By John Dada 22 November 2016, First Summit on Community Networks in Africa, Nairobi, Kenya

1. 1st Summit on Community
Networks in Africa
November 22-23rd
, 2016
Venue: University of Nairobi, Kenya
John Dada
Fantsuam Foundation, Nigeria
November 22-23rd
, 2016
Venue: University of Nairobi, Kenya
John Dada
Fantsuam Foundation, Nigeria
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2. F Fantsuam Foundation
Cr Creating Opportunities for Growth and Service
MISSION: To eliminate poverty and disadvantage
through integrated development programs
PROGRAMS: Rural ICT Development, Sustainable
Livelihoods and Health
Cross-cutting issues: Gender, disability, National
Volunteering , HIV/AIDS and ageing issues
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3. Fantsuam Foundation
Rural ICT Services
Basic Computer Literacy Training
Computer Maintenance Training
Computer Based -Test training for
University entry examinations
Community based wireless network

4. Fantsuam Foundation
Rural ICT Services

 Children’s computer club
Fantsuam provides services to two
Government institutions
 Capacity building for secretarial staff of
tertiary educational institution
Other IT related services

5. Fantsuam Market
Growing demand for ICT services: Kafanchan
has 3 tertiary institutions, 7 banks, a growing
civil servant population and entrepreneurs
The introduction of Computer based
university entrance examinations: Computer-
Based Test centres

6. Fantsuam Market
University qualifying examinations now have to
be written at certified test centres.
Rural students are at disadvantage on two
points
-distance to available certified test centres
-capacity on how to use the computer

7. Fantsuam Market Contd
Fantsuam now a certified rural CBT centre
with 260 computers and hopes to acquire
more
Fantsuam offers short term coaching for
students just before the examinations
Test Centres are profitable ventures:
examination authority pays for the use of the
centre.

8. Challenge of Internet Access
Internet Service Provision usually private sector-
driven≈ cost implications
Regulator’s dilemma: Before now no license
category available for Not-For-Profits who wish to
become Internet Service Providers.

9. Challenge of Internet Access
Last Mile access remains largely
Government-subsidized due to profit constraints
Fantsuam persists in providing access at the Last
Mile. Government’s promised support has not
been reliable in the past, however, there are new
indications that, that promise will be fulfilled this
year - a dedicated 512/258b bandwidth

11. Computer-Based Test Centre

12. » The Roles of Various Local Actors:
3 cyber cafes also providing basic computer
training
SMEs: Retail shops and DIY stores sending
staff for training
Kafanchan is now served by the three major
Mobile service providers, but none of them
provides reliable service

13. Emerging Emergency Needs
» Sectarian clashes – Boko haram, cattle rustlers,
farmers/herders clashes – large populations of
internally displaced persons Attacks by Boko
Haram in Nigeria have killed more than 600
school teachers and forced 19,000 to become
displaced. These teachers need to be supported
to recover from the trauma and time loss of
professional knowledge and skills they
suffered, to enable them support the millions of
children in their care

14. CPD4IDT
Continuing Professional Development For Internally
Displaced Teachers = CPD4IDT
An opportunity for promoting social cohesion and foster
digital inclusion
Challenges
-Expertise in CPD not common,
-Need for tailored curriculum
-Teachers widely dispersed
-In poorly connected locations,
-High cost of connectivity
-Enabling environment by relevant Government agencies

15. Rural Network Services
- Curriculum to reinforce teaching practice.
-Meet the immediate needs of teachers: trauma
care, improving mental strength, develop
positive outlook, resilience,
-Encourage strong communual growth with
focus on internally displaced youths in the
refugee community.
-Reinforce basic skills in Mathematics, English &
local and popular vocational training.

16. 9
Community Networks can help

17. Wireless network training

18. Sustainability Strategy
Model of integrated rural development with
elements of social services supported by some
income streams. Incubation of new business ideas
until it begins to yield profit
-Microfinance services
-Introducing modern agricultural practices:
improved seeds, organic fertilizer, market linkages
for grains
-Basic Computer training, computer maintenance
-Means tested payment for services
-Government patronage to pay for some services

19. Development challenges as
opportunities for community cohesion
 Set backs due to political instability: economic
downturn, security of life and property
 Community engagement in identifying causes,
solutions, quick wins
 Emphasis on vulnerable members of the community:
older persons, people with disabilities,
 Critical role as a trusted impartial arbiter
 Identified with all community challenges, recognized
and accepted as a critical stakeholder in community
development

20. Na gode
I thank you