Nigerian libraries increase access to information for women and youth

Nigeria has approximately 11 million unemployed youth. Over half never received more than a primary school education, and some never attended school. Meanwhile, 20 percent of the country’s youth have completed postsecondary education but are still unable to find a job within five years of graduation. And less than half the population is able to access to the internet, and its economic, social, and educational benefits.

These numbers are staggering. Increasing the employment rate is a complex challenge, but many pieces of a solution are beginning to come together. For example, local NGOs are offering training initiatives to help people gain skills and find work. Government ministries like the National IT Development Agency (NITDA) or the Universal Services Provision Fund (USPF) are working to expand access to information and communications technologies (ICTs) throughout the country so more people can benefit from the internet.

What has been missing is a way to connect these efforts and synchronize them for maximum impact. That’s where IREX comes in.

Strengthening institutions to improve employability

Through the Beyond Access project, IREX is working with public libraries to help women, youth, and other marginalized groups access ICTs and improve their skills. As a result, community members can improve their livelihoods while libraries can play a greater role within their communities.

We started with nine libraries in five states and paired each library with a local NGO. The libraries provided meeting space and ICT infrastructure. The NGOs contributed their experience in ICT, entrepreneurship, and employability skills training. In the first nine months of the pilot, community members accessed library computers 47,000 times and 985 people received training.

Scaling up for greater impact

Through this pilot, IREX demonstrated to both public and private partners that libraries have great potential to increase community members’ skills and ICT access in a sustainable way.

Over the next year, USPF and NITDA will provide new technology, upgrade current technology, and provide connectivity to up to 70 libraries.

Likewise, Intel will train staff at as many as 70 libraries in Nigeria as part of the She Will Connect initiative. Librarians who receive this training will become Master Trainers, to then be able to train others in their communities on digital skills.

Using a sustainable approach to increase opportunity

According to IREX partner Joseph Emmanuel Yaba, President and CEO of YiSHDA, “the program allowed us to mainstream innovative activities in libraries to reach more people and communities across Nigeria. At least 17 people got jobs as a result of the Career Development Training, and more than 20 businesses were started as a result of the Enterprise and Business Development Training.” The project created opportunities for hundreds of people, including Tina Emmanuel, Chigor Nneka, and Esther Enesi:

• Tina participated in an ICT and business skills training course through the project. The course gave her the skills she needed to open a business center that provides photocopies, printing, and other business services to her community. Tina now uses the business center’s profits to supplement her family’s income.
• By participating in the project, Chigor overcame her initial intimidation of computers. She gained new digital skills and earned a promotion in her office.
• Esther learned entrepreneurship skills through the project. She applied these skills to start her own cake decorating business.

Rooting initiatives in existing institutions makes the results more durable. The public libraries and NGOs who partnered with IREX are now better able to continue the work. That’s good news for everyone—especially for other community members who are seeking job skills and ICT access to improve their livelihoods.


For more information about the beyond access project visit www.irex.org.

International Girls in ICT Day 2016 by YiSHDA

When girls are connected to the world through technology, they are connected to a world of opportunity. Technologies in particular have transformed the lives of billions of people. It functions as a gateway to ideas, resources, and opportunities that never could have been realized before. All around the world, Technology is helping people to imagine new possibilities. But girls are being left behind. Girls have the potential not only to become ICT users, but also become ICT creators that is why the 2016 International Girls in ICT Day event was organized and implemented in Kaduna, North-West of Nigeria where the gap of girls in ICT is the greatest.  In Kaduna, fewer girls than boys show interest in ICT and an enormous gap exists between the boys and girls. Girls in Kaduna must be supported in becoming technologically competitive because when girls are technologically skilled, it plays a significant role in promoting employability and financial independence.

A total 0f 123 Girls from 4 Senior Secondary Schools in Kaduna participated in the 2016 International Girls in ICT Day Event namely: Government Secondary School, Independence Way, Kaduna, Government Secondary School, Kabala, Kaduna, Ansarudeen College School, Kaduna and St. Michaels College, Kaduna.

To commemorate the 2016 International Girls in ICT Day Event, Youth Initiative for Sustainable Human Development in Africa (YiSHDA) outlined two unique events which are:

One Day Practical ICT Training on JAVA Programming Language where students were introduced to Essentials of JAVA Programming Language and how to use computers to creatively design web pages and critically solving problems.

A One Day Career Fair on the importance of Girls in ICT.  The career fair provided an avenue for facilitators to inspire girls to pursue careers in the ICT Field.

Barrister Fatima Aliko Mohammed in her presentation told the girls to take off from their minds that women/girls cannot do ICT. She also told the girls how she run a virtual company and leverage on ICT to communicate with her staff. In her words: ICT gives me great fulfilment and women have what it takes to pursue ICT Careers.

Mr. Yusuf A. Leinge is the author of Do It Like Kids and the General Manager of Leinge Consults he spoke about how he used ICT to chart a course for a community project he started. In his words: Your brain is the most important part of you because there is nothing your brain cannot capture. No girl is disadvantaged. The fact that you are a girl does not mean you are disadvantaged.  

Mr. Gabriel Nmadu is the Chief Executive Officer of Business Blueprint Solutions, an Executive Trainer, Online Strategist, Social Entrepreneur and a Pharmacist. In his presentation he spoke about how he uses ICT to buy and sell and also talked about how girls can build a sustainable future for themselves using ICT. In his words: think positive taught because thinking brings positive results. He concluded instructing the girls to start today to choose careers in ICT Field.

The President/CEO of Youth Initiative for Sustainable Human Development in Africa (YiSHDA), Joseph Emmanuel Yaba said YiSHDA is still very committed to prepare young girls for careers in the field of ICT and also to encourage and enhance young girl’s education through ICT.  Through the International Girls in ICT Day, YiSHDA will continue to avail young girls the tremendous opportunities which the ICT sector holds for them and their future.

As part of sustainability plan for Girls in ICT in Kaduna State of Nigeria, the Kaduna Coding Club was formally launched were girls will come to learn the basics of coding and will continue to build their interest in ICT. Through the coding club, girls will be inspired to pursue technology related disciplines. The club will help girls with skills that are useful to them. The coding club will be supported by YiSHDA.

 Testimonies and Feedback

During the ICT Career Fair, I have been Inspired not to get discourage about using ICT because I have what it takes to pursue ICT Careers. Khadijah Kabir, Government Girls Secondary School Kabala, Kaduna.

 Girls in ICT event was very educative and thanks to YiSHDA for this great opportunity to be part of this unique event. Habiba Yusuf, St. Michael’s College, Kaduna.

 Getting to learn Java Programming Language was a great opportunity for me. I had seen Java only on my phone and I never imagined I will have the opportunity to learn it. All thanks to Girls in ICT for the platform. Patience Abraham, Government Girls Secondary School Independence Way, Kaduna.

Girls in ICT event was really innovative and has changed my views about ICT. With Girls in ICT, we will really create a better future. Christiana John, Government Girls Secondary School, St. Michael’s College, Kaduna.

Beyond Access Capacity Building Program

As the world gradually move from Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), access to information must be a priority for all. In the 21^st century, information is a powerful development tool that support communities in a variety of ways and the libraries have a history as trusted community based sources for addressing people’s information need. It has also become a powerful partner to help deliver service that meets personal and economic development.

Youth Initiative for Sustainable Human Development in Africa (YiSHDA) in partnership with Beyond Access a program of International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX) and with support from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation launched a FREE Capacity Building Training for Library Users in Abuja and Kaduna.

 The program is aimed at improving the quality of life of people with the necessary skills needed to help themselves especially in the areas of Business and Enterprise Creation, Human Capital Development, ICT for Development and Education.  The participating libraries are FCT Education Resource Center (FCT City Library, Wuse, Zone 4), National Library, Abuja and the Kaduna Branch of the National Library of Nigeria, Bida Road.  

YiSHDA took into account the range of problems faced by young people in the community and outline appropriate programs to empower them by building their capacity in three (3) thematic areas which are ICT4Development, Business/Enterprise and Career/Employability Skills. Teaching people how to be competent basic users of ICT is very important to helping young people be successful in their academic and work careers, and so they can efficiently participate in modern technical society. We have through the Beyond Access Program impacted a total of 950 young people in Abuja and Kaduna. The Beyond Access Program commenced in March 2015 and will last till February 2016.

IDPs Graduate in Skills Acquisition in Abuja

Thirty Internally Dis­placed Persons, (IDPs), camped at Area 1 of the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), graduated from a skills acquisition pro­gramme as part of the Beyond Access Project at the FCT City Library and National Library of Nigeria Area 2, Abuja .

The Program was organized by Youth Initiative for Sustainable Human Development in Africa (YiSHDA) and with support from the International Research Exchange Board (IREX). Participants were trained in ICT and Business Development.

The President/CEO of YiSHDA, Mr Joseph Emmanuel Yaba commended the trainees for the successful training and urged them to be good ambassadors and to make judicious use of the skills they have acquired to train others as well. Joseph said in partnership with IREX, YiSHDA is happy to contribute its quota in this direction through skills acquisition training for displaced persons.

In her words the Head, FCT City Library, Abuja Hajiya Neemat Abdulrahim ‘’the displaced persons came into the Library depressed, but today they have acquired skills that will make them self-reliant’’. Libraries store the energy that fuels the imagination. They open up windows to the world and inspire people to explore and achieve, and contribute to improving their quality of life. Libraries change lives for the better.

Beyond Access is an initiative of IREX, EIFL, IFLA, Makaia, Facilitating Change, Development Gateway, The Asia Foundation, READ Global, and with support from Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Highlights of the event include presentation of certificate to all participants.

YiSHDA Commemorates 2014 International Girls in ICT Day

Youth Initiative for Sustainable Human Development in Africa (YiSHDA) have successfully implemented the 2014 International Girls in ICT Day with the theme: “Promoting Girls’ Participation in ICT”. 

To commemorate the day, a two-days event was outlined: First, an ICT Training for Girls and the training brought together 30 Girls from 3 Science Secondary School in the FCT. The training was centered on "How to Build a Blog Site with WordPress" . The training was held on May 27, 2014. 

The WordPress training is aimed at introducing the Girls into the WordPress world and showing them simple steps of building a website. The idea is to also make the Girls become better website designers and how they can make money from Blogging.

The facilitator for the ICT training was Mrs. Damilola Olawale a Professional Project and IT Manager as well as Educational Programme Advisor.She is also an inspiring and motivational performer, leader and founder of Sprout Consulting, an ICT 4 Development consulting firm with special interest in ICT4Education.

Secondly, an open-day event with 250 Girls from 5 Science Secondary School in the FCT in attendance. The event among other things features a Talk on Promoting Girls' Participation in ICT, Goodwill Messages from Organizations, and Musical Presentations from Girls themselves. The event was held on May 28, 2014 at the Multipurpose Hall (Hall of Fame), Model Secondary School, Maitama, Abuja-Nigeria.

The President/CEO of Youth Initiative for Sustainable Human Development in Africa (YiSHDA), Joseph Emmanuel Yaba said the idea behind the Girls in ICT Day is to create a platform where girls can be encouraged and aspired to use ICT and build their career in the ICT field. He also reinstated the commitment of YiSHDA to continue to inspire and educate young people by building their capacity, Leadership and responsibility skills.

Also speaking at the event, the National Programs Coordinator of Junior Achievement Nigeria-Mrs. Franca Nnaji Thomas said that Junior Achievement Nigeria aims to encourage entrepreneurship in young people and ICT happens to be a great opportunity to make money, especially as a consultant for organizations etc. She also said that Junior Achievement Nigeria will be organizing and providing an opportunity for Girls to learn trades/skills in August during the long holiday.

Ikenna Anyadike the CEO of Connoisseur Consults charged the cross section of participating students at the event on the importance of embracing ICT. Stressing on the fact that ICT is a veritable avenue through which girls can redefine themselves and earn the respect of peers and society in general. He also went on to encourage the girls to take advantage of the vast resources ICT has to offer. He sighted examples of notable females who have made indelible marks in the ICT sector.

It is common sayings that, no nation can grow beyond the education of its people. Women folk are more in number than their men folk in any society; it is, therefore, obvious that the training of the girl- child toward ICT is of paramount. The girls are also challenged with the mind set to be focused in setting benchmark standards in ICT.

Special thanks to our Partners/sponsors:-Sprout Consulting, FCT Agency for Science and Technology (FAST), Junior Achievement Nigeria, Digital Peers International, Connoisseur Consults, Decipher Solutions, IEVAWC, and The World Bank Youth Forum.

2014 International Girls in ICT Day

The number of school girls opting to study technology-related disciplines is on the decline in most countries including Nigeria. In response to this, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) established the International Girls in ICT Day back in 2010, with the idea of championing the role a tech career can play in creating exciting, far-reaching opportunities for women and girls. 

In view of this, Youth Initiative for Sustainable Human Development in Africa (YiSHDA) is partnering with the FCT Agency for Science and Technology (FAST) to implement the 2014 International Girls in ICT Day with the theme: “Promoting Girls’ Participation in ICT”. 

As part of activities to commemorate the 2014 International Girls in ICT Day, we have outlined the following events:

• A Visit to the Federal Ministry of Communication Technology where some selected Girls from your schools will have the opportunity to interact and share ideas with Nigeria’s Honorable Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson. The visit will be on the 26^th May, 2014.

• A One-Day ICT Training for Girls in your schools. The Training will cover basic Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Access, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook) and use of the Internet. The Training will be on the 27^th May, 2014.

• One Day Event where 200 Girls from 10 Secondary Schools in the FCT will be invited. The One Day Event will among other things feature a Talk on the Importance of ICT to the Girl Child from Women Role Models, Goodwill Messages from Organizations, and Musical Presentation from Girls themselves. The One Day Event will be on the 28^th May, 2014.

We look forward to having a wonderful event. The event is proudly supported by Junior Achievement Nigeria.

Emerging Young Leaders Program 2014

The role of youths in shaping the future of Nigeria cannot be over-emphasized, hence the very need for a system that will absorb the idle minds of the youths and put them into good use for the development of our great nation.

As part of YiSHDA's contribution, Emerging Young Leaders Program was designed. The program serves as an eye opener and a medium for youths to identify, explore and maximize their potentials as leaders through a one-day seminar. The program will develop and strengthen the youths by improving their self esteem, self control, capacity building and leadership skills. It will also give every aspiring young leader the opportunity to develop in many leadership qualities and skills needed to make impact in the society. 

Through the Emerging Young Leaders Program, we will identify young men and women who will show great potential to become leaders of great influence in their families, communities and the nation at large. These young men and women will also have the opportunity to reach out and influence their world positively. 

This years Emerging Young Leaders Program is Scheduled as Follows:

Date:    26th April, 2014
Time:   9:OOam
Venue:  Multipurpose Hall, Government Secondary School, Mararaba, Nasarawa State

For more information/confirmation call: 08051522484, 08033581704, 08035621381, 07069292631 or send a mail to youthinitiative_nig@rocketmail.com

YiSHDA... still committed to Building Tomorrows Leaders Today. We look forward to welcoming you at the program.