The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), in collaboration with Hello World, 48%, and the Association for Progressive Communication (APC), inaugurated a Community Network Centre in Jama’are, Bauchi State, on Saturday. This marks the second such hub established by CITAD and aims to bridge the digital divide between rural and urban areas in Nigeria.
CITAD’s Executive Director, Engr. Y.Z Yau, highlighted the center’s purpose of providing internet access to local households, particularly focusing on educational needs. Students will now have access to state-of-the-art technology and resources for research and assignments.
Mal. Haruna Adamu Hadejia, CITAD’s National Coordinator for the School of Community Networks, emphasized the ambitious goal of establishing 20 similar centers across Nigeria to address the nationwide digital gap.
The center is seen as a hub for e-learning and e-business, potentially positioning Jama’are as a leader in internet connectivity within the local government area. Mal. Dahiru Abubakar Kundi, CITAD’s Program Officer at Jama’are, emphasized this potential during the event.
Representatives from the Jama’are local government expressed their appreciation for CITAD’s initiative and outlined plans to ensure the center’s sustainability through collaboration with stakeholders. This includes community fundraising efforts to cover data costs after an initial free year.
The Education Secretary, Ali Isa, and a teacher, Malama Mairo Habu Ciroma, both spoke about the educational benefits of the center. Isa urged educators to utilize the facility effectively for students’ academic progress. Ciroma highlighted the cost-saving benefits for students who previously had to travel to Misau for JAMB exams. She pledged to use the technology to enhance learning and contribute to the development of Bauchi State and Nigeria.
This initiative by CITAD and its partners holds significant promise for bridging the digital divide in Jama’are and empowering the local community through improved access to information and technology.
