CITAD partners ASF France, S4C to train Kano jounalists, activists on Digital Rights

August 22, 2023 Mustapha Salisu

The Centre for Technology and Development (CITAD) in partnership with Avocats Sans France (ASF France) and Spaces for Change (S4C) have launched a two-day capacity building training on “digital rights, protection mechanisms, and online security tools” for digital rights activists in Kano state.

The training which is currently holding at Tahir Guest Palace, Kano is organised on the platform of the European Union (EU) supported project titled Enhancing Digital Rights in Nigeria (e-RIGHTS).

Speaking to newsmen during the event, CITAD’s Executive Director, Y.Z Ya’u explained that the training aims to equip Journalists and activists with the knowledge and skills they need to protect themselves from online threats and to use online security tools to protect their work, privacy and security.

“The digital space has become an integral part of our lives, and journalists must be capable of identifying and upholding offline rights in the digital world, especially when they are violated,” said Ya’u.

He further said, CITAD and her partners are calling on the Federal government to quickly legislate the ‘Digital Rights Bill’ which has been in the legislature for almost 8 years.

Speaking earlier, Angela Uwandu Uzoma-Iwuchukwu, the Country Director of ASF France in Nigeria, explained that the e-RIGHTS project aims at ensuring full protection of the rights of individuals as they engage online.

Adding that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed the ‘Data Protection Act.’ The act empowers internet users to report instances where their data has been compromised by unauthorized individuals.

Uzoma-Iwuchukwu urged the FG to increase awareness of the ‘Data Protection Act,’ which offers citizens the means to identify instances of data rights abuse and seek legal remedies.

She also emphasized the importance of maintaining a balanced approach to regulating the digital space, in order to ensure citizens’ access to information, the internet, and other fundamental rights.