REPORT OF THE COMMENCEMENT LECTURE OF SOCIAL MEDIA FOR ACCOUNTABILITY (SM4A) CONDUCTED ON THE 29TH OF JUNE, 2021 AT CITAD OFFICE

The Centre for Information Technology and Development had on the 29th of June, 2021 held a commencement lecture for its Social Media for Accountability (SM4A) Training which is being supported by the Macarthur Foundation at its Social Media Lab. The lecture was organized to sensitize the first thirty selected participants out of the hundreds applications received who will benefit from the program. At the commencement lecture, Dr. Nura Ibrahim, Head of Department, Information and Media Studies, Bayero University, Kano presented a paper title Youth, Social Media and Making of Accountability Governance in Nigeria while Professor Ismail A. Zango, Director Mambayya served as the chairman of the occasion.

 

In his opening remarks at the commencement lecture, the Executive Director, Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), Engineer Yunusa Zakari Ya’u who was represented by the organization’s Training Coordinator, Malam Ahmad Abdullahi Yakasai said the reason behind coming up with idea of the Social Media for Accountability Training is to equip and train Youth on how best to use the social media for accountability and to see to the creation of New Nigeria where justice and accountability will prevail. He continued to say that social media provided an avenue for people to inject their voice and many individuals are using social media without tapping its potentials and how best it will benefit them and their country. He urged the selected beneficiaries to utilize the resources that will be provided during the training in order advocate for a better society using their different social media platforms.  

Remarking at the event, the chairman of the event, Professor Zango mentioned that some social media users, influencers and self-styled warriors are using their social media platforms and fringe websites to proliferate misinformation and fake news, for just growing their online followership. Zango also added that youth can use social media to bring about positive changes and reforms in the country. Also social media can be used to hold government officials accountable for their action which in normal circumstances cannot be done. The chairman urged the beneficiating youth to verify any information or news before posting it on social media and post genuine and accurate information on their social media platforms in order to draw the attention of our leaders for accountability. At the end, he cautioned the youth against using the social media for blackmail and sharing of fake news.

 

Presenting his paper at the commencement lecture, Dr. Nura charged the youth to be good ambassadors of their communities. While presenting, Dr. Nura said technology can serve as a powerful tool for public opinion that could compel leaders to be accountable saying that if there is an issue with national interest, youth should take it to the social media, make an issue of it, and demand accountability from the parties concerned.

 

However, Dr. Nura cautioned social media users to discern between credible information from malicious posts, adding that if one stands on the path of truth, he can’t do anything against the truth but for the truth. Giving example with power of social media, Dr. Nura said apart from organising protests, the social media has been used to also hasten the speed of activities relating to governance in different spheres. In 2021, there was a case of crisis in Wukari of Taraba state, with people getting injured and killed. Internet users quickly uploaded the information on Twitter, calling on the Police to come to the community’s aid. Shortly afterwards, the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) responded via Twitter that officers had been deployed, and the issue addressed. 

 

At the end, Dr. Ibrahim said Social media have revolutionized the way people communicate. In Nigeria, youths, who have higher levels of affinity with the social media, are using it to achieve different ends. It holds lots of potential for news, information, entertainment, mobilization, interaction and expression.

Report of One Day Capacity Building on Community Networks For Three Micro-Organizations Held At Abuja Dakwa Community Centre FCT

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) is implementing a project entitled Supporting Community-led Approaches to Addressing the Digital Divide Nigeria coordinated globally by the Association for Progressive Communications (APC) support from the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) through their Digital Access Programme (DAP).

This is part of a global project to catalyze the flourishing of community networks as a means of connecting the unconnected

The project focuses on selected locally managed community networks in three regions, Africa, Asia and Latin America, to strengthen their impact, reach and sustainability

This group of community networks will form the core of a peer community that can connect and broaden support for community-based connectivity initiatives, nationally, regionally and internationally

The project will achieve its objectives through peer learning and exchange, awareness raising, technical assistance, capacity building for the development of scalable, innovative and sustainable networks, policy and regulatory advocacy and community mobilisation.

The training was held at Dakwa Community Centre FCT on Wednesday 28th April 2021, with 13 attendees, from Allah ye ba kowa Association Tungan ashere, Aye Bwaka Gwari Association, and Zaboda women Association Psepa, opening remarks was said by Engineer Suhail CITAD Technical officer, he welcomed each and every one who attended the training he says that the purpose of the training is to aware and shows the benefits of the community networks to the peoples as well as how to start or build their own community networks,

The training slides has 9 modules, and started at 10:00am by Engineer Suhail with the introduction to community networks, what services community networks offers and types of community networks, he gives clear definition of community networks by the Internet Society (ISOC) and services that community networks offer like voice, data E.T.C and ended the section one of the training with discussion about the types of community networks and answering questions from the participants,

Goes to 30 minutes break from 11:30am to 12:00am after the section one of the training has ended

Back to the training Engineer Suhail continuous with the explanation on how to start community networks, what facilities or infrastructures needed in order to start community networks, and explanation on what regulatory conditions required for communities to start their own community networks,

And again goes to 30 minutes breaks from 1:30pm to 2:00pm, after the section two of the training completed

The last section of the training has started from 2:00pm by Engineer Suhail, he explains how the community network link themselves nationally and internationally, and ended the last section of the training by explaining the ways for community networks follows to solve sustainability issues, that is how the community networks continuous sustaining itself even without any support from others organizations like APC.

The whole training finished with the vote of thanks from Malam YZ Ya’u Executive director CITAD, he thanks everyone for attending the training and he encouraged these micro-organizations members to be very active and spend their time by acquiring new skills so that the project will successfully be achieved and implemented in their area.

Formal Commissioning of the Centre for Information Technology and Development Social Media for Accountability Lab and Radio Studio

Held On the 14TH OF DECEMBER, 2020

The Centre for Information Technology and Development on the 14th of December, 2020 formally commissioned its Social Media for Accountability Lab and Radio Studio. The two projects which have been established with support of Macarthur Foundation, aimed to train youth and students on Social media for accountability and give the university journalism students an avenue to practice what they have learned in the schools. The projects are also established to train youth on anti-corruption fight and accountability. Personalities at the event were Honorable Commissioner, Kano State Ministry of Information, Comrade Muhammad Garba who was ably represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Malam Usman Bala, Professor Habu Muhammad Fagge of the Political Science Department, Bayero University, Kano as the chairman of the occasion, Engineer Y.Z Ya’u, the Executive Director, CITAD and Mr. Oladayo Olaide, Deputy Country Director, Macarthur Foundation who joined the event virtually.

In his remarks at the commissioning of the social media lab and radio studio, the chairman of the occasion, Professor Habu Muhammad Fagge described the social media for accountability lab and the online radio as one of the most important event in the state. Prof. Habu stated that he was very delighted to serve as the chairman of the occasion as it was a history making event because whenever people talk about social media what first came to their minds was that it is a platform where all such of social nuisance is taking place. But today CITAD has changed the narrative and turned it into something very important; for knowledge production. Remarking further, Professor Habu stated that social media is a modern invention that links individuals with other groups, organizations with other organizations and organizations with state and non-state actors. He called on youth in the state to use social media for instrumental purposes and encouraged them to use it for knowledge production, communication, public enlightenment and research. He also described youths in northern Nigeria as the harbinger of transforming the society through modern techniques, innovation and technological development and social media encapsulate all of these. He stated that as many youth in northern Nigeria are everyday joining the social media without a proper knowledge on how to use it, this project commissioned by CITAD will help greatly in putting the youth in the right direction.

Speaking at the occasion, the Executive Director of CITAD, Malam Y.Z Ya’u stated that the reason behind the establishing of the social media lab was to train youth on how best to use the social media and to see to the creation of a New Nigeria where justice and accountability will prevail. He continued by saying that social media provided an avenue for people to inject their voice and many individuals are using social media without tapping its potentials and how best it will benefit them and their country. Also, the Executive Director stated that the Online Radio which has since started its transmission on internet was being established to promote accountability, good governance and democracy in the country, noting that democracy cannot and will not flourish without having fertile avenues where citizens will voice their opinions and this type of radio (online radio) has revolutionized the broadcast industry and given millions of citizens access to radio stations without spending much. The Executive Director also stated that the social media lab was always open to Kano state Ministry of Information for training it information officers and other staff.

In his goodwill message, Mr. Oladayo Olaide, the Deputy Director at MacArthur Foundation in Nigeria said he was very delighted seeing this project had become a reality. Mr. Olaide reiterated the importance of adhering to covid19 protocols as the Foundation is always encouraging its sub-grantees to respect the protocols. He also added that the Foundation was very delighted to be partnering with CITAD in this work because the essence of the social media lab and the radio station were to enhance citizens’ voice which is what the Foundation has been supporting for a very long period of time. He said the launching of the two projects were not just for the people to come and see the laptops in the lab or the journalists to witnessed the cutting of the tape in the studio but to create a platform for citizens to be able to better engage in the campaign for accountability, fight against corruption and contribute to consolidation of democracy in the country. Emphasizing that, the radio was being launched to create avenue to disseminate information and for the exchange of information between and among citizens, he added. He concluded that the success and impact of the launching of the two projects will not be judged by the number of attendees today but by the changes that the projects are able to catalyze through the information generated and the feedback that are transform into action points.  Finally, he called on social media users to be ethical and responsible on the way and manner in which they use to engage in good governance without throwing the country into further chaos.

In his commissioning remarks, the special guest of honor at the event, Honorable Commissioner, Ministry of Information, Comrade Muhammad Garba who was ably represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Malam Usman Bala, mni expressed his happiness and commended CITAD for taking the lead in this important revolution. According to him, democracy is about engaging positively and these two projects are what they intend to do. He noted that social media is a tool for construction as well as destruction, he thanked CITAD for kick starting this project to sensitize youth on using social media to promote accountability. He expressed his ministry’s readiness to collaborate with CITAD in this project.

CITAD ICT Centre Itas-Gadau

SN Location / Community Number of Computers List / Type of Training Conducted in the Centre No of Trained Participants Accompanied Pictures with Captions
1 Itas/gadau 50 Diploma in information technology. 20  
2     Certificate in information technology. 30  
3.     I C T for kids’ computer training. nil  
4.     C B T  Training form JABM. 10  
           
           
           

CITAD ICT Centre Jama’are

SN

Location / Community Number of Computers List / Type of Training Conducted in the Centre No of Trained Participants Accompanied pictures with captions
1 Jamaare  114 Diploma in information technology. 500
2 Jamaare 14 Certificate in information technology. 25  

 

3. Jamaare 14 I C T for kids’ computer training. 1000
4. Jamaare 14 C B T  Training form JABM. 300

CITAD ICT Centre Abuja

SN Location / Community Number of Computers List / Type of Training Conducted in the Centre No of Trained Participants
1. Leleyi Gwari (Kwali Area council Abuja) 7 desktops Microsoft word, Excel, Power Point, core draw, Internet 30
2. Tungan Ashere(AMAC) 7 desktops Microsoft word, Excel, Power Point, core draw, Internet 30
3. Dakwa(AMAC) 7 desktops Microsoft word, Excel, Power Point, core draw, Internet 15
4. Passepa(Bwari Area council Abuja) 7 desktops Microsoft word, Excel, Power Point, core draw, Internet 50
5. Gaube(Kuje area council Abuja) 7 desktops Microsoft word, Excel, Power Point, core draw, Internet 50

Webinar Organized by CITAD to Mark the International Day for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises

27th, June, 2020.

 

Every 27th of June is set aside by the United Nation to celebrate Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises all over the world. This year, like every year, the day was celebrated with much funfair though most of the activities were online due to the coronavirus pandemic that is still ravaging the world. The main reason for celebrating the day is to educate the public on issues of concern, to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems, and to celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity. The existence of international days predates the establishment of the United Nations, but the UN has embraced them as a powerful advocacy tool. In our part, in celebrating the day, the Centre for Information Technology and Development  (CITAD) organized three different activities; Radio Programs at Vision FM with Zafrullah Abdulaziz, the Author of Entrepreneurship Revolution, CITAD Online Radio with beneficiaries of CITAD Digital Livelihood Program and an online Seminar via Zoom with theme: Supporting Small Businesses through Covid-19 Crisis.

 

The seminar which was moderated by Hajiya Maryam Uwais, a Senior Special Assistant to the President on Social Investment Programmes had young entrepreneurs and academician as panelists. The panelists were: Muazu Hassan Muazu, a lecturer at Dangote Business School, Bayero University, Kano and Business Consultant, Alhaji Abdullahi Salisu, a Mandela Washington Fellow, Forbes African 30 under 30, Co-Founder and CEO eTrash2Cash and Mainuna Anka, a Fashion Entrepreneur, Creative Director and Founder of Malaabis-By-Marymz School of Design and Co-Founder, SmeConclave.

In his opening remarks, the Ag. Programmes Coordinator, Malam Isah Garba appreciated the panelists and moderator for accepting the invitation to enlighten the participants about the topic. Emphasizing about the importance of small businesses in the society, Malam Isah Garba stated that small scale entrepreneurs are the backbone of any country’s economy which generates most of country’s GDP. While discussing about the choice of the topic, he stated that the threats COVID 19 pandemic posed to small businesses all over the world is so alarming that there was need to sit down with experts and find a solutions and how they can be helped. Assuring the participants about the readiness of CITAD in helping small businesses, he stated that CITAD is always willing to support young entrepreneurs especially in the area of mentoring, accessing of grants and trainings.

 

The first speaker, Dr. Muazu Hassan Muazu centered his discussion on two perspectives of entrepreneurship that is economic entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurs. According to him, economic entrepreneurs are basically profit-making entrepreneurs while the social entrepreneurs are nonprofit entrepreneurs. The speaker stated that entrepreneurs in the society who are always trying to solve societal problems need to be encouraged and supported by individuals and governments, especially at this critical time when most of them have lost their businesses due to lockdown. This will encourage other young individuals to become involved in problem solving businesses in the society.

 

Discussing on how to shift from the conventional way of doing things, Muazu Hassan Muazu stated that for change to happen, people need to think outside the box and leverage on new innovations amidst this pandemic. Applauding the young entrepreneurs in the society, Dr. Muazu said, many of our young people have already started turning the pandemic into fortune, young entrepreneurs are now sewing face marks, producing hand sanitizers and turning their business into online ones, these from his part are what are expected from entrepreneurs; solving societal problems. However, the speaker called on the government and individuals to start providing loans to young people which is interest free. Emphasizing on this, he stated that Bank of Industries needs to step up and provide soft loans to entrepreneurs likewise wealthy individuals in the society. Also on the part of the government, he called on the Ministry of Digital Economy to provide a platform where it will be capturing data of these young people for easy assistance, and also to help these businesses bounce back, he also said there is need for tax waiver to small businesses in the country. While talking about challenges these young businesses are facing, Dr. Muazu said that the major constraints from the government is electricity. Finally, he called for a strong partnership between the government and private sectors in terms of public awareness and creating economic opportunities.

 

In his contribution, Salisu Abdullahi stated that young people can be employers of labour instead of waiting for government and other big companies to hire them. Speaking about his startup which he founded in 2016, Mr. Abdullahi said “it is a social enterprise that helps people to exchange their trash for cash, which they can use to better their lives. All trash gets processed into direct reusable materials, such as trash and shopping bags” while speaking about their achievements, he stated that in 2017 the startup can only reach 3,500 people with $55 profit while in 2019 they were able to reach 13,500 people with profit of $120 and created jobs for hundreds of people both casual and full time jobs The speaker encouraged young people to start thinking outside the box, saying that there are many opportunities outside only that many of the youth lack the knowledge, information, creativity to tap on them or they are too lazy waiting for white color jobs. Speaking about the startup target, Mr. Salisu said they aimed to reach 100,000 people and aim a revenue of $1.5m by 2022. Mr. Abdullahi said the major constraints facing the organization currently are the lack of constant electricity and other alternative of power.

The third speaker, Mrs. Maimuna Abubakar Anka said as a Fashion designer the pandemic has really shocked her and put fear in her mind at the beginning looking at how the lockdown came almost during ‘Eid celebration which is the major market period of fashion designers in Northern Nigeria, but this motivate her to think outside the box which made her to venture into e-business. This according to her has made her to generate profit more than other periods. Mrs. Anka said the profit she is generating at this period is more than when she was engaging in her normal business, similarly the number of students patronizing her fashion academy have doubled compared to when there was no lockdown. On her part, what young entrepreneurs need to excel is creativity, innovation and turning every situation to opportunity.

 

Contributing to the discussion, Nuraddeen Abubakar Zauro who works with Central Bank of Nigeria expressed his dissatisfaction on the way young entrepreneurs in the north are not using and benefiting from the different schemes offered by CBN for entrepreneurship and entrepreneurs in the country. Saying that there are many opportunities in the Bank and encouraged the youth to leverage on them to expand their businesses.

 

While closing the session, the moderator of the seminar, Mrs. Maryam Uwais encouraged youth to be proactive, creative and able to solve problems in the society, mentioned that there are a lot of opportunities in our society that are left untapped and could generate a lot of employments. She thanked CITAD for organizing the seminar looking at the topic which comes at the right time and called on other organizations to be organizing this kind of lectures in order to help the young people in the society.

 

Another program organized by the CITAD to celebrate the world entrepreneurship day was a radio discussion on CITAD’s own online radio station on the topic the effects of COVID 19 on entrepreneurship with three beneficiaries of the Digital Livelihood program, a women entrepreneurship training initiative of CITAD that was supported by the Embassy of the United States of America, Abuja in 2018. The three beneficiaries, Samira Garba Ibrahim, Hafsat Abubakar Sadiq and Aina’u Sarki featured in the online station of CITAD (www.citad.org/radio) and discussed extensively for an hour about their experiences in entrepreneurship with their business companies. In their discussions, Samira said their businesses has been affected by the current COVID 19 pandemic in such a way that many of her customers do not come for purchase as a result of the lockdown. Hafsat explained that she managed to survive her company in this situation through using private mobility, carrying her products to the various sites within the state for her customers who called and requested them.  Aina’u who is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Native Essence General Enterprise lamented the way the government failure to support small businesses but collect revenues on monthly basis despite the challenge posed by the COVID 19. She pleaded with the government to be supportive through the Ease of doing business policy for their businesses to flourish and maximize the gains. On asking on the tools they use in marketing their products, all of them responded that the common tool they use is internet through online communications in social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp. On asking about the challenges they mostly face; they said the most pressing challenge are insufficient capital and debts but said they consult their mentors regularly to regulate the transactions and balance the situations respectively.  The discussion was live online from 2pm-3pm on Saturday 27th June, 2020.

 

The third segment of the programs organized by CITAD for the celebration of this day was an interactive Radio programs at conventional media, Vision FM 92.5 in Kano state which hosted Mr. Zafrullah Abdulaziz, Founder and CEO Benz Concept Limited.

The discussion focus solely on how small businesses in the society can cope with issues and threats the covid19 pandemic is posing to their survival which made many businesses to collapsed and left others at verge of collapsing. The guest also discussed the effect of Covid-19 on entrepreneurs and small businesses, and the resourcefulness of companies that thrived during the pandemic. He went further to talk about how the business playing field will change post Covid-19, where there will emerge winners and losers.

Finally, Mr. Zafrullah stated during the one-hour discussion sponsored by CITAD that small businesses are the engines that hold any country’s economy so the need to be supported.

 

Compiled by Ali Sabo, Mubarak Ekute, Sagiru Ado Abubakar and Ibrahim Nuhu

Report of CITAD Fourth Twitter Chat with Doctor Lawal Hassan Mohammed

It has been said that since the outbreak of Spanish Fluids, world has never seen a threat to human existence similar to this. World over is in lockdown, millions of people have been tested positive for the virus, thousands of people have lost their lives, many businesses have been crashed and countries are on the brink of falling into recession as announced by the IMF Chief. Countries, organizations and individual have been trying and playing their part on how and the ways to prevent the spread of the virus or to find a cure to it. In Nigeria, after the first recorded case of the virus in Lagos, the authorities are doing everything possible to ensure the virus has not done much damage to the country. Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the agency responsible for handling the situation has been providing information on the preventive measures against Covid-19 in the country, but one agency’s efforts will not be enough, that is why concerned organizations and individuals are coming up with other initiatives to compliment the government efforts. It is on this note that the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD)came up with many initiatives in order to reduce the spread of the virus among people. These initiatives include advocacy, online media campaigns (sharing of infographics and messages on Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp), and Twitter Chat with Health Professionals. The twitter chat which is being conducted twice every week (Monday and Thursdays) usually invites health professionals to discuss Strengthening Preventive Measures Against Covid-19. On the fourth round of the chat which was held on the 9th of April, 2020,CITAD hosted a United Kingdom based Doctor, Doctor Lawal Hassan Mohammed, Chase Farm Hospital, Royal Free London NHS Trust.

In the chat the guest took time to explain what Covid-19 is to the audience, its preventive measures and what people need to do to stay safe. The one hour chat was a participatory one where people asked questions and the guest provided them with answers. Finally, there were 17 tweet questions asked during the conversation and the guest was able to answer most of the questions asked. In addition, the tweets were re-tweeted 158 times with 37 likes reaching thousands of people in the process. Below are tweets and responses

Hello everyone, thank you for having me. For starters, I’m no public health specialist but we’ll do my best collectively to address our concerns accordingly.

 

S/N TWEET QUESTION DOCTOR’S RESPONSE NUMBER OF RETWEET NUMBER OF LIKE
1 @ICTAdvocates

what is the likely chance of transport by air infection in comparison to infection via droplets?

5 2
2 Other viruses like seasonal flu (influenza) and coronoviruses which are benign do poorly in warm & moist weather. So it’s not an unreasonable assumption, however we’re seeing cases everywhere irrespective of the weather.

Also, this is a new virus so we can’t count on it.

4 1
3 It has really been fruitful one hour with

@dr_lawi

, we are immensely grateful for your time. We are also grateful to everyone for participating in the chat.

Thank you everyone

@YZYau

@sagiru_ado

@a_sabo12

@Ashshaza1

Dr. L H Mohammed

@dr_lawi

·

19h

Replying to

@ICTAdvocates

 

@YZYau

and 3 others

It’s been my pleasure, thank you for having me.

Please accept my apologies if I haven’t responded to all concerns, I’m happy to answer them later when free (my lunch break is over)

7 2
4 @ICTAdvocates

 

@dr_lawi

good Evening Dr. Some people are advocating to uses salt, garlic with warm water for preventive measure against this covid-19. Is this proper?

Thanks.

@yzyau

2
5 Thanks

@dr_lawi

Pls. how  prepared is Govt. and responsible agencies  for COVID-19 here in Kano?

@ICTAdvocates

3 2
6 @dr_lawi

we were told that our weather is resistance to Covid19 especially here in northwestern Nigeria, that even if Covid19 affected us the hot weather will quarantine it, Doc. What is your take on this assertions? Is it true or otherwise?

@YZYau

@DrEOEhanire

@ICTAdvocates

Other viruses like seasonal flu (influenza) and coronoviruses which are benign do poorly in warm & moist weather. So it’s not an unreasonable assumption, however we’re seeing cases everywhere irrespective of the weather.

Also, this is a new virus so we can’t count on it.

4 1
7 Apart from public awareness that needs to be improved, is there anything that you

@dr_lawi

think should be done by either authorities or other actors in stopping the spread or addressing the virus?

@YZYau

@sagiru_ado

@isahcitad

@inuhu123

@Ado9ja1

Individuals have to do their own part by following ruled out guidelines by appropriate authorities.

Govt can do more by testing more suspected cases, I don’t know what the criteria is by NCDC but I’ve read complaints of many people unable to get tested or even get in touch.

6
8 @dr_lawi

, where people suspect a case of #COVIDー19, what action are they supposed to take first?

@YZYau

@Mairo_Ado

@sagiru_ado

@a_sabo12

Stay home / isolate self.

Call the appropriate bodies; eg NCDC for advice.

Monitor symptoms carefully and escalate accordingly.

Rest and stay hydrated.

8 1
9 @Dr_lawi

in a case of rural communities where they don’t have good portable drinking water, what are medical advice would you give to us to enlight them to protect themself against Covid 19.

@ICTAdvocates

@YZYau

@hamzaish

Replying to

@dahiruabubakar

 

@ICTAdvocates

and 2 others

It’d still be the norm as earlier outlined.

Use whatever is available to them.

Enlighten them about how it’s transmitted so they can adhere to the preventive measures.

13 2
10 @dr_lawi

here in Kano its seem people dont understand  physical distancing what is it ? and why

and how should I do it?

A question by

@mukhtars_s

By physical distancing;

1. Protect yourself

2. Protect others (esp vulnerable) if you have the virus unknowingly / asymptomatic

 

4

11 @dr_lawi

good Day! Doc. Inspire the measures taking by both FG and states to curtail the spread of Covid19 in Nigeria, sir why the numbers is still skyrocketing? What should be the best ways 4 individuals?pls

@YZYau

@abdullahiabduji

@ICTAdvocates

@mukhtars_s

@DrTedros

I think the gov’t as a whole is doing its best, some may say otherwise. But it certainly can’t do for all, so we have to play our own part as individuals in protecting ourselves and loved ones.

Kindly go through my earlier tweets.

12 3
12 @dr_lawi

, Why are medical workers getting sick with or dying from coronavirus if they’re wearing protective gear?

@ICTAdvocates

@a_sabo12

@Mairo_Ado

@YZYau

@IsaKamilu

@hamzaish

@sagiru_ado

@nissimase

@ChiromaHope

Replying to

@kamalkano

 

@ICTAdvocates

and 8 others

PPEs can only help to prevent but can’t be certain it’s 100%. Are they using it properly? At all times?

Generally, working at the frontline increases ones’ risk by many folds despite gears.

Also, they’re still susceptible outside their work zone/life.

16 3
13 We specifically want clarification on this so that people who could not afford hand sanitizer can have alternative

@dr_lawi

.@YZYau

@sagiru_ado

@HariraWakili

@Mairo_Ado

@kblawanty

@inuhu123

@rhamsys

Replying to @ICTAdvocates @YZYau and 13 others

In fact, I prefer to advise use of soap and water. Sanitizers aren’t readily available and could be costly.

15 2
14 @ICTAdvocates

Doctors in the country protested the idea of inviting your counterpart from China to strengthen your work in curtailing the spread of the virus. Why is argument? #COVID19

@YZYau

@a_sabo12

@sagiru_ado

@Mairo_Ado

@HariraWakili

In fact, I prefer to advise use of soap and water. Sanitizers aren’t readily available and could be costly. 11 3
15 As efforts are mounted at preventing the #COVID19 in Nigeria,

@dr_lawi

observes that public awareness is still lacking. People need to know that this virus is real and many are dying by the day.

@YZYau

@NCDCgov

@kamalkano

@Ashshaza1

@sagiru_ado

@a_sabo12

@HariraWakili

@Mairo_Ado

Our religious and community leaders have a vital role to play .. People need to be educated.

Fact that one or his/her relative isn’t affected doesn’t negate that the virus isn’t spreading.

15 3
16 @dr_lawi

, will every soap be an alternative to hand sanitizer in maintaining personal hygiene?

@YZYau

@sagiru_ado

@a_sabo12

@kamalkano

@inuhu123

@thesheetng

@ChiromaHope

@isahcitad

@houseknyt

@UsmanRx

@rhamsys

@NCDCgov

@WHO

@Fmohnigeria

1.      Any plain/regular soap is able to annihilate the virus once hands are washed properly. There are steps in doing this, also for at least 20 secs.

2.      Replying to

@ICTAdvocates

@YZYau

and 13 others

In fact, I prefer to advise use of soap and water. Sanitizers aren’t readily available and could be costly.

12 2
@dr_lawi

, what mechanisms are most effective in preventing the spread of #COVID19?

@YZYau

@NCDCgov

@a_sabo12

@Mairo_Ado

@KabirHamisuKura

@kamalkano

@sagiru_ado

@Ashshaza1

1.      I’m sure we’ve seen and/or heard of these repeatedly, nothing has changed. Simple, yet very important steps;

1. Wash your hands with soap and water often, do this for at least 20 seconds.

Or use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol

2.      4. Physical (Social) distancing; 2m (6ft) away from people.

Use a face mask if you’re sick or caring for someone who is sick

Follow guidelines

3.      Stay at home, unless necessary.

4.      Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze.

Put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards.

5.      Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean

Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects in your home, such as door handles, taps, remotes.

17 Based on your assessment of Nigerian efforts at preventing the spread of #COVID19,

@dr_lawi

, what do you think is lacking and is most significant in addressing the virus?

@YZYau

@a_sabo12

@sagiru_ado

@Mairo_Ado

@nissimase

@inuhu123

@kamalkano

@UsmanRx

@kblawanty

@HariraWakili

I’m not there first hand, but from what I’ve seen and read, it’s enough to see that public awareness is still lacking. People need to know that this virus is real and many are dying by the day. 15 6
NCDC directs us to wash our hands frequently under running water and the running water is scarce in most of the communities. What other strategies of washing hands you will share with us?

@dr_lawi

@YZYau

@sagiru_ado

@HariraWakili

@Mairo_Ado

@kblawanty

@inuhu123

@rhamsys

I do appreciate that is a problem which needs to be addressed by the govt and other private organisations willing to help.

But, I’m not aware of other alternatives after water and sanitizer.

8 4

 

Report of CITAD Third Twitter Chat on COVID-19 with Pharmacist Usman Nasir

In its effort to combat the widespread of Corona Virus pandemic in Nigeria, and as an organization that has as its mandate the use of ICTs to empower citizens for a just and knowledge based society that is anchored on balanced and sustainable development, the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) held its third twitter chat Tuesday the 7th of April, 2020 with Pharmacist Usman Nasir, a medical expert, health advocate that specialized on Public Health. The aim is to equip citizens with the right information in this critical time so, they stay safe with their families and loved ones and on the other hand, the chat is intended to curb the spread of fake news/misinformation on Coronavirus as the right information from expert is made readily available to them.

The chat was intensely publicized via various social media platforms to let the populace have the window to learn from experts and also make inquiries about their unanswered questions. The chat took place online (twitter) and started at exactly 2pm.

CITAD declared the chat open by welcoming the guest and the participants in attendance. While CITAD moderate the session, pharmacist Usman Nasir, in the course of the chat; Usman responded to thirty seven (37) questions plus some common misinterpretations about Covid19 he addressed voluntarily.

Responding shortly at the end of the session, one of the participants confessed that through the chat he learned that the Covid-19 virus is transmitted via droplet.

The session came to an end at 3:04

RECOMMENDATIONS AS HIGHLIGHTED BY THE RESOURCE PERSON

  1. Government should extend lockdowns and must be serious and committed this time
  2. People must ensure adequate compliance of appropriate safety and preventive measures as contained in the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS AS EXTRACTED:

  1. Question:   Phar. Usman Nasir, @UsmanRx, we would to start by first asking whether there is a cure for the #COVID19 as at today, because we understand that there is rumor going on particularly on social media, please respond to that before move further

Answer: Thank you.

To date, there is no specific medicine recommended to prevent or treat the Covid-19.

However, there has been ongoing global mega trials of four most potential corona virus treatments Remdesivir, Chloroquine/hydroxychloroquine, Ritonavir/lopinavir, Ritonavir/lopinavir

 

  1. Question: Pharm @UsmanRx how can we debunk the myth around this Coronavirus; people are still saying the disease is a western conspiracy to stop Muslims from praying. How can we convince them scientifically?

Answer: People are suffering devastating real-world impacts of a deluge of online virus misinformation. This is certainly not true, pandemics don’t work that way. Covid-19 is global, cut across the western world, every religion and race. Tell them that the pandemic is not being selective.

 

  1.  I’ll start by responding to these questions, though he sent the questions via DM.
  2. Is this true that coronavirus do not survive on 28 Celsius?
  3. Can you have covid19 and show no symptoms?
  4. Can one get coronavirus for second time?
  5. Is there any vaccine for this virus?

 

Answer:

  1. No, it is not true. You can catch COVID-19, no matter how the weather is. Countries with hot weather such as Saudi Arabia have reported cases of COVID-19
  2. Yes, a significant portion of people infected with the COVID-19 patients may never show coronavirus symptoms.
  3. Yes, recovery doesn’t mean that those with prior infections are not still at risk. They must adequate observe protective measures
  4. Currently there is no vaccine for the virus. The best way to prevent the disease is to protect yourself from being exposed to this virus.

 

  1. Question: @UsmanRx, thanks for accepting to feature on this platform. How can we understand the recovery rate in Nigeria? Is this something unique or is it grounded in good case management?

Answer: Well, early detection of the disease is key to fast recovery. Again, Nigeria Healthcare professionals are trying their best to contain the virus based on approved @WHO guidelines. Moreover, we have few cases of the elderly and seriously ill. So why not?

 

  1. Question: What is expected from a person living in the state like Kano where the disease is not yet identified?

Answer: Do not panic. Observe proper preventive measures…. Wash your hands, pray and stay calm. Get adequate information from appropriate sources. Thank you

 

  1. Question: @UsmanRx is there a link between CONVID19 AND 5G NETWORK @ICTAdvocates

Answer: Apart of social distancing, washing hands, what else can do to protect ourselves, against COVID-19.

Ensure that all animal’s products are cooked properly before use. Don’t touch ur face, nose, ears, eyes with unwashed hands. Get ur news from trusted sources like @WHO @NCDCgov @Fmohnigeria etc.

 

  1. @UsmanRx, Currently living in core northern Nigeria particular NW where our people at grassroots level have no even basic information about #COVID19 and didn’t even believe it it’s real. So how can we enlight them and even urge them to protect themselves by staying at home?

Answer: Unattended

 

  1. @UsmanRx, how can we understand the recovery rate in Nigeria? Is this something unique or is it grounded in good case management?

Answer: Unattended

 

  1. @UsmanRx you just mentioned that there are drugs currently on trial, can one just buy those drugs and take them as prophylaxis?

Answer: No, it is dangerous to use drugs which have not been approved for specific purpose.

It is important to note that, all drugs have potentials to cause harm when used wrongly. Wait for the final approval and guidelines regarding their uses. Thank you

 

  1. @usmanrx Corona Virus shares common symptoms with asthma and pnumonia, why the vaccines of those diseases are not been used to cure Coronavirus?

Answer: Pneumonia is a bacteria, Covid – 19 is a virus. They are two different things and so they require different vaccines. Pneumonia vaccine doesn’t provide any protection against covid 19. Forget about the symptoms!.

 

  1. Question @UsmanRx thanks for accepting to feature on this platform. How can we understand the recovery rate in Nigeria? Is this something unique or is it grounded in good case management?

Answer: Well, early detection of the disease is key to fast recovery. Again, Nigeria Healthcare professionals are trying their best to contain the virus based on approved @WHO guidelines. Moreover, we have few cases of the elderly and seriously ill. So why not?

 

  1. Question: @UsmanRx, According to @NCDCgov, as at last night, 35 patients recovered from #Covid19 and they were all discharged from hospital.

While some expert still maintained that #Covid19 have no cure yet.

How would you put the two claims together please?

Answer: Thank you. The mainstay for the Covid 19 is appropriate care to relieve and treat symptoms, and those with severe illness are to receive optimized supportive care.

 

Some specific treatments are under investigation, and will be tested through clinical trials/compassionate use.

 

  1.   Question: @UsmanRx, it seems that from the way some Nigerians are responding to advice by health professionals, they do not seem convince about COVID 19. These people are a weak link to the efforts to curb is spread: what can use advice should be done in this regards? @ICTAdvocates

Answer: Continued media advocacy (Radio stations and all), community leaders, religious leaders will definitely help in creating awareness mainly through the media houses since we have been locked down.

 

  1. Question: @UsmanRx, let’s now talk about self-medication that some people are peddling particularly on social media. How good or bad is self-medication in terms of addressing #COVID19?

Answer: WHO does not recommend self-medication with any medicine including antibiotics, as a prevention or cure for COVID-19.

Antibiotics or garlic do not work against viruses (Covid-19 inclusive), only work against bacteria.

Don’t under any circumstances try to self-medicate please.

 

  1. Question: Is it safe to receive a package from any area where #COVID19 has been reported and how long does the virus survived on surface???

Answer: No, it is not safe. The virus is transmitted via droplets from sneeze or cough from an infected person. When you get access to such droplets on ur hands and touches ur eyes/nose you get infected. It survives for many hours, no reliable data to validate a specific time frame.

 

  1. Does coronavirus has link with 5G?

Answer: No please.

@CDDWestAfrica and @CDDWestAfrica_have conducted a fact check on your question and they found that 5G is not connected to #COVID19 pandemic, read full report below: https://www.cddwestafrica.org/5g-network-not-connected-to-coronavirus-pandemic/

 

  1. Question: @UsmanRx you just mentioned that there are drugs currently on trial, can one just buy those drugs and take them as prophylaxis?

 

Answer: No, it is dangerous to use drugs which have not been approved for specific purpose.

It is important to note that, all drugs have potentials to cause harm when used wrongly. Wait for the final approval and guidelines regarding their uses. Thank you

 

  1. Question: @UsmanRx, does Nigeria, in your estimation have the capacity to research and develop a vaccine for the COVID 19? If no, what can be done to quickly beef up the capacity?

Answer: Nigeria does not have such capacity. Nigeria would have to invest in the areas of molecular microbiology particularly molecular virology, biotechnological researches in addition to equipping Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and development which is nothing to write about now.

 

  1.  Question: Will they these four you listed help in treating the virus?

Answer: Researches are still on going to determine their effectiveness, safety margins and all. However, some countries like the U.S have already given approval for their compassionate use under the supervision of medical experts for investigational purposes

 

  1. Question: It is true that there is vaccine for Covid-19, bcos people are posting it via social media

Answer: It is certainly not true. Researches are ongoing to develop some vaccines for it. For now, the only vaccine you have is to try protecting yourself by observing appropriate preventive measures as issued by @WHO

 

  1. Question: In the second instance despite the facial lockdown imposed by our state govt, our people don’t stay home, they go for their daily activities partying, cin kasuwa & social gathering as if there is no pandemic around like #COVID19. What measure to look?

Answer: Place serious sanction on them. Laws should be enforced, and must be strictly followed.

Create wider coverage of awareness campaigns.

 

  1.  Question: @UsmanRx, Ships are docking with food and other items. Is it possible that these items may carry the virus on their surfaces due to handling by workers in the source countries who might have the virus? In that situation what would you suggest Ports authorities do?

Answer: It is possible, however that depends on the survival time of the virus on such surfaces. Therefore, upon entry the ships must be disinfected appropriately using standard disinfection guidelines as issued by @WHO

 

  1.  Question: Can humans become infected with the COVID-19 from an animal source?

Answer: Yes, it is possible. In fact some research papers have it that Covid19 originated from animal source. However the identity of such animal has not been determined.  Question: how effective is face mask in preventing people from #COVID19?

Answer: Masks are effective only when used in combination with frequent hand-cleaning with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.

Regularly washing your hands offers more protection against #COVID19 than wearing face masks. Find attacked

https://twitter.com/UsmanRx/status/1247528176953118724

 

  1. Question: What will you advise business people especially those into pharmaceuticals about price gauging and taking advantage of this situation to hike prices on ppe and other related equipment

Answer: Well, I call on them to kindly modulate the prices of their commodities. Moreover, it is collective duty of the FG to ensure adequate price control. Finally, I call on Nigeria to improve on it’s pharmaceutical productions coz we solely depends on imported products hence the hike.

Add: They must be #God fearing, by selling as they bought. Buy cheap, sell cheap. Tendency to take advantage of prevailing misfortune to hike prices, is a manifestation of #Godless Business minds. Never will such Businesses receive #God’s blessings. By @BalaAbdullahiGa

 

  1. Question: I think there are other types of Pneumonia that are caused by virus too. So, i can say that each type of microorganisms especially virus has different forms based on its species and this has to do with their medication. Answer; Pneumonia is a bacteria, covid-19 is a virus. They are two different things and so they require different vaccines. Pneumonia vaccine doesn’t provide any protection against covid-19. Forget about the symptoms!

Answer:

Yes, there is viral pneumonia. I centered my response to bacterial pneumonia simply coz it is the most common. Nevertheless, @WHO has not given any recommendation for the use of any vaccine for Covid 19. Thanks

 

  1.  Question: one of the challenges people have is about not touching your face. During alwala, people have to touch their face and ears! What should be the proper message here?

Answer: Thank you. They are allowed to touch their eyes, nose in alwala only after they have reasonably washed their hands with running water and soap properly or after using an approved hand sanitizers which has at least 70% alcohol.  Do not touch except where necessary

 

  1. Question: Gwamna Makinde na jihar Oyo ya ce amfani da Zuma da Habbatussauda ne suka taimaka masa wajen warkewa daga Coronavirus.

@UsmanRx @ICTAdvocates Me yasa Pharmacists baza su bada himma wajen sarrafa wadannan abubuwan don magance wannan cuta kowama ya huta a duniya ba?

Answer: Yallabai, wannan zance nashi zai iya zama gaskia ko ba gaskia ba. Lallai sai anshiga dakin binkice na kimiyya anyi nazari sosai za a gano gaskiar zancen. Amma a matsayin shi na gwamna yakamata su taimaka a inganta harkokin binkice na zamani da inganta sarrafa maganin gargajiya

 

  1.  Question: what lesson do you think #COVID19 should teach developing countries like #Nigeria?

Answer: Covid-19 pandemic should serve as a wakeup call to Nigeria’s leaders to improve on healthcare delivery & financing, improve on biopharmaceutical dev. in addition to total overhaul of our general production lines and quality of education. Well, The Rich Also Cry!

 

  1.  Question: What’s the best form of sensitising the masses on prevention, from your wealth of experience?

Answer: Media advocacy particularly the mass media such as Radio stations. Engage community stakeholders to talk to their indigenous people, they listen to them more than anyone else. FG & state govt must be serious this time

 

  1. Question: what is your general recommendation as far stopping the spread of #COVID19 is concerned?

Answer: Shutting down population movement will not extinguish the virus epidemics. The answer depends what the government do while the lockdown is going on. I recommend the extension of the lockdown but government must be more serious and committed this time.

In addition, people must ensure adequate compliance of appropriate safety and preventive measures as contained in the @WHO guidelines. Take look at these pictures. Find attached https://twitter.com/UsmanRx/status/1247537151803142146

 

  1.  Question: I missed your presentation on COVID-19, I still have a question to ask. Is using antibacterial disinfectants and hypo (bleach) among the proactive measures for prevention against COVID-19?

Answer: Yes, this is because it has been found that most registered & viable household disinfectants for surfaces (including bleach) will work provided appropriate concentration of the disinfectant + water is used. Recommend concentration is: 5 tablespoon of bleach per gallon of water.

 

  1.  Question: is there any first aid for emergency to affected person? Than you

Answer: The only recommended first aid is to seek the attention of medical personnel. It is beyond first aid you can give at home, it is easy to get infected. Self-isolate and call the attention of medical experts

 

  1. Question: Are children also at risk of infection and what is their potential role in transmission?

Answer: Yes children can be affected by the pandemic. However, in Nigeria we don’t have much of such cases due to the fact that adults are more exposed to risk factors than the children.

 

  1. Question: Should we dispel of our apprehension that Covid-19 is one of numerous bio-weapons manufactured in a lab by the powers that be for global population control?

Answer: I don’t have reliable information to back your question. Sorry, I don’t have any answer for that.

Protect yourself first. Thank you

 

  1.  Question: how effective is face mask in preventing people from #COVID19?

Answer: Masks are effective only when used in combination with frequent hand-cleaning with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.

Regularly washing your hands offers more protection against #COVID19 than wearing face masks. Find attached   https://twitter.com/UsmanRx/status/1247528176953118724

 

  1.  Question: Are children also at risk of infection and what is their potential role in transmission?

Answer: Yes, they are at risk. Fortunately, we don’t have such cases at the moment in Nigeria and this is because the relative exposure to high risk factors in children is low when compared to adults. Thank you

 

  1.  Question: Can we wear our face mask?

Answer: Haha!!! Lol yes, you can. But ensure that your hands are being washed first before using it. Lemme share something with you as issued by @WHO find attached https://twitter.com/UsmanRx/status/1247544274733764608

 

CITAD partners with Actionaid to fight against COVID 19 in FCT communities

ActionAid Nigeria (AAN)’s Local Rights Programme partners with Centre for Information technology and development (CITAD) to fight against COVID 19 in FCT communities.
This action started midweek of March 2020 through working with CITAD and Community facilitators in the 4 Area Councils of Abuja Municipal, Kuje, Bwari and Kwali.  AAN and CITAD developed messages on how to stay safe from the Corona virus.  Messages were produced in English and translated into local languages (Hausa and Gbagyi) for easy comprehension by the communities where AAN work.
We distributed megaphones/public address systems and few demonstrations on the use of sanitizers.
Behavioral Change and Communication materials with messages on COVID 19 were also distributed to community members.

Community facilitators placed posters with messages in strategic places in the communities.

At the moment the focus of the intervention is to prevent and control the spread of covid-19 in communities where we work.
Communities benefitting include Dakwa, Tungar Ashere, Tungar Nasara, Gwalada, Jiwa, Gofidna and Jiwa Tsoho in AMAC, Pasepa and Kuchi Buiyi in Bwari, Gaube, Kayace and Tukpeki in Kuje while Leleyi Bassa, Kilankwa and Leleyi Gwari and Pai in Kwali Area council

In addition, a WhatsApp group have been created where community facilitators will be sharing update on the situation of Coronavirus in their respective communities.

CITAD held a Multi-Genre Campaign for a Transparent Nigeria in Abuja

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) with support from MacArthur Foundation has today convened a Multi-Genre Campaign for a Transparent Nigeria, with it cluster members which consists of various social influencers across the country. The meeting was held at Grand Pela Hotels, Abuja.

In his opening remarks, the Executive Director of CITAD, Dr. YZ Yau explained that the purpose of the meeting was to assess the impact of what the subgrantees has been doing, to identify challenges and how the cohort can move forward in the already set campaign for Anticorruption, transparency, accountability and good governance in Nigeria. The ED also welcomed the new grantees who recently joined the cohort of the social influencers.

Dr. Dayo Olaide who delivered a Message on behalf of MacArthur Foundation, started with thanking the Cohort for their support and effort put in the project. He added that the influencers cohort is making incredible efforts in the fight against corruption in Nigeria. Dayo added that this was the first time MacArthur Foundation granted funds to individual due to the influence they exalt in fighting corruption through their use of multiple mediums mostly social media, newspapers, magazine, radio and televisions as well as the theatre play. Others include workshops and community filming.

Dr. Tunde Akanni of Lagos State University who is also the Project Advisor explained that Nigeria occupies a more visible space and other climes are watching to tell their own story. He also explained that the subgrantees brilliant ways of fighting the corruption should not die off but be documented for future references. Documentation or Evidence is a crucial part of the review. It can serve the purpose of telling the story of all the work done. Social Media and Filming is a very important impact in fighting all forms. Dr. YZ Yau also added that the review will be a documentation that all the sub grantees all do, emphasing that it’s important we tell our stories which will serve as a compact to document MacArthur will use for the review.

The meeting continued with a brief review of the subgrantees progress report comprising of their activities, impacts made and success stories achieved, challenges, mitigation strategies as well lesson learnt.

Towards the end of the meeting, a session on Monitoring and Evaluation (ME) was held to ensure that the subgrantees are conversant with the ME process of their project for a proper evidence based reporting.

CITAD begins Training of Education and ICT Directorates of Ministry of Education Bauchi on the Use of Information and Communication Technology Facilities

As an ICT based organization that is committed to the use of ICT for development, The Centre for Information Technology and Deployment (CITAD) has over the years facilitated numerous engagements towards bridging the wide digital skills gab, these include series of campaigns, advocacies, trainings, stakeholders’ engagements among others. And today, the 15th of January, 2020 CITAD flagged up capacity building exercise on the use of ICT tools for the staff of Bauchi state ministry of education in order to better their work. In attendance were the Honourable Commissioner, Permanent Secretary, Directors and other senior officers of the Ministry.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Y.Z Ya’u, the Executive Director of the Centre ably represented by the Training Coordinator, Malam Ahmad Yakasai said the first phase of the project will focus on training Examination and ICT Directorate. Yakasai maintained that CITAD has been putting a lot of efforts that is aimed at bridging the wide digital skills gab; CITAD has gone to many remotest villages and established ICT training centres in Abuja communities and CITAD is now planning to launch ICT lab for people with special needs so that they will not be left behind. Now that ICT come to stay, one good thing about ICT is, it has neither gender nor age bias, which makes it a must for everyone to acquire the skills regardless of one’s gender or age.

In his remark, the Honourable Commissioner, Bauchi State Ministry of Education, Dr. Aliyu Usman Tilde showed appreciation for the gesture extended to the Ministry by CITAD. In his words, “ICT compliance is the most important aspect of the ministry’s reforms” There has not been much noise about it because it concerns about the staff not anyone else. Compliance to ICT makes cumbersome tasks easier. Dr. Tilde attributed his ability to developing frequent lengthy write ups on News Papers in the late 90s to the use of ICT. Saying; it would not have been possible for him without complying with ICT. The large size of education ministry makes most of our challenges in education, and ICT is in to help us reduce the burden to the minimal level possible. And there is no way one can avoid misinformation or communication gab when dealing with large number of stakeholders but when aided by tech the whole bunch of the trouble is resolve by just a single click.

Before he retire to his seat, the Commissioner made some announcements that made the gathering paid more attention these include, that henceforth, appointments into the ministry as ordinary staff or director will be based on ICT compliance, the ministry as from next year will not contract anybody to do NECO and WAEC examination registration; examination department will be responsible for all these online registration. Our plan is for everyone to be IT compliance in the next three years.

I urge you to take this training very serious, you are the pioneers, you have all the facilities here and sky shall be your limit, he added.

After closing prayers, pre-test was administered to the staff that will be trained to help ascertain the level of ICT knowledge; this will help the CITAD training department to design the package that will better suit the participating staff.

Research Findings on ICTS and Disability in Tertiary Institutions

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) had on the 28th of the December, 2019 organized a one day discussion with people living with Disability (PWDs), representatives of Government Agencies and tertiary institutions to discuss on the findings of the research conducted by the Centre and find ways on how to tackle the challenges People Living with Disabilities are facing in terms of accessing ICTs facilities in the higher institutions of learning in Northern Nigeria. The research which was supported by Association for Progressive Communication (APC) was carried out in Kano, Jigawa, Katsina and Kaduna states in the Universities, College of Educations and Polytechnics in the states.

While briefing the participants about the reason of convening the workshop, CITAD Executive Director, Engineer Y.Z Ya’u stated that it is to: provide baseline information on the status of tertiary institutions with respect to provision of ICTs for learning, documents what facilities and programmes have for people living with disabilities to access and use internet for educational purposes, what challenges people living with disabilities face in accessing and using internet in tertiary institutions and what challenges tertiary institutions face in responding to the needs of people living with disability in terms of ICTs as tool for learning.

It was discovered during the research that People Living with Disability constitute less than 1% of the total population of students of tertiary institution in Northern Nigeria and many of the them denied courses of their choice thereby confined to courses they don’t have interest on by the schools authorities which at the end led to their withdrawal from the institutions as one of the participants narrated. It was also discovered that most of the tertiary institutions don’t have libraries for People Living with Disabilities especially those with Vision and Hearing Impairment which is giving them difficulty when accessing the conventional libraries. None of the Institutions have a Policy on People Living with disabilities which was unanimously agreed at the deliberation that if develop will ease the suffering of PWDs in the higher institutions of learning in the country.

Narrating their ordeals at the hands of their lecturers, fellow students and school managements, a PHD student in one of the institutions who is a blind narrated that during his NCE program he asked his lecturer about a topic that he wants more clarification but the lecturer instead of explaining the topic to him told him that he will not waste his time on a blind person. That incident made him to spend the whole day crying and said whenever he remember that incident he broke into tears. The Director Admission Unit, Bayero University, Kano (BUK) said that some years back while she was invigilating JAMB she discovered there was a blind student among the intakes and there was no provision made for him, when she asked him why he was writing together with normal people instead of at special centre he said he applied three times but he was always rejected, there, she made special arrangement for him and because of that he is now an MSc. student. Many ugly things are happening to People Living with Disabilities either in the process of gaining admission, during lectures, with their lecturers or fellow students, some of the stories were told while others remained untold.

Furthermore, sharing their experience on how they are being denied courses of their choice, another incident was given where a cripple student got admission to study medicine but when the university discovered that he is a cripple they transferred him to computer science department, a course he had no interest on and at the end he got expelled. The story is the same with another cripple student whose admission is currently rusticated by one of the NCE warding institutions in Kano state just because he is physically challenged. Professor Diso also narrated that he was once refused entry into lecture hall by his lecturer because he is blind.

Some of the appeals and recommendations given at the validation meeting were:

  1. BUK as a matter of public interest to open its People Living with Disabilities Library which has been built by the institution but still not been commissioned
  2. CITAD to collaborate with other NGOs to provide ICTs Centers for People Living with Disabilities, provide more computers and install software that are friendly to people living with disability
  3. The research needs to show how available and accessible the ICT facilities are in those institutions
  4. Discuss with school management directly to find out the exact number of PWDs in their institutions
  5. There is the need to equip people living with disabilities with computer knowledge so that they can also compete with other normal people
  6. Personal computers should be provided to the people living with disabilities after the training
  7. CITAD to collaborate with other NGOs to improve and rehabilitate skills learning centers of people living with disabilities especially at special schools in the country
  8. CITAD to help people living with vision impairment to get braille imposer machine
  9. CITAD to look into the issue on how higher institutions of learning are complying with disability policy in their schools
  10. CITAD to look into the secondary school curriculum to ensure it capture PWDs needs
  11. Intensify advocacy to ensure the development of disability policy in tertiary institutions in the country.

Remarking at the event, the head of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in Kano appreciated and applauded CITAD for organizing this discussion at the right time, saying that the research aligns with what the agency is doing every day. He urged PWDs and their organizations present to take the advantage of their new office in Kano and request for ICTs equipment which they have been giving to organizations for free. The director also requested CITAD to facilitate and serve as an intermediary between the agency and the PWDs organizations. On her part, the director admission unit, Bayero University, Kano said BUK is doing everything possible to ensure People Living with Disabilities are being giving all the necessary support they needs. Part of it according to her is the reduction and automatic admission to People Living with Disabilities that score 150 and above in their UTME and scholarship for the students.

On his part, while closing the session, the Head of Training Department, Centre for Information Technology and Development Malam Ahmad Yakasai said that CITAD for long has been designing programmes and supporting People Living with Disabilities. He went further to state that as part of the Organization’s inclusion agenda every year for the past 10 years CITAD has never fail to celebrate International Day of People Living with Disabilities.

New Winners Emerge for CITAD Essay Competitions

Centre for Information Technology (CITAD), has announced winners for its 7th round of essay writing competition with the support of MacArthur Foundation.

The Report a Project, which is one of the two categories of the essay writing is a competition that invites applications from students in tertiary institutions to write on abandoned or poorly executed project(s) in their various communities with the aim to expose such cases so as to have a change.

The Innovative Ideas, according to Abdulhamid Abdullahi, training officer, CITAD, involves students of higher learning institutions to write essays on how best to fight corruption and the best writer stands to win a token price of N30.000, while the second runner-up gets the sum of N20.000 and the 3rd winner gets N10.000 for each of the two categories.

The competition geared towards reviving the spirit of reading culture amongst the students and youths, is also aimed to engage the youths in critical thinking and innovative ideas which at the end, will lead them to asking questions and holding those in public offices accountable.

The winners for Innovative Ideas Essay Competition are;
1st: Rabia Muhammad Musa
2nd: Nafisa Muhammad Aliyu
3rd: Ummusalama Adamu Usman

While those who emerged winners for the Report a Project are;
1st: Ummi Idris
2nd: Aisha Inuwa Idris
3rd: Mubaraka Abdu Lawan

Research meeting on Conflict and Corruption in Nigeria

Introduction

The relationship between conflict and corruption in Nigeria is one that has attracted huge attention from academics, policy makers and practitioners. While efforts have been made to respond to the causalities and consequences of conflicts in the country, there is a sense in which corruption has become a phenomenon that fuels and sustains conflicts.  Some of the ways in which corruption sustains conflict include the use and abuse of security votes by government officials, non-adherence to policies and guidelines on procurements in the award of contracts, diversion of funds, use of fictitious persons and companies for award of contracts, contract variations, diversion of relief materials among others. In specific terms, international organisations have also been accused of not meeting their obligations in terms of value for money with specific reference to humanitarian response.

In view of this, Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) who has been a key player in advocating for anticorruption and accountability in Nigeria, with support from MacArthur Foundation is conducting a research to analyse the nexus between conflict, insurgency and corruption in Nigeria with the aim of finding out how corruption makes conflict so difficult to resolve and also finding lasting solutions and providing recommendations to how conflict in Nigeria can best be manage.

In this regard, the Centre held a research meeting on 17th December, 2019 at the centre’s head office in Kano. The meeting was carried out with the purpose of presenting the research concepts, discussing the methodology, as well as agreeing on the research calendar.

At the beginning of the meeting, the Executive Director of the centre, Dr. Yunusa Yau welcomed the participants and also explained the purpose of the meeting to the participants. Dr. Chris Kwaja of Modibbo University of Technology, Yola explained that the research would have three pillars of Academic, policy and action research methods. The methodology is also mainly a desk review and some primary data i.e, interviews where necessary.

Presentation of The Six Thematic Areas of the Research by the Researchers

  1. Corruption and the Extractive Sector: Lessons from Zamfara State by Dr. Yunusa Yau of CITAD.

Until recently, Zamfara state has become a hostile and no-go area for a long period of time and the conflict in Zamfara was not unpredictable. Community stakeholders has expressed their prediction for a bloodshed if nothing could be done. The conflict between farmers and herders, the takeover of more than 80% of grazing lands by politicians and other bosses, the selfish interest of politicians who mobilise, arm and equip thugs  with weapons, the poor provision of jobs and other welfares for the already armed youths organised by the politicians, the interest of political, security, religious/traditional leaders to benefit from the insurgency, the complicated and  unclear procedures and policies set for the mining licensing as well as responding to violence with violence approach of government for peacemaking which subject the whole community to harm etc are among the issues this research component will look at, analyse provide recommendations to the problems.

  1. Impact of Corruption on Human Rights in Nigeria by Dr. Chris Kwaja of MouTech.

Effect of corruption on human rights and how human rights impact corruption is another angle that this research intended to cover. Welfare, security and resources extraction are the major responsibilities of the government. Similarly, the resources that were extracted are meant to provide and protect the state. But when the government fails to provide the public with employment opportunities and other human welfares and also fail to protect the state from violence and insecurity, it becomes a generator of violence instead of a protector. Again, the government response to violence with a violent approach is another factor to be captured from this angle.

  1. Impact of Corruption on Reconstruction and Rebuilding in the North East by Abu Hamisu.

This aspect will focus on corruption by delineating several factors that led to the insurgency on the northeast by looking at the  existence of a group and how or why they become insurgent or violent. Looking at Boko Haram insurgency in the northeast, the group has been existing since 1990s but were never violent until after the killing of Muhammad Yusuf. Ignorance and poverty are seen as major factors that led for the boko Haram insurgency, but behind these factors is corruption. People desire change but the means of recruiting political leaders is not just and peaceful means of electing leaders were absent. In the IDPs camp similarly, the leaders aren’t accountable and the immediate needs of people are not met, the welfares mostly focus on areas that have no direct impact on people’s lives. In general, the private interest is overriding the public interest which generated into a conflict.

 

  1. Impact of Corruption in Addressing Kidnapping and Banditry by Dr. Aminu Hayatu of Bayero University, Kano.

This component of research will be looking at how kidnapping and banditry comes with certain linkage with corruption which if interrogated will reveal a lot of information on how corruption plays a vital role in the issues of kidnapping and insecurity, how the state refused to provide the infrastructure needed in place and how the funds set to tackle such problems are being misplaced. Similarly, the narratives sold out to the public in form of post truth and conspiracy to escaping theories to divert the attention of the public from public discourse is another interesting area that will be captured in this aspect of the research.

Other areas to be covered in this research include:

  1. Broadcast Media’s Coverage and Analysis of Official Corruption in Relation to Insurgency in the North East by Tunde Akanni of Lagos State University, and .
  2. Impact of Corruption on Counterinsurgency Efforts in the North East by Hassana Ibrahim Waziri:

Research Methodology

Desk Review with primary data interviews where necessary.

Research Calendar:

  1. Methodology Meeting – 17th December 2019
  2. Desk/Field Work – 18th December 2019 – 18th February 2020
  3. Submission of Draft Papers – 19th February 2020
  4. Review of Draft Papers – 20th February – 1st March 2020
  5. Work on Reviewed Papers by Researchers – 2nd March – 16th March 2020
  6. Submission of Final Papers by Researchers – 30th March 2020

Referencing and Font:

(i)         Adopt the APA Sixth Edition Referencing Style and footnotes for explanations where necessary.

(ii)        Use the Times Romans, 12 Font and 1.5 Line Spacing

Word Limits:

(i)         Not more than 6,500 words

Writing Format:

(i)         Abstract

(ii)        Background / Introduction / Context

(iii)       Body of the Research (format at researcher’s discretion)

(iv)       Recommendations

(v)        Conclusions