Report on aHub discussion forum batch B

The continuation of aHub discussion for batch B held on 22, October 2019 at CITAD office Kano. The program which its aim is to provide support in terms of space, internet connectivity, mentorship and networking to the best, innovative and willing students of some tertiary institutions of the state so that they can come up with ideas, problems and proper possible solutions through the use of technology.  The nominated students were from FCET Bichi, Yusuf Maitama Sule University and Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education Kumbutso.

Mal Ahmad A. Yakasai, representing the Executive Director, CITAD, welcomed all the participants. He briefed the participants about CITAD which was established in the year 2000 as a non-governmental and non-profit organisation whose aim is to use ICT toward the development of the society. He also advised the participants to use this opportunity to draw the maximum benefit from the aHub as it is the current trend toward developing youth and the nation as a whole.

Mal Ibrahim Nuhu, CITAD program officer, highlighted more on the programs CITAD has been doing including fight against corruption, entrepreneurship, gender based projects, ICT awareness and the recent Digital Livelyhood for young women. He also brief the participants about CITAD, its mission and vision.

Mal. Kamaluddeen Umar, CITAD technical officer, elaborated on the aHub program describing its aim and objectives as providing space for youth aspiring entrepreneurs and technology developers to work unhindered by either power, connectivity or facility challenges; provide continuing support for mentoring services to youth through access to highly accomplished professionals and business people; provide a link between youth solution providers and the market such that such market demands should be a vehicle to drive local productivity, innovation and creativity rather than sourcing such needs from outside; create a space for technology experimentation, innovation and creativity by youth people and support the growth of small scale enterprises through technology and business incubation which would be a vehicle for economic recovery of the region. He also draw the attention of the participants on the numerous opportunities they can get in terms of supports from partner international organisation CITAD is working with. Those international organizations are always loking for youth with innovative idea to support them in making their idea become real.

The session for discussion was open for questions, suggestions, comments and ideas. Yusuf Machido from Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education Kumbutso had urged the participants to show greater level of participation in the aHub program. Nafiu Abubakar, a lecturer from FCET Bichi motivated the participant by citing some example of his innovative ideas he want to make them real and throw the challenge to the student to speak out their mind.

Discussion session went with students welcoming the aHub program and speaking their innovative ideas which were collected and documented for review, selection and further discussion.

The total number of students attended the program is 42, 26 males and 16 females.