REPORT OF ACTIVITIES

OF

 CENTRE FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT (CITAD)

FOR THE YEAR 2002

Flat 3, First Floor, Upper Yustra Salon, Zumunta Shopping Complex, Opposite Mobile Filling Station, BUK Road, Kofar Kabuga, P. O. Box 10210, Kano

E-mail clp@kabissa.org, citad@citad.kabissa.org

1.     Introduction

Towards the end of the year 2001, members of the Computer Literacy Project (CLP) decided to expand the scope and mandate of the organization. This broadening of mandate also led to a change in name to Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), with five programmatic units as follows:

§        Computer Literacy Project (CLP): the aim of this is to promote the achievement of universal computer literacy in the country. To this end, it provides free computer training to a variety of groups, especially those that are not in a position to acquire these skills either through public institutions or from private instructions.

§        Community Access Network (CAN): the main focus of this is to provide access to information resources as well as channels of communication to open up government and development processes to the citizens. Its essence is to promote community participation in the development and political processes. CITAD hopes to promote good governance and democracy using this programme by utilizing the networking capacity of ICTs.

§        SchoolNet Project: achieving universal computer literacy must begin with the teachers. This is why CITAD has this programme that is directed at both school teachers and students to provide them with non-commercial and non-profit opportunities to acquire IT skills and connectivity. The SchoolNet Project, which is part of the Nigerian SchoolNet movement, would try to connect schools online and thus have them access online educational resources.

§        IT Research and Adaptation Project (IT-RAP): the objective of this is to promote local research and development in ICTs as well as identify best practices for the deployment of ICTs in development processes. It hopes to be a technology acquisition and dispersal centre, and serve entrepreneurs with the lasted skill and know-how in the sector.

§        Trade in ICTs Monitoring (TIM): TIM is to ensure that trade in ICTs is done in a manner consistent with our development needs. To this end, CITAD would monitor the nature and social impact of this trade. It will also use the programme to:

o       Monitor the corporate social responsibility status of ICT companies operating in the country;

o       Advocate for good business practices

o       Campaign for a conducive environment for business investment in ICTs

o       Develop private sector-NGO partnership in ICT programme for job creation and employment.

CITAD therefore entered the year 2002 as a relatively new organization but with the goodwill and contacts generated by CLP. This report covers the activities of the organization during the year.

2.     Career talks on the Computer Profession

As part of its efforts to raise awareness about computer education, the CITAD has been conducting a series of Career Talks on the computer profession for students of secondary schools. The Career Talk is meant to enlighten students on what the computer is, what are its applications, what the computer profession is and what students need to do in order to enter the profession. So far, the following schools have benefited from the programme: Government Secondary School, Zaura Babba, Stadium Secondary School, Government Secondary School, Sheka, Government Girls Secondary School Giginyu, Government Secondary School Tarauni, Fatima Girls Secondary School, Gyadi-Gyadi, School of Arabic Studies (SAS), Government Arabic Secondary School, Gwale and Army Day Secondary School, Janguza

3.     Seminar for Lawyers in Kano

On May 25, 2002 CITAD organized an IT sensitization seminar for lawyers in Kano State. The seminar, which was part of the organization’s public education programmes, had the objective of discussing the various applications of IT in the legal profession. Papers on the Understanding of Information Technology and Application of Information Technology on Legal Practice were presented by Dr. James Katende, an Associate Professor at the Department of Electrical Engineering, Bayero University Kano and Mr. Israel A. Usman, Esq., Managing Partner in a law firm, Classifield Solicitors, Kaduna State respectively. The Chief Librarian of the British Council, Kano, Malam Dalhatu Hamza discussed ‘The Internet as a Source of Legal Information’. Alhaji A. B. Mahmoud (SAN), former State Commissioner of Justice and Attorney General, chaired the seminar held at the NBA Conference Hall, Kano.

4.     Scholarships for Indigent People

In February, CITAD and Hands-on Institute of Information Technology (HIIT), a Kano-based IT training company concluded a partnership on IT Training Scholarships for indigent people in Kano. Under the scheme, CITAD was to source 125 people who were interested in IT skills but could not afford to pay the fees while HIIT would train them along with their regular students. The scholarships offer consisted of the following:

§        Certificate in Information Technology (3 months course): 25 spaces

§        Diploma in Information Technology (6 months course): 40 spaces

§        Diploma in Information Technology Applications (6 months): 24 spaces

§        Diploma in Computer and Network Maintenance (6 months): 16 places

§        Information Technology for Executives (6 weekends): 20 places

In March, the CITAD advertised the call for application. Over 350 forms were collected. In April a qualifying examination was held, after which those who passed were interviewed and screened as to their claims of certificates. Eventually, 125 people were selected. As at December, the last two batches among the beneficiaries were undergoing their training at the institute.

A general graduation ceremony for all the beneficiaries has been planned to hold in February next when the last two batches would have finished. It is also expected that the next round of the scheme would be announced during the ceremony. Meanwhile CITAD is exploring for more of such private sector-NGO partnerships in IT training.

5.     Training for Voter Registration Monitors

In August, the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), a coalition of civil society organizations involved in monitoring elections approached CITAD with a proposal to train 92 Voter Registration Monitors in Jigawa State. CITAD accepted the proposal and sent its programme officer, Mal. Garba Idris for the Training the Trainers programme conducted by TMG in Kaduna. Subsequently, CITAD conducted two rounds of training, one at Gumel on Saturday, 20^th July and the other at Dutse on Sunday, 21^st July, both in Jigawa state. Participants were drawn from seven organizations namely:

§        Lautai Youth Development Association.

§        Gumel Youth Movement.

§        Village Development Initiative.

§        Dutse Youth Progressive Union.

§        Nigerian Association of Women Journalist (NAWOJ) Jigawa State.

§        Jigawa Philanthropic Youth.

§        Jigawa Coalition for Development.

6.     Voter Registration Monitoring

Following the successful conduct of the training for the Voter Registration Monitors, TMG also nominated CITAD to coordinate the Voter Registration exercise monitoring in Jigawa State. CITAD was able to deploy 89 monitors who monitored the exercise in the state. In addition, it contributed 10 other monitors in the monitoring of the exercise in Kano State. CITAD’s report for the monitoring has been incorporated into the National Report of the TMG, recently released.

7.     Participation in USAID PROSPECT Project

In November, CITAD was invited to participate in a survey on NGOs/CBOs for possible inclusion in a two-year USAID-sponsored capacity building project called PROSPECT. PROSPECT will offer a wide range of training and technical assistance to selected partner organizations in the area of management and advocacy. Following the active participation of CITAD in the survey, it has been selected as one of the possible partners for the second and third phases of the project. CITAD has now completed the application form.

8.     Survey on ICT uses by Civil Society

Between April and July, the organization conducted a survey on the use of ICTs among civil society organizations. The purpose was to establish the pattern, level and extent of the use of ICTs by civil society organizations in the country. The survey was conducted using a questionnaire, which was administered on over 150 groups across the country. The result of the survey is being processed and will hopefully be shortly published.

9.     LATO Training Scheme

The Learn and Teach Others (LATO) training scheme is a volunteer based training scheme for teachers of public secondary schools. Under the scheme, they are given free training on computer usage, with the understanding that they would at some later stage volunteer to teach others in the scheme.

The objective of the 32-hour training is to provide the participants with the following skills:

§        Word processing

§        Data processing

§        Database design and development

§        Internet usage

 The training commenced in March with a set of 10 teachers from twelve schools in the state. A second batch of 10 teachers has commenced the programme in December. While the Word, Access, Excel and Computer in School aspects of the training are conducted at the office of CITAD, the Internet training aspect is done at the British Council, which offered us the use of its facilities for the training.

10.                        Visit by PADEAP

The Pan African Development Education and Advocacy Program (PADEAP) based in London, on November 28, 2002 paid a two-day visit to CITAD. The visit was meant to established good understanding and working relationship between the two organizations. PADEAP is a non-governmental organization that aimed at bridging the digital divide. Its mission is to create space and an enabling environment in which African peoples, their community organizations, International NGO’s and other partners in African development can have dynamic engagement and dialogue on developmental issues. All of PADEAP activities are carried out in a multi disciplinary and multi track approach using a combination of Campaigning and Advocacy work.

Ms. Christine O. Tominke, who represented PADEAP, held meetings with the Executive members of CITAD, SchoolNet Committee members and Learn and Teach Others (LATO) beneficiaries at CITAD’s office.  On the second day, Ms Tominke had a plenary discussion with the Principal and students of Fatima Government Girls Secondary School Gyadi-Gyadi, Kano, which is one of the secondary schools that benefited from the Career Talk Program of the Organization. Ms Tominke also visited Women Health and Development Network (WHADNET) and Women Development Initiative (WDI) as part of the plan by CITAD to commence IT training for women groups in the state.

At the end of the visit, the two organizations agreed to work jointly in promoting IT training for civil society organizations in the country. To this end, PADEAP will assist in the building of the capacity of CITAD through the provision of computers and training manuals.

11.                        Publishing of Electronic Newsletter

In October, CITAD commenced the publishing of an electronic newsletter entitled News on ICTs in Nigeria. The newsletter features reports on ICT policy developments and business in the country, relevant international events, reports on the activities of CITAD, a discussion space and a calendar of events. So far three editions have been posted. In addition, the first edition of an Hausa language Newsletter, which shall be both in print and electronic is due to be published before the end of December.

The publication of the CompuLiteracy News, started during the days of CLP has been suspended. However, it would be resuscitated as soon as assistance with the cost of printing has been found.

12.                        Participation in Surveys

In July, the Global Stakeholders Panel (GSP) on Globalization approached CITAD to assist in a survey on globalization. The survey sought to collate the views and opinions of people and civil society organizations on issues relating to globalization. CITAD distributed the questionnaires in Nigeria among civil society organizations and researchers in the academia. The questionnaire was administered and collated online. A number of those targeted responded and CITAD’s contribution to the survey has been acknowledged in the final report of the survey. The report would soon be on the GSP website. CITAD has been listed as one of the collaborating organizations for the survey in the report.

CITAD also participated in two other surveys: one by Youth Employment Summit (YES) Campaign Secretariat, based in the USA on Youth Job Employment creation and the other by the International Youth Parliament’s Youth Commission into Globalization, an Oxfam initiative.

13.                        Offer of website

The InterConnection, an organization that specializes on website donation to non-profit organizations, has made an offer to build and maintain the website for CITAD. The text materials to be posted on the website have been sent to InterConnection. However, graphic materials for the site were only recently submitted. This was what delaying the launching of the site. Hopefully it would now be ready within the first few weeks of the new year.

14. Donation of Computers

Early in the year, Computers Aid International (CIA), a UK-based charity organization donated 20 computers to the organization. Unfortunately, CITAD was not able to remit the packaging and shipping costs in time, allowing the offer to lapse. However, in November, CIA wrote to say that CITAD could still claim the donation. With a new contact established in the UK (PADAEP), we hope to be able to claim the computers early in the new year.

15. Media Outreach

During the year, the organization has kept an active media profile with its activities fairly reported in both the print and electronic media. The Executive Director has been given two weekly columns, one in the Sunday Triumph, the other in the New Nigeria (every Wednesday) in which he offers commentary on ICT issues. It has also been active in the UNECA/APC moderated eforum on the African Information Society Initiative (AISI). Unfortunately due to late receipt of invitation, the organization was unable to attend the UNECA/APC workshop and training for Civil Society organizations on Civil Society Organizations and ICTs Policy making, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in November.

16.                        Funding

The organization has not secured any funding for its projects. It has so far relied on volunteers, except for the TMG project for which monitors were paid by the TMG. During the year, a number of individuals and organizations made contribution in the running of the activities of the organization. Of particular importance is TEPEX, a Kano based IT trade promotion firm, which allowed two of its staff to serve CITAD as Programme Officer and Admin Officer. It is also important to acknowledge the free services rendered to the organization by the following people:

§        Ahmad A. Yakasai, Coordinator, LATO

§        Ali Abubakar Aliyu, Member, LATO

§        Sani M. Miko, Coordinator, Scholarships Scheme

§        Yusuf Abdulsalam, Media Outreach

§        Baba Da’ud, SchoolNet Committee

§        Y. Z. Ya’u, Executive Director

17.                        Registration

It was realized that the lack of formal registration is hampering the prospects of the organization. Consequently, it was decided that efforts should be made early in the coming year to formally register the organization with the Corporate Affairs Commission.