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CITAD , Internet Governance Forum Calls For Awareness On Digital Ecosystem

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The Centre for Information Technology and Development in collaboration with the Nigerian Internet Governance Forum has called for a sustained public awareness on the digital ecosystem that will enable women make effective use of the internet in the country,

They made their position known in a Communique jointly signed by Adam Marry Uduma, Coordinator, West African Internet Governance Forum, and Ali Sabo, Program Officer, Digital Rights, Centre for Information Technology and Development, at the end of the 4th Women Internet Governance Forum as part of the 2022 Internet Governance Forum.

The Communique noted that participants at the forum observed that women are being marginalized in the digital space, young women have suffered and still suffering from different kind of gender violence online, and that female political aspirants are being abused and castigated on social media based on their gender.

It is stated government has set up a panel to advise it on a policy framework on child protection online, and that the Internet allows individuals and academics to make research when there is accessible and safe Internet, pointing there is economic disparity between women and men which hinders women access to the Internet.

It decried that little is being done to address women and children abuse online, adding that
technology when use in the right way has a potential to broaden opportunities and reduce the level of abuse if there are proper guidance.

The Communique also observed that majority of the public take only gender based violence offline more seriously, and that in most of the times online violence manifest to physical violence

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It observed that more women leave online spaces due to harassment and that there is lack of proper awareness among young women about gender abuse.

It stressed that legal framework alone cannot guarantee complete protection for the Nigerian child online; Excessive regulation will stifle children’s participation and access to the immense benefits of the Internet.

The Communique said there is the need to balance the immense benefits of technology, commercial interest and ensuring online safety of children with appropriate safeguards and strong legal and institutional framework.

It also stated that Nigeria needs an online privacy protection law for children which will seek to protect the personal information of children on websites, online services and applications and it should be binding on online service providers collecting the personal data of children to ensure consent management.

The Communique therefore disclosed that participants after the forum recommended that:”Government in conjunction with CSOs should mount a sustained public awareness on the digital ecosystem so that women in particular can make an effective use of the Internet in the country, have access to educational materials and ability to use the internet without being harassed or intimidated.

“CSOs should develop campaigns messages to counter the misusers of the Internet and contributed to the current processes of developing national strategy on child protection online.

“Government should allocate more budget in the area of child protection online and women gender abuse.

“Educational institutions should ensure the protection of the privacy of children online.

“Government should ensure all the necessary regulations are in place.

“Civil Society Organizations should intensify advocacy to the relevant government agencies on the issue of child protection and gender based violence.”

The Communique noted that digital literacy and online safety skills should be included in school curriculum.

It urged the government to initiate a program to properly educated and enlightened public on online activities and the danger associated with it.

“Government and stakeholders should provide Trauma management support.

“Call on Government to quickly develop policy on child protection online.

“CSO should develop and implement programs that amplify voices of the marginalized women and girls

“Support NGOs working around child protection and gender violence

“Service providers should require the consent of the parents or guardians if the data collection affects a child below the established age.”

The Communique urged the government to digitalize the Nigerian court rooms and repeal some laws to ensure efficient and quick judgments related to children abuses.

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Arbitration Victory: Nigeria Signals Procurement Reform as ADSC Boss Oluwafemi Hails DG BPP Adedokun

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President of the Africa Development Studies Centre, ADSC, Sir Victor Walsh Oluwafemi warmly congratulates the Director General of the Bureau of Public Procurement, Dr Adebowale Adedokun, the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN, and the Federal Government of Nigeria under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the landmark arbitration victory against European Dynamics UK Ltd.

This was contained in a statement issued and signed by Sir Victor Walsh Oluwafemi, an International Development Expert, Reputation Architecture Strategist stating that:

“This decisive outcome is not merely a legal win. It is a governance statement.

“At a time when international contractors often assume that African institutions will capitulate under technical pressure, Nigeria has demonstrated maturity, institutional discipline and contractual courage.

“The dismissal of claims totalling over 6.2 million dollars signals a structural shift in how the country manages public-sector technology contracts.

“This is a defining moment in Nigeria’s procurement evolution, Oluwafemi asserted.

He explained that: “For years, procurement in many developing economies has been vulnerable to inflated milestone claims, loosely defined deliverables and weak enforcement of performance validation mechanisms.

“The tribunal’s affirmation of the centrality of User Acceptance Testing reinforces a fundamental principle: value must be delivered before value is paid for.

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“That principle must now become doctrine. The Bureau of Public Procurement has sent a powerful message to the global contracting community that Nigeria will no longer accept distorted contractual interpretations, premature payment claims or technical shortcuts disguised as compliance. Payment must follow performance.

“Performance must be verifiable. Verification must be independent and rigorous.This is how institutions are built.

“The courage shown by Dr Adedokun in resisting premature settlement discussions reflects leadership rooted in fiduciary responsibility rather than convenience.

“The strategic coordination between the Bureau, the Attorney General’s office and Nigerian legal experts further demonstrates that domestic professional capacity can compete and prevail on the international stage.

“This victory should now catalyse a broader reform journey. Nigeria must seize this moment to institutionalise a new procurement architecture anchored on:

• Mandatory performance validated digital milestones

• Strengthened e-procurement oversight frameworks

• Independent technical audit layers embedded into contract execution

• Clear modular phase governance structures

• Structured risk allocation in technology contracting

“Through frameworks such as Policy as a Platform and Results as a Service, Nigeria can move beyond reactive dispute resolution into proactive procurement intelligence. The future of public procurement must be data-driven, performance-coded, and legally fortified.

“This arbitration win should mark the beginning of a national procurement renaissance.

“Let the journey of procurement reform begin in earnest. Let Nigeria’s e-procurement ecosystem evolve into a benchmark for transparency, accountability, and technical excellence across Africa. Let every contractor understand that Nigeria welcomes partnership but insists on performance.

“Today, Nigeria did not simply win a case. Nigeria strengthened its institutions. Nigeria protected public resources. Nigeria restored confidence in the architecture of public accountability.

“The Africa Development Studies Centre stands ready to support the Bureau of Public Procurement and relevant federal institutions in embedding these lessons into sustainable reform frameworks that will redefine public sector contracting for the digital age.

“The message is clear. Nigeria is no longer business as usual. The procurement reform era has begun,” Oluwafemi added.

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Kano Constitutes Ramadan Feeding Committee

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Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has approved the constitution of the 2026/1447AH Ramadan Feeding Programme Committee to supervise the distribution of food to residents across the state.

This was contained in a statement signed by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa Thursday.

The Governor announced that food distribution commenced since Thursday, February 19, 2026, at 115 feeding centres across the eight Kano metropolitant LGAs.

He explained that the programme is aimed at supporting the less privileged and easing the burden of fasting during the holy month of Ramadan.

Governor Yusuf urged members of the committee to carry out their duties with dedication, transparency and fear of God to ensure the success of the programme.

Members of the Committee

Chairman

1. Ahmed Tijani Auwalu – Hon. Commissioner, Ministry for Religious Affairs

Members

2. Muhammad Tajo Othman – Hon. Commissioner, Ministry for Local Government

3. Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf – Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Health

4. Dr. Dahiru Hashim – Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Environment

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5. Shiek Ibrahim Shehu Maihula – Chairman, Hisbah Board

6. Aliyu Muhammad Bichi – Special Adviser, Religious Affairs II

7. Gwani Musa Hamza Falaki – Special Adviser on Tsangaya

8. Dankaka Hussaini Bebeji – Special Adviser, DGO

9. Abdulkadir Auwalu (Alhajiji) – Special Adviser on Humanitarian Affairs

10. Usamatu A. Salga – Special Adviser, Religious Affairs I

11. Jamila Magaji Abdullahi – State Accountant General

12. Abba Saidu Sufi – Director General, Hisbah Board

13. Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa – Director General, Media & Publicity

14. Abdullahi Ibrahim Rogo – Director General, Protocol

15. Nana Asma’u Jibril – Director General, Research & Documentation

16. Yahaya Musa Kwankwaso – Deputy Director General, Protocol

17. Sa’adatu Salisu Yusha’u – Chairman, T/Wada Local Government (ALGON Chairperson)

18. Ahmad Ibrahim Muhammad – Chairman, Tarauni Local Government

19. Salisu Usman Masu – Chairman, Fagge Local Government

20. Salim Hashim Idris – Chairman, Kano Municipal

21. Abubakar Mu’az Yusuf Mojo – Chairman, Gwale Local Government

22. Yusuf Imam Oganboye – Chairman, Nassarawa Local Government

23. Suraj Ibrahim Imam – Chairman, Dala Local Government

24. Abdullahi Gali Shitu Basaf – Chairman, Kumbotso Local Government

25. Binta Lawan Aliyu – Permanent Secretary, Government House

26. Barr. Habibu Dan’almajiri, Chairman, Zakkat Commission

27. Hon. Aisha Muhammad Idris, Special Adviser on Food Security

Secretaries

28. Akibu Isa Murtala – Special Adviser on Administration (Secretary)

29. Bilkisu Shehu Maimota – Permanent Secretary/AGS, SSG’s Office (Co-Secretary)

Secretariat

30. Kawu Nasiru – Director/AGS, SSG’s Office

31. Hassan Salisu Kofarmata – Director, Special Duties, SSG’s Office

32. Jamilu Hassan Yola, Confidential Sec. SSGs Office

The Governor reaffirmed that the Ramadan Feeding Programme remains a key social intervention initiative of his administration aimed at promoting unity and supporting vulnerable residents of Kano State.

 

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KACCIMA Holds Opening Ceremony for the 2026 Ramadan Fair

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The Kano Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KACCIMA) on Sunday formally flagged off the 2026 Ramadan Fair at the Trade Fair Complex, Kano, in a colourful and spiritually uplifting ceremony attended by government officials, traditional leaders, religious scholars, captains of industry, and members of the business community.

Organized in collaboration with the Kano State Government through the Ministry of Commerce and Investment and the Kano Markets Chairman Forum Association (KAMCHAFA), the Fair is designed to ease the burden on citizens by providing essential commodities at affordable prices while strengthening Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) during the holy month of Ramadan.

The Executive Governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf, was represented by the Honourable Commissioner for Commerce and Investment, Goni Shehu Wada Sagagi. Delivering the Governor’s official remarks, the Commissioner described the Ramadan Fair as “a timely and deeply humane intervention” in light of prevailing economic realities.

He noted that the initiative reflects government’s unwavering commitment to protecting consumers and supporting traders, particularly during a sacred period defined by compassion, sacrifice, and community solidarity. He commended the leadership of KACCIMA for its foresight and proactive engagement, urging traders to embrace fairness, moderation in pricing, and empathy in the spirit of Ramadan.

“The true essence of Ramadan,” he stated, “is not only in fasting but in demonstrating kindness, honesty, and social responsibility. Let our markets reflect these noble values.”

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In a separate address, the Honourable Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, applauded the President of KACCIMA, Ambassador Usman Hassan Darma, for his tireless efforts in repositioning and revitalizing the image of the Chamber.
He described the current leadership as visionary and result-driven, noting that KACCIMA has regained public confidence through impactful initiatives such as the Ramadan Fair.

He further admonished market leaders to ensure stable business activities, transparency, and discipline within their domains to sustain economic growth and public trust.

Representing His Highness the Emir of Kano, the Danmalikin Kano and District Head of Rimingado, Royal highness Dr. Auwalu Mudi Yakasai, urged the business community to uphold integrity and fairness in all commercial dealings. He reminded traders that wealth earned through honesty attracts blessings, while exploitation and deceit diminish both spiritual and social value.

In a spiritually charged lecture, Sheikh Kamalu Inuwa, Chief Imam of Hidaya Friday Mosque Gandu layout, delivered a heartfelt reminder to traders and entrepreneurs.

He admonished them to desist from cheating, forgery, hoarding, and all forms of dishonest practices.

The Sheikh emphasized that Islam permits and encourages lawful trade but strictly forbids ussery, exploitation and fraud. Citing various Qur’anic verses, he reminded the audience that Allah commands justice and fairness in measurement and transactions, warning against reducing weights and measures for unjust gain.

He stressed that Ramadan is a season of purification not only of the body through fasting but of wealth through lawful earnings. “Let your businesses reflect the teachings of Islam,” he urged. “Trade in what is halal, deal with sincerity, and remember that every transaction is accountable before Allah.”
His lecture drew deep reflection from participants and reinforced the moral foundation upon which the Ramadan Fair stands.

In his welcome address, the President of KACCIMA Amb. Usman Hassan Darma reaffirmed the Chamber’s dedication to promoting ethical commerce, protecting consumers, and supporting enterprise development. He described the Ramadan Fair as both an economic intervention and a moral commitment to social responsibility.

The 2026 Ramadan Fair will run throughout the Ramadan period, offering food items, household goods, and locally manufactured products at competitive and affordable prices.

KACCIMA expresses profound appreciation to the Kano State Government, traditional and religious leaders, market associations, and all stakeholders whose collaboration ensured a successful and impactful opening ceremony.

 

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