Buhari strategises for employment opportunities through agriculture

The critical role of agriculture in generating jobs for numerous Nigerians re-echoed at the weekend in Abuja during the inauguration of President Mohammed Buhari.
Agriculture according to experts has the potential of generating “millions of jobs” in Nigeria, if adequately harnessed.
The immediate past minister of Agriculture, Dr. Adewunmi Adeshina, who, incidentally is now President of Africa Development Bank (AfDB) campaigned vigorously for the revival of agriculture as part of measures to generate numerous jobs on a sustainable basis during the last administration.
Also, experts and labour leaders have called for agricultural legislation to pave way for policy and strategy that creates synergy between industrial agriculture and smallholder farmers with a focus on internal food security and food export.
Presenting his inaugural speech at the colourful ceremony, Buhari explained that unemployment, especially among youths feature prominently in the All Progressive Congress (APC) manifesto.
The APC had during the campaign pledged to create three million jobs on an annually basis.
According to Buhari, the new administration intends to attack “frontally” the challenges associated with unemployment through revival of agriculture, solid minerals mining as well as credits to small and medium size businesses to kick–start these enterprises.
He said: “We shall quickly examine the best way to revive major industries and accelerate the revival and development of our railways, roads and general infrastructure”.
Buhari’s resolve to ginger agricultural activities is coming on the heels of calls by the leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on the government to tackle unemployment challenges ravaging the country.
Specifically, NLC President Ayuba Wabba is of the opinion that adequate attention must be paid to agriculture “which has a capacity of employing millions of our people”.
He explained that Government must lead the way by making farming attractive to young people through the provision of modern agricultural inputs, equipment and other relevant infrastructure.
“There is also need to establish strong linkages between different sectors of our economy especially with regards to promoting industrialization and manufacturing that is focused on turning our agricultural products and other natural resources into quality semi processed and fully processed goods”.
He said: “An economy that is subserviently reliant on importation is only exporting jobs. There is need for government to begin to look at development from the prism of tapping into the abundant economic potentials offered by the entrepreneurial drive of the Nigerian people and the resources locked up in our soil.
“Government must build a bridge between the two. The bridge should be transparent and effective investment in other critical national infrastructure such as efficient education system, health system, railway system, national inter-state super highway grids, inland waterways, and dams”, Wabba said.
NLC explained that with 1.8 million youths being turned out of tertiary institutions annually, and with unemployment standing at a conservative estimate of 53 per cent, “there is virtually no household in Nigeria today where there is not at least one unemployed graduate who has spent the last three to nine years looking for the elusive job.
“In a country in dear need of scientists, it is unimaginable that hundreds of thousands of core science graduates are among the army of the unemployed. To say that this is a time bomb ticking gradually towards inevitable explosion is a gross understatement”.
Setting agenda for the new administration, NLC emphasized the need to diversify the economy and by extension create more jobs.
He said: “The diversification of the economy from oil is long overdue and is made urgent by recent developments in the crude oil production and market scenes, especially the shale oil and new findings across the world.
The enunciation of an agricultural legislation, policy and strategy that create synergy between industrial agriculture and small-holder farmers with a focus on internal food security and food export is a necessity”.
Despite the country’s wealth, Nigeria according to labour leaders remains “ironically a country with a high level of economic growth co-existing with a high level of poverty and inequality.
“While this growth is skewed towards enabling the rich to get richer no attempt is made to ensure that the wealth trickles down to the extreme poor. The most affected, have been workers and working families under the yoke of poor remuneration, uncertainty in the workplace, absence of reasonable social benefits, vulnerable work conditions and retrenchments.
“While the country in recent times is confronted with apparent fiscal and structural challenges exacerbated by low returns on oil price, the agony of workers should not be compounded by making them sacrificial lambs of economic mismanagement.
“Rather, the focus should be on job security and improving on the compensation structure as well as standardizing the social dialogue system to stem inequality and the brewing social discontent.
“The starting point should be to clear the outstanding wages of workers who have been denied payment of salaries ranging from two to eight months by all tiers of government. To argue that these wages will be kept in abeyance because they were owed by past governments will be unfair and unjust as we believe that government is a continuum”, said Wabba.
Besides generating more jobs, NLC leaders are emphasising need for job security, pointing out that casualisation “continues to be an issue in our relations with employers, many of whom are not prepared to pay for the labour they use”.
NLC said: ”We at the Nigeria Labour Congress recognise the transformations that have taken place around the world of work, where rigidity has given way to flexibility. However, we do not think Casualisation can be an option. This is a grievous anti-worker practice, which makes nonsense of our quest for decent jobs.
“In line with our promises to the Nigerian workers, the Nigeria Labour Congress under my leadership will offer strident resistance against casualization and outsourcing of jobs.
“While we encourage our affiliate unions to re-double their efforts in tackling this hydra-headed monster, we enjoin the government to partner with us to stamp out this ugly menace in our workplaces.
“The first direct symptom of the prevailing economic crunch; the continuous devaluation of the naira, has dealt devastating blows on the purchasing power of the Nigerian worker.
“This is unacceptable! The last national minimum wage of N18, 000 which was negotiated in 2010, is clearly no longer of any meaningful economic value to workers as the inflationary trends engendered by the continuing devaluation of the naira has made the minimum wage now grossly inadequate”, said NLC.
It explained that the nation’s economy continues to grow without jobs bringing benefits to only a few. “We demand an economy that provides jobs and other benefits. Similarly, we demand a halt to the de-industrialization process and the free fall of the Naira. We believe the restoration of the textile industry will be a good starting point.
“The development of an industrial policy that revives and harnesses the potentials of iron and steel and petrochemical complexes as well as the founding of national Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centres are both desirable and necessary.
“A coherent response to the national debt burden (put at N1.3 trillion) that ensures government’s obligation to the citizenry is not encumbered and the erection of stronger fiscal buffers are similarly necessary for stabilizing and growing the economy”, Wabba said.
The new administration is also expected to consolidate on the immediate past government’s plan to revive textile sector and generate not less than 100,000 jobs.
Indeed, the newly launched national cotton, textile and garment policy according to the former Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga is expected to outlay the roadmap for the revival of the comatose textile industry.
This comes as government has also sealed a pact for the revival of industry with an international garment manufacturer, Vlisco group.
Speaking on the initiative in Abuja, the Minister said the pact is expected to generate 100,000 direct jobs between now and 2017 with another 1.3million indirect jobs expected.
He explained that about $59 investment flow is expected to be committed into the Nigerian industrial master plan with another $14 billion going into petroleum products, chemicals and fertilizer sub-sectors.
Aganga argued that the steps are already being taken to diversify Nigeria’s economy as shown in the identification of 13 items government is targeting to diversify the national economy base.
He added: “If we must realize our industrial dreams, we cannot continue to be a country that will be importing petroleum products but a net exporter of refined petroleum products. As at today, Nigeria already has a solution to the plummeting oil prices in the international market. All that is required is accelerating implementation process. By doing this, we will be able to diversify the economy of this nation. All military and para-military agencies and government schools are now to purchase Nigerian-made textiles and garments. In addition, we will work with the private sector, schools in particular are to be encouraged to source their materials locally.”
With an estimated, 170 million people, the Minister submitted that Nigeria is in line to becoming the third largest nation in the world by 2070 after India and China, which is a massive asset for textile industry and other related goods to thrive.
He also lamented the inability of Nigeria and other African countries to make maximum use of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which allows unfettered access to the United States economy.
His words: “Most countries in Africa have the opportunity to export goods to the United States of America under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). Sadly, most African countries have not been able to take advantage of this opportunity available to the exportation of non-oil sector. Only Mauritius, Lesotho, Kenya and South Africa have taken the advantage of this opportunity. Nigeria has not taken the opportunity to do this quota and duty free to export goods to the United States.”
He listed the advantages of the policy to include a rise from the current level of 24, 000 jobs in the sector to 200,000 direct employment by 2017.
“Also, indirect employment is expected to increase from 650,000, which we have today to 1.3milion jobs by 2017. It is also expected that cotton farmers, factory workers, tailors, fashion designers, garment manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, logistic providers will all benefit from this policy. I am aware that some investors are presently exploring setting up of a tailoring academy in Nigeria. This will be another game changer that will have effect on job creation.”
On his part, the Chief Executive Officer of Vlisco group, Hans Ouwendijk, said the strategic partnership is a win-win situation for all concerned.
He said: “We want to assist Nigeria revitalize this important sector. Vlisco group has been operating since 1846. It designs, prints and distributes different garment brands. All the brands of garments we will be manufacturing in Nigeria will be a copy of what we do in other parts of the world with the same quality. We have started the process of getting cotton here in Nigeria for our operations. Discussions are on going with a Nigerian company to make this happen. From 1st of April 2015, our products will include cottons that are sourced from Nigeria. We have indeed began manufacturing in Nigeria and some of the products that were manufactured here have been exported to neighbouring countries like Ivory Coasts and Benin Republic.”
The NLC boss who addressed sundry issues during the May Day rally in Abuja recently, said: “We wish to emphasise that that Nigerian workers and indeed the whole global community expect a lot from him (Buhari) and his party (APC). The achievements of Buhari’s government will depend on the manner in which his administration immediately hits the ground, post inauguration; to deliver the change it promised Nigerians.
“Social challenges facing the Nigerian workers are many but it appears that most compelling are uncertainties in the work place. Many Nigerian workers are no longer sure of the commitment of employers to the fundamental work place principle of timely and adequate pay for work done.
“The gale of unpaid salary arrears in different public and private establishments has only compounded the perennial injustice of poor compensation for the sweat and blood of Nigerian workers.
“To crown frustrations faced by the average worker in Nigeria is the overt and covert threat of retrenchment devoid of reasonable social benefit or retirement plans. Delay and outright refusal by some states and federal agencies to pay the gratuities and pension of our retirees have forced our older colleagues into an undignified post work life. This is most unfortunate, reprehensible, abominable and condemnable”.

 

President Muhammadu Buhari has said Nigerians must stop paying mere lip service to agriculture, as crude oil and gas exports will no longer be sufficient as the country’s major revenue earner. The president gave the charge at an audience with Kanayo Nwanze, the president of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), at the presidential villa, Abuja, on Friday.
“It’s time to go back to the land. We must face the reality that the petroleum we had depended on for so long will no longer suffice. We campaigned heavily on agriculture, and we are ready to assist as many want to go into agricultural ventures,’’ he said.
Mr. Buhari pledged that his administration would also cut short the long bureaucratic processes that Nigerian farmers had to go through to get any form of assistance from government.
He told the IFAD President that improvement of the productivity of farmers, dry season farming and creative ways to combat the shrinking of the Lake Chad will also receive the attention of his administration.
“There is so much to be done. We will try and articulate a programme and consult organisations like IFAD for advice,’’ he added.
According to the president, foreign exchange will be conserved for machinery and other items needed for production “instead of using it to import things like toothpicks’’.
Mr. Nwanze had earlier congratulated President Buhari on his victory at the general elections and assured him that IFAD was ready to give all possible assistance to the Federal Government and Nigerian farmers to boost agricultural production in the country.
Mr. Nwanze, who later spoke to State House correspondents, said IFAD had since 1985 been providing loans and grants in the nation’s agricultural sector to boost agricultural production.
“Nigeria has the largest portfolio of IFAD’s investment in Western and Central Africa and the second largest in Africa.
“But the case point here is that this country has all the endowments that it takes not only for it to produce enough food for its population but also to be the bread basket of region.
“And this is where my institution on my behalf, I offered our services and our support in the agenda of rural transformation as a key ingrate in this country’s economic and social development,’’ he said.
IFAD was established in 1978, and has been collaborating with Nigeria for over 30 years.
(NAN)

Agriculture to Replace Oil as Major Revenue Earner, Says Buhari

The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), has said his administration will strive to revive agriculture by taking practical and concrete steps to restore it to its glorious position as the mainstay of Nigeria’s economy.

He said his party would in addition give priority to tackling insecurity, corruption and implementing a comprehensive economic development plan geared towards promoting power supply, infrastructural development, industrialisation and job creation.

Buhari, who spoke at a dinner organised by the Abuja Private Sector Forum at the weekend on  the eve of the presidential debate from  where he opted out,  promised to run an efficient and transparent government and take practical and concrete steps to restore agriculture to its glorious position as the mainstay of our economy.

“We must stop paying lip service to agriculture by taking practical and concrete steps to restore it to its glorious position as the mainstay of our economy providing employment, food for our teeming population as well as leading foreign exchange earning,” he said.

On agricultural policy, Buhari said he will provide farmers with a dignified living through improved inputs, extension services, access to credits and price support mechanisms.

“We would re-vitalise the agricultural sector and make it the engine of growth, and source of job and wealth creation. Some of our policy thrust would include agricultural enterprises value chain and cluster development for commodities, and institutional framework and support for agribusiness investment.  In this regard, the Abuja Commodity Exchange shall be reinvigorated and supported.”

The former Head of State said he would work to maintain integrity and accountability in the affairs of governance if elected into office, adding that the main goal of his aspiration to lead the country is to help arrest economic drift and to promote the unity and development of our country.

“We shall also embark on a national infrastructural development programme that will promote road, air and water transportation in the country to make Nigeria a hub of the West African sub-region.

“We shall decisively bring the Boko Haram insurgency to an end and promote lasting peace and stability in all the nooks and crannies of our nation. We would ensure that the victims of the insurgency are adequately rehabilitated and supported to restore their means of livelihood.

“We shall make accountability and transparency the hallmarks of our administration by ensuring that resources are well utilised through plugging all loopholes and eliminating wastages and corruption in governance. Anti corruption agencies shall be strengthened and given free hand to operate in discharging their statutory mandate,” he said.

“We shall promote sound macro-economic policy environment, run an efficient and transparent government, restore and strengthen financial confidence by putting in place a more robust monitoring, supervision and regulation of all financial institutions,” he said

The candidate also assured that the APC government will work to see that everyone is free to live and work in every part of the country.

He also said the APC government would decisively bring the Boko Haram insurgency to an end and promote lasting peace and stability in all the nooks and crannies of the nation.

Speaking on the current dwindling oil prices that have brought about economic and social predicament, Buhari said his government would embark on multiple reform in the oil and gas sector and also refocus attention on agriculture as an alternative source of revenue.

“We would embark on multiple track reform in the oil and gas sector especially the government institutions like the NNPC, to block revenue transmission leakages and make them more efficient and accountable.”

 

By the time the 12th international conference and Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Computer Society, NCS, was drawing to a close recently in Akure, Ondo state, participants at the forum were worried saying that unless issues around data privacy and security laws, implementation of cybercrime act, infrastructure, among others were resolved, Nigeria’s quest for digital economy may be derailed. - See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/08/fresh-concern-over-data-security-implementation-of-cyber-crime-act-at-ncs-2015-forum/#sthash.8kgLTGdR.dpuf

By the time the 12th international conference and Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Computer Society, NCS, was drawing to a close recently in Akure, Ondo state, participants at the forum were worried saying that unless issues around data privacy and security laws, implementation of cybercrime act, infrastructure, among others were resolved, Nigeria’s quest for digital economy may be derailed. - See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/08/fresh-concern-over-data-security-implementation-of-cyber-crime-act-at-ncs-2015-forum/#sthash.8kgLTGdR.dpuf

By the time the 12th international conference and Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Computer Society, NCS, was drawing to a close recently in Akure, Ondo state, participants at the forum were worried saying that unless issues around data privacy and security laws, implementation of cybercrime act, infrastructure, among others were resolved, Nigeria’s quest for digital economy may be derailed. - See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/08/fresh-concern-over-data-security-implementation-of-cyber-crime-act-at-ncs-2015-forum/#sthash.8kgLTGdR.dpuf

By the time the 12th international conference and Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Computer Society, NCS, was drawing to a close recently in Akure, Ondo state, participants at the forum were worried saying that unless issues around data privacy and security laws, implementation of cybercrime act, infrastructure, among others were resolved, Nigeria’s quest for digital economy may be derailed.
Accordingly, the conference provided a forum for policy makers, public and private sector, IT practitioners and academia to keep up to date with technology trends and to discover opportunities for the private sector in the process of inclusive development and avenues for public-private partnerships towards realizing the IT objectives within the context of Millennium Development Goals (MDG).
With big data becoming corporate buzzword for organizations around the world,  there was also question of who owns the data in the cloud.
Although the policy implications of the new technology may appear endless but given the potential impact of cloud computing, these questions, according to the participants will not remain unanswered.  But the question, according to the participants is when and how.
However, with the volume of data being generated on a minute-by-minute basis, the participants at the forum were concerned how best companies can leverage on  the benefits of ‘big data’ for economic development..
Although IT experts at the forum have advised the Federal Government to leverage on big data to improve the state of the economy, there was also issue of the preparedness of the country to adopt the new technology which is becoming the toast of IT community.
While President Muhammadu Buhari had assured in his  inaugural speech that  the present administration would tackle issues around terrorism, financial crime and cybercrime and other challenges of the 21st century, majority of speakers at the NCS conference with the  theme, IT for inclusive development noted that critical information infrastructure (CII) must be protected  as an essential asset for national development and security.
To facilitate the uptake of Big Data Analytics in Nigeria the following challenges including : privacy and security laws, shortage of skilled personnel with data analytical skills, lack of a national strategy/initiative on big data, and data accessibility, according to NCS forum must be addressed.
Stressing the importance of data for development, the Governor of the State Dr. Olusegun Mimiko attributed backwardness of Nigeria to lack of basic socio-economic data .
He urged the NCS conference to find a way to harmonize a common vision to guide the development of ICT  in Nigeria in order to enhance an inclusive development for the nation.
For 21st century digital Nigeria, the immediate past President of NCS  Prof David Adewumi   said that in addition to implementing Cybercrime Act,  legislation should be enacted to foster the development of Information Technology and  IT enabled activities in the country.
Speaking during the plenary session two on data analytics, local content and entrepreneurship development, former President of the Nigerian computer Society, Sir. Demola Aladekomo told the gathering that there was need to have secured data in the cloud.
Fight terrorism with IT
Unless IT, education, employment creation were given urgent attention in governance, the fight against terrorism and other acts of insecurity may be long-drawn, he said.
Speaking during the plenary session, Tope Aladenusi, cyber risk services leader, Deloitte Nigeria, in his presentation on “Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Enhancing Cybersecurity and Resilience” cautioned that Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) are those ICT infrastructure upon which core assets that are essential for the functioning of the society and economy is dependent.
According to him, the destruction of these assets has a catastrophic impact on national security, governance, economy and social well-being of a nation.
In enhancing cybersecurity and resiliency of CII, he said that there was need for the development and enforcement of a framework and standard for protection of CII, but added that education and awareness were needed for implementation.
Outlining key considerations, he said that government should properly define specific critical Information Infrastructure and work with affected private and public sector organizations, improve on the work done by previous administrations by implementing Cybercrime Act, Cybersecurity Strategy and Policy and continuous awareness and improvement by all stakeholders
Also speaking at the on data analytics, local content and entrepreneurship development, a researcher at the Saskatchewan University, Canada,Dr. Iyilade Johnson, predicted that in the ten years’ time, big data will change every aspect of the economy.
According to him, big data is one of the intelligent industry solutions that  allows government to make better decisions by taking action based on patterns revealed by analyzing large volumes of data, which is related and unrelated, structured and unstructured.
“Data is the new oil of the 21st century with potential to spur innovation and social development in many sectors” he said.
But in a communiqué issued and signed by the newly elected President of NCS, Prof. Sola Aderounmu read in part:
*That the Federal Government needs to urgently push for comprehensive broadband access all over the country.
*That the Federal Government as a matter of urgency should roll out, implement and monitor local content policy to encourage Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to patronize indigenous software and hardware.
*That the passing of the Cybercrime bill into law is acknowledged and critical stakeholders should collaborate with NCS in pushing the details and implications of the Cybercrime Act into the public domain through awareness programs and sensitization campaigns.
*That Big Data Analytics is an emerging IT concept with potential to impact individual, businesses and Government in many ways including marketing, customer relationship management, and fraud detection.
*That Emerging technologies including Big Data Analytics are also key to innovation and socio-economic development in every sector and in all agencies of government.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/08/fresh-concern-over-data-security-implementation-of-cyber-crime-act-at-ncs-2015-forum/#sthash.8kgLTGdR.dpuf

By the time the 12th international conference and Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Computer Society, NCS, was drawing to a close recently in Akure, Ondo state, participants at the forum were worried saying that unless issues around data privacy and security laws, implementation of cybercrime act, infrastructure, among others were resolved, Nigeria’s quest for digital economy may be derailed. - See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/08/fresh-concern-over-data-security-implementation-of-cyber-crime-act-at-ncs-2015-forum/#sthash.8kgLTGdR.dpuf

By the time the 12th international conference and Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Computer Society, NCS, was drawing to a close recently in Akure, Ondo state, participants at the forum were worried saying that unless issues around data privacy and security laws, implementation of cybercrime act, infrastructure, among others were resolved, Nigeria’s quest for digital economy may be derailed.
Accordingly, the conference provided a forum for policy makers, public and private sector, IT practitioners and academia to keep up to date with technology trends and to discover opportunities for the private sector in the process of inclusive development and avenues for public-private partnerships towards realizing the IT objectives within the context of Millennium Development Goals (MDG).
With big data becoming corporate buzzword for organizations around the world,  there was also question of who owns the data in the cloud.
Although the policy implications of the new technology may appear endless but given the potential impact of cloud computing, these questions, according to the participants will not remain unanswered.  But the question, according to the participants is when and how.
However, with the volume of data being generated on a minute-by-minute basis, the participants at the forum were concerned how best companies can leverage on  the benefits of ‘big data’ for economic development..
Although IT experts at the forum have advised the Federal Government to leverage on big data to improve the state of the economy, there was also issue of the preparedness of the country to adopt the new technology which is becoming the toast of IT community.
While President Muhammadu Buhari had assured in his  inaugural speech that  the present administration would tackle issues around terrorism, financial crime and cybercrime and other challenges of the 21st century, majority of speakers at the NCS conference with the  theme, IT for inclusive development noted that critical information infrastructure (CII) must be protected  as an essential asset for national development and security.
To facilitate the uptake of Big Data Analytics in Nigeria the following challenges including : privacy and security laws, shortage of skilled personnel with data analytical skills, lack of a national strategy/initiative on big data, and data accessibility, according to NCS forum must be addressed.
Stressing the importance of data for development, the Governor of the State Dr. Olusegun Mimiko attributed backwardness of Nigeria to lack of basic socio-economic data .
He urged the NCS conference to find a way to harmonize a common vision to guide the development of ICT  in Nigeria in order to enhance an inclusive development for the nation.
For 21st century digital Nigeria, the immediate past President of NCS  Prof David Adewumi   said that in addition to implementing Cybercrime Act,  legislation should be enacted to foster the development of Information Technology and  IT enabled activities in the country.
Speaking during the plenary session two on data analytics, local content and entrepreneurship development, former President of the Nigerian computer Society, Sir. Demola Aladekomo told the gathering that there was need to have secured data in the cloud.
Fight terrorism with IT
Unless IT, education, employment creation were given urgent attention in governance, the fight against terrorism and other acts of insecurity may be long-drawn, he said.
Speaking during the plenary session, Tope Aladenusi, cyber risk services leader, Deloitte Nigeria, in his presentation on “Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Enhancing Cybersecurity and Resilience” cautioned that Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) are those ICT infrastructure upon which core assets that are essential for the functioning of the society and economy is dependent.
According to him, the destruction of these assets has a catastrophic impact on national security, governance, economy and social well-being of a nation.
In enhancing cybersecurity and resiliency of CII, he said that there was need for the development and enforcement of a framework and standard for protection of CII, but added that education and awareness were needed for implementation.
Outlining key considerations, he said that government should properly define specific critical Information Infrastructure and work with affected private and public sector organizations, improve on the work done by previous administrations by implementing Cybercrime Act, Cybersecurity Strategy and Policy and continuous awareness and improvement by all stakeholders
Also speaking at the on data analytics, local content and entrepreneurship development, a researcher at the Saskatchewan University, Canada,Dr. Iyilade Johnson, predicted that in the ten years’ time, big data will change every aspect of the economy.
According to him, big data is one of the intelligent industry solutions that  allows government to make better decisions by taking action based on patterns revealed by analyzing large volumes of data, which is related and unrelated, structured and unstructured.
“Data is the new oil of the 21st century with potential to spur innovation and social development in many sectors” he said.
But in a communiqué issued and signed by the newly elected President of NCS, Prof. Sola Aderounmu read in part:
*That the Federal Government needs to urgently push for comprehensive broadband access all over the country.
*That the Federal Government as a matter of urgency should roll out, implement and monitor local content policy to encourage Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to patronize indigenous software and hardware.
*That the passing of the Cybercrime bill into law is acknowledged and critical stakeholders should collaborate with NCS in pushing the details and implications of the Cybercrime Act into the public domain through awareness programs and sensitization campaigns.
*That Big Data Analytics is an emerging IT concept with potential to impact individual, businesses and Government in many ways including marketing, customer relationship management, and fraud detection.
*That Emerging technologies including Big Data Analytics are also key to innovation and socio-economic development in every sector and in all agencies of government.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/08/fresh-concern-over-data-security-implementation-of-cyber-crime-act-at-ncs-2015-forum/#sthash.8kgLTGdR.dpuf

By the time the 12th international conference and Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Computer Society, NCS, was drawing to a close recently in Akure, Ondo state, participants at the forum were worried saying that unless issues around data privacy and security laws, implementation of cybercrime act, infrastructure, among others were resolved, Nigeria’s quest for digital economy may be derailed.
Accordingly, the conference provided a forum for policy makers, public and private sector, IT practitioners and academia to keep up to date with technology trends and to discover opportunities for the private sector in the process of inclusive development and avenues for public-private partnerships towards realizing the IT objectives within the context of Millennium Development Goals (MDG).
With big data becoming corporate buzzword for organizations around the world,  there was also question of who owns the data in the cloud.
Although the policy implications of the new technology may appear endless but given the potential impact of cloud computing, these questions, according to the participants will not remain unanswered.  But the question, according to the participants is when and how.
However, with the volume of data being generated on a minute-by-minute basis, the participants at the forum were concerned how best companies can leverage on  the benefits of ‘big data’ for economic development..
Although IT experts at the forum have advised the Federal Government to leverage on big data to improve the state of the economy, there was also issue of the preparedness of the country to adopt the new technology which is becoming the toast of IT community.
While President Muhammadu Buhari had assured in his  inaugural speech that  the present administration would tackle issues around terrorism, financial crime and cybercrime and other challenges of the 21st century, majority of speakers at the NCS conference with the  theme, IT for inclusive development noted that critical information infrastructure (CII) must be protected  as an essential asset for national development and security.
To facilitate the uptake of Big Data Analytics in Nigeria the following challenges including : privacy and security laws, shortage of skilled personnel with data analytical skills, lack of a national strategy/initiative on big data, and data accessibility, according to NCS forum must be addressed.
Stressing the importance of data for development, the Governor of the State Dr. Olusegun Mimiko attributed backwardness of Nigeria to lack of basic socio-economic data .
He urged the NCS conference to find a way to harmonize a common vision to guide the development of ICT  in Nigeria in order to enhance an inclusive development for the nation.
For 21st century digital Nigeria, the immediate past President of NCS  Prof David Adewumi   said that in addition to implementing Cybercrime Act,  legislation should be enacted to foster the development of Information Technology and  IT enabled activities in the country.
Speaking during the plenary session two on data analytics, local content and entrepreneurship development, former President of the Nigerian computer Society, Sir. Demola Aladekomo told the gathering that there was need to have secured data in the cloud.
Fight terrorism with IT
Unless IT, education, employment creation were given urgent attention in governance, the fight against terrorism and other acts of insecurity may be long-drawn, he said.
Speaking during the plenary session, Tope Aladenusi, cyber risk services leader, Deloitte Nigeria, in his presentation on “Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Enhancing Cybersecurity and Resilience” cautioned that Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) are those ICT infrastructure upon which core assets that are essential for the functioning of the society and economy is dependent.
According to him, the destruction of these assets has a catastrophic impact on national security, governance, economy and social well-being of a nation.
In enhancing cybersecurity and resiliency of CII, he said that there was need for the development and enforcement of a framework and standard for protection of CII, but added that education and awareness were needed for implementation.
Outlining key considerations, he said that government should properly define specific critical Information Infrastructure and work with affected private and public sector organizations, improve on the work done by previous administrations by implementing Cybercrime Act, Cybersecurity Strategy and Policy and continuous awareness and improvement by all stakeholders
Also speaking at the on data analytics, local content and entrepreneurship development, a researcher at the Saskatchewan University, Canada,Dr. Iyilade Johnson, predicted that in the ten years’ time, big data will change every aspect of the economy.
According to him, big data is one of the intelligent industry solutions that  allows government to make better decisions by taking action based on patterns revealed by analyzing large volumes of data, which is related and unrelated, structured and unstructured.
“Data is the new oil of the 21st century with potential to spur innovation and social development in many sectors” he said.
But in a communiqué issued and signed by the newly elected President of NCS, Prof. Sola Aderounmu read in part:
*That the Federal Government needs to urgently push for comprehensive broadband access all over the country.
*That the Federal Government as a matter of urgency should roll out, implement and monitor local content policy to encourage Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to patronize indigenous software and hardware.
*That the passing of the Cybercrime bill into law is acknowledged and critical stakeholders should collaborate with NCS in pushing the details and implications of the Cybercrime Act into the public domain through awareness programs and sensitization campaigns.
*That Big Data Analytics is an emerging IT concept with potential to impact individual, businesses and Government in many ways including marketing, customer relationship management, and fraud detection.
*That Emerging technologies including Big Data Analytics are also key to innovation and socio-economic development in every sector and in all agencies of government.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/08/fresh-concern-over-data-security-implementation-of-cyber-crime-act-at-ncs-2015-forum/#sthash.8kgLTGdR.dpuf

Fresh concern over data security, implementation of cyber-crime act at NCS 2015 forum

By the time the 12th international conference and Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Computer Society, NCS, was drawing to a close recently in Akure, Ondo state, participants at the forum were worried saying that unless issues around data privacy and security laws, implementation of cybercrime act, infrastructure, among others were resolved, Nigeria’s quest for digital economy may be derailed.
Accordingly, the conference provided a forum for policy makers, public and private sector, IT practitioners and academia to keep up to date with technology trends and to discover opportunities for the private sector in the process of inclusive development and avenues for public-private partnerships towards realizing the IT objectives within the context of Millennium Development Goals (MDG).
With big data becoming corporate buzzword for organizations around the world,  there was also question of who owns the data in the cloud.
Although the policy implications of the new technology may appear endless but given the potential impact of cloud computing, these questions, according to the participants will not remain unanswered.  But the question, according to the participants is when and how.
However, with the volume of data being generated on a minute-by-minute basis, the participants at the forum were concerned how best companies can leverage on  the benefits of ‘big data’ for economic development..
Although IT experts at the forum have advised the Federal Government to leverage on big data to improve the state of the economy, there was also issue of the preparedness of the country to adopt the new technology which is becoming the toast of IT community.
While President Muhammadu Buhari had assured in his  inaugural speech that  the present administration would tackle issues around terrorism, financial crime and cybercrime and other challenges of the 21st century, majority of speakers at the NCS conference with the  theme, IT for inclusive development noted that critical information infrastructure (CII) must be protected  as an essential asset for national development and security.
To facilitate the uptake of Big Data Analytics in Nigeria the following challenges including : privacy and security laws, shortage of skilled personnel with data analytical skills, lack of a national strategy/initiative on big data, and data accessibility, according to NCS forum must be addressed.
Stressing the importance of data for development, the Governor of the State Dr. Olusegun Mimiko attributed backwardness of Nigeria to lack of basic socio-economic data .
He urged the NCS conference to find a way to harmonize a common vision to guide the development of ICT  in Nigeria in order to enhance an inclusive development for the nation.
For 21st century digital Nigeria, the immediate past President of NCS  Prof David Adewumi   said that in addition to implementing Cybercrime Act,  legislation should be enacted to foster the development of Information Technology and  IT enabled activities in the country.
Speaking during the plenary session two on data analytics, local content and entrepreneurship development, former President of the Nigerian computer Society, Sir. Demola Aladekomo told the gathering that there was need to have secured data in the cloud.
Fight terrorism with IT
Unless IT, education, employment creation were given urgent attention in governance, the fight against terrorism and other acts of insecurity may be long-drawn, he said.
Speaking during the plenary session, Tope Aladenusi, cyber risk services leader, Deloitte Nigeria, in his presentation on “Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Enhancing Cybersecurity and Resilience” cautioned that Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) are those ICT infrastructure upon which core assets that are essential for the functioning of the society and economy is dependent.
According to him, the destruction of these assets has a catastrophic impact on national security, governance, economy and social well-being of a nation.
In enhancing cybersecurity and resiliency of CII, he said that there was need for the development and enforcement of a framework and standard for protection of CII, but added that education and awareness were needed for implementation.
Outlining key considerations, he said that government should properly define specific critical Information Infrastructure and work with affected private and public sector organizations, improve on the work done by previous administrations by implementing Cybercrime Act, Cybersecurity Strategy and Policy and continuous awareness and improvement by all stakeholders
Also speaking at the on data analytics, local content and entrepreneurship development, a researcher at the Saskatchewan University, Canada,Dr. Iyilade Johnson, predicted that in the ten years’ time, big data will change every aspect of the economy.
According to him, big data is one of the intelligent industry solutions that  allows government to make better decisions by taking action based on patterns revealed by analyzing large volumes of data, which is related and unrelated, structured and unstructured.
“Data is the new oil of the 21st century with potential to spur innovation and social development in many sectors” he said.
But in a communiqué issued and signed by the newly elected President of NCS, Prof. Sola Aderounmu read in part:
*That the Federal Government needs to urgently push for comprehensive broadband access all over the country.
*That the Federal Government as a matter of urgency should roll out, implement and monitor local content policy to encourage Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to patronize indigenous software and hardware.
*That the passing of the Cybercrime bill into law is acknowledged and critical stakeholders should collaborate with NCS in pushing the details and implications of the Cybercrime Act into the public domain through awareness programs and sensitization campaigns.
*That Big Data Analytics is an emerging IT concept with potential to impact individual, businesses and Government in many ways including marketing, customer relationship management, and fraud detection.
*That Emerging technologies including Big Data Analytics are also key to innovation and socio-economic development in every sector and in all agencies of government.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/08/fresh-concern-over-data-security-implementation-of-cyber-crime-act-at-ncs-2015-forum/#sthash.8kgLTGdR.dpuf

By the time the 12th international conference and Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Computer Society, NCS, was drawing to a close recently in Akure, Ondo state, participants at the forum were worried saying that unless issues around data privacy and security laws, implementation of cybercrime act, infrastructure, among others were resolved, Nigeria’s quest for digital economy may be derailed.
Accordingly, the conference provided a forum for policy makers, public and private sector, IT practitioners and academia to keep up to date with technology trends and to discover opportunities for the private sector in the process of inclusive development and avenues for public-private partnerships towards realizing the IT objectives within the context of Millennium Development Goals (MDG).
With big data becoming corporate buzzword for organizations around the world,  there was also question of who owns the data in the cloud.
Although the policy implications of the new technology may appear endless but given the potential impact of cloud computing, these questions, according to the participants will not remain unanswered.  But the question, according to the participants is when and how.
However, with the volume of data being generated on a minute-by-minute basis, the participants at the forum were concerned how best companies can leverage on  the benefits of ‘big data’ for economic development..
Although IT experts at the forum have advised the Federal Government to leverage on big data to improve the state of the economy, there was also issue of the preparedness of the country to adopt the new technology which is becoming the toast of IT community.
While President Muhammadu Buhari had assured in his  inaugural speech that  the present administration would tackle issues around terrorism, financial crime and cybercrime and other challenges of the 21st century, majority of speakers at the NCS conference with the  theme, IT for inclusive development noted that critical information infrastructure (CII) must be protected  as an essential asset for national development and security.
To facilitate the uptake of Big Data Analytics in Nigeria the following challenges including : privacy and security laws, shortage of skilled personnel with data analytical skills, lack of a national strategy/initiative on big data, and data accessibility, according to NCS forum must be addressed.
Stressing the importance of data for development, the Governor of the State Dr. Olusegun Mimiko attributed backwardness of Nigeria to lack of basic socio-economic data .
He urged the NCS conference to find a way to harmonize a common vision to guide the development of ICT  in Nigeria in order to enhance an inclusive development for the nation.
For 21st century digital Nigeria, the immediate past President of NCS  Prof David Adewumi   said that in addition to implementing Cybercrime Act,  legislation should be enacted to foster the development of Information Technology and  IT enabled activities in the country.
Speaking during the plenary session two on data analytics, local content and entrepreneurship development, former President of the Nigerian computer Society, Sir. Demola Aladekomo told the gathering that there was need to have secured data in the cloud.
Fight terrorism with IT
Unless IT, education, employment creation were given urgent attention in governance, the fight against terrorism and other acts of insecurity may be long-drawn, he said.
Speaking during the plenary session, Tope Aladenusi, cyber risk services leader, Deloitte Nigeria, in his presentation on “Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Enhancing Cybersecurity and Resilience” cautioned that Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) are those ICT infrastructure upon which core assets that are essential for the functioning of the society and economy is dependent.
According to him, the destruction of these assets has a catastrophic impact on national security, governance, economy and social well-being of a nation.
In enhancing cybersecurity and resiliency of CII, he said that there was need for the development and enforcement of a framework and standard for protection of CII, but added that education and awareness were needed for implementation.
Outlining key considerations, he said that government should properly define specific critical Information Infrastructure and work with affected private and public sector organizations, improve on the work done by previous administrations by implementing Cybercrime Act, Cybersecurity Strategy and Policy and continuous awareness and improvement by all stakeholders
Also speaking at the on data analytics, local content and entrepreneurship development, a researcher at the Saskatchewan University, Canada,Dr. Iyilade Johnson, predicted that in the ten years’ time, big data will change every aspect of the economy.
According to him, big data is one of the intelligent industry solutions that  allows government to make better decisions by taking action based on patterns revealed by analyzing large volumes of data, which is related and unrelated, structured and unstructured.
“Data is the new oil of the 21st century with potential to spur innovation and social development in many sectors” he said.
But in a communiqué issued and signed by the newly elected President of NCS, Prof. Sola Aderounmu read in part:
*That the Federal Government needs to urgently push for comprehensive broadband access all over the country.
*That the Federal Government as a matter of urgency should roll out, implement and monitor local content policy to encourage Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to patronize indigenous software and hardware.
*That the passing of the Cybercrime bill into law is acknowledged and critical stakeholders should collaborate with NCS in pushing the details and implications of the Cybercrime Act into the public domain through awareness programs and sensitization campaigns.
*That Big Data Analytics is an emerging IT concept with potential to impact individual, businesses and Government in many ways including marketing, customer relationship management, and fraud detection.
*That Emerging technologies including Big Data Analytics are also key to innovation and socio-economic development in every sector and in all agencies of government.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/08/fresh-concern-over-data-security-implementation-of-cyber-crime-act-at-ncs-2015-forum/#sthash.8kgLTGdR.dpuf

By the time the 12th international conference and Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Computer Society, NCS, was drawing to a close recently in Akure, Ondo state, participants at the forum were worried saying that unless issues around data privacy and security laws, implementation of cybercrime act, infrastructure, among others were resolved, Nigeria’s quest for digital economy may be derailed.
Accordingly, the conference provided a forum for policy makers, public and private sector, IT practitioners and academia to keep up to date with technology trends and to discover opportunities for the private sector in the process of inclusive development and avenues for public-private partnerships towards realizing the IT objectives within the context of Millennium Development Goals (MDG).
With big data becoming corporate buzzword for organizations around the world,  there was also question of who owns the data in the cloud.
Although the policy implications of the new technology may appear endless but given the potential impact of cloud computing, these questions, according to the participants will not remain unanswered.  But the question, according to the participants is when and how.
However, with the volume of data being generated on a minute-by-minute basis, the participants at the forum were concerned how best companies can leverage on  the benefits of ‘big data’ for economic development..
Although IT experts at the forum have advised the Federal Government to leverage on big data to improve the state of the economy, there was also issue of the preparedness of the country to adopt the new technology which is becoming the toast of IT community.
While President Muhammadu Buhari had assured in his  inaugural speech that  the present administration would tackle issues around terrorism, financial crime and cybercrime and other challenges of the 21st century, majority of speakers at the NCS conference with the  theme, IT for inclusive development noted that critical information infrastructure (CII) must be protected  as an essential asset for national development and security.
To facilitate the uptake of Big Data Analytics in Nigeria the following challenges including : privacy and security laws, shortage of skilled personnel with data analytical skills, lack of a national strategy/initiative on big data, and data accessibility, according to NCS forum must be addressed.
Stressing the importance of data for development, the Governor of the State Dr. Olusegun Mimiko attributed backwardness of Nigeria to lack of basic socio-economic data .
He urged the NCS conference to find a way to harmonize a common vision to guide the development of ICT  in Nigeria in order to enhance an inclusive development for the nation.
For 21st century digital Nigeria, the immediate past President of NCS  Prof David Adewumi   said that in addition to implementing Cybercrime Act,  legislation should be enacted to foster the development of Information Technology and  IT enabled activities in the country.
Speaking during the plenary session two on data analytics, local content and entrepreneurship development, former President of the Nigerian computer Society, Sir. Demola Aladekomo told the gathering that there was need to have secured data in the cloud.
Fight terrorism with IT
Unless IT, education, employment creation were given urgent attention in governance, the fight against terrorism and other acts of insecurity may be long-drawn, he said.
Speaking during the plenary session, Tope Aladenusi, cyber risk services leader, Deloitte Nigeria, in his presentation on “Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Enhancing Cybersecurity and Resilience” cautioned that Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) are those ICT infrastructure upon which core assets that are essential for the functioning of the society and economy is dependent.
According to him, the destruction of these assets has a catastrophic impact on national security, governance, economy and social well-being of a nation.
In enhancing cybersecurity and resiliency of CII, he said that there was need for the development and enforcement of a framework and standard for protection of CII, but added that education and awareness were needed for implementation.
Outlining key considerations, he said that government should properly define specific critical Information Infrastructure and work with affected private and public sector organizations, improve on the work done by previous administrations by implementing Cybercrime Act, Cybersecurity Strategy and Policy and continuous awareness and improvement by all stakeholders
Also speaking at the on data analytics, local content and entrepreneurship development, a researcher at the Saskatchewan University, Canada,Dr. Iyilade Johnson, predicted that in the ten years’ time, big data will change every aspect of the economy.
According to him, big data is one of the intelligent industry solutions that  allows government to make better decisions by taking action based on patterns revealed by analyzing large volumes of data, which is related and unrelated, structured and unstructured.
“Data is the new oil of the 21st century with potential to spur innovation and social development in many sectors” he said.
But in a communiqué issued and signed by the newly elected President of NCS, Prof. Sola Aderounmu read in part:
*That the Federal Government needs to urgently push for comprehensive broadband access all over the country.
*That the Federal Government as a matter of urgency should roll out, implement and monitor local content policy to encourage Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to patronize indigenous software and hardware.
*That the passing of the Cybercrime bill into law is acknowledged and critical stakeholders should collaborate with NCS in pushing the details and implications of the Cybercrime Act into the public domain through awareness programs and sensitization campaigns.
*That Big Data Analytics is an emerging IT concept with potential to impact individual, businesses and Government in many ways including marketing, customer relationship management, and fraud detection.
*That Emerging technologies including Big Data Analytics are also key to innovation and socio-economic development in every sector and in all agencies of government.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/08/fresh-concern-over-data-security-implementation-of-cyber-crime-act-at-ncs-2015-forum/#sthash.8kgLTGdR.dpuf

By the time the 12th international conference and Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Computer Society, NCS, was drawing to a close recently in Akure, Ondo state, participants at the forum were worried saying that unless issues around data privacy and security laws, implementation of cybercrime act, infrastructure, among others were resolved, Nigeria’s quest for digital economy may be derailed.
Accordingly, the conference provided a forum for policy makers, public and private sector, IT practitioners and academia to keep up to date with technology trends and to discover opportunities for the private sector in the process of inclusive development and avenues for public-private partnerships towards realizing the IT objectives within the context of Millennium Development Goals (MDG).
With big data becoming corporate buzzword for organizations around the world,  there was also question of who owns the data in the cloud.
Although the policy implications of the new technology may appear endless but given the potential impact of cloud computing, these questions, according to the participants will not remain unanswered.  But the question, according to the participants is when and how.
However, with the volume of data being generated on a minute-by-minute basis, the participants at the forum were concerned how best companies can leverage on  the benefits of ‘big data’ for economic development..
Although IT experts at the forum have advised the Federal Government to leverage on big data to improve the state of the economy, there was also issue of the preparedness of the country to adopt the new technology which is becoming the toast of IT community.
While President Muhammadu Buhari had assured in his  inaugural speech that  the present administration would tackle issues around terrorism, financial crime and cybercrime and other challenges of the 21st century, majority of speakers at the NCS conference with the  theme, IT for inclusive development noted that critical information infrastructure (CII) must be protected  as an essential asset for national development and security.
To facilitate the uptake of Big Data Analytics in Nigeria the following challenges including : privacy and security laws, shortage of skilled personnel with data analytical skills, lack of a national strategy/initiative on big data, and data accessibility, according to NCS forum must be addressed.
Stressing the importance of data for development, the Governor of the State Dr. Olusegun Mimiko attributed backwardness of Nigeria to lack of basic socio-economic data .
He urged the NCS conference to find a way to harmonize a common vision to guide the development of ICT  in Nigeria in order to enhance an inclusive development for the nation.
For 21st century digital Nigeria, the immediate past President of NCS  Prof David Adewumi   said that in addition to implementing Cybercrime Act,  legislation should be enacted to foster the development of Information Technology and  IT enabled activities in the country.
Speaking during the plenary session two on data analytics, local content and entrepreneurship development, former President of the Nigerian computer Society, Sir. Demola Aladekomo told the gathering that there was need to have secured data in the cloud.
Fight terrorism with IT
Unless IT, education, employment creation were given urgent attention in governance, the fight against terrorism and other acts of insecurity may be long-drawn, he said.
Speaking during the plenary session, Tope Aladenusi, cyber risk services leader, Deloitte Nigeria, in his presentation on “Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Enhancing Cybersecurity and Resilience” cautioned that Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) are those ICT infrastructure upon which core assets that are essential for the functioning of the society and economy is dependent.
According to him, the destruction of these assets has a catastrophic impact on national security, governance, economy and social well-being of a nation.
In enhancing cybersecurity and resiliency of CII, he said that there was need for the development and enforcement of a framework and standard for protection of CII, but added that education and awareness were needed for implementation.
Outlining key considerations, he said that government should properly define specific critical Information Infrastructure and work with affected private and public sector organizations, improve on the work done by previous administrations by implementing Cybercrime Act, Cybersecurity Strategy and Policy and continuous awareness and improvement by all stakeholders
Also speaking at the on data analytics, local content and entrepreneurship development, a researcher at the Saskatchewan University, Canada,Dr. Iyilade Johnson, predicted that in the ten years’ time, big data will change every aspect of the economy.
According to him, big data is one of the intelligent industry solutions that  allows government to make better decisions by taking action based on patterns revealed by analyzing large volumes of data, which is related and unrelated, structured and unstructured.
“Data is the new oil of the 21st century with potential to spur innovation and social development in many sectors” he said.
But in a communiqué issued and signed by the newly elected President of NCS, Prof. Sola Aderounmu read in part:
*That the Federal Government needs to urgently push for comprehensive broadband access all over the country.
*That the Federal Government as a matter of urgency should roll out, implement and monitor local content policy to encourage Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to patronize indigenous software and hardware.
*That the passing of the Cybercrime bill into law is acknowledged and critical stakeholders should collaborate with NCS in pushing the details and implications of the Cybercrime Act into the public domain through awareness programs and sensitization campaigns.
*That Big Data Analytics is an emerging IT concept with potential to impact individual, businesses and Government in many ways including marketing, customer relationship management, and fraud detection.
*That Emerging technologies including Big Data Analytics are also key to innovation and socio-economic development in every sector and in all agencies of government.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/08/fresh-concern-over-data-security-implementation-of-cyber-crime-act-at-ncs-2015-forum/#sthash.8kgLTGdR.dpuf

By the time the 12th international conference and Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Computer Society, NCS, was drawing to a close recently in Akure, Ondo state, participants at the forum were worried saying that unless issues around data privacy and security laws, implementation of cybercrime act, infrastructure, among others were resolved, Nigeria’s quest for digital economy may be derailed.
Accordingly, the conference provided a forum for policy makers, public and private sector, IT practitioners and academia to keep up to date with technology trends and to discover opportunities for the private sector in the process of inclusive development and avenues for public-private partnerships towards realizing the IT objectives within the context of Millennium Development Goals (MDG).
With big data becoming corporate buzzword for organizations around the world,  there was also question of who owns the data in the cloud.
Although the policy implications of the new technology may appear endless but given the potential impact of cloud computing, these questions, according to the participants will not remain unanswered.  But the question, according to the participants is when and how.
However, with the volume of data being generated on a minute-by-minute basis, the participants at the forum were concerned how best companies can leverage on  the benefits of ‘big data’ for economic development..
Although IT experts at the forum have advised the Federal Government to leverage on big data to improve the state of the economy, there was also issue of the preparedness of the country to adopt the new technology which is becoming the toast of IT community.
While President Muhammadu Buhari had assured in his  inaugural speech that  the present administration would tackle issues around terrorism, financial crime and cybercrime and other challenges of the 21st century, majority of speakers at the NCS conference with the  theme, IT for inclusive development noted that critical information infrastructure (CII) must be protected  as an essential asset for national development and security.
To facilitate the uptake of Big Data Analytics in Nigeria the following challenges including : privacy and security laws, shortage of skilled personnel with data analytical skills, lack of a national strategy/initiative on big data, and data accessibility, according to NCS forum must be addressed.
Stressing the importance of data for development, the Governor of the State Dr. Olusegun Mimiko attributed backwardness of Nigeria to lack of basic socio-economic data .
He urged the NCS conference to find a way to harmonize a common vision to guide the development of ICT  in Nigeria in order to enhance an inclusive development for the nation.
For 21st century digital Nigeria, the immediate past President of NCS  Prof David Adewumi   said that in addition to implementing Cybercrime Act,  legislation should be enacted to foster the development of Information Technology and  IT enabled activities in the country.
Speaking during the plenary session two on data analytics, local content and entrepreneurship development, former President of the Nigerian computer Society, Sir. Demola Aladekomo told the gathering that there was need to have secured data in the cloud.
Fight terrorism with IT
Unless IT, education, employment creation were given urgent attention in governance, the fight against terrorism and other acts of insecurity may be long-drawn, he said.
Speaking during the plenary session, Tope Aladenusi, cyber risk services leader, Deloitte Nigeria, in his presentation on “Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Enhancing Cybersecurity and Resilience” cautioned that Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) are those ICT infrastructure upon which core assets that are essential for the functioning of the society and economy is dependent.
According to him, the destruction of these assets has a catastrophic impact on national security, governance, economy and social well-being of a nation.
In enhancing cybersecurity and resiliency of CII, he said that there was need for the development and enforcement of a framework and standard for protection of CII, but added that education and awareness were needed for implementation.
Outlining key considerations, he said that government should properly define specific critical Information Infrastructure and work with affected private and public sector organizations, improve on the work done by previous administrations by implementing Cybercrime Act, Cybersecurity Strategy and Policy and continuous awareness and improvement by all stakeholders
Also speaking at the on data analytics, local content and entrepreneurship development, a researcher at the Saskatchewan University, Canada,Dr. Iyilade Johnson, predicted that in the ten years’ time, big data will change every aspect of the economy.
According to him, big data is one of the intelligent industry solutions that  allows government to make better decisions by taking action based on patterns revealed by analyzing large volumes of data, which is related and unrelated, structured and unstructured.
“Data is the new oil of the 21st century with potential to spur innovation and social development in many sectors” he said.
But in a communiqué issued and signed by the newly elected President of NCS, Prof. Sola Aderounmu read in part:
*That the Federal Government needs to urgently push for comprehensive broadband access all over the country.
*That the Federal Government as a matter of urgency should roll out, implement and monitor local content policy to encourage Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to patronize indigenous software and hardware.
*That the passing of the Cybercrime bill into law is acknowledged and critical stakeholders should collaborate with NCS in pushing the details and implications of the Cybercrime Act into the public domain through awareness programs and sensitization campaigns.
*That Big Data Analytics is an emerging IT concept with potential to impact individual, businesses and Government in many ways including marketing, customer relationship management, and fraud detection.
*That Emerging technologies including Big Data Analytics are also key to innovation and socio-economic development in every sector and in all agencies of government.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/08/fresh-concern-over-data-security-implementation-of-cyber-crime-act-at-ncs-2015-forum/#sthash.8kgLTGdR.dpuf

Buhari begins total probe of Jonathan’s govt

ABUJA -A total probe of the administration run by immediate past president, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is underway as the National Economic Council, NEC, Ad-hoc Committee on the Management of Excess Crude Account Proceeds and Accruals into the Federation Account, headed by the Governor of Edo State, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, is to hire two international forensic audit firms to probe revenue that accrued into the Federation Account and how it was spent under former Dr Goodluck Jonathan as President.

Mr. Oshiomhole told journalists at the end of the first meeting of the committee in Abuja, yesterday that the auditors would cover the period January 1, 2010 to June 1, 2015.

It put paid to calls by the opposition Peoples' Democratic Party, PDP, that Buhari should extend his probe to the administrations of Jonathan's predecessors, Alh. Umaru Yar' Adua.and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.

Already, some revenue generating agencies have been invited to brief the committee which will take detailed briefings from all Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs of the Federal Government that deal directly with revenue.

The focus will be on the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, the Nigeria Customs Service, the Central bank of Nigeria, the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, NEITI, among others.

Other members of the committee included Gov. Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai of Kaduna State, Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe, and Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom.

He said that the committee did not want its actions to be bogged down by political interpretations and that the members were not professionals. Even if they were professionals, he said that their duties as governors would not allow them the time to do a thorough work.

His words, "We held our first primary session today here with some of the revenue generating agencies that are supposed to remit funds to the federation account. We had a successful session with Customs, NPA, NEITI, SEC, FIRS, and quite a number of others and next week we will also hear from CBN, Ministry of Finance, Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.

For the remaining ones, we agree we are going to meet on Thursday next week, NNPC, NPDC, DPR, NIMASA and other remaining agencies.

We have started the work, with the idea to hear them out, what they have been doing, with particular emphasis on revenue accruing from these organizations and whether or not these have been remitted to the Federation Account for judicious distribution.

His words: "We realised that this is a task and given our mandate, even if we were professional accountants because we are sitting governors, we would not have the time to do a forensic audit which this assignment entails.

"Therefore, we have agreed in line with our mandate to appoint two reputable international audit firms to carry out a thorough forensic audit, not only of NNPC, which is more of excess crude, but other monies that accrued to the Federation Accounts. We have other revenues like bonuses, royalties, taxes, VAT that flow into the Federation Account.

"We are taking a holistic review of the entire process, looking at all the agencies that make contribution of funds to the federation account.

We are convinced that by appointing audit firms, we will allow professionals to carry out this exercise, so that it will be free of any political colouration and also we will ensure the outcome of the investigation will.

"We have learned, we have listened and asked questions. I think we all have a clear picture of what is happening in those organizations before now. Some have information to supply and we have drawn attention to those areas, they are willing to oblige. We believe in the end, we will be able to not just establish what had happened over the period but much more important, going forward with the changes the President has promised the country.

"It is not going to be business as usual. He started on a clean slate and everybody knows the new rules of the game and in particular as the laws apply to the various institutions are implemented in full. So I think we started very well. We are very confident that we are going to come out with something that is going to be of immense benefits to the Nigerian people".

On the rationale for embarking on another audit report with regards to the alleged missing funds, he said "Some reports were produced by PWC but in that report the PWC expressed their frustration and pointed to the fact that they were not able to access all the information they needed and that what they were able to produce was to the extent of information that was made available to them."

He added: "Audit can only be credible as much as information that was made available to auditors. The good news now is that with President Buhari, all the books will be open, no agency has any protection. Any agency that refuses to open the books then is ready to go on confrontation with the authority.

"The forensic audit will act on the whole truth and nothing but the truth so that all stakeholders will have basis to formulate good policies and that Nigeria will never find itself in this circle where huge sums of money are allegedly diverted and unaccounted for. Audit has become a way of life for all public institutions."

On the duration of the audit exercise, Oshiomhole explained that the committee had looked at it professionally. “We are focusing on a five year circle. What we have agreed is that we are going to carry out an audit for five years from 1st January 2010 to 30th June 2015.

“If the audit report reveals that we need to go backward, then we can do that. But for the first instance, this is the period that we consider good.

“We can't impose a time frame on them but will engage them and by Thursday we will be able to make it public. We need to listen to them and agreed with them on how much time will be okay for them. We are all in a hurry to ensure that the right thing is done. The emphasis is not on time but doing thorough job.

“By next week we will meet with the big ones and we will then be able to tell you the audit firms that we have appointed. They are firms I am sure Nigerians will have confidence in.

"At the end of the audit we will hear them out and reconcile them with what the laws says and arrive at a position. Given the volume of work and complicated nature of issues, we agreed we need professionals to carry out the audit. It is only the professionals that can handle it. It is not good to compromise". 
By Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief, & Emmanuel Elebeke