FG to launch National Cybercrime Centre

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

The war against cybercrime in Nigeria has taken a center stage as the Federal Government disclosed readiness to launch the National Cybercrime Center to curb the increasing wave of cyber-related crimes in the country.

1st National Consultation on the Cybercrimes Legal Framework jointly sponsored by the GLACY+ and OCWAR-C (both EU funded projects) projects in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Justice.

The Cyber security centre which will be supervised by the Nigeria Police Force would among others synergise with both National and international security communities for robust legislation, and strategies to protect Nigeria’s cyberspace.

This was made known by the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Usman Alkali Baba, at the first Consultation forum on the national legal framework on Cybercrime held on Wednesday in Abuja.

In a remark, National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno pointed out that Nigeria’s cyberspace is currently threatened by money laundering, child pornography, and fishing among other cyber-related crimes.

Monguno said to reverse the growing trends of cybercrimes and to properly harness the revolution’s benefits from the potential of cyberspace, there is a need for collaborative efforts by agencies to cope with the threats.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the African Union Cybersecurity Group of experts, Abdul-Hakeem Ajijola, also stressed the need to improve legislation along with the cyber security architecture in the country.

Ajijola said, “I urge Nigeria to ratify and accede to the Malabo convention as Africa has started moving forward on it without us.

“However, legislation alone is not enough. We need to fortify our digital frontiers with advanced cybersecurity technologies.”

In the same vern, the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Prof. Ali Isa Pantami also called for collaborative efforts by Ministries and agencies of government to tackle the menace of cybercrime.

The Digital and communication minister also stressed the need for an improved legislative framework that will combat the complexity of the crimes.

Pantami said, “Let us remember the profound importance of our collective efforts. Cybercrime knows no borders, and its impact transcends individual nations.

“We must work together as stakeholders from various sectors - government, law enforcement agencies, industry, civil society, and academia - to address the multifaceted challenges.

“We must seize this opportunity to develop a robust national legal framework that encompasses the complexities of cybercrimes and electronic evidence gathering.

“Our legislation should empower law enforcement agencies, enable effective investigation and prosecution of cybercriminals, and safeguard the rights and privacy of our citizens. It should promote international cooperation and information sharing to combat cyber threats effectively.”

Also the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi stressed the need for an improved legal framework to combat rising threats to Nigeria’s cyberspace.

He said, “ A cybercrime legislative framework Is one of those critical areas that needs to be addressed in order to promote a healthy digital economy. “

He added, “As we embark on this collaborative journey, let us embrace the principles of inclusivity, innovation, and resilience. Let us seize this opportunity to devise legal frameworks that strike a delicate balance between security and privacy, empower law enforcement agencies, protect our citizens and critical infrastructure, and foster trust in our digital ecosystem.”

Earlier, the solicitor General of the Federation, Beatrice JedyAgba in a welcome address, urged the participants at the forum to harness the opportunities provided by the three-day consultative forum to improve modalities towards curbing cybercrime in Nigeria.

The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho on his part, pledged the commitment of the courts towards achieving the aims of Act, -2015 cybercrime Act.

Represented by Justice D.U. Okorowo, the CJ stressed that the Federal High Court is not just a critical stakeholder, but a decisive partner in the achievement of the aims of the Act.

Justice Tsoho said, “The Federal High Court as an institution is committed to providing adequate support to all relevant stakeholders to achieve the aims of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Preventions) Act, 2015.

“Section 50 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Preventions) Act, 2015 conferred on the Federal High Court exclusive jurisdiction over offences committed under the Act.”

Minister commends NSCDC boss over welfare of staff —Minister

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

The Minister of Interior Rauf Aregbesola has identified welfare as a necessary ingredient for motivation.

He stated this on Tuesday at the commissioning of a newly reconstructed parade ground and staff quarters at the corps National Headquarters, Sauka and Mabushi.

Specifically, the minister said the CG stood out in his strategy of motivating staff.

He commended the CG for transforming the corps to a reasonable standard.

He said welfare packages have a way of encouraging the staff to perform their best.

“The staff quarters will help the officers to be comfortable and to focus on their duty.

“I would like to commend the CG for motivating his staff. This also shows the commitment of the govt in ensuring welfare of officers and to encourage them in their duties.

Speaking on the project, the Commandant General of NSCDC, Ahmed Audi, said the project gives him great pleasure to welcome the minister to the commissioning of yet another set of landmark projects at the National Headquarters of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

“The projects include the remodelled Parade Ground and Staff Quarters.

Honourable Minster, Distinguished Guests, without sounding immodest, part of my vision for the Corps is not only to improve on existing facilities, but to develop new ones that would add value in our quest for better performance.

“This informed our decision to reconstruct the old parade ground and build new staff residential quarters being commissioned today.

“It is worthy of note that the remodelled parade ground was in a state of disrepair unbefitting of the standard the Corps has carved for itself. To correct this, I undertook an inspection of the parade ground to get first-hand knowledge of the exact situation and what needed to be done to put it in good shape to enable it measure up to the desired standard befitting of the Corps we are envisioning.

“You will recall that the old parade ground was not as spacious as it is now while there was no provision for VIP Stand and the fact that the initial ground was a bit difficult for effective training, drills, parade etc. However, today the remodelled parade ground has been further expanded with a secured VIP Stand, a Standard Saluting Dais and a classy ground among other facilities befitting of a standard parade ground.

“You will agree with me that this parade ground is multipurpose but is specially developed to serve the purpose of drills, parade and other training needs of the Corps as we continue to take additional measures aimed at strengthening the capacity of the Corps.

He said “the Staff Residential Quarters on the other hand is in furtherance of our staff welfare programme aimed at ensuring the provision of shelter towards ameliorating the housing needs of our personnel and capable of further boosting the morale of personnel in an effort to enhance productivity and better performance.

“Honourable Minister, Distinguished Guests, we are determined and remain resolute in our resolve to pursue our vision of developing policies, projects and programmes aimed at motivating our personnel for operational efficiency/better performance especially at this challenging moment where we need to do everything humanly possible to tackle the emerging security threat in the Country.”

commission’s Kajola locomotive, rolling stock assembly plant in Ogun state

By Albert Akota

The Federal Government in demonstration of its commitment to revitalize and ensure sustainability of the ongoing railway modernization project has commissioned the Kajola Wagon Assembly Plant in Ogun State.

President Muhammadu Buhari who performed the commissioning of the project, coordinated by the Federal Ministry of Transportation expressed immense pleasure over project which was conceived and flagged off in 2019, by the Vice President Prof. Yemi Osibanjo.

President further said it will not only generate the needed employment but will boost economic opportunities for the citizenry as it will promote and develop local capacity in Assembling and Manufacturing of Rolling Stock.

The President who was represented by the Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, said the project is in compliance with the Presidential Executive Order No. 5 that stipulates “companies’ involvement in infrastructure development within the country.

According to the President, the Locomotive and Rolling Depot has the capacity to produce 500 Wagons per year of Open Wagons, Container Flat Wagons and Box Wagons, adding that the first set of Wagons assembled in Nigeria are being rolled out for freight services.

Also speaking at the occasion, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, said: “there is no gainsaying that this is one of the landmark legacies of the Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, designed to ensure the sustainability of railway development in the country”.

In his remarks, the Managing Director, Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Fidet Okhiria, who was obviously overjoyed said the plant was a dream come true, adding that it would serve as a source for replacement of faulty wagons instead of sourcing them overseas.

Okhiria, said some wagons had been delivered to NRC for trials, and have been tested and confirmed as meeting international standards.