CITAD: Trained Staff Of Rural Access And Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) On ICT Knowledge

By Ali Sabo.

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), Jigawa office had from the 5th to 9th November, 2018 trained 13 staff of Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) of Kano state Ministry of Rural and Community Development under the State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU). The training which took place at CITAD office, Dutse aimed at building the capacity of the participants and both sensitize the staff on the benefits of the use of ICT for administration and to expose them to know how they can plan to deploy, use and manage ICT effectively in their fields.

RAAMP is a project that aimed to provide a year –round accessibility in the rural areas through the construction/rehabilitation of rural roads and water crossing hydraulic structures in order to ensure easy access to farms, markets, educational and health facilities etc. It would further ensure better agricultural processing and marketing through the provision of Agro – logistics hubs aimed at reducing post harvest losses.

The project will be supported by the World Bank and French Development Agency with contribution from Federal and State Governments. Under this arrangement 13 states are presently participating, Kano State inclusive.

The project developmental objectives is focused to improve rural access and agricultural marketing in selected participating states while strengthening the financial and institutional base for sustainable management of rural and state roads network.

The project would be executed over the period of five years.

In his welcome remarks, CITAD Executive Director, Engineer Y.Z Ya’u who was ably represented by the Project coordinator, CITAD, Malam Isyaku Garba appreciated the ministry for collaborating with CITAD in this gigantic project. He continue to mentioned that it is accepted globally that ICTs are major tools for development processes; where students can use them to enhance their learning activities, teachers can use them to aid their teaching, while administrators can also use them for day to day running and management of their institutions. The E.D added that considering the need to ICTs for administration and the volumes of documents and communications which administrators are handling, computer skills have become necessary for them, yet such staff and officers have no time to learn the computer in a conventional computer school considering their commitments.  He went further to mention that CITAD has developed a fast track module which requires minimum time on the part of the participants, which is well tested module given to a number of similar clients in Bauchi, Edo, Katsina, Jigawa and FCT. CITAD sees it as an opportunity to organize ICTs Capacity Building for administrators, it is thus imperative that officers in the MDAs, especially the administrate staff are conversant with the use of ICT infrastructure in their offices for the benefit of the staff, government and other partners.

While in his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Rural and Community Development, Kano state, Alhaji Kuliyo A. Zubair, mentioned that the important of ICT cannot be overemphasize as it cut across all human endeavors i.e. E-governance. He reminded the participants that the use of ICT is very important to the success of the project and most importantly it is part of the work plan of the project. He also stated that in the near future there will be no offices; people will only be interacting online, so the need to embrace ICT if you don’t want be left behind in the future even if not for the sake of the project. The P.S continue to state that even revenue are now been paid online, things are purchase online and vital documents can also be shared online, thus if you want remain relevant you must embrace ICT.  Alhaji Kuliyo also extended the Honorable Commissioner, Ministry of Rural and Community Development, Musa Ilyasu Kwankwaso appreciation to CITAD and prayed that the collaboration will be sustained.

In the first day of the training Malam Isyaku Garba took the participants Fundamentals of Computer while Sagir Ado Abubakar discussed MS Word. In the following day Sagir Abubakar continued with MS Word and Malam Ibrahim Nuhu taught the participants MS Excel. In the third day of the training the participants were been taught MS Excel and MS power Point by Malam Ibrahim Nuhu and Abdul’aziz Yunusa Ya’u respectively. In the fourth day of the training Engineer Kamal Umar continued with online tools while in the final day of the training Evaluation and certificate presentation were conducted by Maryam Haruna.

In his vote of thanks, Engineer Sunusi Saleh Suleiman, state program officer, RAAMP, appreciate CITAD for accepting to collaborate and conducted the training, he went further to state that they all came to the training with different perception of ICT and hoping to learn basic ICT knowledge in order to improve their work and daily activities which according to him has been achieved.

Centre Moves To Bridge Gap In Internet Access

A Kano Based Non-Governmental Organization, Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), has called for National Gender Digital Inclusion to end and bridge gender digital divide in Nigeria. This was contained in a press release singed by the group program Assistant, Gender and Internet Advocacy, Maryam Ado Haruna and made available to news men in Kano on Monday shortly after their National conference in Abuja. According to Maryam, Gender digital exclusion has been a cross-cutting factor affecting development in Nigeria as women especially in the rural communities are digitally marginalized. She said, “there is a huge gap and inequality in access, distribution and use of information, communication and technologies between men and women as well as boys and girls in Nigeria” That Participation and representation of women in events around internet policies is equally low in the country as this could be clearly noted from ratio of the previous male to female in Nigeria Internet Governance Forum which was almost 90:10. Haruna noted that, access to the Internet is extremely important for women to be able to gain information which may not be readily available to them elsewhere but unfortunately, women and girls in Nigeria are left out. According to Maryam, to address the lingering problem, CITAD with support from Association for Progressive Communications (APC), organized the First Women Internet Governance Forum (Women-IGF) in Nigeria which brought together over 50 female journalists, female CSOs, women in the digital industries, academia, government agencies and private companies from various part of the country who sat together and identified women digital challenges and proffer solutions to some of the identified challenges. Furthermore, that the National Conference aimed to Enhance public understanding of the importance of internet to women, increase the number of women who access and use the internet effectively in Nigeria as well as, Contribute to the gender digital inclusion of women in the country. Research has indicated that, more men use the internet than women. Similarly, more men participate in forums, events and activities that shape internet policies than their women counterpart. CITAD identified some factors that hindered the participation and use of internet by women in the Country to include; Lack of Internet Access, Lack of policies supporting Internet and gender in the society, Gender Based Challenges online and Socio-cultural and religious factors. They called on the Nigeria Communication Commission NCC, to monitor all significant matters relating to the performance of all licensed telecoms service providers in Ensure technological empowerment to people with disability or special need in order to close technological barriers and digital gap, Support Initiative that will promote awareness and skills building for women and also Encourage service providers to Provide affordable internet for the society to make their recommendations and contribution towards global warming. And last but not the least, ensure that there are adequate and appropriate policies to deal with gender based violence online as well as harmful content.

Women Propose National Gender Digital Inclusion Agenda

By Tijjani Ibrahim.

The Women in Internet Governance Forum (Women-IGF) has proposed a national gender inclusion agenda aimed at ending gender digital divide in the country.

This was disclosed by the Programme Assistant, Gender and Internet Advocacy, Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), Maryam Ado Haruna, during a press briefing on Tuesday in Kano.

“The goal of the agenda is to promote the digital inclusion of women in Nigeria especially in rural communities where lack of infrastructure, education and poverty created conditions that made use of internet difficult for women,” she said

She added that the vision of the agenda was to provide universal access to a free, safe, affordable and secure internet to the women.

Miss Haruna said the proposal was the outcome of a meeting held in Abuja on the 18th and 19th of September, 2018, organized by CITAD with support from Association for Progressive Communication, in which over 50 women journalist, CSOs and other professionals came together to identify women digital challenges.

She added that the forum has identified actors that have major roles to play in achieving the aim of the agenda, and these actors include NCC, NITDA, NOA, CSOs, Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), federal and states ministries of women affairs and education, media, religious and traditional institutions among others.

Increasing Rate of Hate Speeches Online Worries CITAD

An NGO, Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), has expressed concern over the increasing rate of hate speeches on the social media platforms.

Malam Hamza Ibrahim, the Coordinator, Curbing hate and dangerous speech in Nigeria Project of the centre, raised the concern on Wednesday at a Press conference in Kano.

He said that a study conducted in August and September indicated that 80 per cent of the speeches were made by young males and cut across the six geo-political zones of the country.

“In September 2018, 174 were captured with 94 appearing from websites of online and conventional Newspapers, so we have noticed a decline in hate and dangerous speeches relating to gender.”

It also appealed to online media and websites to monitor conversations taking place on their platforms in order to reduce the menace.

CITAD further appealed to group administrators on social media, to strengthen their gate-keeping skills to curb the menace.

The project is being sponsored by the MacArthur Foundation to facilitate activities of the centre in fighting hate and dangerous speeches on the Internet.

CITAD Organized Debate to Secondary School Students In Jigawa State

By Ali Sabo.

As the level of education is deteriorating and going backward in Nigeria especially in the northern part of the country due to lack or inadequate investment in the sector, while experts and concerned citizens are every day looking for a way to bring back and salvage the already dying institution in the country. It is in this regards that the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) with support from MacArthur Foundation has been organizing series of debates to secondary school students yearly across the country in order to revive the reading culture among our young ones. In July and September of this year the Centre (CITAD) had organized similar event in Jama’amare Local Government of Bauchi State and Kano state respectively. The debate which is tagged as Youth Speak for Peace Creativity Fiesta and Competition consists of four categories: Story Telling, Pick and Talk, Quiz and Poetry.

In Jigawa state five schools participated at the debate namely: Dutse Model International School, Government Senior Secondary School Shuwarin, Commercial Secondary School Dutse, Academy for the Gifted and Talented Bamaina and Government Girls Senior Secondary School Marabusawa.

The event which started at 11am had 140 participants, special quests among the participants were the Honorable Commissioner of Education, Jigawa state who was ably represented by the Deputy Director Special Duties, Malam Kamilu Ibrahim, Malam Isa Surajo, State Team Leader, Engage Citizens Pillar (ECP), FOMWAN representative, Director Dutse Model International School and Chairman Jigawa Civil Society Forum, comrade Musbahu Basirka.

 

In her opening remarks, the Honorable commissioner of education who was ably represented by Deputy Director Special Duties stated that she is very happy and commended CITAD for coming up with this laudable initiative, she went further to mentioned that event like this will ginger the students to pay more attention to learning and also boost their English Language. She also remarked that this an encouraging starts and urged CITAD to keep up the good work as she knew CITAD is a partner in progress not only in Jigawa but in the whole country. She promised to help in any way possible to make sure that the event is been conducted in the state yearly. While in his remarks, the Director Dutse Model International School appreciate CITAD for organizing this event and most importantly for the given his school the honor to host the event. He went further to state that students in this part of the country really need this kind of event because it is the only way that can stimulate and encourage them to do more in their academic activities. The State Team Leader, Engage Citizens Pillar, Malam Isa Surajo while giving his remarks said this activity reminded him of when he was in secondary school some 20 years back, he went further to urge the students to continue with debate even after they left here among their colleagues in their schools as it is the only way they can groom themselves to become good public speakers.

After the debate the following schools emerged as First, Second and third positions in the different categories of the debate conducted. Bamaina Academy for the Gifted emerged first position at the Pick and Talk with 87 point followed by Dutse Model International School in the second position with 83.8 points then Commercial Secondary school Takur Emerged as the third position with 66.9 points while for the Quiz also Bamaina Academy for the Gifted emerged first with 8 marks followed by Commercial Secondary School Takur with 7 marks and GDSS Shuwarin in the third position with 6 marks. In the Story Telling Dutse Model emerged first with 80.5% followed by Bamaina Academy for the Gifted as second with77.6 and Commercial Secondary School in the third position with70.6 points while in the poetry Reading Dutse Model took the first position with 74.6, GDSS Shuwarin took the second position with71.3 and GGSS Marabusawa emerged third with 71 point. Prizes such as Bicycles, Plasma Televisions, Handsets, School bags and Books were been given to the winners.

In his vote of thanks, the Executive Director of Centre for Information Technology and Development who was ably represented by the Centre’s Program officer Peace, Malam Hamza Ibrahim thanked all the participating schools and especially Dutse Model for agreeing to host the event. He went further to state that today’s event is not about winner or loser as there is no victor nor vanquish as the main idea of organizing the event is just to revive the reading culture and unveil the different talents of our young ones and put them on the track.

 

CITAD Expresses Concern Over Increasing Rate Of Hate Speeches Online

An NGO, Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), has expressed concern over the increasing rate of hate speeches on the social media platforms.

Malam Hamza Ibrahim, the Coordinator, Curbing hate and dangerous speech in Nigeria Project of the centre, raised the concern on Wednesday at a Press conference in Kano.

He said that a study conducted in August and September indicated that 80 per cent of the speeches were made by young males and cut across the six geo-political zones of the country.

According to him, “In August specifically, we documented 263 hate speeches and 132 of them were ethnic based, 94 were religious based, 18 were Biafra – agitated related, three were access to resources related and two were farmer /harder related.”

“In September 2018, 174 were captured with 94 appearing from websites of online and conventional Newspapers, so we have noticed a decline in hate and dangerous speeches relating to gender.”

The centre, however, recommended that all Political parties should caution their members against use of dangerous and hate speeches.

It also appealed to online media and websites to monitor conversations taking place on their platforms in order to reduce the menace.

CITAD further appealed to group administrators on social media, to strengthen their gate keeping skills to curb the menace.

The project is being sponsored by the MacArthur Foundation to facilitate activities of the centre in fighting hate and dangerous speeches on the Internet.

Less Than 5 In 100 Kano Public Girls Schools Have Access To Internet

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has decried the low level of internet access and online participation of the female gender in Kano.

That, according to the centre, constituted a major impediment to the educational and other facets of development of the women folk.

Speaking at a press conference organized by the centre on “Women in Governance Forum (Women-IGF) and Gender Digital Inclusion”, the CITAD Programme Assistant on Gender and Internet Advocacy, Maryam Ado Haruna, said internet was not only the tool for access to information but also means to access good governance.

“This means that if women are not online, their right to participation in governance has been shortchanged. Our research has shown that less than five per cent of the public girls secondary schools in Kano have access to internet. We must say no to this situation. Like men, women also have the right to access and utilize internet,” she stated.

We Introduced Women-IGF To Ensure Digital Inclusion

By Bashir Muhammad Kano.

Assistant Programme Officer, Gender and Internet Advocacy of the Centre for Information Technology and Development, Hajiya Maryam Haruna has said the centre had purposefully introduced Internet Governance Forum (IGF) as a way of ensuring women inclusion in the internet business.
Speaking at a press conference on gender-based online research carried out by CITAD held in Kano yesterday, Haruna stated that the Internet Governance Forum is a multi-stakeholder forum for policy dialogue on issues of internet governance that brought together stakeholders in the internet governance to debate on an equal basis and through an open and inclusive process.


According to her, access to internet was extremely important for women to be able to gain information which may not be available to them, adding that the Nigerian women’s participation on the internet was very low, especially in the North and that their participation and representation in the IGF, as the ratio of male to female at the global IGF was nearly 50:50.

She said gender-based internet challenges such as gender violence online and gender digital divide just like in the case of women’s physical challenges, required specific approaches in addressing them and wondered how women’s voices could be heard when they were not in the picture of events that shape internet policies in the state.

She pointed out that the key objectives of first Internet Governance Forum were to provide a platform for women to strategize on how to increase Women participation in the IGF process and to aggregate Women issues and concerns that they would want see tabled at the global IGF holding in November 2018 in Paris, France.

 

CITAD: Polishing Young Rural Digital Entrepreneurs

About 210 young rural entrepreneurs from 14 communities of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, participated in CITAD’s two–day Business Facilitation Clinic on entrepreneurship, leadership and personal development held at Kuje, Abuja between August 14 and 15.
ADAM ALQALI writes
The Business Facilitation Clinic themed “Creating Space for the Development of Young Entrepreneur” which was organized by Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) and Action Aid Nigeria was aimed at supporting young rural entrepreneurs from the FCT.
The event brought together almost 250 participants from across 14 rural communities of the FCT, representatives of relevant government agencies, social entrepreneurs and startup specialists from an array of sectors who have made an impact in their various societies.
According to the CITAD Executive Director, Y.Z.Ya’u “Every year the 12th of August sees the commemoration of International Youth Day (IYD).
The theme for International Youth Day 2018 is “Safe Spaces for Youth”.
This year’s event will facilitate a dialogue on safe spaces between governments, civil society, and -most importantlyyouth groups, with the goal of offering practical solutions to the challenges of creating youth-friendly spaces”.
Yau added that Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) In Partnership with Action Aid Nigeria deliberately made the Business Facilitation Clinic to coincide with International Youth Day 2018.
“This is because the world’s young people could set the world on course towards a more sustainable future.
Young people are traditionally cutting-edge and today’s young people are more informed than those of the previous generation.
Digital inclusion is a tool for enhancing socioeconomic and political development, technology is driving innovations,” said Yau.
Yau who was represented by Ahmad Muhammad Danyaro, CITAD Head of Abuja Office/ Programme Officer posited that educating and inspiring rural entrepreneurs was one of the targets for CITAD’s digitalization for equitable society project being implemented in 15 communities of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
In her presentation themed “Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship” CITAD’s programme assistant, Salma Abdulwaheed said entrepreneurship can serve as the key to unlocking economic potentials and lifting people out of poverty in developing countries and emerging markets.
She then spoke about the roles and tasks of entrepreneurs around gathering markets information, risks analysis, managerial analysis, the entrepreneurial personality and attributes of an efficient start up manager.
Corporate Affairs Commission braze the trail with an enriching presentation by Deputy Director, Customer Service Department ,Mrs Modey Leticia Akugbo on Procedure and Requirement for Registering Business stating that CAC services had been simplified and digitalized and therefore can be assessed through the CAC website – www.service.cac.ov.ng .
Mrs Modey said The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) is a government agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria charged with the responsibility for incorporation, registration and regulation of the management of Companies, Business Names and Incorporated Trustees.
She further stated CAC is also vested with powers to investigate the affairs of Companies, Business Names and NGOs and enforce compliance with all regulatory requirements as provided in the companies and allied matters Act (CAMA).
After a highly interactive question and answer session and tea break, Representative of Minister of Youths and Sport, Mr Hamid Nagogo emphasised the need to capitalise on new technology to improve enterprenuers’ knowledge adding that technological progress will favour job creations among the youths.
He commended CITAD/ Action Aid for the Digital Inclusion project in communities, admonishing the participants to utilize the rare opportunity and use the acquired knowledge to empower themselves, development their community and participate in governance.
The day was rounded up with an experience sharing session tagged “Owning Your Life ” by Bashirat Abdulwahab, a social entrepreneur and motivational speaker who spoke about how young entrepreneurs could face the challenges and opportunities that lie in starting up new business venture.
She noted that with passion, determination, persistence and absolute consistency and networking young entrepreneurs will achieve success.
In her closing remarks, CITAD Programme Assistant, Miss Kaltumi Abdulaziz appreciated the role of partners in making the forum a success story, she added that “Business Facilitation Clinic” was meant designed to empower young innovators through networking, skills building, mentoring, and access to financing to develop startup solutions that address their economic and development challenges.
She said “The idea behind this business clinic is to continually support digital rural startups in Nigeria in the area of providing education, training & information that will enhance their business management skills.
Assemblage of this nature create a platform where business regulatory bodies, business development service providers and businesses can interact and provide solutions to challenges inhibiting the setup and growth of startups”.
Miss Kaltumi further commended government agencies and ministries for their enriching participation and presentations which further educated the 210 participants on key functions of relevant government agencies and modern business management strategies

CITAD Holds Capacity Building Training For Media, CSOs

By: IBRAHIM  ADAMU,  Kaduna.

Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), supported by USAID/SACE project has organized a capacity building on effective collaboration between Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and media practitioners in order to improve governance and increase service development effectiveness through service delivery.

Declaring the workshop open on Thursday, the Senior Program Officer CITAD, Isah Garba, said the capacity building is geared towards collective approach in coming together for a common goal especially in the education sector.

“For effective development to yield results, there is need for collaboration between the CSOs and the Media being the key actors in the democratic dispensation.  What informed the decision was to come together and discuss ways of improving our synergy to be able to work towards the challenges of the region”.

Garba further said, access to information, civil society capacity building, institutionalization, state/CSO synergy are the key tools in the social accountability.

New Nigerian also noted that as a result of misplacement of priority, many projects have been abandoned in the region which calls for concern.

Topics such as understanding collaboration and social accountability were discussed in which CSOs and media practitioners across the Northeast sub-region were in attendance.

Report on Sensitization on Hate Speech at University of Abuja, Mini campus, Gwagwalada

The Centre for Information, Technology and Development (CITAD) with support from MacArthur Foundation conducted a sensitization workshop on Hate Speech and Fake News to the students of University of Abuja, Mini Campus, Gwagwalada with 81 students in attendance from the department of Political Science on 10th September, 2018.

The Sensitization workshop which was conducted at the University of Abuja, Mini Campus, Gwagwalada train the students on the tools on how to report hate and dangerous speech online and identifying fake pictures.

The essence of the sensitization is to shape the youth to be ambassadors of peace in their various institutions, communities and associations.

Dr. Sadeequ A. Abba gave an opening remark, which opens the mind of the students on the essence of the sensitization.

The spread of Hate Speech and Fake News have become an issue of concern in our society most especially on social media platforms. It is in this view that CITAD is implementing a project on Peace and Curbing Hate, Dangerous Speeches and Fake News both online and offline with the support of MacArthur Foundation. CITAD found it very paramount to engage students of tertiary institutions which is called the ‘Campus Series’ to sensitize them about the negative impact of spreading such kind of information in the society.

The target audiences are the youth and also the majority on Social media platforms; they are task on the role they can play in curbing this menace.

At the sensitization workshop, many of the students during the pre-sensitization have an idea about hate and dangerous speeches but they do not know or have an in-depth knowledge about it and its dangers.

A paper was presented: Understanding Hate and Dangerous Speeches and Speed geeking Sessions: Using Technology to Combat Hate Speech via Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and identifying fake pictures on Google which was facilitated by Salma Abdulwaheed and Kaltumi Abdulazeez.

The participants were given the opportunity to ask questions and comments. It was also discovered that most of the participants lack the technical knowledge on how to report Hate Speech online.

At the end of the workshop, the students pledge to use the knowledge they acquired effectively and also extend the training to their colleagues, friends and families. The sensitizations made the students aware of what dangerous speeches are which they also cite examples. They are willing to take actions against spreading hate speech by reporting such cases when they come across it

At the end of the workshop, the president of the National Association of Political Science Students (NAPSS) gave the vote of thanks. She appreciates the good work of CITAD for organizing an enlightening program and she said they have gained wealth of knowledge about hate speech. The workshop came at a time when the general election is fast approaching.

 

Softoption Business Loan Scheme For Young Women Entrepreneurs

Introduction

Over the last 10 years, the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has empowered hundreds women and girls with both ICT skills and entrepreneurship with the hope of turning them into successful entrepreneurs, setting up and running their own small scale businesses either ICT-based or non-ICT that leverage ICTs to make them effective and successful. To support them in actualizing their entrepreneurship dreams, CITAD has now introduced a Softoption Business Loan Scheme for Young Women Entrepreneurs.

Objectives

The objectives of the loan scheme are:

  1. Provide easily accessible loan to deserving beneficiaries of our entrepreneurship programmes
  2. To contribute to job creation by helping to nurture small scale enterprises by women
  3. To further consolidate efforts at reducing the gender digital divide by enhancing the chances of young women to leverage ICTs for their economic empowerment

The Softoption Business Loan

This is a short term facility available to women who have gone through our entrepreneurship training programmes. The size is between N50, 000 to N100, 000 and repayable between 12 to 18 months. Repayment period are flexible and based on the amount and installment payment rate.

The loan is not for buy machinery or major tools and so business plan should not include buying machinery and tools.

Qualification

An interested young woman must meet the following conditions:

  1. Must have undergone the Digital Livelihood training or any digital entrepreneurship training of CITAD
  2. Must have a CAC registered enterprise
  3. Must have acceptable business plan proposal
  4. Must have two guarantors that would serve as sureties to the beneficiary and would bear responsibility for repayment if the beneficiary fails to repay
  5. Must be between the age of 18-30 years old

Operations

Application forms would be available from CITAD. Completed applications would be submitted along with business plan and copy of the candidate’s certificate. A team would then evaluate the business plan and judge its suitability and potentials for growth and sustainability.

Although all businesses with potential for success are eligible, preference would be given to either ICT-based ones or those with clear use of ICTs.

For more information contact info@citad.org or phone 08091922203.

CITAD-Sensitization: School of Nursing and Midwifery Gwagwalada, Abuja

By Salma Abdulwaheed.

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) with support from MacArthur Foundation conducted a sensitization workshop on Hate Speech and Fake News to the students of School of Nursing and Midwifery, Gwagwalada, Abuja.

 

The spread of Hate Speech and Fake News have become an issue of concern in our society most especially on social media platforms. It is in this view that CITAD is implementing a project on Peace and Curbing Hate, Dangerous Speeches and Fake News both online and offline. CITAD found it very paramount to engage students of tertiary institutions which is called the ‘Campus Series’ to sensitize them about the negative impact of spreading such kind of information in the society.

The target audiences are the youth and also the majority on Social media platforms, they are task on the role they can play in curbing this menace.

The Sensitization workshop which was conducted at the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Gwagwalada train the students on the tools on how to report hate and dangerous speech online and identifying fake pictures.

The essence of the sensitization is to shape the youth to be ambassadors of peace in their institutions, communities and associations.

At the sensitization workshop a paper was presented: Understanding Hate and Dangerous Speeches and Speed geeking Sessions: Using Technology to Combat Hate Speech via Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and identifying fake pictures on Google which was facilitated by Salma Abdulwaheed and Kaltumi Abdulazeez.

The participants were given the opportunity to ask questions and comments. It was also discovered that most of the participants lack the technical knowledge on how to report Hate Speech online.

At the end of the workshop, the students pledge to use the knowledge they acquired effectively and also extend the training  to their colleagues, friends and families.

At the end of the workshop, the Vice Principal gave his vote of thanks. He appreciate the good work of CITAD for organizing an enlightening program and he said the students and staff present had  gained  wealth of  knowledge about hate speech. The workshop came at a time when the general election is fast approaching.

He further advice the students to stay out of violence or anything that will hinder the peace of the country.

Yobe: CSOs, CITAD Call For Establishment Of Girls Day Schools

Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Yobe State in collaboration with Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) have called on Yobe State Government to establish Government Girls Day Secondary Schools in the major cities of the state so as to encourage the schools enrolment of the girl child.

The call was made on Thursday at a town hall meeting held at NEYIF Damaturu with participation of CSOs and Media across the state.

The meeting noted with concern the deteriorating school enrolments of the girl child in some parts of the state.

“If you look at it critically, at the primary and junior secondary school levels, the enrolment of the girl child is higher than their male counterpart, but immediately you go to the senior class and the tertiary institutions, their number reduce drastically”.

“Girl Child school enrolment at the higher levels is poor in this region, compare to their male counter part.  The girls are either being giving out in marriages or engage into one local trade or the other by their parent” the statement read in part.

New Nigerian also gathered the challenges are not unconnected with the insurgency experienced in the Northeast, whereby parents are scared of taking their daughters to boarding schools.

Earlier in his welcome address, the CITAD Programme Officer, Isa Garba called on the participants to work towards lobbying government so as to encourage the girl child enrolment, stressing that the population is on the increase.

Yobe State government had allocated the sum of N400million for establishment of two Government Girls Day Secondary Schools in its 2018 budget fiscal year but is yet to see the light of the day.

The meeting also commended the state for providing learning infrastructure in many locations, calling on parents to change attitude by sending their wards especially the girl child to school so as to compliment the efforts made.

CSOs Demand for More UBE Fund for Children with Disabilities

By Udora Orizu in Abuja.

Civil Society Organisations (CSO) in Nigeria,   comprising the Human Development Initiatives, Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities ( JONAPWD), and Centre for Information and Technology Development (CITD), among others, has  called on the government to raise the percentage of UBE intervention fund being made available for projects aimed at supporting disabled children across the country.

Speaking on behalf of the CSOs at a summit jointly organised by the HDI, JONAPWD and CITAD in Abuja, the Executive Director, HDI, Olufunso Owasanoye noted that  the issue of inclusive education for children with disabilities has become  crucial considering the 2014 National Policy on Education (NPE) which demands that the education of children with special needs shall be free at all levels .

She said since the federal government is  saddled with this responsibility, they  must conduct regular censuses,  monitor them  and provide special education equipment and training for them.

She expressed concern that  currently only about two per cent of the UBE intervention fund is available to states for projects aimed at supporting children with disabilities.

“The evaluation of UNICEF’s child-friendly schools’ programme regarding this, shows that most schools lack appropriate resources, infrastructure and qualified teachers to meet the needs of these children,” she said, adding that the objective of the summit was to, among other things, “demand for increase in UBE funds dedicated to education of children with special needs from two per cent to three per cent.”

Owasanoye said the projects of HDI and CITAD in Nigeria jointly advocated for a review of the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) dedicated to financing the UBE intervention and to the education of children with special needs from two per cent to four per cent.

“JONAPWD on the other hand seeks to improve the inclusion and access of children with disabilities to quality basic education in Nigeria through effective stakeholders’ advocacy engagement for policy influencing, capacity building and public awareness creation,” she added.

He told delegates that education remained the only panacea to ignorance, illiteracy subjugation and impoverishment in any society, adding that it had been the defining legacy in human development.

“In spite of that, without adequate sustenance, the ray of hope provided through the introduction of education to young minds may eventually dim out if not quenched. It is for this reason that the introduction of education to uneducated parents and guardians for their children and youths should be given utmost priority,” she said