Centre For Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has launched the third annual School of Community Networks in Kano.
The annual event, which is the third of its kind, attracted thirty participants from six states across the federation, representatives from the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and all relevant stakeholders in the telecommunications sector.
In his welcome address, the Executive Director of the center, Engineer Yunusa Zakari Ya’u, explained that the program aims to connect unconnected communities by building the capacity of individuals in running, managing, and sustaining community networks.
He stressed that the School of Community Networks, which is the first of its kind in the country, selects and trains youths by enhancing their skills and expertise in the establishment, administration, and enduring support of community networks.
Engineer Yunusa charged participants to leave no stone unturned in tapping the resources provided during the training.
Also speaking, the National Coordinator of the School of Community Networks, Malam Haruna Adamu Hadejia, highlighted that the program is a professional training where certificates would be issued to enable participants to seek employment.
He pointed out that the center had conducted a similar training in 2022, where twenty-one youths graduated and set up a community network in Hana Fari in Jama’are local government area, Bauchi state.
“We follow up to see how far the trainees have adopted the business models to sustain the project.”
Speaking on the role of NITDA in community networks, an assistant manager from NITDA’s northwest zonal office in Kano, Salim Mustapha, called for the proper utilization of all available resources.
He described the training as apt, saying that it would go a long way in paving the way for more network connectivity to bridge the network divide.
“NITDA has various programs related to IT and would collaborate with CITAD to ensure success.”
Some of the participants who spoke to Newsmen, Fauziyya Sani and Abubakar Yunusa Usman, promised to use the knowledge gained judiciously.
