Uncategorized
TETFUND Researchers want FG to Invest in Technology
The federal government has been urged to invest more in technology such as drones, implementing satellite enhanced surveillance and monitoring of hard-to-reach locations to tackle banditry.
These were part of the research recommendations presented at an online validation workshop from university researchers who investigated armed bandits and banditry in Nigeria; the history, character and panacea, funded by TETFUND grant.
To reduce bandit attacks in communities around Nigeria, the researchers tasked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to charge his service chiefs to deepen the use of non-kinetic rather than kinetic approaches.
“While banditry has led to displacement, unemployment and poverty in some of the affected communities, the affected people want government to adopt non-kinetic alongside with kinetic approach by building community resilience through the provision of communication gadgets to community members for the purpose of gathering intelligence and reporting incidences,” the researchers revealed.
Led by Olajide Akanji, a professor and the principal investigator, the researchers (Rasidi Okunola, Bentina Mathias, Bukola Adesina, Nathaniel Danjibo, a doctorate degree holder, Adebimpe Adenugba and Oludayo Tade, all professors), argued that the absence of such gadgets has hindered evidence gathering, reportage, and investigation of perpetrators in communities.
They also called on the government to empower communities and individuals to be able to defend themselves rather than feel helpless when attacked.
The research participants also called for the creation of community policing to promptly attend to bandit attacks in local communities more effectively. More importantly, communities prone to bandit attacks need regular security awareness and sensitisation training.”
While speaking further, Akanji stated that participants called for strict penalties such as death penalty for bandits and their informants within the community to serve as deterrent to others.
They likewise called for increased collaboration among traditional institutions, security agencies and community leaders to nip activities in the bud.
They found out that where reported success was made, interagency collaboration was used in the fight against bandits, hence they advised governments at the federal and affected states to ensure that adequate support for long term rehabilitation and resettlement of victims of banditry are made.
The researchers who collated data from the Northwest, Northcentral, Southeast and Southwest zones, noted that there was the need for regular deployment, monitoring and surveillance of communities prone to bandit attacks adding that data have shown that bandits attack communities very early or late in the night while others attack communities on market days with a view to hijacking food, kidnap and displace communities.
While noting that it was important for the government to prioritise the welfare of security agents who work in bandit affected communities nationwide, they noted that the government needs to invest in technology such as drones and implementing satellite enhanced surveillance and monitoring of hard-to-reach locations.
Participants argued that the absence of such gadgets has hindered evidence gathering, reportage, and investigation of perpetrators in communities.
The study also found lapses in the government responses to the fight against banditry to include the practice of releasing and returning arrested bandits back to communities, which have undermined trust in the legal and security frameworks, deterring individuals from reporting suspicious activities due to fear of reprisal.
Others are: lack of implementation of decisions reached during investigations, leading to disconnect between government promises and actionable results; poor and lack of evaluation and adaptation of governments’ responses to evolving banditry threats and delays in aid delivery to victims.
The validation workshop was attended by the representatives of the Nigeria Navy, Nigerian Airforce, Office of the National Security Adviser, UNDP and Amotekun from Oyo and Ekiti states, among other stakeholders.
Uncategorized
Kaspersky Discloses Fraudulent Campaigns Targeting Students and Educators
As the international back-to-school season starts, Kaspersky’s cybersecurity experts have detected a significant surge in fraudulent activities. Cybercriminals exploit academic topics, launching sophisticated phishing campaigns.
However, Kaspersky experts warn that this year, the campaigns have become more targeted, specifically aiming to steal personal data from students, educators, and administrators in the educational sector.
Fraudsters are increasingly leveraging data collection forms on platforms like SurveyHeart.com, a questionnaire like Google Forms, to carry out scams.
In one such scheme – a phishing attack that targets students at Neumann University in the U.S. – victims receive a notification claiming they are using two different Microsoft school emails across various university portals.
To prevent their Office 365 account from being deactivated, they are asked to complete a survey requiring sensitive details such as their name, phone number, university email, and account password.
Another scam uncovered by Kaspersky experts involves fraudsters creating fake giveaways that promise students a chance to win various high-end gadgets useful for education, from iPhones to iPads and laptops.
To enter these enticing contests, victims are asked to provide personal information and indicate their preferred laptop model.
Additionally, individuals are prompted to share a link to a prize-draw page with 15 contacts via WhatsApp. While the prospect of winning a valuable item like a laptop is the lure, there’s a hidden catch: the so-called winners are told they must pay for the delivery of their prizes. This demand for additional payment is a clear red flag that the giveaway is a scam.
The offer may seem tempting, but the combination of an unusually generous prize and the requirement to cover delivery costs is a telltale sign of fraudulent activity.
“These scams go beyond immediate data theft and could lead to more serious, long-term consequences,” cautions Olga Svistunova, a security expert at Kaspersky.
“If attackers gain access to private school information, such as class schedules, it could be exploited for doxing, stalking, cyberbullying, or even identity theft. It’s essential for students to be vigilant and cautious when responding to such suspicious notifications.”
Uncategorized
CAA Launches SOS Webinar Series to Unveil Climate Action @Subnational Level
Climate Action Africa is proud to announce the launch of Scorecard of States (SOS) Webinar Series, set to debut on Thursday, 26 September 2024, with the theme: Unveiling Climate Action at the Subnational Level. This initiative is a crucial step in advancing climate resilience and fostering eco-conscious communities across Nigeria, focusing on the pivotal role of subnational governments in driving climate action.
As Nigeria continues to take proactive steps towards addressing climate change, the recent 2024 Climate Governance Performance Ranking report has spotlighted the diverse performance of Nigeria’s 36 states. Notably, Lagos, Gombe, and Ebonyi have emerged as top performers, demonstrating significant progress in institutional arrangements and project implementation. While these successes are commendable, they also highlight the ongoing need for dialogue, collaboration, and innovation to further enhance climate action at the state level.
The SOS Webinar Series by Climate Action Africa is designed to serve as a dynamic platform for knowledge sharing, policy influence, and stakeholder engagement. Through this series, we aim to showcase and discuss the climate change and sustainability initiatives of Nigerian states, explore the challenges they face, and promote innovative solutions that can inform and influence climate policies at the subnational level.
This webinar series will run for a year, with government representatives from 3 different states appearing as speakers every month. Each session will focus on the unique climate challenges and successes of four states, fostering a comprehensive understanding of subnational climate action across Nigeria.
Why This Matters
The Scorecard of States is not just a discussion series; it is a vital mechanism for driving climate action where it is needed most — at the state level. Subnational governments are at the forefront of implementing climate policies that directly impact local communities. This series, through highlighting state-level initiatives, sharing successes and challenges, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders, will contribute to a more resilient and sustainable Nigeria.
Upcoming Event Details
The first series is scheduled to hold as follows:
Date: Thursday, 26 September 2024
Time: 2:00 PM WAT
Duration: 90 minutes
Format: Zoom Webinar
Keynote Address: Cecilia Kinuthia-Njenga – Director, Intergovernmental Support and Collective Progress Division, UNFCCC.
Participating States: Abia, Kano, and Ekiti.
Panelists: Chris Ike – Director, Climate Change Department, Abia State Ministry of Environment; Umar Saleh Anka – Director, Environment and Climate Change at Kano Watershed, Erosion and Climate Change Management Agency KN-WECCMA, Kano State Ministry of Environment and Climate Change; and Akinola Babatunde Peter – Director, Climate Change and Nature Conservation, Ministry of environment and natural resources Ado ekiti Nigeria.
Call for Sponsors and Partners
Sponsorship and partnership opportunities are available to support this impactful initiative. We invite organizations, businesses, and stakeholders committed to climate action to join us in making this series a success.
Partnering with us will enable you to play a key role in advancing climate resilience across Nigeria, gaining visibility among a diverse audience of policymakers, climate action leaders, researchers, and community stakeholders.
For media inquiries, sponsorship opportunities, or partnership discussions, please contact: [email protected] .
Join us for this impactful event as we pave the way for enhanced climate action across Nigeria.
Uncategorized
FBNQuest Asset Management ABC of Investing
Whether your dreams include buying a home, starting a business, or traveling the world, sound financial management is the key to turning these dreams into reality.
Personal finance is the comprehensive practice of managing your money in a way that aligns with your financial aspirations and goals.
This multifaceted discipline includes a variety of activities such as budgeting, saving, investing, and planning for retirement. Each of these components plays a crucial role in ensuring your financial stability and growth.
Budgeting in personal finance is the process of creating a plan to manage your income, expenses, and savings. It involves deciding in advance how you will allocate your money to cover various needs and goals.
Here are some key points about budgeting, Income and Expenses, Spending Control, Savings. Creating a budget can give you more control over your finances and help you achieve both short-term and long-term financial stability. Do you have any specific goals or areas you’d like to focus on in your budget?
Savings refers to the portion of your income that you set aside and do not spend immediately. This money is typically reserved for future use, such as emergencies, large purchases, or long-term goals like buying a house or retirement. cash idling in a savings account becomes wasteful because it loses purchasing power to inflation over time.
Instead, cash not tied up in an emergency should be placed in something that will help it maintain its value or grow, such as investments.
Investing is the act of allocating money into financial assets or ventures with the expectation of generating a profit or income over time. Investing can be a powerful tool for growing your wealth, but it’s important to understand the risks and do thorough research or consult with a financial advisor.
Planning for retirement in personal finance involves preparing financially for the period in your life when you will no longer be working full-time.
The goal is to ensure you have enough money saved and invested to maintain your desired lifestyle after you stop working. It’s never too early to start planning and seeking advice from a financial advisor can be very helpful.
Keep in mind that managing personal finances is an ongoing journey, not a single destination. The financial landscape is always evolving, and it’s crucial to stay informed and adaptable.
Continuously educating yourself about new financial strategies and adapting to changing circumstances will help you navigate this journey successfully. By doing so, you can ensure that your financial decisions are well-informed and aligned with your long-term goals.
Here are few steps to aid your journey into sound personal finance management.
- Access your Financial Health
Financial health refers to the overall condition of your financial situation, encompassing all actions that impact your monetary affairs. It’s important to recognize that everyone’s circumstances are unique, so it’s essential to tailor your assessment to your personal needs and goals. Financial health includes various aspects, such as:
- Cash Balance: A growing cash balance indicates positive financial health.
- Expenses and Debt: Monitor your expenses and debt, such as credit cards, mortgages, and loans. Aim for minimal fluctuations in expenses.
- Savings and Net Worth: Assess your net worth—whether it’s positive or negative. Consider your savings, investments, and assets available for current or future use.
- Investment Returns: Strong returns on investments contribute to financial health. Diversify your investments for stability.
To improve your financial health:
- Assess your net worth Pay down your debts
- Create a budget you can stick to Build an emergency fund
- Understanding Investment basics
An investment involves using capital in the present to increase an asset’s value over time. It’s the act of allocating resources (usually money) with the expectation of generating income, profit, or gains.
When making an investment decision, an individual must consider some key factors; investment objective, risk and return, liquidity need and investment duration.
- Investment Objective
An investment objective is a set of financial goals that guide an investor’s decisions regarding their investment. The objective of the investment defines the goal of an investment.
It could be Increasing the value of your investment over time (Growth), generating regular income from the investment (Income), Protecting the initial investment from loss or a combination of more than one.
Understanding your investment objective helps in creating a tailored investment strategy that aligns with your personal finance goal.
- Risk and Returns
In personal finance, risk refers to the potential for losing some or all your investment. When considering risk, it’s important to understand both your willingness and ability to take risks. These two concepts help determine your overall risk tolerance.
Willingness to Take Risk
This is your personal comfort level with taking risks. It reflects your attitude and emotional response to potential losses and gains.
Some people are naturally more risk-averse, preferring safer investments, while others are more risk-tolerant and comfortable with the possibility of higher losses for the chance of higher returns.
- Telecom2 days ago
Telecoms Workers Begin Nationwide Strike
- E-Financial2 days ago
Opay, Moniepoint others to Begin Deduction of N50 eTransfer Fee
- Telecom2 days ago
NCC Partners EFCC, Police to Track Identity Thieves
- E-Business2 days ago
Konga’s Back-to-School Campaign Empowers Learners and Educators with Unbeatable Deals
- Telecom2 days ago
AIT Embraces AI Driven Learning to Revolutionise Higher Education
- Telecom2 days ago
MTN Refutes Allegations against CEO after Independent Report
- E-Financial2 days ago
FRC Accuses Banks of Colluding with States to Bypass Fiscal Law
- E-Financial18 hours ago
SEC Gives Reasons for Approving Digital Exchanges