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CSO Raises Alarm, Sues FG for Spying on Nigerians with Satellites

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A Civic Society Organization (CSO) has dragged the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology to court seeking judicial review of the Ministry’s alleged refusal to attend to Freedom of Information (FoI) request it made to the Ministry several weeks ago.

The action, Nigeria CommunicationsWeek gathered, came as a result of a Freedom of Information request made by the Paradigm Initiative Nigeria (PIN) on May 3 to the ministry on the capabilities of two new satellites to be launched by the National Space and Research Development Agency under the Ministry.

These satellites, PIN said, are believed to have snooping capacities which can infringe the constitutionally guaranteed rights of Nigerians to privacy. However, since the request was made, there has been no response from the ministry.

The refusal of the ministry to abide by the provision of the FOI Act 2011, in this case, is responsible for the initiation of the court process by Paradigm Initiative.

The case has been since fixed for hearing and will come up before Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court in the Abuja Division on June 28, 2017.

“At Paradigm Initiative, we understand the need to ensure that digital rights are respected and aside from having this as one of our most important mandates, we have recognized the need to mount guard in making this happen. This is not done because of the abundance of time and resources, but for the need to ensure that rights begin to form the fulcrum upon which technological innovations are made. Furthermore, we are keen on the crucial influence of digital rights on our dear country’s socio-political and socio-economic survival”, said Tomiwa Ilori, the program assistant for Paradigm Initiative’s Magoyi (ICT policy) program.

“This is not the first time we have turned to the Courts to have them safeguard digital rights in Nigeria. Even though a unique and novel turf, we are conscious of the fact that soon, we will be able to comfortably rely on the Court’s plethora of decided cases on digital rights to institutionalize its principles”, he continued.

‘Gbenga Sesan, the executive director of Paradigm Initiative, also said, “If Nigeria must lead in Africa, she must also learn to teach by examples, one of which is ensuring that rights are respected whether online or offline. We understand the bureaucracies and back-breaking challenges that come with asking questions from authorities, especially in Nigeria but we are not going to allow that deter us.’’

Adeboye Adegoke, a program manager with Paradigm Initiative’s Magoyi (ICT Policy) program, reiterated “the need to make sure that we have rights-respecting institutions in Nigeria is almost a thankless job considering the unique structure of Nigeria as a country but it is a job that must be done. We will ensure that we get this matter to a logical conclusion and we implore Nigerians to join us in creating more awareness of the need to respect digital rights. Thankfully, Nigerians are beginning to get more interested in strategies to make sure that digital rights gain more footing as it is intrinsically linked to democratic principles of constitutionalism.”

 

 


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Nigeria CommunicationsWeek believes that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. So since 2007, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and how they affect lives.

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Coronation Report Reveals Key Role of Private Sector to Nigeria’s Infrastructure Funding

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The maiden edition of Coronation group infrastructure report has revealed that the private sector has a critical role to play in infrastructure funding in Nigeria.

The report stated that the key to private-sector infrastructure investment is for dealmakers to structure transactions that offer attractive returns combined with an acceptable degree of risk, the risk often being eased by agreements supplied by infrastructure investment vehicles such a Infracorp.

The report said that the investor base can play its part, providing liquidity as part of its own efforts to create long-term returns with low relationship with public markets.

The report noted that Nigeria’s future infrastructure development depends on private capital, including capital allocated to Public Private Partnership (PPP) ventures, given the huge amounts of money required and the inability of government to provide it.

The report explained that the record of the federal government in capital expenditure over several decades highlighted the need for increasing private-sector investment, adding that public expenditure on transportation, education, hospitals, power, housing, and other essential infrastructure has not kept up with the needs of a population growing at a long-term rate.

The report said Public-private partnership differs from government capital expenditure in that it must pay for its capital, noting that it must attract private sector capital and therefore provide better returns than the risk-free returns of government debt.

According to the report, “Inflows of petro-dollars into government coffers did not translate into proportionately more being spent on capital expenditure, surely a missed opportunity. Still worse was to follow in the period 2011-2020 when the average level of public sector capital expenditure fell to 1.1 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).”


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DLM Asset Management Set to Host Webinar to Discuss Financial Stability in Times of Economic Distress

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DLM Asset Management Limited, a subsidiary of DLM Capital Group, is hosting a webinar with the theme, “Maintaining financial stability in times of economic distress.” The much-awaited webinar, slated for Thursday, March 28, 2023, at 11 a.m., is going to cover the essential strategies to navigate through economic challenges and safeguarding one’s financial future.

Hosted by industry experts, the webinar will delve into the following key topics and teach attendees:

  • How to adopt a proactive, knowledgeable, and adaptable approach to risk assessment and mitigation.
  • How to thrive in this present economy and remain financially resilient.
  • Financial planning and discipline

During its interactive Q&A session, attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the subsidiary’s services from the hosts and speakers of the webinar. This includes the DLM fixed income fund, which Nairametrics identified as one of the top-performing Nigerian mutual funds in 2023.

This webinar is designed for investment savvy individuals Income earners, institutional and corporate investors, high net worth individuals, and the mass retail market.

Interested parties can register for the webinar by using this link, which is currently active. Seize the opportunity to gain experience on insightful things and get ready for a rewarding encounter.

 


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Firm Canvasses Affordable Technology to Drive Business Efficiency

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Information Communication Technology (ICT) service provider, Thamani Consulting, has stressed the need to make technology much affordable so as to make businesses seamless and efficient.

Olubunmi Abegunde, Managing Partner of the company, averred that making technology access affordable would enhance its penetration and increase uptake of digital technologies to drive employment growth of more than 22 million Africans joining the workforce each year.

He explained that the organisation remained committed to empowering businesses to thrive in Nigeria’s dynamic environment, hence churns out innovative solutions to address business problems across disciplines.

“Leveraging 20 years of combined market experience executing successful IT Projects with local and multinational organisations, we aim to capitalise on this to improve strategic utilisation of technology in Africa and support capacity building through access to requisite information technology,” he said.

He explained further that the African region more than others need increased usage of digital technologies to level-up globally, noting that polices to drive low-end technology access must be prioritised.

“This is why we do not compromise the balance of quality, standard professionalism and yet affordability in the choice of solutions we offer to clients which include: SAP training and Implementations, Software Asset Management, Plant Maintenance Process Automation and Automation for manufacturing Industries, amongst others.”


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