Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has initiated an Artie Robot and coding training programme tailored for young girls in Kano State.

CITAD officials training girls at the event

This programme, designed to empower young female students is set to benefit 30 participants across three public secondary schools in its initial phase, as the official launch took place at Government Girls Secondary School Dorayi Karama.

Speaking at the event, Engineer Yunusa Zakari, executive director, CITAD represented by Buhari Abba, highlighted the programme’s objective to enhance the technological and coding skills of secondary school students.

He emphasised the importance of equipping young girls with the necessary skills to pursue careers in the rapidly evolving field of information technology.

Abdulrahman Babatunde, technical officer of Innovation and Creativity at CITAD, stressed the increasing relevance of coding and robotics skills for students, underscoring that learning to code opens up opportunities for innovation and empowerment.

Dr Kabiru Ado Zakirai, executive secretary of the Kano State Senior Secondary Schools Management Board (KSSSMB), noted the historical underrepresentation of women in STEM fields and expressed optimism that early exposure to robotics and coding could ignite a passion for these subjects among girls, paving the way for exciting career prospects in the future.

Malam Umar Yakasai , representing Dr Zakirai, urged students to leverage the knowledge gained from the programme to foster self-reliance.

Participants, including Maimuna Shu’aibu and Fatima Bashir, shared their learning experiences, highlighting various skills acquired, such as utilising robots for tasks like painting, drawing, and writing.

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reportedly sacked about 300 staff members amongst them 14 directors.

The layoff of the staff brings the list of those so far disengaged from the bank under Olayemi Cardoso, governor, to over 500.

Another 200 have also been shortlisted for sack.

The affected directors according findings are Clement Oluranti Buari, Director, Strategy Management; Dr Blaise Ijebor, Director, Risk Management; Lydia Ifeanyichukwu Alfa, Director, Internal Audit; Jimoh Musa Itopa, Director, Capacity Development; Muhammad Abba, Director, Human Resources; Rabiu Musa, Director, Finance; Dr Mahmud Hassan, Director, Trade & Exchange; Dr Ozoemena S. Nnaji, , Director, Statistics; Dr Omolara Duke, Director, Financial Markets.

Others are Chibuike D. Nwaegerue, Director, Other Financial Institutions Supervision; Chibuzo A. Efobi, Director, Payments System Management; Haruna Bala Mustafa, Director, Financial Policy and Regulation; Rakiya Shuaibu Mohammed, Director, Information Technology and Benjamin Nnadi, Director, Reserve Management.

Hakama Sidi Ali, director of Corporate Communication, is yet to speak on the fresh sack as of Saturday morning.

National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Friday said Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) declined by 2.98 per cent in the first quarter (Q1) of 2024.

In its latest report, the bureau put the nation’s current growth rate at 2.98 per cent, saying the growth rate is higher than the 2.31 per cent recorded in the same quarter in 2023 but lower than the 3.46 per cent recorded in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2023.

“Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 2.98% (year-on-year) in real terms in the first quarter of 2024. This growth rate is higher than the 2.31% recorded in the first quarter of 2023 and lower than the fourth quarter of 2023 growth of 3.46%,” the report read.

“The performance of the GDP in the first quarter of 2024 was driven mainly by the Services sector, which recorded a growth of 4.32% and contributed 58.04% to the aggregate GDP.

“The agriculture sector grew by 0.18%, from the growth of -0.90% recorded in the first quarter of 2023. The growth of the industry sector was 2.19%, an improvement from 0.31% recorded in the first quarter of 2023.

“In terms of share of the GDP, the services sector contributed more to the aggregate GDP in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the corresponding quarter of 2023.”