The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Information and Communication Technology

  • Nigeria loses 127 billion yearly to Cybercrime, says Minister

    Nigeria loses 127 billion yearly to Cybercrime, says Minister

    The Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu said Tuesday that Nigeria is losing about 127 billion naira annually to cybercrime and urged stakeholders in the Information and Communication Technology, ICT, industry to rise up to the challenge.

    He also the Ministry in collaboration with the military is poised to use modern technology to fight insurgency, corruption and other crimes that pose a threat to Nigeria’s unity.

    He spoke while declaring open the 26th edition of the National Conference of the Computer Society of Nigeria holding at NAF Centre, Abuja.

    He told the gathering that all hands must be on the deck to face the challenges confronting the nation with the deployment of ICT, stressing that the theme of this year’s conference was more apt as “no nation can develop without safety and security.”

    He said: “national safety and security further encompasses securing the nation’s cyber space. Our growing dependence on digital infrastructure introduces and poses grave threats to national security. It is quite shocking that Nigeria loses about N127 billion which is 0.08 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Products (GDP), yearly to cybercrime”.

    He said further “Without safety and security, growth is impossible. “Information Technology for National Safety and Security”, the Conference theme, is highly relevant as it aligns with the National safety and security priority of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “Securing lives and properties is both an enabler and an imperative for growth and development. Threats emanate from local and global terrorism which strikes fear and shatters the much needed national peace and security.

    “Nobody, no organization can perform optimally under a cloud of fear. Uncertainties and raised anxieties strain our economy and society. We must however acknowledge successes recorded so far in the fight to keep Nigeria secure.

    “It is appropriate that the efforts of the armed forces and the significant achievements in the fight against Boko Haram are recognized. Though the Nigerian Army is already using some technology platforms, there may be some requiring close attention by the conference.  The Ministry is also engaging with the Nigerian Army on possible technology collaboration to tackle the activities of insurgents and other security challenges in the country.

    “Beyond military might, financial crimes and corruption are added burden to the national security challenges that threaten the very existence and development of the nation. In Public finance, the electronic platforms used by the Nigerian government such as the Treasury Single Account (TSA), the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) and the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) have resulted in significant savings and elimination of waste in governance.

    “Though great strides have been made in these areas, there is still a lot to do to secure our dear nation. We all know that ICT is the globally recognized enabler in all spheres of development and it is most appropriate for NCS to step in by offering the nation an authentic platform to explore the role of ICT in national safety and security. Using ICT and Geographical Information System (GIS) to tackle Boko Haram, Niger Delta militancy and other security challenges with enhanced efficiency and professionalism has become a matter of paramount importance. ”

    “As at today, ICT is currently contributing up to 10 percent of Nigeria’s GDP and had created over 10 million jobs in the past 10 years. Developments in the ICT sector have provided well over $32 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) over the last 15 years. It is indeed one of the fastest growing sectors of the Nigerian economy which is the second largest ICT market in Africa.  The number of Internet subscribers in Nigeria also rose from less than one million in 2003 to over 80 million in November 2015,” the Minister added.

    In his remarks, the President of the Nigeria Computer Society, Prof. Sola Aderounmu noted that more pro-active steps are needed to drive the ICT industry in the country considering the enormous challenge facing the nation.

    He said the theme of this year’s conference, Information Technology for National Safety and Security, was carefully chosen to enable stakeholders brainstorm on issues that would bring about speedy growth and development of the ICT industry.

    Prof Aderounmu commended all the past presidents of the association for their contributions to the development of the country and the organization, adding that a number of activities have been lined up during the conference to honour them.

  • Sacking of senior military officers timely, says Army Chief

    Sacking of senior military officers timely, says Army Chief

    The Chief of Army Staff, (COAS) Lt. General Tukur Buratai on Monday said that the Army followed due process leading to the sacking of over 35 senior military officers last week, describing the action of the authority as timely and appropriate.

    “There is no better time than now because everything has been taken into consideration and procedures have been followed to ensure that we don’t pick the innocent ones. You can see it started with the enquiries first of all, then legal review and after the legal review, we forwarded the report and recommendations to the authority for consideration”, General Buratai said.

    The Army Chief made the clarification while fielding questions from newsmen during a courtesy call on the Minister of Communications, Mr Adebayo Shittu, in Abuja.

    Flanked by top military officers, Gen Buratai said the call on the minister was necessitated by the need for collaboration and partnership with the Ministry for the deployment of Information and Communication Technology, ICT,  equipment and facilities to achieve peace in the country.

    He also said the military high command is awaiting the outcome of the on-going dialogue between the federal government and other stakeholders on the activities of the Niger Delta Avengers to know the next line of action.

    Gen Buratai, however, added that whatever the outcome, the military has the responsibility and duty to maintain peace, law and order in the country.

    He said the military authority is not overwhelmed by the sudden upsurge of militant activities in the Niger Delta region in view of their commitments to route-out insurgents in the northeast.

    His words: “The Niger Delta issue did not come up yesterday or today,  we are already deployed to the Niger/Delta for a very long time. The operations there comprise the armed forces and other security agencies. It entails operations where you have the Army, Navy and Airforce, the Police, Civil Defence and other security agencies, so I don’t think it is overwhelming, it cannot overwhelm the army forces and we are responding appropriately and ensure that things take shape.

    “We are instruments of the political class so whatever decision that the government passes out to us, we want to assure you that we are waiting for whatever decision that will come out from their discussion, but our role is very clear we must ensure that the security of that place is attained. As we await the directive of the authority”, Gen Buratai said.

    On the sacking of the senior military officers, he said:” why not now, there is no better time than now because everything has been taken into consideration and procedures have been followed to ensure that we don’t pick the innocent ones. You can see it started with the enquiries first of all, legal review and after the legal review, we forwarded the report and recommendations to the authority for consideration.

    “So it takes time, it is just like a court process, so we follow our own process, our administrative process and legal review as well. It is the right time and no any other time than now,” Gen Buratai noted, adding that the military high command has also commenced the process of deradicalisation of insurgents and their victims in the northeast of the country.

    “The issue of indoctrination. it is one of the programmes that we have. We have a camp  in Gombe, which the Defence Headquater is handling, it involves  the de-radicalising of the insurgents and their victims especially those who would have been indoctrinated.

    “So the process of their de-radicalisation is ongoing and it is a good point that you raised. Please it is not only the government that should be doing this, we appeal to the clergymen , Imams and Pastors to use all those their fora in the Mosque and Churches to preach against this type of indoctrination and ideology that are contrary to the teachings of the holy books. so it is the press responsiblity also to sponsor articles in papers to bring this issue out and point out the dangers of indoctrination.”

    Responding to his remarks on areas of collaboration with Military, the Minister of Communications, Mr Adebayo Shittu commended the military high command for putting the insurgents on the run in the northeast of the country.

    He said the Ministry was prepared to collaborate with the armed forces to ensure that modern technology and equipment for communications are deployed to achieve peace in the country, noting that without peace no meaningful development can take shape.

  • Young Nigerian professionals to meet in Abuja


    The Nigerian Young Professionals Forum (NYPF), has urged young business owners and entrepreneurs across the country to register for the Young Nigerian CEO's conference. The conference, which is scheduled to hold at the International Conference Centre, Abuja on Monday, 3rd August, would host President Muhammadu Buhari as the Special Guest of Honour as well as Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Guest of Honour.

    According to a statement by Dr. Nuhu Atta, the Executive Secretary, the conference with the theme, 'Promoting Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Building Economic Leaders for Tomorrow', will focus on key sectors ranging from Agriculture, Oil and Gas, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Blue Sea Economy (Marine), Manufacturing/ Processing and the Creative Industry. There will be industry specific break-out sessions to interact with world-class business leaders. "The value proposition of the conference includes share ideas and business models that can be adapted by young entrepreneurs in key growth areas; interact with business leaders at the industry specific break-out sessions during the event; discuss challenges they encounter in their various operations and explore global solutions; and fashion out strategies to harness the provisions of micro-credit facilities and intervention funds from government agencies for entrepreneurial development," the statement reads. The Young Nigerian CEO's conference is organized by NYPF, a Non- Governmental Organization composed of young Professionals from different fields of human endeavours, coming together under a unified platform to achieve three (3) major objectives, namely; creating sustainable livelihood for young people, engender purposeful leadership and social democratic inclusion, and encourage young people's participation in governance and the economic process. Speakers at the conference are Peter Jack – DG National Information Technology Development Agency; Denzil Kentebe – Executive Secretary Nigerian Content Development Board; Alexander Amosu Chairman, CEO - KAMSON luxury group; Alistair Soyode Founder, CEO - BEN TV and Moses Siloko Siasia, Chairman, CEO – Mosilo Group.

  • ‘Only 25 percent women use internet’

    ‘Only 25 percent women use internet’

    A report has revealed that women are at a disadvantage on the use of technology and access to the internet.

    The report by Intel claimed that compared to men, women still have lower access to the internet.

    Considering the reports which stated that 25 percent fewer women than men are online in developing countries, Intel reaffirmed its commitment to bridging the gap with its Intel She Will Connect Programme.

    However, the Programme, in recent time, has been in the forefront of educating young girls and women on maximum contributions toward economic and social development across the world.

    At the recently concluded capacity building workshop on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for women journalists in Lagos, Mr. Olubunmi Ekundare, Intel Nigeria Managing Director, Intel West Africa, stressed the dedication to bring about positive change in the African Girl Child.

    Further reiterating the importance of educating the girl child, the Director said, “Here at Intel, we believe, and I’m sure we all agree, that smart girls are the equivalent of a smart world.

    “What we seek to do, more than encouraging you all, is to do your best in school and seize the opportunity to build a world where youths are inspired to be advocates for change.”

    The Corporate Affairs Manager, Mr. Babatunde Akinola, explained that She Will Connect Programme aims to close the gap for girls in terms of access to the internet and digital literacy.

    Akinola maintained that the company will provide technical resources and expertise to deliver digital literacy training, online peer networks and gender relevant content to empower young girls and women in Nigeria.

    The programme hopes to have reached five million women and girls across Africa by 2020, empowering them to get and stay online and help others like them, thereby reducing the gender gap by 50%.

    Intel She Will Connect is a model that incorporates digital literacy with gender and development programming targeting women and girls. The programme was first launched in September, 2013 in the USA.

  • Fire engulfs ICT building at INEC

     

     The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reported a fire incident at its Information and Communication Technology (ICT) building in Abuja on Monday.

    A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Mr Kayode Idowu, said that the incident occurred in the office of the former Director, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), located in the ICT Building.

    Kayode said that men of the Fire Service attached to the Commission had since put off the fire, adding that the incident did not affect the commission’s facility.

    He also said that an initial assessment had indicated that incident might have resulted from an electrical fault, adding that all the relevant agencies had started investigation into the cause of the fire.

    An eyewitness told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the fire started at about noon, razing the ADR office.

    NAN reports that the commission’s staff members were seen loitering around the building, while a security man was directed to inform Zenith Bank officials occupying a section of the building to evacuate.

    NAN further reports  that the entire floor of the building were water logged as smoke filled the air and the commission’s staff members were evacuated from the building.

    NAN recalls that a similar incident occurred on Jan. 7, razing the office of the commission’s Director of Voter Registry in the same ICT building.

    Similarly, on May 16, 2012 the INEC Electoral Institute went up in flame. (NAN)