REPORT OF THE TWITTER CHAT ON COVID19 WITH ALIYU D. ALIYU ON COVID19 SECOND WAVE: COUNTERING MISINFORMATION FROM RELIGIOUS PERSPECTIVE HELD ON THE 25TH MARCH, 2021

 

 

In continuation of its twitter chat on Covid19 and looking at how the virus is fast spreading across states in Nigeria with many misinformation spreading especially from the religious people in the country, the Centre for Information Technology and Development hosted Aliyu Dahiru Aliyu, an Editor/ Researcher with HumAngle Newspaper, an online Newspaper based in Abuja to discuss on how these misinformation from religious people are spreading in the society like wildfire and how we can tackle them. Mr. Aliyu who is an expert in the area of countering misinformation started by explaining how these messages are being circulated and how they are affecting the war against this deadly virus where he stated that “Misinformation and conspiracy theories spread by religious clerics and their followers have made the war against the pandemic problematic. While some believe Covid-19 doesn’t exist, others think it will not affect them because of their religious beliefs”. He continued to say that “In Kano state, for example, many people believe the virus was created to stop Muslims from going to mosques for a congregational prayer. It became hard to ask people to observe social distancing in local mosques because of their beliefs”. Also when he was asked about how do the messages being accepted by the followers of these religions, Mr. Aliyu explained that “Religion is a very powerful. Clerics have the power of manipulating their followers through rhetoric and conspiracy theories. Many people were influenced by the misinformation they spread and stopped observing Covid-19 protocols. It means the false messages and conspiracy theories being spread by these clerics are well being accepted by their followers”

 

Discussions from the Chat:

 

Join me to welcome

@ICTAdvocates today’s twitter chat guest on #CITADagainstCovid19, @Aliyussufiy, Editor/Researcher with @HumAngle_ who will discuss on Covid19 Second Wave: Countering Misinformation from Religious Perspective. Welcome sir @YZYau @macfound @a_sabo12 @ICTAdvocates and 7 others

 

Thank you, Ali. It’s great being here with you

 

Question:

 

Sir, can we start by knowing how badly these religious misinformation affected the fight against Covid19 specifically in Kano?

@YZYau

@ICTAdvocates

@teemerh_beekay

@IIEglobal

 

Answers:

Misinformation and conspiracy theories spread by religious clerics and their followers have made the war against the pandemic problematic. While some believe Covid-19 doesn’t exist, others think it will not affect them because of their religious beliefs.

 

In Kano state, for example, many people believe the virus was created to stop Muslims from going to mosques for a congregational prayer. It became hard to ask people to observe social distancing in local mosques because of their beliefs.

 

Question:

 

How have these messages being accepted by the followers?

@Aliyussufiy

@YZYau

@teemerh_beekay

@kamalkano

@IsaKamilu

 

Answers:

 

Religion is a very powerful. Clerics have the power of manipulating their followers through rhetoric and conspiracy theories. Many people were influenced by the misinformation they spread and stopped observing Covid-19 protocols.

 

It means the false messages and conspiracy theories being spread by these clerics are well being accepted by their followers

 

Question:

 

Does this means they accept these messages hook, line and sinker?

 

Answers:

 

Yes. Followers rely on the clerics for Information related to the pandemic instead of the medical authorities. This gave the clerics the power of manipulating them with conspiracy theories and false information.

 

 

Question:

 

Some have negatively perceived to avoid anything from the western world including vaccines, do you think that religious bodies can play roles in changing the mindset?

@HariraWakili

@kamalkano

 

Answers:

Most of them do that during religious lecture sessions in mosques or on Friday pulpits. With the new technology, their messages get recorded and uploaded on social media and that garner for them lots of reaches and the more influence.

 

Lots of works need to be done, but as a matter of urgency fact-checks and media literacy articles are very important. People need to know the truth so as to stop consuming misleading information.

 

Question:

 

Of recent, experts in the field of science have developed vaccines for Covid19 treatment, and from what we have gathered there were rumors that the developers of the vaccines have ulterior motives; how is this misinformation travels among people of Kano State?

@YZYau

@IIEglobal

 

Answers:

 

From the first day the discussions on vaccines started, many people started saying the pandemic itself was a plan by Bill Gates to control them by implanting a chip in their bodies in the name of vaccine. This rumor is still getting circulated among people in Kano.

 

Question:

 

So there is tendency people will resist the vaccine?

@YZYau

@isyaku12

@kamalkano

 

Answers:

 

Definitely. Especially the one by Pfizer due to what happened some years back when the company was testing a different vaccine in Kano State and it went wrong.

 

Question: @Aliyussufiy @ICTAdvocates and 9 others is it also the work of the conspiracy theorists’ clerics?

 

Answers:

 

 

@a_sabo12

@ICTAdvocates

and 9 others

I can’t say. Many people are now getting false information on social media mostly from anti-vaccine platforms. Some people translate the misinformation from one language to another and recirculate it at lower levels.

 

Question:

 

As we are coming to the end of this discussion, what are your advice to people regarding this pandemic and what are your recommendations to govt to ensure these conspiracy theorists clerics are being tackled in the state?

@YZYau

@ICTAdvocates

@MatthewTPage

 

Answers:

 

People should always be conscious of the information they consume. They should apply critical thinking whenever they come across an information that seems controversial or has the potential to mislead public. Avoid echo chambers and check your biases.

 

Government should sponsor jingles and fund fact-checkers who will spend their time fighting false information. The education curriculum in Nigeria should have critical thinking as a compulsory subject so as to have future men and women who will ensure everything is alright.

 

Final remarks:

 

Here we come to the end of this discussion, On behalf of

@ICTAdvocates’s E.D, @YZYau we thank our guest, @Aliyussufiy for the wonderful one hour discussion on Countering Covid19 Misinformation from Religious Perspective. Thank you once again sir. @IIEglobal

@teemerh_beekay

 

 

CITAD To Host Nigeria Education Minister, Other Top Shots At Digital Transformation Engagement Webinar

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), will host the third edition of its annual Digital Transformation engagement webinar , on March 10, 2021.

According to the organization, guests such as the Honorable Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu; The Vice Chancellor of Modibbo Adama University who is also the chairman of the occassion, Yola, Prof A.I Tukur; Prof Hauwa Biu, Chair, Presidential Committee on Northeast Initiatives; Aissata Sow, Country Programs Lead, Nigeria and Digital Economy Lead, MasterCard Foundation; Chris Nwannenna, Former President, Nigeria Computer Society; Amos Emma, Chairman/Chief Software Architect for programme software group, are all expected at the event.

The theme of the webinar is aimed at “Creativity and Innovation in the Deployment of ICTs in Schools to Prepare Digital Nigerians for Digital Economy”. CITAD also revealed that more information on the event will be subsequently released.

You can follow CITAD on twitter via @ictadvocates

DLAC, CITAD To Host National Youth Dialogue On Digital Literacy

The Digital Literacy Advocacy Club and the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) have concluded plans to host a national youth dialogue on Digital Literacy.

The program will hold on March 20, virtually, according to the organizers in Abuja. According to Olugbenga Toki, the program has become necessary owning to the importance of discussing taking Digital Literacy to youths at the grass-root and also support the efforts toward ensuring digital literates in Nigeria.

The theme of the program according to the organizers is “ Building Digital Literates from grassroot in Nigeria”.

The Digital Literacy Advocacy Club and Centre for Information Technology and Development have held collaborative programs aimed at strengthening Digital Literacy in Nigeria.

Toki noted that this program is also aimed at achieving aims of a better equipped country and Digital economy.

CITAD Set to Launch Mobile App on Lost But Found Items

By Abba Dukawa

AREWA AGENDA-A Kano based non governmental organization, Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) is working towards using ICT for the community development in the state and the nation at large through it’s CIGIYA app.

This was disclosed by the Centre’s Technical officer Engr. Kamaluddeen Umar during a press conference.

He said that CIGIYA app, is the first of its kind across Nigeria. It is a lost and found application that will facilitate the searching of lost items by people and help transport associations, media houses and other relevant organization to generate a database of lost item.

Engr. Kamaluddeen Umar emphasized that most of the transports association in the state having have a number of unclaimed lost items as a result of uncertainty of where the items are submitted adding that this will enable individuals to use the application to search for found items and the location they were submitted.

Further explaining the app, he said it will contain the name of the item, unique ID, date it was lost, park or location where it was submitted and picture (actual picture may be replaced by sample picture or just the name in case of items with bare identification). It also contains the contact number of the park for further information.

CITAD plans to collaborate with media houses, security outfits and other relevant stakeholders toward the success of the App to reach the target peoples adding the app designed to have simple interface both for data entry and item searching and has already consulted some transport unions which include Tricycle Operators Association of Kano State (TOAKAN) and Tsaya da Kafarka Taxi Association, Kano.

CITAD Launches CIGIYA Android Application to Track Lost Items

The Centre for information technology and development (CITAD), has launched an Android application called (CIGIYA) to help people search for lost items and the locations they can be found.

This was communicated by the CITAD Technical Officer Engineer Kamaluddeen Umar, at a press conference during the launch of the application at the center’s conference room in Kano.

He said that the purpose of unveiling the application is to help people to easily trace their lost items by just going through and searching the lost items in the application via their phones.
He added that they will engage transport unions, media and security agents in the process and train them on ways to upload lost items in the application.

“The CIGIYA app, which is the first of its kind is a lost and found application that will facilitate the searching of lost items by people and help transport associations, media houses and other relevant organization to generate a database of lost item. This will enable individuals to use the application to search for possible found items and the location they were submitted.

“Most of the transports association having parks have a number of unclaimed lost items as a result of uncertainty of where the items are submitted. The announcement made in the media houses does not reach some people who lost their items as the announcement may happened when they are not on the tune and it is normally within short days.

“With the new CIGIYA app a permanent database of lost items will be available online and people can search it any time by item type, date range or car park or stations. The data base will simply be generated by the representative of agreed park, media house or unions,” he added.

CITAD calls for non-violent resolution of insurgency
He further said that the application will contain name of the item, unique ID, date it was lost, park or location where it was submitted and picture (actual picture may be replaced by sample picture or just the name in case of items with bare identification).

 

He added that CITAD has already consulted some transport unions which include Tricycle Operators Association of Kano State (TOAKAN) and Tsaya da Kafarka Taxi Association, Kano.

It also has plans to collaborate with the media houses, security outfits and other relevant stakeholders and the application is designed to have simple interface both for data entry and item searching.

“CIGIYA App. will be very effective solution for facilitating and enhancing searching for lost items as well as reducing the occupied space by the lost items in the transport parks, unions offices and media houses,” he added.

CITAD ta ƙaddamar da Sabuwar Manhaja Mai Suna ‘Cigiya’ a Shafin Intanet

Cibiyar Bunƙasa Fasahar Sadarwa Da Cigaban Al’umma CITAD ta ƙaddamar da wata sabuwar Manhaja wacce al’umma za su dinga yin amfani da ita wajen binciko kayan da su ka yar da shi ko kuma ya ɓata.

Manhajar mai suna Cigiya za ta taimakawa matafiyan da kayansu ya É“ata da ko kuma kafafen yaÉ—a labarai wajen saka bayanan kayayyakin da su ka É“ace ko kuma aka daÉ—e ana neman masu kayan amma shiru ba a same su.

Da ya ke jawabi a game da Manhajar Injiniya Kamaluddeen Umar wanda shi ne jagoran Injiniyoyin da su ka samar da Manhajar ya bayyana cewa manhajar za ta taimaka ƙwarai da gaske wajen bincikowa waɗanda kayansu su ka ɓata cikin sauƙi.

Injiniya Kamaluddeen Umar ya ƙara da cewa cibiyar ta CITAD ta yi nazari tare ganin dacewar samar da wannan Manhajar ta Cigiya domin sauƙaƙawa al’umma ganin kayansu da ya ɓace.

Haka kuma Injiniya Kamaluddeen ya ce la’akari da jihar Kano a matsayin cibiyar kasuwanci da kuma yadda ake samun ɓatan kayayyaki a tsakankanin matafiya hakan ne ya sanya cibiyar ta CITAD ta yi haɗin gwiwa da ƙungiyoyin motocin sufuri da na babura masu ƙafa uku wato TOAKAN da ƙungiyar ƴan Tasi ta Tsaya Da Ƙafarka, wajen ganin Manhajar ta yi aikin yadda ya kamata.

Manhajar dai ta Cigiya ita ce irinta ta farko da aka samar kuma tana É—auke da wasu alamomi na musamman. Haka kuma ana iya sabunta a dandalin Manhajoji da ke shafin Intanet wato Play Store.

CITAD Launches CIGIYA Android Application

The centre for information technology and development CITAD has launched Cigiya android application that will easily track lost items using Android phones application in Kano.

Addressing Newsmen the technical officer centre for information technology and development CITAD, Engineer Kamalu Umar CITAD is working towards using ICT for the development of the community in the state and the nation as a whole.

According to Kamalu Umar the new CIGIYA mobile application is available on google play store.

He said the application, which is the first of its kind is a lost and found application that will facilitate the searching of lost items by people and help transport associations, media houses and other relevant organization to generate a database of lost item.

CITAD Tasks FG to Make Nigeria An ICT Producing Country

Engineer Umar said this will enable individuals to use the application to search for possible found items and the location they were submitted.

He pointed out that one of the reasons for launching the application is that most of the transports association having parks have a number of unclaimed lost items as a result of uncertainty of where the items are submitted.

According to the technical officer most of the announcement being made in the media houses does not reach some people who lost their items as the announcement may happened when they are not on the tune and it is normally within short days.

Therefore the new CIGIYA application is a permanent database of lost items will be available online and people can search it any time by item type, date range or car park or stations.

The data base will simply be generated by the representative of agreed park, media house or unions.

The application will contain name of the item, unique ID, date it was lost, park or location where it was submitted and picture (actual picture may be replaced by sample picture or just the name in case of items with bare identification).

It also contains the contact number of the park for further information. ”said Kamalu Umar

Engineer Kamalu Umar further told newsmen that CITAD has already consulted some transport unions which include Tricycle Operators Association of Kano State (TOAKAN) and Tsaya da Kafarka Taxi Association, Kano.

It also has plans to collaborate with the media houses, security outfits and other relevant stakeholders and The application is designed to have simple interface both for data entry and item searching.

The centre for information technology added that the CIGIYA App. will be very effective solution for facilitating and enhancing searching for lost items as well as reducing the occupied space by the lost items in the transport parks, unions offices and media houses.

Industry, Institutions Must Collaborate to Produce Quality Manpower

TECH DIGEST – There has been a renewed call for strategic collaboration between industry and universities to enable institutions produce the relevant calibre of graduates to fill the skill gap in the ever-changing work place dominated by technology.

The Executive Director, Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), Dr. Yunusa Z. Yau, who made this call while speaking with TechDigest.ng., lamented that stakeholders in the labour market have continued to neglect the effect of skill shortage due to obsolete curricular.

Dr. Yau said the inability of universities to produce skilled manpower to match the evolving digital technologies is a result of lack of cooperation between industry and institutions of higher learning in the country.

He advised that universities’ curricular must be upgraded with new content to deliver quality manpower required for the industries to function, noting that digitization has exposed the lack of synergy between key stakeholders in higher education.

“Universities are producing skills but not the type that industries require. Research institutes are producing research outputs but not the type of outputs that industry needs. They remain in shelves.

“What is needed is to institute a regular interface and dialogue between industry and training institutions so that institutions can understand better what the industry needs and therefore tailor their training outcomes toward meeting that.

“Take engineering as whole for example, the problem is not just that the content is outdated but that we need to realise what industry need is not a graduate engineer with knowledge and the skills ready- made to work in an industry but about the ability and disposition to learn, relearn and to adapt to changing work environment,’’ he explained.

The CITAD boss urged the government formulate policies that would guide universities to produce graduates equipped with fresh skill, knowledge and capacity for critical thinking in order to fit in the real world of work.

CITAD Tasks FG to Make Nigeria an ICT Producing Country

The center for information technology and development have asked the Federal government to make Nigeria an ICT producing country.

The center made the statement on Wednesday, 10th February 2021 after holding a one-day webinar on Local Content Policy in the ICT Sector. In  a communiqué issued by Malam YZ Yau, the executive Director of CITAD said Government should streamline its tax system to relieve small and media enterprises from the burden of multiple taxations, Malam Y Z Ya’u said the Government should lead in the campaign for the use of made in Nigeria ICT goods and services

According to him  Government and its agencies should patronize young innovators and developers to encourage them to grow and make the country globally competitive

The communiqué also called on State governments to ensure that their MDAs are compliant with the Local Content Policy and the need to further sensitize both government MDAs and the wider society about the Local Content Policy in the ICTs

He said To ensure the realization of the objectives of the National Digital Economy, the governments should formulate and implement a National Digital Inclusion Agenda to ensure that marginalized and vulnerable groups to have access to affordable ICT goods and services, including digital skills and training.

Malam YZ Yau added that the government should clarify its policies to allow for community networks to take root and flourish in the country as an alternative means for connecting unconnected communities

It also urges the FG to Establish a National Software Policy and Strategic Framework and enabling Act is imperative to promote and secure national digital IP

The statement added that the FG should Ensure that it develop 250,000 capacity of indigenous Software engineering capacities annually, and create 1,250,000 in 5 years and  Set up Software Engineering Institutes.

It also calls for the Creation of Software Development Clusters to grow employment opportunities for our Youth through the emerging Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), Digital Games, and Work from Home employment opportunity windows all over the world.

According to CITAD’s helmsman, the FG should  Create merger and partnership incentives for Software SMEs and Startups to build large capacities for global competitiveness, reduce national Software IP flight and benefit the Domestic economy.

According to him, the Government should Lead Nigerians from the front in the campaign to dispense with the persisting wrong perception that local PCs are inferior to imported foreign brands.

Must adhere strictly to the standards established by all regulatory bodies especially NITDA to develop and execute a Standard Level Agreement (SLA) with all MDAs for performance management.

Twitter Chat in Celebration of International Day for SAFER Internet with Engineer Mary Ahuoiza Kumode

On 9th FEBRUARY, 2021

As part of its commitments to ensure a safer internet for all most especially the vulnerable
people in the society like women and girls who are the prime target of online attacks, the
Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) had on the 9 th of February, 2021
join the global community to organize a twitter chat with theme “Online Wellbeing and Digital
Resilience” in order to highlight the challenges internet users are facing in Nigeria, discuss the
things that can be done to stop server bullying & online harassment, bring out the negative
affect of it and to also discuss the way forward. The discussant at the twitter chat, Engineer
Mary Ahuoiza Kumode who is the ICT Committee Leads of Nigerian Youth Parliament started
the discussion by highlighting how toxic the internet space is most especially to girls and
women “Nigeria internet space, is fast growing with the speed of light, as it also comes with its
prons and cons, I will say it’s safety most especially to girls and women has become a thing of
concern, however we cannot have control over it the best we can do is response positively”
Also highlighting the negative aspect of the online space to women and girls, the discussant
further stated that “women trafficking especially for sexual gratification remains a major social
issue confronting our world today. This is one of the cons of the online space that remains a
threat to women and girls” when asked what are the challenges women are facing online and
how the challenges can be tackled, Engineer Kumode stated that “effective Policing by
regulatory agencies, safety moderation and standards by tech companies, & online wellbeing of
individuals should be considered let them be mindful of things on their platform as youths most
time use such standard to relate to their own lives” also she suggested that “monitoring and
policing of the Internet is a responsibility for all, and not just gender activists. Social media have
major roles to play in making their platforms safe for all, they must act proactively to stop
online abuse, body/slut shaming of women”.
At the end of the chat, Engineer Ahuoiza made it clear that the issue of making Internet safer
for women and girls is a Clarion call for everyone, to encourage and teach online wellbeing
especially to the women and girls, so we can attain a future with Digital Resilient Women.

Local Content: CITAD Suggest Ways of Booting Digital Economy

The Centre for Information Technology and Development, CITAD, has enumerated was through which local content policy in the Information Communication and Technology, ICT, could accelerate the attainment of the objectives of the digital transformation agenda of the country.

This is contained in a communique signed by the Centre’s Executive Director, Y. Z Yau and made available to ASHENEWS, at the end of a one-day webminar held on Local Content Policy in the ICT Sector, held on Wednesday

According to the communique, participants suggested that, to speed up the process of making Nigeria an ICT producing country that is globally competitive, “government should streamline its tax system to relief small and medium enterprises from the burden of multiple taxation.”

While suggesting that government should “lead in the campaign for the use of made in Nigeria ICT goods and services,” participants also advised “its agencies to patronize young innovators and developers to encourage them to grow and make the country globally competitive

“State governments should ensure that their MDAs are compliant with the Local Content Policy.

“There is need to further sensitize both government MDAs and the wider society about the Local Content Policy in the ICTs

“To ensure the realization of the objectives of National Digital Economy, governments should formulate and implement a National Digital Inclusion Agenda, to ensure that marginalized and vulnerable groups have access to affordable ICT goods and services, including digital skills and training.

“Government should clarify its polices to allow for community networks to take root and flourish in the country as an alternative means for connecting unconnected communities,” the communique reads.

According to the webminar, “establishing a National Software Policy and Strategic Framework and enabling Act, is imperative to promote and secure national digital IP.”

It also recommended that government develops 250,000 capacity of indigenous software engineering capacities annually; create 1,250,000 in five years as well as set up software engineering institutes.

“Governments should create Software Development Clusters to grow employment opportunities for our Youth through the emerging Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), Digital Games and Work from Home employment opportunity windows all over the world.

“Create merger and partnership incentives for Software SMEs and Startups to build large capacities for global competitiveness, reduce national Software IP flight and benefit Domestic economy.

“NITDA should develop and execute a Standard Level Agreement (SLA) with all MDAs for performance management.”

Participant commended NITAD for the various initiatives it has put in place and implementing that are impacting positively in the ICT sector in the county.

“These measures have led to increased consumption of local hardware in an unprecedented manner from annual sale of 113,814 in 2015 to 414,510 in 2018 and 364,376 in 2019 as well as facilitated patronage of indigenous software, amounting to over N3 billion through our regulatory local content guidelines and IT clearance,” the communique further reads.

The webminar was attended by more than 70 people from the ICT community in the country, to examine how the local content policy could be used to accelerate the attainment of the objectives of the digital transformation agenda of the country.

It was chaired by Prof. Adenike Osofisan, Provost, Nigeria Computer Society College of Fellows and Chair of the Computer Professional Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN).

While the Director General of NITDA, Mr. Inuwa Abdullah delivered the keynote address on Local Content Policy in ICT Sector as Key to Achieving the Objectives of the Digital Economy in Nigeria, Mr. Will Anyaegbunam, MD/CEO of Beta Computer Limited spoke on Responding to the Hardware Dimensions of the Local Content.

Mr. Chris Uwaje, pioneer president of the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria spoke on Meeting the Software Component Challenge of Local Content in the Country, while Prof M. Ajiya, President of Digital Bridge Institute made presentation on Meeting the Skills Challenge for Effective Implementation of Local Content Policy in the ICT Sector.

CITAD Host Experts At ICT Local Content Development Webinar, Make Key Recommendations

COMMUNIQUE FOLLOWING A ONE-DAY WEBINAR ON LOCAL CONTENT POLICY IN THE ICT SECTOR

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) on Wednesday, 10th February, 2021 held a one-day webinar on Local Content Policy in the ICT Sector.

Attended by more than 70 people from the ICT community in the country, the objective was to examine how the policy could be used to accelerate the attainment of the objectives of the digital transformation agenda of the country.

Chaired by Prof. Adenike Osofisan, Provost, Nigeria Computer Society College of Fellows and Chair of the Computer Professional Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN) The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mr. Inuwa Kashifu Abdullah delivered the keynote addressed on Local Content Policy in ICT Sector as Key to Achieving the Objectives of the Digital Economy in Nigeria.

Three seasoned and respected ICT professionals made presentations on three key aspects of the policy namely:

1. Mr. Will Anyaegbunam, MD/CEO of Beta Computer Limited on Responding to the Hardware Dimensions of the Local Content

2. Mr. Chris Uwaje pioneer Present of the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria on Meeting the Software Component Challenge of Local Content in the Country

3. Prof M. Ajiya, President/CEO of Digital Bridge Institute on Meeting the Skills Challenge for Effective Implementation of Local Content Policy in the ICT Sector .

Observations

Participants noted that:

1. The Local Content Policy in the ICT sector has the potentials to accelerate the attainment of the objectives of the digital economy of the country

2. There is low awareness about the policy within both the ICT business and professional sector as well as within government, especially at state levels

3. There has not been an effective implementation of the policy in spite of the efforts NITDA has been making

4. Insufficient ICT knowledge and support for businesses and enterprises

5. Low patronage of local ICT firms and enterprises

6. Inadequate appreciation and support for local innovation and creativity around ICT

7. Importation of foreign ICT brands contributing to capital drain out of the country Commendations Participant commended NITAD for the various initiatives it has put in place and implementing that are impacting positively in the ICT sector in the county.

Participants in particular note the following positive development:

1. The issuance of Executive Order 003 in May 2017 to support procurement of Local Content Products and Services by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs)

2. The issuance of Executive Order 005 was issued in February 2018 to promote Nigerian Content in the Planning, Execution of Projects and Contracts in Science, Engineering and Technology. Furthermore, in August 2019,

3. The updating of the Guidelines for Nigerian Content Development in ICT to be line with the both Executive Orders 003 and 005 by NITDA

4. The formulation of the National Digital Economy Policy for Digital Nigeria

5. Nigerian National Broadband Plan 2020 – 2025

6. National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (2020-2030)

7. Nigeria ICT Innovation and Entrepreneurship Vision These measures have led to for instance, increased the consumption of local hardware in an unprecedented manner from annual sale of 113,814 in 2015 to 414, 510 in 2018 and 364,376 in 2019 as well as facilitated patronage of indigenous software, amounting to over 3 billion naira through our regulatory local content guidelines and IT clearance.

Recommendations

To further consolidate on these and speed up the process of making Nigeria an ICT producing country that is globally competitive, participants recommend that:

1. Government should streamline its tax system to relief small and media enterprises from the burden of multiple taxation

2. Government should lead in the campaign for the use of made in Nigeria ICT goods and services

3. Government and its agencies should patronize young innovators and developers to encourage them to grow and make the country globally competitive

4.State governments should ensure that their MDAs are compliant with the Local Content Policy

5. There is need to further sensitize both government MDAs and the wider society about the Local Content Policy in the ICTs

6. To ensure the realization of the objectives of National Digital Economy, the governments hould formulate and implement a National Digital Inclusion Agenda to ensure that marginalized and vulnerable groups to have access to affordable ICT goods and services, including digital skills and training.

7. That government should clarify its polices to allow for community networks to take root and flourish in the country as an alternative means for connecting unconnected communities

8. Establishing a National Software Policy and Strategic Framework and enabling Act is imperative to promote and secure national digital IP

9. Ensure to develop 250,000 capacity of indigenous Software engineering capacities annually, to create 1,250,000 in 5 years. Set up Software Engineering Institutes.

10. Create Software Development Clusters to grow employment opportunities for our Youth through the emerging Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), Digital Games and Work from Home employment opportunity windows all over the world.

11. Create merger and partnership incentives for Software SMEs and Startups to build large capacities for global competitiveness, reduce national Software IP flight and benefit Domestic economy.

12. Government should Lead Nigerians from the front in the campaign to dispense with the persisting wrong perception that local PCs are inferior to imported foreign brands.

13. Local ICT goods and services produces should note that there should be no Nigerian but international standard computers of very high quality.

14. Government should help to enforce adhere strict protection of all intellectual property rights

15. Must adhere strictly to the standards established by all regulatory bodies especially NITDA.

16. NITDA develop and execute a Standard Level Agreement (SLA) with all MDAs for performance management

Signed

Y. Z. Yaú

Executive Director

Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD)

Date: February 11, 2021

One Day Twitter Chat in Celebration of International Day for Women and Girls in Science with Nasiba Babale

HELD ON THE 11 TH OF FEBRUARY, 2021

In its effort to promote science and empower women and girls in Northern Nigeria through the
knowledge of science, the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) had on
the 11 th of February, 2021 organized a twitter chat to join the international community in
celebrating this important day. The guest at the twitter chat was Nasiba Babale, a Medical
Laboratory Scientist with Department of Chemical Pathology, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital
and the discussion centred around “Leveraging on the Power of Science to Empower Women
and Girls in Northern Nigeria”
In order to achieve full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls, and
further achieve gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, the United Nations
General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/70/212 declaring 11 February as the International Day
of Women and Girls in Science.
At present, less than 30 per cent of researchers worldwide are women. According to UNESCO
data (2014 – 2016), only around 30 per cent of all female students select STEM-related fields in
higher education. Globally, female students’ enrolment is particularly low in ICT (3 per cent), natural
science, mathematics and statistics (5 per cent) and in engineering, manufacturing and construction
(8 per cent).
Discussions:
Good afternoon everyone,
Join me to welcome @ICTAdvocates's guest, @NaseebaBabale, a Medical Laboratory Scientist
with AKTH who will discuss on How we can Leverage on the power of Science to Empower
Women in Northern Nigeria in celebration of #InternationalDayOfWomenInScience
Hello everyone. It is nice to be hear.
Question:
It's our pleasure having you, Ma. Can we start by telling us how important science is to the life
of women especially in northern Nigeria. @YZYau @fareedear @ICTAdvocates @APC_News
@sagiru_ado @kamalkano @IsaKamilu @teemerh_beekay @nissimase
Answers:
We live in the 21st century where almost everything is somehow connected to science and
technology. As such, it is important to the lives of women, especially in this region where
women are still left behind in some aspects of societal life in which science is at the fore front.

Women also need to pursue careers in science in order to move in line with the demands of the
21st century.
Women need the knowledge of science in every aspect of their lives. They need it to know how
to take care of themselves, how to stay healthy, what to eat, how to preserve food at home,
how to get rid of pests.
Questions:
So let's look at the importance of science from the economic perspective, as an expert in the
area how do you think this area of knowledge will salvage women from this part of the country
from the bandage of poverty? @NaseebaBabale @YZYau @ICTAdvocates @teemerh_beekay
@nissimase
Answers:
There are a lot of careers in science women can pursue in order to get rid of poverty. For those
unable to do that, they can use scientific principles that can be used as basis for entreprenual
purposes. For example, scientific knowledge is used in making perfumes, soaps, etc
For those involved in production, they can use science to boost their level of production and
hence their profits. Science can also help them know ways to conserve energy and maximize
profit.
Question:
Are all these knowledge available and accessible to women in our communities, if not how can
we make them available and accessible?
Answer:
Some of them are available in schools as part of the curriculum in science subjects. It is just left
to women to use that knowledge and apply it to real life scenarios. Some of the knowledge
would have to be disseminated through trainings, workshops and seminars.
Questions:
As an expert in the area, what advice can you offer to these women in order to be tapping from
these opportunities? @YZYau @ICTAdvocates @teemerh_beekay @kamalkano @IsaKamilu
And also what are your recommendations to give in order to invest more in the area?
@NaseebaBabale @teemerh_beekay @YZYau @ICTAdvocates @sagirchedi @kamalkano
@anasadomusa

Answers:
We need more training sessions for women in science. We need to teach science in our local
languages in order to have more understanding, especially for women in the rural areas.
Women wanting to pursue careers in science should be supported by their parents, spouses
and society.
They also need to seek knowledge from those who can help them understand how to apply
them in order to help themselves.
Women in science need to pay attention to what they are being taught in class. A lot of those
are things they can use to their advantage. They need to stop the idea of reading to pass exams
and dumping the knowledge after that.

They also need to seek knowledge from those who can help them understand how to apply
them in order to help themselves.
Here we come to the end of this discussion with @NaseebaBabale, who spent the last 1 hour
discussing on How to Leverage on the Power of Science to Empower Women in Northern Nig. in
celebration of #InternationalDayOfWomenInScience thank you so much for the fruitful
discussion, Ma.
It's my pleasure. I will be glad to participate any time you need me.

CITAD Trains Youth in Jama’are to Become Next Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurs

No fewer than 60 young people have been trained in Jama’are Local Government by the Job Placement Information Services (JOPIS) unit of the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) to become next Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurs.  The training took place Tuesday, 9th February, 2021 at CITAD Training Hall, Jama’are Local Government, Bauchi State, and has been tailored to educate youth in order to start or grow their businesses to overcome the challenges faced by entrepreneurs. The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), Africa’s leading philanthropy dedicated to empowering African entrepreneurs, opens applications on its TEFConnect digital platform (www.tefconnect.com) in January 1, 2021. This year’s intervention prioritizes the economic recovery of small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) and young African entrepreneurs, following the Covid-19 disruption to economic activities. To address the unique challenges arising from the pandemic, lift millions out of poverty and create sustainable employment across the continent, the Foundation’s Entrepreneurship Programme will empower 1,000 young African entrepreneurs, selected from the 2020 cohort.  The Foundation will also open applications to an additional 2,400 young entrepreneurs in 2021, in collaboration with global partners. Successful applicants receive a world-class business training, mentorship, non-refundable seed capital up to $5,000, and global networking opportunities.  The Programme is open to entrepreneurs across Africa, both new start-ups and existing young businesses, operating in any sector.

Earlier, the secretary Jama’are local government, Alh Abdullahi Danbaba in his opening remarks thanked CITAD and said that it is always good to have organization such as CITAD in our midst for economic well being of our communities. The secretary strongly advised the participants to listen attentively and try their best. He described Tony Elumelu Foundation as good venture to interact with for the fact that the organization is universally accepted as an economic empowerment foundation that facilitated various skills acquisition in Nigeria and abroad. Malam Ibrahim Aboki, a business consultant and an alumnus of TEF urged the participants to endure the TEF processes. He recalled how he spent sleepless nights trying to develop a winning proposal. He said that there are guidelines for applying for TEF grant that will make you win it. First of all, applicant must apply online through tefconnect portal (www.tefconnect.com) and must complete all required information and upload documents and identification materials. According to him, TEF engages the services of Accenture Development Partners to review the applications and make the final selection of 1000 entrepreneurs. To ensure that the selection process follow a robust, rigorous, and transparent selection process developed by TEF. They prioritize four critical factors: project management discipline, evaluation process, quality assurance, interpretation and application of evaluation criteria and the selection and training of the Evaluators.

Malam Sagiru Ado Abubakar, the coordinator JOPIS unit, practically demonstrated the tefconnect portal from registering of personal details, psychometric test and financial knowledge assessment. While Kamal Garba Alhassan made his facilitation on the problems of entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship in Northern Nigeria and the way forward.

Adopt Non-Violent Approach to Solve Insurgency “CITAD Charges Govt”

 

Centre for Information Technology (CITAD), has charged the Government on the need to adopt Non-Military or Non-violent Approach and embrace dialogue method in addressing the problem of Insurgency in North East Nigeria.

The Center made the call on Thursday during a public presentation of it’s policy brief on Prospects and Challenges of Non-violent Resolution of Insurgency in North East Nigeria.

The Centre’s Senior Program Officer, Isa Garba said the call became pertinent considering the outcome of a research in the three most affected States of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa devastated by the activities of Boko Haram insurgent group with Kano which the Centre consider a learning ground for other state to learn from how it dealt with the Insurgency in its area.

He said, the research was carried out using three methodologies which include; Key Informant Interview (KII), Focus group Discussion as well as Desk review to come up with the inperical reuslt which suggests a better and alternative way of addressing Insurgency and other conflicts in the country.

According to Garba, the actors and key stakeholders such as repentant Boko Haram Members, Representatives of Security Agencies, the Civilian JTF, Women, Youth and Traditional Institutions, uninamously agreed that the Non-Violent Approach be employed by the Government in tackling the issue of Insurgency to minimize further damages and loss of lives on the part of all concerned.

The Program Officer further stated that results from their findings indicate that major Actors involved in the fight against Insurgency with the exception of a few are also advocates of the Non-Military or violent approach hence, the need for Government to change its tactics in tackling the issue which has lingered on for so long.

That History has shown, no country in the world had successfully resolved its conflict(s) using only military approach without dialogue and discussion and it is ideal that the Nigeria Government begin to give it a trial.

ACP Uzairu Abdullahi who represented the State Commissioner of Police CP Habu Sani stressed that the Centre has done a commendable job which is in line with CP Habu’s police of Community Policing which involves dialogue which has led to increase in peace enjoyed in the State.

He said it is true you can’t fight violence with violence but that doesn’t mean the Nigeria military and other security agencies are not able to bring to an end the Insurgency using the military might but it is only logical the country consider the outcome of the research by CITAD.