Tag 08067220079

NITDA assures Nigerians of data collection privacy

Data
By Tolu Aiyegbusi
Abuja, March 27, 2020 (NAN) As part of containment efforts of COVID-19, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has assured Nigerians of data collection privacy according to Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) Guidelines.
This is contained in a statement made available to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja and signed by NITDA’s Head, Corporate Affairs and External Relations, Mrs Hadiza Umar.
Umar said data collection by authorities at Nigeria’s borders was done putting into consideration, the rights of individual data subject to privacy, in line with the NDPR guidelines.
”As part of containment strategies, authorities at our entry ports have devised ingenious means of collecting health information from passengers arriving Nigeria.
”The processes include a lot of personal data collection, such as travel history, name, address, phone number, email, destination etc.
“The general public is aware that the world is currently faced with a pandemic called COVID-19 and global authorities have been working in concert to defeat this global threat,” she said.
She added that Nigeria had become the cynosure of all eyes for how it managed to keep this and other similar situations under check.
She added that it was expedient for NITDA to evaluate the implication of this personal data collection on the rights of data subject to privacy.
”The NDPR’s Article 2.2 provides for the bases of processing personal data. Among the bases are: consent, legitimate interest, contractual agreement, legal, public and vital interest.
“The data processing being done by public health officials to contain the COVID-19 pandemic is covered under VITAL and PUBLIC interest of the data subjects to protect other Nigerians.
“This position was further reinforced by the provisions of Section 45 of the Nigerian Constitution which limits the right to privacy granted in Section 37.
“In view of the foregoing, NITDA wishes to assure all Nigerians and foreigners that the strategies employed aligned with NDPR guidelines as well as the Nigerian Constitution,” she said.
She urged everyone to fully cooperate with officials who were working hard to keep Nigerians safe.
She added that NITDA remained committed to enforcing its guidelines in discharging its mandate for the development of IT in Nigeria.
According to her, NITDA will work with all parties to ensure that the data being collected is processed and stored in compliance with the NDPR.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 6 (a & c) of the Nigerian Information Technology Act mandates NITDA to create a framework for the planning, research, development, standardisation, application, coordination, monitoring, evaluation and regulation of information technology practices, activities and systems in Nigeria. (NAN)
TOLU/CHOM/DCU
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Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Donald Ugwu

Assist government achieve sustainable development goals — NIPOST boss tells district managers

NIPOST
By Tolu Aiyegbusi
Abuja, March 18, 2018 (NAN) The Post Master General (PMG) of Nigerian Postal Services (NIPOST), Dr Ismail Adewusi, has urged District Postal Managers (DPMs) to help government drive sustainable development goals.
Adewusi gave the charge while addressing the DPM’s at a 2-day interactive meeting between the PMG and DPM’s in Abuja.
The PMG said that the DPMs should see themselves as agents of change of the new NIPOST and urged them to have a drive toward the expectation of postal service in Nigeria.
He stressed the need for a new NIPOST that would provide quality service in line with best global practices, an agency that would help the government drive sustainable development goals.
He noted that his first meeting with the DPMs since assumption of duty recently was to take stock of their performances since they embarked on a transformation agenda.
“The focus of this gathering is to review performance and operational procedure.
“Exchange ideas on improving operational efficiency using the right working tools
“Fashion out other businesses NIPOST can embark on,’’ he said.
He disclosed that NIPOST under his watch would try and provide the right working tools to upgrade their ways of doing business due to the advent of information and communication technology (ICT).
He added that the global economy was changing and this must be integrated in NIPOST and urged all the participants to be part of the transformation.
He called on all the DPMs to embrace discipline, honesty and sincerity of purpose to improve the image of NIPOST which had been a butt of public criticism in times past due to sharp practices.
Adewusi also lamented the poor conditions of service of NIPOST staff members and said an increase in its generated revenue could help address the issue if they could work hard in increasing its revenue.
He said he was hopeful that at the end of the meeting NIPOST workers would see themselves as change agents who would help in restructuring the postal service in Nigeria.
Similarly, the Chief Operating officer (COO) of NIPOST, Mrs Nwakama Lauretta, while addressing the DPMs expressed gladness at the gathering which afforded the opportunity to discuss issues of great importance.
She urged the participants to come up with ways of blocking revenue leakages and other ways of partnership that could help boost NIPOST’s revenues.
She also urged participants to reach out to existing subscribers and encourage them to renew their subscriptions regularly.
“ Private Mail bags (PMB) and Post Office Boxes are one major source of revenue of NIPOST, the supervisors in mail offices should reach out to owners of PMB’s for evacuation and renewal of subscriptions regularly.
She called on the poorly performing zones to work harder and directed those giving NIPOST a negative image to desist.
“Go back to your district offices and work on improving service delivery.
“Poor service delivery has given NIPOST a negative stigma and led to loss of revenue; acts of negligence from supervisors and offenders would no longer be tolerated.
“It is sad to note that some of you have carried on business as usual and businesses that are very unusual; this ugly trend must stop,’’ she said. (NAN)
TOLU/CHOM/DCU
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Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Donald Ugwu

Youth, stakeholders in digital economy — NITDA D-G

Youth
By Tolu Aiyegbusi
Abuja, March 11, (2020) Mr Inuwa Abdullahi, the Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has said that Nigerian youth should consider themselves as stakeholders in Nigeria’s drive towards achieving a digital economy.
Abdullahi gave this advice on Wednesday in Abuja at the Closing Ceremony of Photography and Cinematography Skill Training organised by Abuja Enterprise Agency (AEA).
He enjoined the participants who were mostly young adults to see themselves as major players in ”Nigeria’s drive towards diversification of the economy from natural resources to digital based economy”.
Abdullahi explained that the youthful population of the nation was endowed which provided it with competitive advantage to be key player in global digital economy.
According to him, our greatest resource is not natural resource rather the human resource; that is where our strength lies.
”What we know and the knowledge we have, oil and gas is not our strength. With this kind of capacity building, the government is laying emphasis on skills.
“This training on Photography and cinematography can sprout you to be employers of labour.
“The world is going digital now and we now have digital media where you can leverage on Information Technology (IT) to market your contents to the world online,” he said.
The D-G said that to get a photographer to cover an event in Abuja today cost N150,000 to N400,000 and getting like four events in a month can earn them almost N450,000.
He also urged the participants to maximise the opportunity to become job creators.
The Abuja Enterprise Agency (AEA) Managing Director, Mr Arabi Tukur, in his remarks thanked the NITDA boss for identifying with the event.
He urged the participants to heed to the advice of the D-G because “they are words full of wisdom”.
He said the government was ready to support good business ideas and had created platform for easy registration of businesses.
Earlier in his goodwill message, Mr Bayo Omoboriowo, President Muhammadu Buhari’s official photographer, expressed his gratitude to NITDA for what the Agency was doing for the younger generation.
“We want to build a creative industry and we are happy NITDA is supporting us because the Agency believes in what we set out to achieve,” he said.
NAN reports that NITDA donated 35 computers to the AEA to show its support for the skills and capacity building programmes it is involved in. (NAN)
TOLU/OIF/DCU
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Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Donald Ugwu

NITDA urges summit participants to adopt digital technological skills

Skills
By Tolu Aiyegbusi
Abuja, March 4, 2020 (NAN) The Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, Mr Kashifu Inuwa, has advised participants at an Educational Technology (EdTech) summit to adopt and leverage on digital technological skills to become key players in the digital economy.
Inuwa gave the advice in Abuja while addressing participants at the ongoing EdTech Summit and Awards organised by Federal Ministry of Education in collaboration with AFRITEX.
The summit was organised to bring critical stakeholders together in order to share and harmonise ideas towards developing a National Educational Technology Plan for the country.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Afritex is an investment holding company with strategic investments in Africa, active in fishing operations that market seafood to a global community.
According to NITDA boss, digital technology is changing the landscape and the many ways we do things.
He added that the disruptive tendencies of digital technology were not only affecting the way we lived but also the way we learnt or acquired education.
“There are applications that close the gap between what is learnt and what ought to be learnt.

“Digital technology is changing the way we learn.

“The pillars of educational sector which are content, delivery and teaching have now been disrupted.
“It is time for you to reap from the potential and benefits of digital technology by acquiring digital skills which are more rewarding than educational certificates,’’ he said.
Inuwa while addressing the participants, mostly students, said that immediately he got his Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) certification, he got five different job offers which he could not think of getting with his academic qualification.
“The CCIE is a series of technical certifications for senior networking professionals who design, build, implement, maintain and troubleshoot complex enterprise networking infrastructure.
“”In less than a year, I got a job and recouped investment on the certification.
“I will urge our students to embrace digital technology and acquire digital skills because it is the future of work,” he said.
Inuwa said that the Agency has donated e-learning facilities to many tertiary institutions in the country.
“We, like you all in the education sector, believe that education is one of the most powerful instruments for reducing poverty, exclusion and lays a foundation for sustainable development with the help of ICT,” he said.
He disclosed that capacity building and digital inclusion are very important focus areas for us at NITDA.
“We have increased IT Access at different communities through the provision of our digital Centres and e-learning facilities, IT Community Centres and provided computing facilities for teachers in the country.
“These facilities can be used to apply the new ways of teaching and learning as EdTech becomes more popular,” he said.
NAN reports that participants at the two-day 2020 EdTech Summit were drawn from the Academia, Public and Private Sector. (NAN)
TOLU/FF/DCU
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Edited by Fela Fashoro/Donald Ugwu

NITDA boss urges MAN to leverage on smart technologies

Technology
Tolu Aiyegbusi
Abuja, March 3, 2019 (NAN) Mr Kashifu Inuwa, Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has urged the President of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr Mansur Ahmed, to leverage on smart technology.
Inuwa gave the advice on Tuesday in Abuja while delivering his address as Special Guest at a conference organised by the Association with the theme: “Digital Economy Campaign: Prospect and Industrial Connections”.
Smart technologies refer to systems and devices which are the results of scientific knowledge. Smart technology is focused on the use of high-end gadgets.
The D-G encouraged MAN to consider the production of smart phones and other computing devices in Nigeria because of the market availability.
“Absolutely for me, there is no reason we cannot manufacture smart phones and peripheral in Nigeria.
“I want to appeal to you to focus on the manufacturing of computing devices and their peripheral.
The D-G stressed that with various opportunities provided by the present day’s cutting edge technologies like Internet of Things (IoT) Artificial Intelligence (AI) Robotic Technology, “every manufacturer can increase his top line revenue and lower his bottom line cost.”
He added that “nearly everything we do in our business operations today are powered by digital technology.”
Inuwa maintained that these emerging technologies would make factories smarter and more functional without, or with less, human intervention.
He said, “Emerging technologies such as IoT, AI, IoT, Automation and Robotic Technology would boost productivity, increase sales, improve efficiency, reduce costs and keep up with increasingly sophisticated competitions.
Inuwa noted that the Fourth Industrial Revolution had brought about the concept of smart manufacturing, digital platforms and digital economy,
”For the country to be a player in the fourth industrial revolution, it must embrace emerging technologies because the difference between third and fourth industrial revolutions is the disruptive nature of emerging technologies,” he said.
Earlier in his opening remarks, Ahmed disclosed that the conference would enable MAN to learn about new approaches to manufacturing which could result into market expansion.
“Manufacturing sector, especially those catering for Nigerian market that is going to be confronted with massive expansion of market potentials, will have no alternative than to rethink the way they produce, supply and distribute their products,” Ahmed said. (NAN)
TOLU/CHOM/DCU
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Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Donald Ugwu

RMRDC pledges partnership with Nigerians in Diaspora

Partnership
By Tolu Aiyegbusi
Abuja, March 2, 2019 (NAN) The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) has pledged to partner the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation, Europe (NIDOE) to ensure best practice in raw materials production and processing.
This is contained in a statement made available to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday by RMRDC’s Director of press and publicity, Mr Chuks Ngaha.
He stated that the diaspora organisation paid a courtesy visit to the Council’s headquarters in Abuja, seeking to work with the Council in making the nations’ raw material products standard and acceptable by the international market.
According to the statement, the Director-General, RMRDC, Prof. Husseini Ibrahim, stated that the partnership was important for the council and the country so as to make raw materials processing meet international standards.
Ibrahim reaffirmed that the gap in products production processes was indeed a big challenge to achieving standard and should be corrected.
He said that one problem with exportation in Nigeria was lack of well-established structures and neglect for best practices in process development.
He briefed the guests on the mandate of the Council to promote development of local raw materials for industrial growth, thereby promoting economic dependence and nation-building.
He stated that the Council was building a laboratory that would identify values and specifications of raw materials in Nigeria which would in turn facilitate value addition and bring about standardisation.
He also stated that the Council was an official member of the National Competitiveness Strategy Committee (NCSC).
“ NCSC has the responsibility to look into exportation of indigenous products with a view to ensuring compliance to international standards and driving Nigeria’s competitiveness in raw materials and products development,’’ he said.
Speaking during the visit, a leader of the team from NIDOE, Mr Godson Azu, informed the council that United Kingdom (UK) had market for Nigerian products, but the challenge was that the products failed to meet international standards.
According to Azu, some Nigerian products are either shipped illegally into Europe or exported by neighbouring countries such as Ghana and Cameroon, whereas, when attempts were made to export them legally from Nigeria, they would be termed substandard products.
“ This problem is self-inflicted and unfortunate; Nigerians not having their products as mainstream in the UK market has become a thing of concern to Nigerians in diaspora.
“Consequently, the organisation has come to seek partnership with relevant stakeholders to solve the challenge of non-exportation of local products and promote its distribution abroad.’’
TOLU/NNO/DCU
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Edited by Nick Nicholas/Donald Ugwu

Expert urges teachers to adopt feminine approach in teaching sciences, tech

STEM
By Tolu Aiyegbusi
Abuja, Feb. 28, 2018 (NAN) Mrs Jackie Olang, the Executive Director, Network of African Science Academies, Nairobi, Kenya, has urged teachers and parents to adopt more feminine approaches to teaching science and technology.
Olang gave this advice in Abuja on Friday in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
She noted that many girls were made to believe that aspects of science and technology were dangerous which gave them an impression that it was not feminine.
She, therefore, advised parents and teachers not to teach females that they would have to adapt to masculine culture or nature to be successful in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
According to her, both parents and teachers have the task of dismantling sexist stereotypes that keep girls away from STEM by making them to be satisfied with just making a toy pink.
“Stereotypes such as female students need to position or behave themselves as non-feminine or masculine to be appreciated in the science and technology field.
“The norm is usually for them not to wear makeup or heels or even get manicures; sometimes they have been taught not to even be dressed in bright clothing.
“Stereotypes like these keep girls away from STEM which shouldn’t be so,’’she said.
She stated that if parents and teachers stopped portraying science and technology as being tough, dirty, hard and sturdy, female participation would increase. (NAN)
TOLU/ECN/DCU
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Edited by Emmanuel Nwoye/Donald Ugwu

NITDA urges private sector companies to implement National Digital Economy Policy

e-commerce
By Tolu Aiyegbusi
Abuja, Feb. 25, 2020 (NAN) The Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mr Kashifu Inuwa, has urged Nigeria’s e-Commerce companies to join hands with the Federal Government in the implementation of National Digital Economy Policy.

Inuwa made the call in Abuja on Tuesday while receiving the chairperson of Jumia Group, Ms Juliet Anammah, on a courtesy visit.

According to the D-G it is time for the e-Commerce companies in Nigeria to come together and form a strong and viable entity that can work with government so as to achieve the dream of digitising Nigeria’s business activities.

”There is high growth of Nigerians who do online businesses, especially Small and Medium Enterprise (SMEs), through numerous platforms, where potential buyers are connecting with sellers,” he said.

Inuwa added that many Nigerians now engaged in e-commerce via Small and Medium Enterprise SME to sell their goods and services which had tremendously increased Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The D-G noted that the federal government was doing everything possible to provide adequate policies for “Ease of Doing Business” for private sector and continue building capacity on digital literacy for consumers and online users.

He also said that NITDA had launched ‘Adopted Village for Smart Agriculture’ (NAVSA) as part of the Agency’s strategic mandate to improve use of digital tools in the country.

”NAVSA is a digital platform that brings farmers together giving them room to market their farm produce on a digital space, and also connect them with potential investors,” he said.

He added that NITDA was also building a digital academy across the country to ensure that Nigerians acquired requisite computer knowledge so that using devices would not be difficult for them.

The D-G, however, said that  a lot could only be achieved with the necessary cooperation from the private sector.

“Despite being IT regulators, NITDA also needs cooperation from private sector organisations that are into online business. Our door is always open. We run a collaborative government.

”We are working to make the environment conducive for private organisations to create jobs,” he said.

In her remarks, Anammah said that Nigeria through Gross Merchandise valued at 838 million euro, has over 25 per cent earnings, which made the country the biggest market in Africa in e- commerce.

Anammah stressed that e-commerce in Nigeria had, in the last few years created thousands of jobs to the unemployed youth and had become a multiplying factor for SME in the country.

She said that in spite of current challenges faced by the e-Commerce industry Nigeria was still doing much better in online businesses.

“There are some challenges especially in the areas of poor roads connection, rails, digital infrastructure, digital identity and lack of digital literacy.

”I am hopeful that Nigeria still has the potential to do better if there is a strong cross collaborations between the government and the private sector and that is why we are here today,” she said.

TOLU/MAM/DCU
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Edited by Modupe Adeloye/Donald Ugwu

Space Centre reaffirms commitment to FG’s service delivery initiative

Service
By Tolu Aiyegbusi
Abua, Feb. 21, 2020 (NAN) The Centre for Satellite Technology Development (CSTD) says it is committed to actualising the service delivery initiative of the Federal Government.
The Director/CEO of CSTD, Prof. Spencer Onuh, gave the assurance while delivering a speech at the inauguration of Service Compact (SERVICOM) Unit at the centre on Friday in Abuja.
He said the centre was committed to complying with the delivery of effective services as agreed by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and directed by the FG.
He stated that all public establishments had been directed by the FG to set up a SERVICOM centre.
“The FG has directed all public establishments to set up SERVICOM centre so that services that are delivered to the public are excellent, of good quality and timely,’’ he said.
Onuh stated that the centre was in collaboration with specialised institution in other to deliver on its mandated, adding that setting up a SERVICOM centre was one of such.
According to him, “the inauguration of the SERVICOM centre will help us in efficient delivery of our mandate and bridging the gap in effective communication between the centre and its customers’’.
He added that service delivery had been at the heart of the centre but the inauguration of the SERVICOM centre would awaken a consciousness.
“ The inauguration of SERVICOM centre will help us to discharge our duties effectively, timely, meet up with required specifications and be accountable,’’ he said.
In her keynote address, the National Coordinator of SERVICOM, Mrs Nnenna Akajemeli, said public service delivery was very important to the citizens of any country.
Akajemeli, who was represented by Mrs Ngozi Akinbodewa, the SERVICOM team leader in charge of Federal Ministry of Science and Technology (FMST), said government activities were managed through SERVICOM.
“The major function of public service is to provide services, provide enabling environment for economic growth and prosperity for citizens as well as securing and strengthening democratic institutions.
“SERVICOM has the responsibility of ensuring that Nigerians are effectively and efficiently served,’’ she said.
She said SERVICOM was present at the CSTD and in other organisations to ensure Nigerian citizens were served rights.
According to her, there is high standard of service to be given to every citizen and SERVICOM ensures that the standard is met.
“In SERVICOM, a standard charter is required from every organisation and we ensure this is strictly adhered to.
“The service charter is a promissory document detailing the quality of services to be rendered to the office, the standards and timeline set for such services,’’ she said.
She said the essence of inaugurating a SERVICOM committee for CSTD was to also ensure that inadequate services could also be reported.
She urged the centre to set up a service charter which could be reviewed from time to time to keep abreast of innovations in space technology.
“I want to urge the centre to set up a service charter, a reception area and for the focal head of the committee to have the opportunity of reporting directly to the Director of the centre,’’ she said.
Ibitoye Olusola, the SERVICOM’s Focal Head in CSTD, said her commitment to better public service was renewed.
Olusola noted that over the years, there had been poor service delivery by the public sector in Nigeria and SERVICOM had helped in changing the narrative.
“The induction and inauguration have helped equip me and my team to improve on our mindsets towards citizen satisfaction.
“By promoting excellence in Public Service, we are helping the FG to achieve its mandate,’’ she said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that members of the CSTD SERVICOM Committee inaugurated included the focal officer/head, customer service front desk officer, innovative officer, charter desk officer amongst others. (NAN)
TOLU/VIV/DCU
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Editing by Vivian Ihechu/Donald Ugwu