Day: June 5, 2023

The Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (NDPB) says Nigerians need to leverage on opportunities that abound in the data protection ecosystem.

The National Commissioner of NDPB, Dr Vincent Olatunji said this at the one-day capacity building on Data Protection and Privacy for members of the Nigeria Information Technology Reporters Association (NITRA) on Sunday in Abuja.

The training was part of the bureau’s stakeholders’ engagement to create awareness and ensure that they understood data protection.

Olatunji said there was a huge gap that existed in the data protection ecosystem that had the capacity to provide wealth and millions of jobs for Nigerians and promote the digital economy.

“Across the globe, people are losing jobs, while others are gaining jobs in the digital economy sector.

“To be part of people gaining jobs, we need to re-skill, learn digital skills because technology is changing, a new world is emerging with the Internet of Things, Big Data, 3D Printing and more.

“In Nigeria, we have about 500,000 data controllers and processors, and according to law, each of these data controllers are meant to have a Data Protection Officer (DPO) that ensures data protection compliance by the controller.

“In Nigeria presently, we are barely 10,000 certified DPOs and that number does not commensurate with the number of data controllers in the country,’’ he said.

Olatunji said that the gap was huge, adding that Nigerians could develop themselves with skills to qualify as a DPO.

According to him, the data protection sector is an open field that anyone can venture into as long as they can read and write.

He said:“In the past two years, the data protection ecosystem have created over 9,000 jobs, it is an ecosystem that can create direct and many indirect jobs.’’

Olatunji added that in ensuring compliance level of data controllers, there had been positive results.

He added that from the time of its establishment, the bureau had interrogated seven major organisations, fined them and ensured they followed the steps of data protection compliance.

Mrs Leena Abba, Lead, Strategy, Partnerships and Communications of NDPB, explained that Data Privacy meant information autonomy.

Abba said that data protection was important to reduce incidences of crime, ensure personal security, enhance customer retention in terms of business engagement, among many reasons.

Mr Bamigboye Babatunde, Lead,Legal,Enforcement and Regulations gave the `PARAMETERS for data protection and privacy as:

”Principles, Accountability, Rights, Auditing, Management of Records, Ethics, Technicality and organisation, Education, Remediation and Sovereignty.”

Oluchi OKorafor and Nanqwat Dariem, some participants at the training said the capacity building had helped them to understand the data protection sector and how to report it better.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that no fewer than 40 IT Reporters participated in the training.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

An NGO, Community Advocacy for Positive Behavioural Patterns Initiative, says there are substantial benefits to the federal government’s decision to remove fuel subsidy.

Mr Bamidele Mann, Director, Campaign Team of the initiative said this in a statement in Abuja.

“Hitherto fuel subsidy has been a contentious issue over the years, with some calling for its removal and others advocating for its continuation.

“However, we are resolute and have faith that President Bola Tinubu’s decision to remove fuel subsidy will subsequently impact positively to the nation,” Mann said.

According to him, the president’s pronouncement during the inaugural speech on May 29 that “fuel subsidy is gone” citing budgetary concerns has changed the trajectory of our dear country.

He urged the president to protect and cushion the effect of the removal especially on the low incomes and youths to enable them secure right to adequate standard of living.

“Consequently, many are terrified they might not meet their daily needs, which could be absolutely excruciating.

“As the father of the nation, we seek your support in this regard as we are prepared to work with you to create a system that works.

“We are optimistic that the right attitude will take us through the journey,” Mann said.

NAN reports that President Tinubu declared that there would no longer be a petroleum subsidy regime as the current 2023 budget he glimpsed does not contain it.

He stated this on May 29 in his inaugural address at the Eagle Square, Abuja.

The current 2023 budget has provision for the fuel subsidy till June.

Tinubu stated that funds for subsidies will be diverted to other things like public infrastructure, education, health care and jobs.

NAN reports that on Nov. 15, 2022, a former Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, said the federal government will do away with petroleum subsidy by June 2023.

NAN reports that the federal government said that fuel subsidy gulped N2.565 trillion between January and August 2022.

Also, in the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework, the federal government proposed to spend N3.3 trillion on fuel subsidy between January and June 2023.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Senator-elect, Suleiman Kawu (NNPP-Kano), has urged politicians not to undermine 1999 Constitution in the elections of principal officers of the 10th National Assembly.

Kawu said at a news conference in Abuja on Monday, that it was important for modern democracies to recognise the roles and responsibilities of the three arms of government in achieving the overall national interest.

He said the constitution was explicit about how the President and Deputy President of the Senate should be elected.

“For instance, Chapter two of the ninth standing orders of the Senate 2022 as amended, stipulates procedures for selection of presiding officers of the Senate.”

He said Section 50 sub- section one “A” of 1999 Nigerian Constitution as amended, stipulated election provisions of President and Deputy President of the Senate, who shall be elected from among members themselves.

“Section 50 sub- section one “B” stipulates that a Speaker and a Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, shall be elected by the members of that House from among themselves.”

He said it was clear that the election of the presiding officers was purely an internal affair that concerned only members of the National Assembly and should be allowed to decide who among them should occupy the positions.

This, he noted, was to avoid repetition of the past mistakes on elections of principal officers of NASS.

“We may all recall the incidences of the 7th and 8th National Assembly.

“In my view, external interference in the election of the next Presiding Officers of the National Assembly would violate the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution and Standing Orders of both the Senate and House of Representatives.

“It will also cause serious misunderstandings between the legislative and executive arms of government.”

He alleged that available information revealed that some desperate politicians were planning to use undemocratic means to impose lawmakers-elect of their choice to become presiding officers against the wishes of the majority.

Kawu described the alleged move as undemocratic, unacceptable and dangerous to democracy and the nation at large.

He commended President Bola Tinubu for appointing Sen. George Akume as Secretary to Government of the Federation, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila as Chief of Staff and Sen. Ibrahim Hadejia as the Deputy Chief of Staff.

He said the appointees were very conversant with the processes of the National Assembly, adding that their appointments would strengthen the working relationships of arms of government.

“This is the first time in the history of our democracy when we have a President, Vice president, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief of Staff to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff all with parliamentary experiences.

“Thus, it is highly expected of them by Nigerians to respect both the constitutional and standing orders provisions.

“Consequently, I want use this opportunity to draw the attention of Mr. President to this unfortunate and undemocratic move by some elements to tamper with the laid down procedures.

“Similarly, I want to also call on other Stakeholders, Civil Society Organisations and international communities to stand firm in ensuring democratic consolidation in Nigeria.

He said he was confident that President Tinubu as a true democrat who believed in the rule of law, would do everything possible to safeguard the sanctity of the National Assembly.”

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Dr Malami Ma’aji, Ambassador At Large of African Region, International Human Rights Commission, has commended the peaceful democratic transition of power to the newly elected governments in Nigeria.

Ma’aji, while congratulating President Bola Tinubu and the newly sworn in governors in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, applauded Nigerians, security institutions and all stakeholders, particularly former President Muhammadu Buhari, for ensuring the peaceful transition.

According to him, the process significantly elevated Nigeria’s status in the community of nations.

He, therefore, urged Tinubu to continue to respect the rules of law and human rights and assured him of the IHRC support for the development of the country.

He assured that the commission would continue to stand for the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms of the people, particularly women, children and less privileged in the society.

“The main objectives of International Human Rights Commission are to serve humanity irrespective of their differences in religion, region and tribe, as well as struggle against violation of human rights, bloodshed and terrorism in Africa and the world.

“We provide awareness and educate the governments, legislatures and diplomats, among others, to ensure people’s rights are been respected and also protected,” said the envoy.

He therefore urged Nigerians to embrace peace, unity and love as no nation developed without peaceful coexistence.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Ethiopia and Brazil have reaffirmed the respective commitments of their governments to further enhance the longstanding diplomatic relations, according to Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen, earlier today received Brazilian Foreign Minister, Ambassador Mauro Vieira at his office.

During the occasion, Demeke stressed that it is high time to elevate Ethio-Brazilian relations as the opening of Ethiopian Embassy in Brasilia is aimed at bolstering relations between the two countries.

The deputy prime minister and foreign minister also thanked the Government of Brazil for supporting sustainable forest management, cotton productivity, and soil protection projects in Ethiopia.

Ethiopia and Brazil could further cooperate in the areas of investment, aviation, tourism, agriculture, manufacturing, environmental protection, mining and renewable energy, Demeke noted.

Brazilian Foreign Minister, Ambassador Mauro Vieira for his part expressed his government’s readiness to support sports and other sectors parallel to advanced mutual interests in bilateral and multilateral venues.

Accordingly, the dignitaries have also agreed to conduct political consultations subsequently.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency