Digital Transformation: Nigeria To Experience Drastic Surge - NITDA

 

The National Information Technology Development Agency, (NITDA) has expressed optimism that in the coming years, there would be a drastic surge in Nigeria’s digital transformation projects in the public sector.

The Agency said this would be occasioned by the “sudden digital shift the world is currently expressing” which would make the digital transformation global spending to 1.78 trillion USD before the end of the year 2022. 

The NITDA’s Director General, Kashifu Inuwa disclosed this in Abuja during a Breakfast Session tagged “Journey to the Cloud,” the event organised by MainOne in partnership with NITDA is aimed at sharing industry trends and experience towards accelerating digital transformation in the public sector.  

Inuwa, who was represented by the Acting Director, Digital Economy Department, Engr Salisu Kaka quoted research conducted by the International Data Corporation that predicts digital transformation investment would total 6.8 trillion USD between 2022 to 2023, adding that the world's GDP is set to be digitalized by 2022 and 70% of organizations globally will have to accelerate their use of digital technologies, transforming existing business processes and models to drive customer engagement, employee productivity, and business resiliency. 

He attributed the digital transformation’s growth to several contributing factors that are awakening the consciousness of the world and reemphasizing the importance of digital technologies. 

According to the DG, the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic was one of the reasons for the growth. He added that, “the pandemic necessitated the need to create a new workspace, work culture, and new competencies and capabilities; this has considerably increased the digital transformation tempo around the globe in 2020.”

He observed that, as part of its Digital Transformation efforts in the last five years, NITDA has embarked on a series of initiatives to drive government-wide adoption of e-Government, digitization of Government processes, and improvement in the maturity of the country's digital capabilities to match the realities of the global digital economy. 

He noted that “the efforts are regulatory and developmental in nature and are ultimately geared towards building a strong foundation for digital economy development and a proudly Digital Nigeria of our dreams adding that having a continuous interaction with the private sector which are the large supplier and the public sector the large consumers would enhance meeting the expectation of the sector".

While acknowledging that the establishment of the Digital Transformation Technical Working Groups in the Federal Public Institutions was necessitated by the approval and the launch of the Nigeria e-Government Master Plan by the Federal Executive Council and the launching of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019, Inuwa maintained that the two documents have provided “clear directions for the government’s digital transformation of the economy and the society for a digital Nigeria.”   

He said, “We at NITDA believe that realizing the objectives of these two documents required building appropriate human capabilities, partnerships, co-creating, and knowledge-sharing environments. This belief puts the competence and capability of professional public servants at the forefront of NITDA's effort on the digital transformation agenda and drives the Agency to continually seek partnerships that can further enrich our digital transformation Journey for a digital Nigeria.”

Inuwa, however noted that digital transformation has rendered countries and organizations more agile in responding to unknown changing phenomena making them more resilient adding that adoption of emerging technologies such as cloud services, Artificial Intelligence (AI) becomes imperative. 

Describing NITDA as the apex IT regulatory Agency and the leading driver of the digital economy, the NITDA boss assured that the Agency would continue to prepare the FPIs for digital transformation journey. 

He said, “We are preparing the Digital Transformation Technical Working Groups (DTTWGs) to lead the journey in their organizations. The DTTWG was formed and inaugurated in about 100 FPIs by the Honorable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, on Thursday 27th August 2020. Composition of the membership cut across personnel from Technical, Procurement, Admin, and the Directorate cadres. All members inaugurated so far were enlightened on their basic roles and responsibilities.” 

“Today, we have achieved another milestone by creating a platform to facilitate the coming together of the DTTWG chairmen and one of our key players in the technology industry is to share experience and discuss critical issues that could accelerate or be clogged in the wheel of our digital transformation agenda,” Inuwa disclosed. 

The DG, who was optimistic that the platform created by the breakfast session would encourage constructive stakeholders’ input and the buy-in for driving local data domiciliation and cloud-first policies maintained that continuous co-creation engagement with the DT-TWGs chairmen and key technology industry players and service providers will enable the sharing of experience, successes and challenges,       

In her welcome remarks, MainOne Chief Executive Officer, Dr Funke Opeke who was represented by the company’s Head, Enterprise and Regional Business, Olubunmi Ogun disclosed the company has developed a reputation for providing highly reliable services. 

She said the company today has provided Microsoft services for client which involves creation of applications to aid ease operations adding that the acquisition of the company by Equinix would ensure more values are derived from the services of the company.        

Sylva, CDS Irabor, And Komolafe Speak Out, Saying Criminality In The Oil Sector Must Stop Now.

.....Kyari Optimistic of Containment

The Federal Government has warned that it would no longer condone any form of criminality on the nation's oil and gas facilities and installatjons, saying that crude oil thieves, pipeline vandals and illegal refiners have their days numbered.

According  to  a press release on Thursday 24th March, 2022 signed by the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, NNPC Ltd, Garba Deen Muhammad, he said that the warning came from the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva; Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor and the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, during an on the-spot-assessment of some pipelines damaged by pipeline vandals and other criminals in some areas and communities of Rivers State, on Wednesday.

At Ibaa Community in Emeoha Local Government of Rivers State where the powerful FG delegation witnessed an illegal refinery burnt down by the Military, Sylva said apart from causing huge losses for the country, the criminals were also destroying livelihoods of locals and the environment.

To solve the problem, Sylva said "the community must be involved, the security arm must be involved and the third arm which is the operating publics must also be involved. I want to let everybody know that these criminals have their days numbered because the country has lost so much from their activities.

Also speaking, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor said in carrying out Mr.

President's directives to contain losses from these criminalities, the Military will deploy a different strategy and a new drive by pursuing not only the criminals, but also their sponsors.

"We are not only zeroing in on the criminals, but also on those who are supporting them."

In his remarks, Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Engr. Gbenga Komolafe described the acts of crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism as "a national disaster and the perpetrators as criminals."

"For those who want to do legitimate business, there are clear government regulationson how that is done. But what we've seen here today are criminals and their activities will no longer be tolerated.

On his part, the GMD/CEO NNPC, Mallam Mele Kyari explained that the scale of crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism seen in the community was beyond explanation, adding that all hands must be on deck to contain the spate of crude oil losses in the country.

While appreciating the curent leadership of the Military, Kyari expressed confidence that through a collaborative effort of government security agencies, host communities and oil companies operating in the area and with the deployment of the right technology, the menace would be contained.

Nigeria’s Pantami Advocates For A Secure Africa Cyberspace At GISEC 2022

Nigeria’s Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami has called on African governments to ensure the safety and security of the continent’s cyberspace through actionable policies, strategies and initiatives that support and drive cybersecurity.

According to  a press  release  signed by the Spokesperson to the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Uwa Suleiman (Mrs), she said that Professor Pantami made the call  Wednesday, 23rd March 2022 while delivering the opening address at the Global Africa Forum of the Gulf Information Security Expo and Conference (GISEC), holding at the World Trade Centre Dubai. In his detailed presentation, the Minister who quoted copiously from his book; CYBERSECURITY INITIATIVES FOR SECURING A COUNTRY, emphasised the need for a deliberate and inclusive plan centred around developing a National Digital Economy Policy to serve as the overarching policy for issues relating to cybersecurity, conducting a baseline study to identify the main cyber threats and the key elements of the cybersecurity ecosystem and developing a National cybersecurity policy or law.  He also talked about enhancing and protecting critical ICT national infrastructure, capacity building, establishing a national cybersecurity centre to include a shield to scan and provide  a safety score for government and critical websites, and the enhancement of data protection and privacy, among others.

The Minister who further harped on the importance of digital identity as an enabler for cybersecurity as acknowledged globally said “the international community through the agreement of target 16.9 of the Sustainable Development Goals, calls for all UN member states to provide legal identity for all including birth registration by the year 2030. This is in recognition of the role of digital identity systems in supporting multiple development goals”.

The Minister, who oversees the largest digital economy in Africa, illustrated the strategies to a secure continental cyberspace using Nigeria as an example as most of the strategies outlined have already been adopted or are in full effect in the country. As a Professor of cybersecurity with the Federal University of Technology Owerri, (FUTO), the Minister also discussed the importance of the government-industry-academia triple helix model for promoting cybersecurity in Africa.

In attendance were Osai Bonsu Dickson, Chief Legal Adviser, Ministry of National Security Ghana, Ishaaq Jacobs Chief Cybersecurity Officer, South Africa, Kashif Inuwa Abdullahi, Director General of Nigeria’s Information Technology and Development Agency, Engr Abdulaziz Aliyu, Director General of the nation’s Identity Management Commission and cybersecurity experts from Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

Kyari Moves Against Oil Bunkering, Pipeline Vandalism And Illegal Activities

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Gombe State Government Makes Presentation At Dubai Expo

.....showcases business potentials to investors

A delegation of Gombe Government led by the state’s Chairman of  Investment and Property Development Company (GSIPDC), Dr. Umaru Kwairanga (Sarkin Fulanin Gombe), has made a presentation at the ongoing World Expo hosted in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. 

The presentation was done to showcase the potentials of the state in terms of business opportunities to attract direct foreign investments from participating countries and multi-national corporate entities.

In his presentation, Dr. Kwairanga outlined some of the competitive advantages of Gombe state being the commercial nerve centre of the northeast region, such as stretch of arable lands for agriculture, abundant mineral resources like uranium and gypsum and tourism potential among others.

The presentation also conveyed to the audience, the investment opportunities at the ongoing Gombe Industrial Park project which will upon completion, produce more jobs, improve the tax base of the state and business retention as well as create more developmental projects across the state. 

It could be recalled that Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya had while presenting the blueprint of the multi-billion naira project to President Muhammadu Buhari, explained that when completed and put in operation, it would facilitate the growth and development of small and medium businesses. He maintained that companies that would operate at the industrial park will provide a more sustainable, productive and growing economic environment in the state. 

Governor Inuwa had late last year visited the Nigerian Pavilion at the Dubai Expo where he interacted with the Nigerian officials as well as some prospective investors with Gombe State’s potentials in agripreneurship, agro-allied processing and marketing brought to the fore, especially with the establishment of the Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park in Dadinkowa, located within the vicinity of the completed hydropower plant, which already has 40 megawatts of power.

The project has been described as a big attraction for investors and industrialists, as the zone boasts of fertile agricultural land and other natural resources..

192 countries are currently participating in the Expo which began on 1st October, 2021 and will end 31st March, 2022.

Agro Rangers: Osun Nscdc Advocates Peaceful Dispute Resolution, Coexistence Amongst Farmers, Sawmillers And Herdsmen

Herders-farmers conflicts involve common  dispute over land resources across Nigeria amongst farmers, sawmillers and herdsmen, hence the Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Osun State Command, Commandant Emmanuel Ocheja advocates for Alternative Dispute Resolution amongst Farmers. 

According  to a  press release signed by the Relations Office,  Nigeria Security and Civll Defence Corps, Osun State Command, ASCII Atanda Olabisi, she said that  the Head of Agro Rangers Unit of the NSCDC, Osun State Command, Deputy Commandant of Corps (DCC) Yaqeen Rafiu Olarenwaju who represented the Commandant made this known while featuring on a program ‘The Defender’ with the Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Corps II (ASC II) Atanda Olabisi on 22nd March, 2022. 

DCC Yaqeen uncovered some of the benefits that accrue in the course of mediating between farmers and herders in Osun state and by extention, Nigeria at large. The Deputy Commandant stressed that the establishment of Agro Rangers Unit in NSCDC some couple of years ago has indeed aided the Corps in maintaining peaceful coexistence between aggrieved farmers and Fulani/Bororo herdsmen in no small measure.

 He condemned the use of coercive effort in settling herders/farmers conflicts as it attracts no consequential positive effect. The Deputy Commandant highlighted some of the benefits as outright eradication of bloody clashes between the farmers and the herdsmen, the accrual of financial compensation to the affected party through Alternative Dispute Resolution brings about peaceful coexistence between the two parties and restoration of unity between the farmers and the herdsmen.

He opined that inter-tribal clashes are threats to national unity, hence, the need for Alternative Dispute Resolution. 

DCC Yaqeen equally dwelled on the sawmillers who deal in felling of trees in the bush. The activities of sawmillers and loggers also affect the crop farmers, adding that disputes do not only happen between the crop farmers and the herdsmen alone.

He, therefore, educated the general public that the sawmillers are also not exempted in the area of damaging farmers' farmlands and crops in the course of their daily search for means of livelihood.

DCC Yaqeen also stressed that every effort of the Unit is being geared towards curbing the menace of herders/farmers clashes through peaceful Alternative Dispute Resolution, the mechanism of which has greatly helped in restoring seemingly endless peace in our various communities within the state. 

He hinted that the newly established Agro Rangers Base Stations (ARBS) across the senatorial districts would bring the Agro Rangers personnel closer to Agro Allied stakeholders in the grassroots. 

He expressed his profound gratitude to the Osun state Command of NSCDC,Commandant Ocheja Emmanuel for his commitment and solidarity with the Unit in accomplishing its aims and objectives inspite of several challenges.

Sanwo-olu Unveils Taxi Scheme, Targets Car Assembling Plant

 

One thousand brand new saloon and sports utility vehicles have been unveiled as the pilot vehicles of the Lagos ride taxi schem, otherwise known as LAGRIDE.

The e-hailing taxi scheme is part of a joint venture between the state government and a Chinese car Manufacturing Company, which also include the establishment of a car assembling plant in Lagos.

Operators are required to pay about N1.9 million down payment, of which the sum covers the 20 per cent equity of cost of vehicle, registration and insurance. Each car being used in the scheme comes with technology-enabled security features that monitor every journey undertaken.

In his remarks during the unveiling of the vehicles at the Lagos House, Ikeja, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu described the scheme as a promise fulfilled as the scheme is part of his administration’s plan of enhancing mobility suitable for the megacity status of Lagos.

Governor Sanwo-olu noted that the modern ride service is also part of his government’s socio-economic intervention programmes as prospective drivers are allowed to pay for the vehicles in installment over a period of four years.

To improve riders’ and passengers’ security, Governor Sanwo-Olu said a full security gadget, including a 360 dashboard camera that will give 24-hour audio-visual feeds to the control centre, had been pre-installed on each car deployed for the scheme.

He explained that a physical panic button is installed in each car and can be used by anyone on board in case of assault or emergency. The panic button, the Governor said, is also on the mobile application and is connected to the Control and Command Centre of the State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA

Governor Sanwo-Olu urged the Chinese Car manufacturing Company to increase the capacity of its car assembling plant which is almost completed in the State.

In a goodwill message, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Cui Jianchun, challenged the Lagos State government to invest more in rail transportation to decongest traffic on Lagos roads.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Frederic Oladeinde, stated that to reduce cost of riding, a ride sharing option had been imputed in the Lagride application, which is already live on the various app download platforms

As part of the launching of the Lagride, Governor Sanwo-olu and the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat booked rides using the online application.