Microsoft in partnership with Paradigm Initiative Nigeria (PIN) has organized the Microsoft NGO Connection Day, an ICT training, networking and information sharing event for non-governmental organizations.
The event now in its 5th year had in attendance over 80 non-governmental organizations from Lagos and neighboring states and covered trainings on Research tools and Report Publishing, Internet Safety and Security, Social Media Tools, one of Microsoft latest productivity tools, Office 365 for Non-Profit and ways in which Microsoft supports NGOs.
Kabelo Makwane, managing director, Microsoft Nigeria in his welcome note emphasized Microsoft’s commitment to expand the power of collaboration by supporting this critical third sector. “Microsoft is committed to youth, education and employment through empowering young people with the right tools and partnerships to create new businesses that will help the country thrive and grow – in this way Microsoft is shaping the future of Nigeria and providing a foundation for its stability and growth’’ he said.
According to Tope Ogundipe, COO Paradigm Initiative Nigeria; “The NGO space is changing as everything else. NGOs need to be equipped with the applicable technologies required to make their work relevant to and effective in the 21st century. Microsoft through the NGO Connection Day supports our organization to provide free training to NGOs based on the Digital Literacy Standard Curriculum.”
Participants expressed deep satisfaction at the event, and recommended that the numbers of days for the training be increased in order to give time for more detailed training and for questions to be taken.
According to Olufemi Omotayo of Young Start up Network, “The event was worth every minute of my time. Knowing how to use technology efficiently for one’s work can be potentially game-changing.”
Keji Ajakaiye of Irede Foundation commented: “The lessons learnt are very fundamental and quite inexhaustible. We have not committed so much time and resources to research in our organisation before now but the session on Research Tools and Report Publishing helped me see how valuable research is to our work.”
Microsoft remains the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
And, Paradigm Initiative Nigeria (PIN) is a social enterprise that connects underserved Nigerian youth with Information and Communication Technology (ICT) opportunities; with specific concern about the ill effects of unemployment and cybercrime, among other vices that limit the potential contribution of young Nigerians to the nation’s economy.
Having worked with government, civil society, private institutions and international organizations including the United Nations agencies, PIN has worked in ICT education, tele center support, ICT applications in rural areas, etc. PIN’s projects include Ajegunle.org; Internet Safety, Security and Privacy Initiative for Nigeria (ISSPIN) and Techie.Entrepreneurial.Nigerian.Talented (TENT).