By Patience Ogbodo, Correspondent, Bauchi

The Chief of Party RTI/LEAD International, a USAID-sponsored project, Mr. Don Seufert says the partnership between his organisation and Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), a Bauchi-based NGO is to strengthen democratic local governance in Bauchi State.

Seufert stated this while speaking at the certificate presentation ceremony to 85 LG staff trained by CITAD on Computer study.

He observed that the training will motivate them utilize the knowledge acquired for effective service and self-growth.

“For LEAD and the partners (CITAD & CLGAs) it will improve local government operations and management system leading to increased transparency in the local governments operation which is of the Lead programme objective.”

He described the occasion as very important for Lead, the beneficiaries and CITAD, expressing optimism that the knowledge and skill acquired during the training would when put to use improve local government operations and management system.

Seufert explained that the mandate of CITAD is to develop the capacity of local government staff in information technology with the aim of improving LGA documentation, communication & information sharing, as well as retrieval of information.

Speaking earlier, the CITAD Executive director, said CITAD has trained 85 staff in four local governments of Bauchi, Katagum, Ningi and Dass in Microsoft word, excel, power point, and the use of internet in the last two months.

He  noted that its only when the graduands use the knowledge acquired effectively that it would bear fruits, and justify the investments their organizations have made into putting the program in place.
Ya’u described ICT as a dynamic sector and server change, as what CITAD did during the training was the introduction of participants to some ideas and skills, hence the need for them to build interests and update themselves so as to acquire new skills and keep up with the technology.

“We do not think that what we have given you is what you will remain stagnant wit, we believe that you continue to periodically update, up-grade, improve, and always be with the current ideas and knowledge in the field so that they can drive maximum benefit in it.