Telecom
NITDA DG Charges Lagos State Ministry of Health on Adoption of NDPR
Mallam Kasihfu Inuwa Abdullahi, director general, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has urged the Lagos State Ministry of Health to fully adopt the implementation of all provisions in the Nigerian Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) to protect the medical data of the residents of the state.
Abdullahi made the call yesterday in Lagos when he paid a working visit to the state Commissioner of Health, Professor Akinola Abayomi where the issue on Implementation of the NDPR for the Lagos Health Sector was discussed.
Abdullahi commended the Commissioner and his team on the proactive, professional dispositions and approach in which the State handled and disseminated public information during the Corona virus pandemic crisis.
“Beyond any iota of doubt, our recovery as a nation from corona virus cannot be told without special mention of the work you and your team did and are still doing to keep us safe”, the DG averred.
The DG stated that in the 4th Industrial Revolution where big data, artificial intelligence, internet of things and blockchain technology are the key indices and parameters driving economy globally, it is important to review and improve on the credibility of datasets in health care, a sector which is data driven, adding that Medical Informatics and Data are the bedrock of clinical medicine and research.
He further disclosed that the NDPR, a regulation issued by NITDA to protect data privacy and coordinate safe exchange of personal data is built on all the international principles of data protection such as accuracy, limitation of use, security, confidentiality, availability and integrity of data.
According to him, it is a subsidiary law which limits abuse of power by data controllers as data subjects determine how their data should be handled.
The DG stated that the adoption and implementation of the NDPR by the Lagos State Ministry of Health will make every patient in the health care sector trust the privacy and management of their personal information with the state health care sector. This he stated, implies that the sector will have a privacy policy that gives access to the type of personal information being collected, stored and processed by ensuring confidentiality, integrity and availability of personal data.
He reiterated that it is imperative to re-orientate health workers in the state on the importance of data privacy and proper disposal of medical wastes to avoid personal sample details being exposed to wrong persons.
He however, noted that the full implementation of the NDPR would cost human, time and material resources but the resultant benefits cannot be overemphasized noting that it is a process that will yield multiple dividends eventually.
He stressed that “by giving an illustration in which a recent study showed that about $100 billion would save by adopting internet of things (IoT) in healthcare. When you consider other technology inputs such as telemedicine, genetic research, electronic medical records, it would be obvious that healthcare would be one of the most technology intensive sectors in a few short years.”
Director General, NITDA Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi CCIE, the Commissioner of Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, management staff of both organisations during a working visit to Lagos State
“By adopting and implementing the NDPR, you have begun the journey to a better and more appropriate use of technology in the healthcare sector. Lagos state would benefit a lot if people understand that the state health sector values personal data and makes efforts to protect it. This alone, would boost health tourism and improve the quality of care in the state”, the DG concluded.
Professor Abayomi while thanking the DG and his team for visiting the Ministry expressed confidence that the privacy of sensitive data in Nigeria which is under the supervision of NITDA is in excellent hands.
The Commissioner said that the State Ministry of Health, as custodian of the Lagos State Smart Health Information Platform, has ensured that their clients and partners are NDPR compliant in order to deliver an excellent and transparent service.
“We will continue to work very hard with NITDA to stick with the guidelines which have been propagated by the Agency”, the Commissioner said.
QNET, a leading global lifestyle and wellness direct selling company, has been honored with the prestigious “Direct Selling Company of the Year” award at the recent AfriTECH 4.0 Conference and Awards.
This recognition underscores QNET’s significant contributions to financial inclusion and e-commerce in Africa.
The award was presented to QNET by Mr. Chike Onwuegbuchi, Co-Convener of AfriTech & ATAEx Awards. Onwuegbuchi commended QNET for its unwavering commitment to empowering individuals and driving economic growth across the continent.
He highlighted the company’s innovative approach to direct selling, coupled with its focus on financial literacy and digital innovation.
Biram Fall, Regional Manager for QNET Sub-Saharan Africa, expressed his gratitude for the recognition.
He emphasized QNET’s dedication to innovation, entrepreneurship, and digital transformation in Africa.
Fall highlighted the company’s impact on the Nigerian economy, particularly through its advanced technology and robust e-commerce platform.
“QNET’s participation in this event further solidified its position as a key player in the region’s digital transformation journey.
“We are committed to staying in Nigeria, our biggest market in Sub-Saharan Africa, and contributing to the region’s development,” Fall stated.
During his keynote speech, Fall underscored QNET’s commitment to empowering individuals through knowledge and skill development.
He highlighted the FinGreen financial literacy program, which has already trained over 1,350 young people in Nigeria to make informed financial decisions.
Fall also emphasized the potential of direct selling to drive economic growth in Africa. “Our e-commerce-driven direct-selling model provides opportunities for income generation across more than 100 countries, helping individuals pursue their goals while contributing to community growth,” he explained.
Addressing the challenges of limited banking infrastructure and cash dependency in Africa, Fall stressed the importance of financial inclusion for e-commerce growth.
He called for collaboration to accelerate financial inclusion and e-commerce growth in Africa, fostering a financially inclusive future for the continent.
Martin Ekpeke, Managing Editor of ITPulse, a leading Nigerian online Information and Communications Technology (ICT) news platform, was awarded the prestigious Digital Reporting Excellence Award at the Africa Tech Alliance Excellence (ATAEx) Awards.
The award, presented by Tech Castle Foundation, recognizes Ekpeke’s exceptional coverage of cyber threats, digital privacy, and the evolving online security landscape.
“We are thrilled to honor Martin Ekpeke with the Digital Reporting Excellence Award.
“His insightful reporting has been instrumental in raising awareness about critical digital issues and empowering individuals and organizations to stay informed and protected,” said Chike Onwuegbuchi from Tech Castle Foundation.
Ekpeke expressed his gratitude for the recognition, stating, “I am deeply honored to receive this award.
“It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire ITPulse team.
“We are committed to delivering high-quality, informative content that empowers our readers to navigate the complex digital world.”
The Africa Tech Alliance Excellence (ATAEx) Awards celebrate individuals, businesses, and institutions driving digital transformation in Africa.
This year’s event brought together tech enthusiasts, regulators, and other key stakeholders in the Nigerian ICT ecosystem.
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has emphasized the judiciary’s crucial role in Nigeria’s digital transformation. During the Annual Workshop for Judges on Legal Issues in Telecommunications, Executive Vice Chairman Aminu Maida highlighted the judiciary’s reliance on digital tools to enhance justice delivery.
He stressed the need for special protections for telecommunication infrastructure, which faces disruptions from vandalism, theft, and restricted access.
Maida called for judicial support to implement the Presidential Order designating telecommunications infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure.
This order prohibits unauthorized actions against such infrastructure without a lawful court order.
The judiciary’s role in protecting fundamental rights, enforcing digital contracts, and developing digital jurisprudence is vital for Nigeria’s digital transformation.
Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, commended the NCC’s efforts to protect consumers from unfair practices and emphasized the judiciary’s commitment to the telecommunications sector.
She highlighted concerns such as cybersecurity risks, consumer data protection, and the need for improved dispute resolution frameworks within the digital economy.
The workshop aims to equip judicial officers with the technical expertise required to address emerging legal challenges in telecommunications.
Nigeria’s digital economy has significant growth potential, with projected revenues of $18.30 billion by 2026, expected to create employment opportunities, reduce poverty, and promote innovation.
The NCC is working with key stakeholders to ensure the seamless implementation of the Presidential Order and to keep Nigeria competitive in the global digital economy.
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