Category: Infotech

The need for data protection has been recognised for over a decade, with Data Protection Day celebrated internationally on January 28. The day is the ideal time to find out which data protection laws are in force in Nigeria, and how companies and institutions are implementing them.

According to a statement made available to The Nation by VFS Global, data protection laws ensure that your data is used only for the purpose you shared it.

The statement stated that the law stipulates how data must be stored, used and when necessary purged.
It further stated that data protection laws regulate the sharing of personal information, ensuring that personal details are only shared if there is a lawful reason, such as explicit consent or a public interest, like in the case of preventing a crime.

It also remarked that one of the most well-known data protection laws is the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) that was adopted by the European Parliament in 2016, adding that the regulation outlines the restrictions on data handling and sharing by Government and corporations.

According to the statement, “GDPR regulations protect the privacy and personal information rights of individuals, data breaches can attract heavy fines. A case in point is when one of the Big Four technology companies was fined EUR57 million for breaching online privacy rules at the beginning of 2019.

“GDPR raises the standards of personal data privacy across not just Europe, but also the world, by changing the rules of companies that collect, store or process user information. Every company that operates in Europe, trades with Europe, or has European users is required to comply with GDPR standards other countries are also introducing and updating up their data protection laws, many in line with GDPR.

“Approximately 100 new data protection laws have been put into practice across the globe in the last 12 months with many countries implementing data protection laws for the first time. This is not only to align with the GDPR, it is also because consumers are holding companies accountable for the information they hold, and how they use it, abuse it or lose it. Consumers are putting pressure on businesses to secure their personal information. Countries are realising that if they want to protect these industries, they have to create a sound framework for data protection.

“Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) was published in January 2019. The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is responsible for implementing the regulations, which ensure data and transactions are safeguarded. Any company dealing with personal data in Nigeria or with citizens of Nigeria is required to follow these regulations. The regulations also ensure Nigeria is internationally competitive and that companies doing business in the country are assured data is secure.

READ ALSO: Data protection: Beneficial character of privacy policy

“NDPR gives customers protections so they know there are systems in place to ensure their data stays private and confidential. When customers give companies their information, they are giving them their trust that they will in turn protect data. Having a data protection system and following data protection laws shows that you take this trust and the responsibility for the data you have seriously. Businesses that embrace data protection laws and implement them have a competitive edge over those who don’t.

“As part of our endeavour to support the initiative by the National Identity Management Commission’s (NIMC) to enrol Nigerian adults and children into the National Identity Database (NIDB), we had recently launched National Identification Number enrolment centres across multiple locations worldwide to offer diaspora enrolment services for Nigerians with their National Identification Number (NIN) issuance.

“Although we are in the visa and consular services arena, we’re primarily in the business of trust. VFS Global complies with the requirements of the GDPR compliant and our customers expect us to protect their data, have good systems in place, and be able to identify any breaches quickly so we can prevent data losses and theft.
“It is easier for international businesses to operate when countries have data protection laws in place. So, when we use contractors and other service providers in these countries we know they will protect our customers’ personal information.

“It is imperative that all companies big and small ensure the data they hold is protected. We may only hear about the breaches at big business, but hackers are increasingly targeting smaller businesses, because they know these organisations are less likely to have the correct protection mechanisms in place. Countries and companies that don’t yet have data protection systems in place are encouraged to set these up. Business thrives because of how it uses data but will only sustain if it protects data.”

An online technology market place, computervillage.ng, has launched an auction sales bazaar campaign with the theme “Bazaar of Hope”.s, phones and electronics at their own prices.

The auction sales, which is said to be organised in the spirit of the New Year, also unveiled Nedu Wazobia, popularly known as Alhaji Musa, as the Chief auctioneer.

Musa said the campaign offers a chance for the public to bid for tech devices they hope to own such as smartwatches, smartphones, cameras, TVs, printers, laptops and accessories starting for as low as N1000.

He said: “I am indeed happy to be a part of the Computervillage.ng bazaar campaign, which aims to bring hope to the public in this new year. This mirrors the character of Alhaji Musa which serves as a source of happiness and joy to many.”

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Founder, computervillage.ng Mr Kaosiso Anaekwe, gave an insight on how the Bazaar of Hope will work.

He said that customers will sign up free, and fund their wallet with a minimum of N1000 to be eligible to participate in the auction.

He pointed out that customers can check out products available for auction at the website.

Anaekwe said: “We believe the bazaar campaign is the first of its kind in the e-commerce ecosystem and the auction process will be transparent and happening in real time. Customers can participate wherever they are as long as they are online.”

The Managing Director, Unitop International Limited, Ahmed Mazloum, has challenged youths to leverage on technological advancement to be better candidates for any positions they long for.

He noted that technology dictates the world, especially artificial intelligence that is almost taking over.

According to him, skilling up ahead any change would engender better placement.

Mazloum spoke at a media parley, marking his 12th anniversary as the Managing Director of Unitop International Limited in Lagos.

“My advice would go to the youths of this country. Yes, they are very energetic, industrious and aspiring. But, there is need to adjust as life changes in order for one not to become obsolete.

“The world is talking about technology and its entire components. Technology is taking over all businesses, transactions, and all other forms of endeavors.

“Nigerian youths should not be left out in this change that technology is effecting. The world is also talking about Artificial Intelligence. So, the question is how are the youths getting prepared for this future that lies ahead of them.

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“It is imperative for Nigerian youths to get themselves skilled up in IT certification programmes, where trainings are top- notch.

“This is also important because it gives an employee leeway over others when the employee is IT-inclined regardless of your field of endeavour,” he noted.

He also urged leaders to serve selflessly to drive the nation to its desired end.

Ahmed noted that this was the approach of leadership of developed countries resulting in the monumental developments in the states.

“Leadership, especially transformational Leadership, is what has been driving so many advanced nations in the world because they look at the betterment of the populace first.

“Transformational leadership requires selfless goals and this is what I would indulge all Nigerian leaders be it in business, politics and other spheres that requires organisation.

“Of course, to be selfless takes a lot from you but there is always a light at the end of the tunnel” Ahmed said.

He is a graduate of Institute Techniques Amiliem, Lebanon where he obtained Basic and higher diploma in Mechanical Engineering.

He was born to the family of Yusuf Mazloum, a businessman and Hayat Kamal on the 16th of July 1983.

He spent his early days in Kano from 1983 to 1987.

He later moved to Warri in 1987 and forged ahead to Lebanon for the first time in 1994 until his return back to Nigeria in 1996 where he has lived till date.

He started his career in 1999 with AS Enterprises, Beirut, Lebanon and a mechanical fabrication company as a mechanical supervisor.

As at 2006, he was appointed Executive Director of Unitop Catering Services Limited, in 2009, his profound and innate experience as a Managing Director necessitated his appointment as the Executive Director of Bobcat Construction Services Limited.

Ahmed, who is a lover of music, movies and other outdoor activities, has received many awards and recognition for his immense contribution to the growth of the companies also his host communities.

Mazloum is a co-producer on the upcoming movie titled “bad comments” which features Nollywood stars and celebrities such as Jim Iyke, Ini Edo, Timaya, Patience Ozokwor, Sharon Ooja, Young John, Desmond Elliot, Ruggedman, Daddy Freeze and a host of others.

Ozolua Uhakheme

SAP Nigeria, a German multinational software corporation recently brought joy to students in the Yaba axis of Lagos when it donated an ICT Hub in the vicinity.

This is the second donations in recent time. SAP West Africa’s Marketing Manager, Mrs Juliet Omorodion, said: “Our vision is to help the world run better and improve people’s lives and we recently brought this to life when SAP Nigeria donated a sixteen-seater ICT hub to the All Saints Anglican Primary School, Yaba, that will serve six other schools within the district.”

SAP Nigeria has therefore demonstrated its CSR duties through volunteerism and philanthropy by encouraging their employees to give of themselves and their time without the expectation of financial gain.

This, she said, is in line with the three key pillars of CSR at SAP – Building digital skills, helping non-profits and social enterprises run better, and connecting our employees with purpose.

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Mrs Linda Umanah, representing the Educational Secretary for Lagos Mainland said that the donation was “welcome in this age of smart technology.” She expressed optimism that other companies will replicate this laudable initiative put forward by SAP Nigeria.

Earlier, Mrs Omorodion noted that partnering with Ayeci Africa for the execution was essential as “there is need to continue teaching digital skills to children in line with the governments objective to introduce digital skills within the educational system.”

This is in line with the NGOs objective of delivering the gift of literacy to pupils across the country. She further mentioned that activities will be ongoing at the facility through the teaching of coding and robotics by Coderina.

Mrs Ifeoma Adibe-Chukwuka, founder Ayeci Africa, said their non-profit organisation “facilitates educational intervention for indigent students.”

The Edo State Skills Development Agency (EdoJobs) in partnership with ACT Nigeria, has trained not less than 130 youths in the three senatorial districts of the state on Information and Communication Technonolgy (ICT) in furtherance of the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration’s technology innovation drive.

Head, EdoJobs, Mrs. Ukinebo Dare, in a chat with journalists said the training held in Benin, Irrua, Auchi and Ekpoma, with each center training 33 people.

According to her, “We have had a sustained relationship with ACT Nigeria, our technical partners on this project, who have been instrumental in developing and training youths under its Digital Village initiative.

“Basically, what happens is that the partner, which is involved in providing telecommunication services, trains the youths in the ICT centers that have been built in suburban and rural areas across the state.

The training equips youths with skills and expertise to pursue careers in science and technology, providing them with the needed insight to engage and enrich themselves in the ICT-dominated digital world.”

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She added that a number of the youths turned up for the trainings at the four locations, after learning of the exploits of the last batch of trainees on the programme.

The partnership between EdoJobs and ACT Nigeria is anchored on the government’s drive to deploy technology innovation in engaging and empowering youths in the state. Most of the works are coordinated from the Edo Innovation Hub, a facility that houses a number of tech-focused firms operating in the state, where young people learn and work on projects on healthcare, education, energy, fintech, agritech, human resources and many more.

Olatunde Odebiyi

Huawei Technologies Company Nigeria Limited has received the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) award for driving digital economy among other private sector companies in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry.

The award was presented at the E-Nigeria 2019 conference awards night.

The two-day E-Nigeria Conference 2019, hosted by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) under the guidance of the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy and in collaboration with public and the private sector as well as Non-Governmental Organizations and the academia, focused on digital transformation as a tool for achieving a productive national economy.

Discussions at the conference centered on creating new job opportunities and economic development through technological innovation, harnessing indigenous innovation and creativity for poverty reduction in Nigeria.

President Muhammadu Buhari attended the event in Abuja. Other dignitaries at the event were the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami; Director-General, NITDA, Kashifu Abdullahi; the Chairman, Senate Committee on Communications, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Representative of the Senate Speaker, Honourable Lado, among other honourable guests.

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While awarding Huawei Technologies Company Nigeria Limited, NITDA commended and recognized the organization stating that “Huawei established in Nigeria since 1999, has made progressive achievements and contribution to the significant development of ICT in Nigeria through collaboration with the great Nigerian government and efforts of industry players. In the past twenty years, Huawei has been working with operators and other partners in building backbone networks spanning over 8000km, connecting 36 states and FCT, and developed over 24000 mobile base stations, covering half of the country’s population.”

A management representative for the company in a goodwill message at the E-Nigeria 2019 conference said “Nigeria has embarked on a journey to reposition itself as the heartbeat and reference point in Africa and Huawei is committed to being a part of this journey to boost availability, accessibility and affordability of ICT services to turn digital inclusion to social and economic inclusion. Thank you!”

The Deputy Managing Director and Head of Public Relations, Huawei Technologies Company Nigeria Limited, Kelvin Yangyang noted that to effectively achieve a digital Nigeria, capacity building of Nigerians in ICT cannot be left out. He stated that “Huawei has been investing strongly in digital skills in Nigeria. Huawei has upskilled more than 20,000 ICT professionals in the industry in the last 20 years.

“Huawei Trained 2000 Nigerian youths in core ICT skills and empowered 1000 civil servants in 2019 under the ICT for Change partnership with the Federal Government. Beside the ICT industry, Huawei is working with more than 60 Nigeria universities in Nigeria to establish the Huawei Authorized Information and Network Academy, providing the industrial recognized ICT certification including networks, clouding computing and big data.”

Lucas Ajanaku

Several smartphones have launched this year with upgrades on their earlier versions and new technological innovations including pop-up cameras, advanced facial unlocks and bike modes amongst others.

While consumers are constantly being swayed by the introduction of these interesting features, Infinix Mobility has succeeded in maintaining relevance by continually releasing trendy and innovative devices, which appeal to the consumers per time. One of such device is the Infinix S5, which upon its release recently has been generating positive reviews from users who consider it a brilliant masterpiece from Africa’s premium smartphone brand.

The S series is popularly known to render unmatchable photography experience hence, this time around Infinix was a lot more creative with its setup by planting enhanced camera features and introducing its first-ever Quad-camera setup of 16MP + 5Mp + 2MP + QVGA AI lens, as well as its first 32MP In-Display camera, taking the smartphone photography game a couple of notches higher. If smartphone photography is truly the new rave, then it goes without saying that the S5 is the new standard for smartphone photography and a must have for every user.

32MP AI In-Display Camera

In recent times, smartphones have been known to have their front facing-cameras positioned at the middle of the device. This allows the phones to adopt a waterdrop design that only allows for 90 per cent screen to body ratio. However, Infinix Mobility is swiftly making this design obsolete as it introduces a more stylish placement of its 32MP front-facing camera, placed at the top left of the screen, allowing for a bezel-less design with up to 98 per cent screen to body ratio.

The 32MP In-Display AI Camera is capable of capturing vivid details and true colors, especially in low light and backlight scenes. It also provides 6528×4896 super high resolution to bring out sharp, clear, and vivid detailed selfie images.

Camera Set up

If one loves to explore the camera features or just love to capture the city from the high grounds, then the Infinix S5 is the perfect tool for this adventure. Its unique Quad-camera setup of 16MP+5MP+2MP+QVGA AI cameras assures you of pictorial perfection with every attempt to capture your desired image.

READ ALSO: Infinix introduces S5 smartphones

The rear camera consists of a 16MP AF high-resolution camera, a 5MP ultra-wide-angle lens and macro lens camera, a 2MP depth field camera and an AI lens camera. The macro lens allows users to take close-up shots of objects and show every exquisite detail. In addition, with the ultra-wide-angle lens and macro lens, users can create wide-angle and macro videos in video capturing mode, which is a great improvement in comparison to its previous version.

Bezel-Less 6.6 inches Infinity-O Display

The Infinix S5 has a distinctly sharper, more saturated display, which you will find more enjoyable when watching your favorite movies, playing games or surfing the internet. It dons a 6.6 inch”infinity-O display with 20:9 aspect ratio following the current cinema screen trends.

Quetzal Feathe Design

One major highlight of this device is its tasteful aesthetics that can be easily noticed from across the room. Its unique Quetzal-feather design is eye-catching thus making its users subjects of attention. The device comes in three-color variants – Quetzal cyan, Nebula black and Violet.

Security

Complementing the fingerprint sensor is a facial identification scanner – what you might call a Face Unlock feature. This efficient combination means an improved and personalised security for its users.

Ultra Fast Processor

The S5 comes with MediaTek Helio p22 processor with a blazing 2.0GHz processing speed and runs on the Google sponsored AndroidTM 9 Pie, powered by a 4000mAh battery.

The device is 4G compatible with connectivity options including GPS, WI-FI and Bluetooth.
The Infinix S5 is available at all authorised mobile phone stores in Nigeria.

Emma Elekwa, Onitsha