Month: December 2023

WINDHOEK: Vice President Nangolo Mbumba on Monday said that Namibians should use this festive season to share their Christmas with their less fortunate brothers, sisters, the elderly and children.

In a statement issued by the Presidency as part of the annual Christmas briefing, Mbumba noted that it is ironic and saddening that this year the land where Jesus Christ was born in is in the middle of a terrible war, and that fewer Christians will be able to visit Bethlehem this festive season.

‘At the same time, we call upon those involved in wars to uphold the fundamental values of human rights, love for mankind and justice. Let us therefore spread the message of peace around the world. On this day of Christmas 2023, we need peace in our country as well as all over the world,’ the vice president noted.

‘As we celebrate Christmas, some of our fellow citizens are bracing for the mammoth task of national responsibilities. Our national nurses, medical doctors, and many other health specialists are ensuring that ou
r hospitals are open and ready to provide adequate care to all those who most need them,’ he continued.

‘Security cluster members such as the Namibian Police, Namibian Defence Force and Central Intelligence Service are on alert to ensure that all Namibians enjoy the festive season in an atmosphere of peace and harmony,’ Mbumba said.

He said that though Christmas is a time of celebration, ‘we should never relent on our responsibilities that we should avoid the abuse of alcohol and its associated negative vices such as gender-based violence. Let us abide by the road regulations so that we can avoid unnecessary accidents and deaths’.
Source: The Namibia Press Agency

Mr Shalom Olaseni, Executive Director, United Global Resolve For Peace (UGRFP), has urged Nigerians to break the chains of sycophancy and empower themselves to be active contributors to governance in the country. Olaseni stated this on Sunday in Akure, at the inauguration of G18 Group Executives, a pressure group in Ondo. The inauguration was preceded by a public lecture with the theme: ‘Good Governance and Responsive Leadership, Relevant Solution to Development and Good Followership’. Olaseni said the prevalence of sycophancy in the Nigerian political landscape appeared to be a curse which had created an insulated bubble around leaders who remained oblivious to the challenges facing the masses. He said sycophantic culture had since become a clog in the wheel of the country’s development, as good governance, leadership and followership were complicated issues that demanded collective attention and commitment. ‘Nigeria is currently at the crossroads; the current situation in the nation requires a mental shift where leaders and followers recognise their mutual responsibility for national development,’ he said. Olaseni, who is also the State Coordinator of Atunluse Initiatives, a socio-cultural group, said that establishing a crucial relationship between good leadership and followership was important, adding that effective leadership can never be achieved through a one-way approach. He said that time had come for Nigerians to stop misunderstanding followership for passive obedience, as collective action required active participation and contribution to shared goals. ‘Together we can embark on a journey that can transform our socio-political rhetoric into reality, paving the way for a future marked by prosperity, equity and sustainable progress,’ In his welcome address, the Ondo State Chairman of G18 Group, Otunba Akinsola Akinbobola, said the organisation would be apolitical. Akinbobola said that as a pressure group with various interests, they would always believe in good governance and right leadership that could deliver the best for all. He said their membership cut across the eighteen local government areas of the state. He added that the group was concerned about excellence in governance, with main focus on welfare of the people and their priority as well as the development of the land as key factors, irrespective of political leaning. According to him, leadership of impeccable character and status are main ingredients for sustainability of any policies of the government. ‘That is why we are not going to allow Ondo State which has been at the forefront of development, to suddenly nosedive into the murky mud of political jobbers and opportunists,’ he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has lauded troops of Nigerian Army and commended them for their unwavering dedication and sacrifice in ensuring safety and security of Nigeria’s territorial integrity. This is contained in his Christmas message by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, on Sunday in Abuja. Lagbaja saluted the troops for their undying faith in the Nigerian State in the face of adversity. He congratulated troops for making it this far into the year and for weathering every storm that came their way. According to him, over 50 thousand troops of the Nigerian army will miss wishing their families and loved ones Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in person, during this yuletide. The COAS said that all personnel would want to be with or wish their families, but could not do so because they would be on duty across difficult-to-access towns, communities, villages and hamlets, across the country and beyond. He said that troops were duty-bound to be deployed, assuring them that the year ahead held good prospects for the nation and the army, judging by the policies and unfolding programmes of the Federal Government. The army chief revealed that the army expected to take delivery of its helicopters and other combat enablers that would enhance better security environment across the country in the coming year. He added that the army Headquarters had initiated several welfare projects that would directly impact the lives of soldiers and their families. He reiterated that the well-being of troops remained of utmost importance and assured that he would continue to work tirelessly to provide troops’ with the requisite resources to carry out their duties effectively. According to him, it is not oblivious that the Nigerian army is constantly confronted with some challenges as it strives to fulfill its constitutional obligations but are by no means insurmountable. Lagbaja expressed confidence in the commitment of the Federal Government to boost the physical, morale and conceptual components of the army’s fighting power toward becoming a more efficient force. He reassured that the army would continue to work with sister services, the Nigeria Police Force and other Security and Response agencies to create and maintain peaceful, safe and secure environment for socio-economic development of the country.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Malam Ali Muhammad Ali, the newly appointed Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), says the agency will witness greater efficiency in the coming years. Ali spoke on Saturday at the closing of a three-day Strategic Foresight Management Retreat for NAN in collaboration with Paragon Link Consulting held in Kaduna. ‘The last three days we spent here, we are looking at the history of NAN, vision and mission and the reason why NAN is in business, the challenges, and impediment?. ‘We realised that we need to have new revenue streams for the agency. What we have been taught is that for us to make headway, we must have two things, impact and revenue,’ he said. Ali said the agency had impacted over the years but had challenges with revenue, adding that the management was looking to diversify ways of generating revenue. The managing director explained that the retreat had enlightened the management on the importance of cross- collaboration between various departments of the agency, stressing that they were not competitors. The management, he said, hoped to expand the strategic retreat for the entire agency at the top, to the zones and to the districts in the first quarter of next year. ‘We are going to look into some of the revenues unexploited and leverage on technology; We are going to have the right training and the right attitude’. He also appreciated the uncommon commitment of the participants, saying, ‘this is much commendable at this critical time with a deluge of end-of-year activities. Ali said the the retreat availed the participants opportunities to brainstorm on how to move the agency forward. ‘We want to see a reborn NAN. I appreciate the support of the management and the members of the agency. ‘I must also commend the show of solidarity and mutual respect. Together, there is nothing that we cannot achieve, but it is difficult if we are alone,’ he said. Earlier, the Editor-in-Chief, Mr Ephraims Sheyin said the tide has changed in NAN, adding that the editorial department would be working closely with other departments to achieve the set goals. ‘We have to work very closely practically with all the units of the agency. We have been fully prepared for the arduous task ahead. ‘We have to set targets and do everything humanly possible to ensure that they are diligently met. We will also intensify internal communication. ‘We will all change. I will cascade the knowledge acquired here and we spoke as adults and professionals,’ Sheyin said. Also speaking, the Director, Administration and Human Resources, Malam Abdulhadi Khaliel, assured that all the knowledge learnt during the retreat would be put to proper use, urging the staff to work together as a team. He said, ‘The only way we can thank the managing director is by giving assurance of putting to use what we have learnt here. ‘We are leaving here as a bonded group unlike how we came in. We will go back and pursue the targets and goals we set for ourselves’. Other management staff at the retreat appreciated the managing director for the gesture, saying that it had given them a new approach to the work.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Gaily dressed graduates of University of Ilorin were all smiles as they celebrated their achievements of bagging fresh degrees in October 2023. For them, it was a great moment with families and friends all joining in the celebrations that signified a turning point in their lives. That joy was, however, replaced with fear and anxiety when many of the graduates received an unexpected broadcast message from Sen. Saliu Mustapha who represents Kwara Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly. The message, which congratulated the graduates, raised a crucial question: Where did Sen. Mustapha obtain the graduates’ data? And by whose authority? ‘I received the message too and it was purely a congratulatory message. I wasn’t bothered initially, but later realised it is a breach of my data rights since I didn’t authorise the release of my school information to a third party,’ Mohammed Yakubu, a graduate of Civil Engineering, fumed. The unsolicited broadcast sparked up concerns about data privacy as it threw up a significant challenge on the fundamental rights of the Nigerian people. The Ilorin data breach is not an isolated incident; it is just one of many such breaches in the Nigerian cyber space. That such breaches are becoming so common raise questions about the protection of individuals’ personal information in Nigeria. According to Surfshark, a cybersecurity firm, data breach incidences in Nigeria increased by 64 per cent in Q1 of 2023, recording 82,000 cases of data breaches in Q1 2023, up from 50,000 recorded in Q4 2022. Experts observe that data breaches in Nigeria come in various forms, ranging from unauthorised access to personal information, to the unlawful use of individuals’ data without their consent. These breaches, they observe, do not only violate the privacy of individuals, but also present a direct threat to their security and rights as enshrined in the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023. The Nigeria Data Protection Act, which came into force in June, according to data rights advocates, is designed to safeguard the privacy of individuals and regulate the processing of personal data. The Act outlines the rights of individuals with regards to the collection, use, and sharing of their personal information, so the prevalence of data breaches highlights the urgent need for enhanced awareness and enforcement of these rights. In the light of the data breach incident involving the unsolicited broadcast message to University of Ilorin graduates, experts in data protection and privacy have emphasised the significance of upholding individuals’ rights under the Nigeria Data Protection Act. Dr. Ada Nwosu, a cybersecurity expert and advocate for data privacy, comments on the incident. ‘The unauthorised use of individuals’ personal data, as demonstrated in the case of the unsolicited broadcast message to graduates, is a clear violation of their privacy and rights. ‘It is essential for both public and private entities to adhere to the provisions of the Nigeria Data Protection Act to ensure that individuals’ personal information is adequately protected.’ Nwosu further stressed the importance of raising awareness about data protection rights among the Nigerian populace, urging government agencies, educational institutions and businesses to prioritise the implementation of robust data protection measures. Mr Tunde Adeleke, a legal practitioner specialising in data privacy law, highlights the legal implications of data breaches and the enforcement of individuals’ rights under the Data Protection Act, which include fines and imprisonment. ‘The unauthorised access to individuals’ personal data, as exemplified by the incident involving Sen. Mustapha’s unsolicited message, constitutes a breach of the Data Protection Act. ‘Individuals have the right to control the use of their personal information and must be protected from unlawful access and exploitation of their data,’ he stated. Adeleke stressed the need for stringent enforcement of data protection laws and the imposition of penalties on entities found to be in breach of individuals’ privacy rights. The legal practitioner described as critical, the role of regulatory bodies in overseeing compliance with the Data Protection Act and holding accountable, those responsible for data breaches. Besides the unauthorised broadcast message incident, experts assert, as well, that the issue of data breach in Nigeria extends to the realm of SIM card registration. The mandatory registration of SIM cards aimed at enhancing security and curbing criminal activities, they note, has raised concerns about the potential compromise of individuals’ privacy and personal data. Mr Ibrahim Yusuf, a telecommunications industry analyst, sheds light on the challenges surrounding SIM card registration and data privacy. ‘While SIM card registration serves the purpose of identity verification and security, the process has given rise to apprehensions regarding the protection of individuals’ personal information. ‘There have been cases of unauthorised access to the database of registered SIM cards, raising questions about the effective protection of individuals’ data,’ he said. The telecom expert made a case for comprehensive measures that would ensure the security of SIM card registration data and prevent unauthorised use, or disclosure of, individuals’ personal information. He underscored the importance of striking a balance between security considerations and the protection of individuals’ privacy rights within the framework of the Nigeria Data Protection Act. Amidst the prevailing concerns over data breaches and privacy violations in Nigeria, experts believe public awareness and education is important so as to empower individuals to assert their rights under the Data Protection Act. Dr. Amaka Okafor, a consumer rights activist, describes as imperative, education of the Nigerian populace about their data protection rights. ‘Many individuals are unaware of their rights with regards to the collection and processing of their personal information. ‘It is essential to embark on comprehensive public awareness campaigns to inform citizens about their rights under the Data Protection Act, and the steps they can take to safeguard their personal data,’ she says. Okafor also states that it is the responsibility of government agencies, educational institutions and civil society organisations to disseminate information about data protection rights so as to empower individuals to exercise greater control over their personal information. According to her, there is a need for accessible resources and channels through which individuals can seek guidance and redress, iyn case of privacy violations or data breaches. Like Okafor, many Nigerians believe that as the country navigates the complexities of data protection and privacy rights, policy makers, regulatory bodies, stakeholders and the public must build a robust framework that upholds fundamental rights. They posit that the protection of personal data is not only a legal imperative, but also a fundamental aspect of ensuring trust, security and dignity for all Nigerians.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

WINDHOEK: The Bank of Namibia (BoN) and the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding to formalize their commitment to advancing the national economic agenda in the emerging industries in the mining and energy sectors.

In a joint statement availed here, the agreement culminated in recent constructive dialogues between the two institutions.

‘The MOU aims to establish a framework for collaboration between the two institutions in areas related to energy, oil and gas critical raw minerals as well as mineral resources management. This cooperation will promote collaboration in activities related to policy development, capacity building, information sharing and research amongst others,’ the statement read.

BoN Governor, Johannes !Gawaxab in the statement said the agreement mirrors BoN and MME’s shared dedication to leveraging synergies between the financial and energy sectors and that by pooling their expertise and resources together, the two institutions aim to contribut
e to the sustainable development of Namibia.

‘Our joint efforts will enhance policy formulation and development, contributing to effective data management, and ensuring informed decision-making. Through this partnership, we aim to create a conducive environment for sustainable development in the energy and oil and gas sectors,’ MME Minister, Tom Alweendo noted.
Source: Namibia Press Agency