Computers
Segun Awofadeji

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has trained 85 staff in four champion Local Government Areas (CLGAs) of Bauchi, Katagum, Ningi and Dass in the last two months, during which participants acquired knowledge and skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, power point, and the use of Internet.

Speaking during the certificate presentation ceremony to participants of computer training for staff of the Bauchi councils, the Chief of Party, RTI/LEAD International, Mr. Don Seufert, observed that the synergy between his organisation and its partners (CITAD and CLGAs) in Bauchi state was a convergent point for strengthening democratic local governance.
Seufert also observed that the training would motivate them to utilise the knowledge they acquired for effective service and self-growth.

“For LEAD and the partners (CITAD and 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 said at the event held in Bauchi.
Seufert, while describing the occasion as important for LEAD, the beneficiaries and CITAD, expressed optimism that the knowledge and skill acquired during the training would, when put to use, improve local government operations and management system.

Mr. Don 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.

CITAD Executive Director, Mallam Ya’u Zakariya Ya’u, had earlier in a welcome address noted that it’s only when the graduands use the knowledge acquired effectively that it would bear fruits, and justify the investments their organisations have made into putting the programme 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”, he  said.
He explained that technology offers to the people a lot of potential to improve governance, citizen participation, access to information, as well as improving documentation system which means that information is readily available.

The director revealed that CITAD has signed a partnership agreement with Keystone Bank for the purchase of computers to be loaned to the local government ICT trained staff to be paid instrumentally.