Rights Bill and the President should sign it.
4. The federal government should also come up with a national digital inclusion agenda that will address the many challenges that inhibit the effective access to and use of the internet. This will contribute greatly in addressing the various dimensions of the internal digital divide in the country. 

Ugo Aliogo

The Coordinator of Nigerian School of Community Networks(NSCN) Haruna Adamu Hadejia, has called on the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami, to ensure full implementation of the draft National Policy on Community Networks.

Hadejia, who disclosed this yesterday in Lagos at a media briefing enjoined the Galaxy Backbone Plc to provide communities with access to its backbone for them to use as their community networks getaways.

He urged the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) to support the upgrading of the many communities’ digital centres they set up in the country to serve as basis of community networks for communities that desirous and passionate to set up such in their communities.

He  appealed to the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) to develop guidelines and regulations for the operation of community networks in the country and to allow communities to access and use TV White Space (TVWS) for the purposes of setting up community networks

He further explained that NITDA needs to work with communities at grassroots level to drive digital literacy which is critical for the effective utilization of digital technology and which is the foundation upon which the digital transformation agenda of the country would rest.

He urged Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to sustain evidence-based advocacy for the establishment of CNs across the country.

Hadejia called on the private sector operators to as, part of their corporate social responsibility to support communities to set up community networks.

According to him, “We call on all other stakeholders, including political office holders to support communities to go digital as critical contribution to community development. We also call on the private sector operators to see community networks as complimentary, but not competitors. Community networks have failed to take roots in Nigeria because we do not have a national policy to guide their emergence and provide a supportive environment for communities to leverage various opportunities to bridge the connectivity gaps.

“Community networks are telecommunication infrastructure designed, deployed and managed by communities to meet their communication need. Globally these community networks are helping many countries such as in Kenya, South Africa, Brazil and Mexico to address the internal dimensions of their digital divide.

“The Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) has said there are 114 communities where GSM signals are either weak or not at all. These are called underserved and unserved communities. These communities could, if there is a policy that would provide clear rules for interconnectivity, frequency and spectrum allocation and use, etc, could mobilize their own resources and create their communication infrastructure to address their need.

“The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has in the last eight months, been engaging the policy makers especially the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, the telecommunication regulators, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and other stakeholders in the country such as NITDA, USPF and Galaxy Backbone with the aim of arriving at a consensus on developing a national policy for community networks. They all agreed on its desirability, noting that community networks will help greatly in accelerating efforts of government to address the digital divide and to prime the country to achieve its digital transformation agenda.”

By Rabiu Musa

HOTPEN – A Non-Governmental Organization, Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), has expressed concern over statistics in Kano which indicated that gender-based violence reigns high in the state.

The organization said the statistics about the increase in gender-based violence in Kano has grown in alarming proportion hence, the need for all hands to be on deck to combat the menace.

The Gender Program Officer of the Center,  Zainab Aminu, raised the concern while addressing newsmen on Thursday in Kano.

According to her, the data collected in the Month of February through Centre’s GBV Mobile App depicts the persistent occurrence of Gender-Based Violence, most especially the high number of sexual harassments.

She said “In comparison with the data obtained in previous months, GBV cases are still being perpetrated”, adding that 15 cases were reported via our GBV App for the month of February which includes Rape, Sexual Harassment, Wife Battering and others”.

“It is in view of this that we urge the state government to adopt laws to protect women and girls, and as well establish Referral Centers and Forensic Centers for victims”

“We would like to commend the efforts of our traditional and religious leaders and all stakeholders in intensifying their effort to create awareness against GBV”.

Zainab further appeals to parents, relatives and others to always report cases either directly to the centre or to other sister NGOs as well as to government agencies such as National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), National Orientation Agency (NOA), Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking In Persons (NAPTIP) or Hisbah.

“GBV strives when we all keep quiet. We cannot win the battle against it unless every perpetrator is brought to the book”.

Ladies and gentlemen, the Executive Director, I and the entire GBV Project Team are very pleased to welcome you to our February Edition press conference. Based on our regular data analysis, and in line with our forward guidance, our monthly press conference continues report data collected on our GBV Mobile App.
The Data Collection strategies we apply are as follows:
1. The use of CITAD GBV App for people to report incidences. The App is available on Play Store
for Android and IOS. It can be downloaded by anyone and cases can be reported anonymously.

2. The use of monitors in tertiary institutions in the state as well as within communities.
3. Cooperation and sharing of data with various agencies in obtaining data and working hand-in-
hand to curb GBV.
4. Sensitization activities and awareness creation by trained champions within the communities.
Also, to provide a safe space for young girls to report cases and threat as well learn how to protect
themselves at the same time have opportunity for personalized counselling to deal with the trauma.
We have set up two safe-spaces for learning and creativity in some schools that are to serve a cluster
11 schools where we hold ICT Classes to enable the students have the required basic skills to operate
computers, monitor and report GBV cases within the school environment. We have also positioned a
number of highly accomplished women professional as mentors who are available both on-site and
off-site to listen to the girls and other victims for counselling and support to overcome the trauma.
We will now report on the outcome of our monthly monitoring activities of Gender Based Violence. As
usual, let me start with the Data Presentation.

The table below shows data collected for the month of February 2022:

The data above depicts the persistent occurrence of Gender-Based Violence, most especially the high
number of sexual harassments. The cases of Rape, and other GBV, even though under-reported still
calls for action.
In comparison with the data obtained in previous months, GBV cases are still being perpetrated. 15
cases were reported via our GBV App for the month which includes Rape, Sexual Harassment, Wife
Battering and others.
It is in view of this that we urge the state government to adopt laws to protect women and girls, and
as well establish Referral Centers and Forensic Centers for victims.
We would like to commend the efforts of our traditional and religious leaders and all stakeholders in
intensifying their effort to create awareness against GBV.
While we continue to monitor, we will like to appeal to parents, relatives and others to always report
cases to the various to either directly to us or to other sister NGOs as well as to government agencies
such as National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), National Orientation Agency (NOA), Nigerian
Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking In
Persons (NAPTIP) or Hisbah. GBV strives when we all keep quiet. We cannot win the battle against it
unless every perpetrator is brought to the books.
Keeping silent will not protect the victims who suffer. It encourages the perpetrators to take this
silence as a stamp of acceptability.
We are now at your disposal for questions.

Zainab Aminu 
Gender Project Program Officer

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Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen of the press, we want to thank you most sincerely for
coming to cover this briefing. At the Centre for Information Technology and Development
(CITAD) we implement the Public Education on COVID Vaccine project. The project which is
supported by MacArthur Foundation is aimed to educating and enlightening the public on the
role and relevance of COVID vaccine. We work with 18 partners across six northern states,
namely: Bauchi, Borno, Kano, Kaduna, Kogi and Plateau. We are therefore going to address you
on issues relating to vaccination.

COVID outbreak is no doubt one of the pandemics the world has witnessed recently. Deaths
have been recorded in towns and villages, movements have been restricted, lockdowns imposed,
gatherings banned, etc people have really felt the consequences of the pandemic greatly, these
measures were laudably taken to address the pandemic.
Therefore standing against COVID should not be the role of governments at different levels,
civil society or private sector-led initiatives, rather the larger members of the society have a
crucial role to play. Efforts no matter how carefully tailored cannot alone succeed in addressing

the virus if members of the society do not support and cooperate with the initiatives, taking the
vaccine is surely one way to prevent ourselves from the virus.
COVID Vaccine Administration Situation from States
The data we at CITAD gathered from researches and engagements conducted by our 18 partners
across six states of the north has given us a broader perspective on the hindrances and challenges
of the COVID vaccination in those states. The hindrances and challenges differ from state to
state as can be seen below.
For example in Borno state there are 87 vaccination spots across the 27 local governments of the
state. But the main challenge of getting as people as possible vaccinated are as follows:
1. Lack of COVID certificate seal or barcode in 70% of the vaccination spots
2. Nonpayment of COVID vaccine administrators
3. Misconception on vaccine amongst government officials
4. Lack of sufficient information on where and how to be vaccinated
The above problems are creating serious hindrances to COVID vaccine administration in the
state. As established by our partners, more than 70% of the vaccination centres had ran out of
seal to place on the vaccine certificates of the vaccinated people. We therefore appeal to Borno
state government to immediately access the seals for smooth vaccination exercise to take place in
the state. Another critical challenge is in the area of nonpayment of the health workers involved
in the vaccine administration. Lack of that motivation has further made some of the staff to be
completely absent at the vaccination spots or close before time. This situation has made people
who want to be vaccinated not to access the vaccine. There are also misconceptions and
conspiracy theories around the vaccine that some government officials in the state have which
has also been a serious problem to getting people vaccinated, this has not only demoralized many
people, but it has also reinforced their disbelief and rejection of the vaccine.
In Plateau state, while there is information on where and how people can get vaccinated, the
major hindrances are however stated as follows:
1. Fear of Future of Consequences of the Vaccine
2. Conspiracy Theories of Opinion Leaders

While there is information on vaccination spots in the state, the major challenge as found by our
partners in the state is the fear that many people have on the vaccine, believing that it has future
consequences on the people that accept the vaccine. Rumour circulating on the vaccine remains a
critical hindrance. To complement the earlier negative narrative, some opinion leaders in the
state hold strong negative views about the virus and its vaccination, that is a major problem to
getting more people accept the vaccine despite considerable information flow on accessing the
vaccine. We urge the state government to look into that and address those problems.

In Kogi state more people are accepting the vaccine and that is largely due to role of elites,
federal and state civil servants in accepting the vaccine. That has be an encouraging factor to
many people accepting the vaccine. For example 75 people were vaccinated in two days in
Adankolo Primary Health Centre Lokoja. However, that is not to say there are no challenges
regarding vaccination exercise in the state as people speculate that taking the vaccine makes one
sick.
In Kano state, findings indicate that teachers in Tsangaya schools reject the vaccine because
according to them their numerous problems have been left unattended to and unaddressed as
well. Some of them feel the vaccine is not as important as other critical problems they have. This
is a major hindrance to vaccinating not only the teachers but the hundreds of thousands of their
students. It is therefore recommended that authorities work closely with them to proffer solutions
to issues around them and get them vaccinated as they form a considerable number in the
population of Kano state.
Our Concerns
It is unfortunate that despite the difficult moment COVID has pushed people into, vaccination
against the virus in the country is still very low. Premium Times Newspaper reported on 4 th
December, 2021 that only 3% of Nigerians are vaccinated, this is disturbing at a time when
Omicron variant is surfacing.
What is happening in countries such as South Africa, United Kingdom, Czech, U.S.A,
Netherlands, Columbia, etc should serve as a lesson to Nigeria and Nigerians that COVID is not
gone yet. And with Omicron variant making waves we must urge that efforts to curb the spread
of the virus be taken more seriously.
Recommendations:
1. As a matter of urgency we appeal to all unvaccinated Nigerians to quickly go and take the
vaccine.
2. We urge stakeholders and opinion leaders in Plateau state to work together to address
misconception theories on COVID and its vaccination as well as enlighten the public on
the relevance of the vaccine.
3. We urge authorities in Borno state to ensure the provision of sufficient seals to the
vaccination spots and motivate vaccination staff by paying their allowances
4. We urge people to disregard fake narratives around the vaccine as the narratives were not
scientifically proven. Reputable health agencies have confirmed the efficiency of the
vaccine as such people should disregard the rumours
5. Health authorities in various states should prioritize information sharing on how and
where people can get the vaccine.

6. To this end we would like to strongly appeal to traditional and religious leaders, the
media, community associations and opinion leaders in the society to join us in the
campaign to enlighten people on the relevance of the vaccine and taking it.
7. We want traditional leaders to use their chain of leadership to emphasize the role of the
vaccine and taking it, we equally want religious leaders to sensitize their members and
followers in various fora on taking the vaccine.
8. We want to urge all and sundry in the society to corporate with authorities in their quest
to curbing the spread of the virus by adhering to all measures being put in place.
9. COVID is not over yet, therefore measures such as putting on face masks and avoiding
crowd or maintaining social distancing where necessary should still be observed.
10. If you are not vaccinated, quickly and get vaccinated!
Signed:
Hamza Ibrahim,
Project Manager,
Public Education Vaccine Project.
Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD).

Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) Bauchi Office

Thursday 3 rd February, 2022

Good morning ladies and gentlemen of the press, on behalf of the Centre for Information
Technology and Development (CITAD) I would like to thank you honoring our invitation and
coming to cover this press conference. We are indeed grateful to you for your continued support
on our work. The essence of this press conference is to share with you some of the key
hindrances to COVID-19 vaccination exercise we have identified in six states of our project
implementation.
Introduction
The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) with support from
MacArthur Foundation is implementing a “Public Education on COVID-19 Vaccine” in six
states of the north. The states are Bauchi, Borno, Kaduna, Kogi, Kano and Plateau. The project
is aimed at creating awareness around COVID-19 vaccine with a view to getting acceptance and
uptake of the vaccine by people. In all the six states CITAD works with partners from different
backgrounds and professions to enlighten people on the need to take the vaccine.
Hindrances to Vaccine Administration in the Project States
Having monitored COVID-19 vaccine administration in the six project states for the last two
months, we are displeased to note that we have identified both general and specific issues that
are hindering uptake of the vaccine thereby further risking the efforts at addressing the
pandemic. This we must say is unfortunate particularly at a time when new variants of the virus
are emerging. While we noticed that misinformation about COVID-19 vaccine is still prevalent,
we also regret to note here that state governments are in some way aiding non acceptance of the
vaccine by not fully supporting the vaccination exercise where people who want to be vaccinated
are required by the vaccination officials to make payments for their details to be captured and
uploaded online on the national register, this we particularly found happening in Kogi state.
The issue of requesting people to make payments to be vaccinated will not only hamper the
vaccination exercise but will make people to stay away from taking the vaccine, and this
potentially renders more people insecure.
Our observation also discovered a serious lack of coordination in the vaccine distribution by
agencies responsible within the healthcare chain. While in Borno state people going for second
doses for Astrazeneca and Moderna were told the vaccines are not available, in Plateau state
45,288 doses of Pfizer had to be recalled after distribution to local communities for nearing
expiration. Again visits to some vaccination spots in Plateau indicate unavailability of the

vaccines. The lack of proper coordination is causing delay in accessing the vaccine by the
vaccination spots, for example in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, State Primary Health
Development Agency supplies the vaccination centres with the vaccines without the involvement
of the local government concerned, on exhaustion of the vaccines the centres usually are forced
into confusion as local government usually makes a case that they are supplied the vaccines by
the SPHCDA therefore they should not request from it. This effect of improper coordination put
people on hold unnecessarily.
The problems we have identified are no doubt hindrances to the COVID-19 vaccine uptake. The
identified challenges if not addressed quickly will reinforce the misconception and fake news in
circulation about the vaccine, and that will sabotage the efforts geared towards containing the
virus and addressing the pandemic in general.
1. Vaccine administrators demand data payment from people who want to get vaccinated to
upload their details on the online national register
2. Lack of will from top government officials-that further reinforces negative impression
people have on the vaccine
3. Lack of proper coordination in vaccine administration and distribution
4. Absence of vaccination spots at gathering places such as Mosques, churches, banks
5. Vaccination spots mounted at distant locations
6. Lack of support of opinion leaders
7. Fear of expired vaccines in use
8. Inaccessibility of the vaccines in rural communities
9. Nonpayment of vaccine administrators’ allowances
10. Closure of some vaccination spots due to nonpayment of vaccine administrators
11. Lack cold storage facilities in remote communities
12. Lack of political will
13. Unavailability of vaccines at some vaccination spots
14. Circulation false narratives around the vaccine

Recommendations:
Having identified series of avoidable challenges and problems, we would like to strongly
recommend that the following actions be taken to salvage the vaccination exercise:
1. We appeal to Kogi state governor to immediately put a stop to “pay to get vaccinated” by
providing data and other form of supports vaccine administrators in the state
2. Call on the state governors concerned to as a matter of urgency work to address the
problems we have identified
3. They should as examine the vaccination channel in their separate states to have a broader
view of the identified problems and other and deploy the needed mechanisms

4. We urge the public to disregard misconceptions and false narratives around COVID-19
and to get vaccinated
5. We appeal to State Primary Healthcare Development Agencies in the six states to review
their operation manual to ensure proper coordination for effective vaccination exercise
Signed:
Hamza Ibrahim,
Coordinator,
Public Education on COVID-19 Vaccine Project,
Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD)

Text of Press Conference addressed by Y. Z. Yaú. the Executive Director of the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) at Treasurers Sites and Conference, Abuja on February 10, 2022

Last week, precisely on February 2, 2022, the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) convened a meeting of stakeholders in the telecommunication sector on the need for a National Strategy for community networks to address the various dimensions of the digital divide in the country. The meeting, which was attended by over 40 people including people from government agencies, representatives of private sector, development partners, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), professionals, civil society organizations, community based organizations piloting community networks and academics, had the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy Prof Isa Ali Pantami, represented by the Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission, Engr Abdulaziz Aliyu delivering the keynote address.

Participants at the meeting affirmed the viability of community networks as one of the innovative strategies that is being used by many countries across the world in addressing their connectivity gaps, especially where mobile network operators (MNOs) have found too unprofitable, either because the populations are spare, communities are poor or they are hard to reach. The understanding is that there is need for new business models of small, flexible and nibble providers to fill the gaps that bigger players (MNOs) cannot fill.

Participants also realised that unleashing the potentials of community networks to address connective gaps requires a robust policy on community networks. Unfortunately, as of now, Nigeria does not have such a policy.

In the meeting, CITAD recounted the efforts it had made so far in advocating for a national policy on community networks. These efforts include:

Meeting with the team of the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) to explore ways on how a community networks policy could be articulated for the country

Submission of a position paper to the NCC on its request, making the case for a policy regime and providing policy experiences from other countries

Follow-up communications to find out if the NCC had commenced the process of getting a policy for Nigeria

Meeting with the Hon Ministry for Communication and Digital Economy, robbing minds on the how the community networks sub-sector could be catalysed through policy making

Submission of a policy briefing notes to the Minister at his request, providing pathways for the development of the national community networks

Making further submission during the consultation processes for the policy on the 5G licensing

Meetings with a number of IT related agencies such as National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), Galaxy Backbone, etc as part of an advocacy drive on the need for such a policy

Addressing a series of press conferences to drive the point that Nigeria needs a policy for community networks to address the digital divide

Participants, including the Representative of the Hon Minister agreed that it was urgent that Nigeria had its policy for community networks. In particular, the Representative of the Minister averred that if all that was needed to catalyse the emergence and growth of community networks in the country, then the matter was simple since the Minister for Communication and Digital Economy is well known for his proactiveness in articulating policies for the digital space in Nigeria.

We at CITAD acknowledge the various efforts that the Minister in particular has put in repositioning the country for a digital transformation. We note for the example that in the last couple of years, he has led in the following, among others:

The development and steady implementation of the Federal Government National Digital Economy Policy NS Strategy (NDEPS)

The implementation of the Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2021-2024) by NITDA

The articulation of a new National Broadband Plan and Policy

Developed a vibrant digital ecosystem that supports Innovation Driven Enterprises (IDE) and Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in a way that engenders innovation

Provisioned robust digital platforms to support government digital services and drive the digital economy

We conclusion of the development of the National Start-up Bill which is being transmitted to the National Assembly whose key objective is to create laws that will support the growth of the tech start up ecosystem in the country.

All these policies, laws and initiatives are important digital transformation elements for the country. However, with the digital divide in the country, the good objectives of these policies and programmes will be difficult to achieve. In particular, a large number of people in rural areas and hard to reach communities will be left behind as the experience has shown that even when broadband is rolled out, economic and accessibility factors are key hindrance to their affordability in these communities. The initiatives have not, in a fundamental way addressed the issues of bridging the connectivity gaps in the over 114 underserved and unserved communities in the country. It is instructive that the number of unserved and underserved communities is the result of the pain taking work of another government agency, the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF). Community networks remain the tool to unleashing the creativity of citizens, mobilising their resources, skills and other endowments to meet their collective digital communication challenge by themselves without asking for government to fund such bridging efforts or waiting for MNOs who are reluctant to do so because what is left are the unprofitable leftovers.

It is in this connection and in furtherance of the voice of the stakeholders meeting, we would like to renew our call on the government to as a matter of urgency provide the country with a national policy on community networks. The advantages are too numerous that we should not give to farther procrastination.

In particular, we would like to:

Call on the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy to set up a mechanism for the development of a National Policy for Community Networks

Call on the NCC to develop guidelines and regulations for the operation of community networks in the country and to allow communities to access and use TV White Space (TVWS) for the purposes of setting up community networks

Enjoins the Galaxy Backbone PLC to provide communities with access to its backbone for them to use as their community networks getaways.

The USPF to support the upgrading of the many community digital centres they set up in the country to serve as nucleus of community networks for communities that desirous and passionate to set up such in their communities

NITDA to work with communities at grassroots level to drive digital literacy which is critical for the effective utilization of digital technology and which is the foundation upon which the digital transformation agenda of the country will rest.

Call on the private sector operators in the sector to as, their corporate social responsibility support communities building community networks.

Call on all other stakeholders, including political office holders to support communities to go digital as critical contribution to community development.

By KATO P. LADAN, Kaduna

Worried by the statistics that over 100 million Nigerians lack access to Internet connectivity in 114 communities across the country, the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has called on the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Professor Pantami to set up a national policy for the development of Community Networks.

Executive Director CITAD, Yunusa Zakari Yaú made the call at a press briefing in Kaduna on Wednesday.

“Call on the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy to set up a mechanism for the development of a National Policy for Community Networks,” he said.

CITAD also called on the NCC to develop guidelines and regulations for the operation of community networks in the country and to allow communities to access and use TV White Space (TVWS) for the purposes of setting up community networks.
” Enjoins the Galaxy Backbone PLC to provide communities with access to its backbone for them to use as their community networks getaways.
“The USPF to support the upgrading of the many community digital centres they set up in the country to serve as nucleus of community networks for communities that desirous and passionate to set up such in their communities.
“NITDA to work with communities at grassroots level to drive digital literacy which is critical for the effective utilization of digital technology and which is the foundation upon which the digital transformation agenda of the country will rest,” it further called.
Similarly, the group tasked  the private sector operators in the sector to as, their corporate social responsibility support communities building community networks.
“Call on all other stakeholders, including political office holders to support communities to go digital as critical contribution to community development,” he said.
The Executive Director explained that at the 16th edition of the global Internet Governance Forum (IGF)   commenced two days ago at Katowice, Poland, with the general theme of “United Internet”.

PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE NEED TO ADDRESS GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE IN KANO STATE BY THE CENTRE FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT (CITAD) ON THE 12TH OF OCTOBER, 2021

Gender-Based violence is a harmful act being inflicted at individuals based on their gender. This has to do with gender inequality, the abuse of power and harmful norms. GBV is a serious violation of human rights and a life-threatening health and protection issue. Estimates published by WHO indicate that globally one in three women has experienced sexual or physical violence in her life. “Violence against women Prevalence Estimates, 2018”

From the cultural perspective, the practice of gender-based violence is predominant in the world societies, especially developing countries like Nigeria. One of the identifiable forms of GBV is sexual harassment or abuse of children by either their parents or guardians.

These abuses have endangered the lives of many girls in the society and often times led to physical and psychological harms, even death sometimes: GBV therefore remains an obstacle to girls’ education and children development in general.

As part of the effort to curb GBV in the society and to promote the wellbeing of women and girl child, including creating a safe and secure educational environment, the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) with support from Ford Foundation has been implementing a project titled “Strengthening Citizens Response and Protection Against Gender Based Violence in Kano, Nigeria” whose aim is to Achieve a safe society for women and girls, free from gender violence and discrimination to bridge gender gap in girl child education, allowing for the attainment of gender parity in educational accomplishments  .

This involves stakeholders’ engagement, advocacy, tracking and monitoring of GBV incidences in order to make informed statements. It is for this reason that the organization has instituted a monthly press conference to share information and data relating to GBV in Kano State. The objective of doing this is to create public visibility of this menace and sensitize all stakeholders to take action for addressing it.

Our Efforts:

In tracking incidences of GBV in the state, CITAD has deployed a multi-approach mechanism including:

1. The use of electronic platforms for people to reports incidences in privacy
2. The use of monitors in tertiary institutions in the state
3. Embedded monitors within communities
4. Cooperation and sharing of data with various agencies such as National Orientation Agency (NOA)
5. Sensitization activities by trained champions with the communities

The table below shows the breakdown analysis of data collected on the GBV App in the month of September 2021.

Download the table using the link below

GBV Table 114KB

The data above shows that GBV is been perpetrated against both male and female gender with a higher number of female victims within all age ranges in both rural, urban and suburban communities with prevalence in Urban communities. The perpetrators are also of both genders, although with a higher number of male perpetrators. It was also observed that the perpetrators are either family members, teachers/lecturers, student peers or even those that have no relation to the victims.

Recommendations:

– Kano State House of Assembly to domesticate the Child Rights Act and VAPP Act at the state level which will contribute in reducing this menace.

– Kano state government to speed up the implementation of Child Right Act in the State as this will help in reducing child abuse in the state

– Religious leaders to use their preaching platforms in creating awareness against GBV in the state

– Traditional leaders both at state and local levels to work with different authorities in curtailing the menace of GBV in the state

– Institutions of higher learning in the state should all develop and implement gender policy and create appropriate mechanisms for victims and others to reports such incidences to the authorities.

– The state government to not only adopt laws to protect women and girls, but also establish referral centres and forensic centres for victims.

– Government and Non-Governmental organizations should intensify activities to promote awareness and advocacy on violence against women.

– Media houses to use their platforms in creating awareness against GBV and be reporting punishments done to perpetrators of GBV instead of GBV cases.

Zainab Aminu

Gender Project Programme Officer