TheNewsGuru

Tag: Ali Pantami

  • Pantami warns Nigerians against use of Windows 7 powered devices

    The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami has alerted Nigerians on the risks of using Windows 7 powered devices for internet-based services that require the use of sensitive information such as internet banking.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Pantami gave the warning in the statement released by his Technical Assistant, Government Digital Services and Innovation, Mukhtar Sadiq.

    With the official end of support for Windows 7 operating system (OS), which came into effect on 14th January 2020, Microsoft will no longer provide technical support and security or software updates for the platform.

    Systems running on Windows 7 OS will continue to work, however they will become progressively more vulnerable to viruses and malware. The best way to remain secure is to use the latest OS available.

    “We are therefore calling on all Windows 7 users to immediately implement some precautionary measures to help protect themselves from breach of privacy and loss of critical data.

    “The measures are: keeping security software up to date; keeping all other applications up to date; and being more skeptical on downloads and emails accessed,” the statement read.

    According to the statement also, the minister in his efforts to propagate the importance of cyber security and to ensure that cyber threats are quickly identified and contained, will from time to time alert the general public on important event and measures to ensure that people can feel safe online.

  • Why you should update your SIM card immediately

    The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Pantami has directed the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to revise the policy on SIM Card registration, and usage.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the directive is contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by Dr Femi Adeluyi, Technical Assistant (Information Technology) to the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy.

    According to Adeluyi, the directive is in line with the powers of the Minister as stated in Section 25(1) of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003- “the Minister shall, in writing, from time to time notify the Commission or and express his views on the general policy direction of the Federal Government in respect of the communications sector.”

    The revision of the policy, according to Adeluyi, is based on the feedback received from security agencies, following the successful revalidation of improperly registered SIM cards in September 2019, and the eventual blocking of those that failed to revalidate their SIM cards.

    The updated policy, TNG learnt, is expected to include the following provisions, amongst others: ensure that the National Identity Number (NIN) becomes a prerequisite for Nigerians registering new SIM cards, while for foreigners, their passports and visas would be required.

    For already registered SIM cards, users are expected to update their SIM cards with their National Identity Number (NIN) on or before 1st of December, 2020.

    According to the statement, NCC will ensure that only fully accredited agents support the SIM card registration process without pre-registering SIM cards themselves, while the eventual registration should be done by the operators.

    When the policy is implemented, there would be a maximum number of SIM cards that can be tied to a single individual, possibly a maximum of 3; and NCC will nsure that no unregistered SIMs are ever allowed on mobile networks.

    The NCC will also ensure that subscribers can easily check the number of SIM cards registered to their name, along with the associated phone numbers and networks; and also ensure that mobile network operators fortify their networks against cyberattacks and ensure that they adhere to the provisions of the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR).

    Also, the NCC will ensure that SIM cards that have been used to perpetrate crimes are permanently deactivated; and provide the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy with progress reports on the implementation of the revised policy.

  • Use of social media: NITDA cautions public institutions

    Use of social media: NITDA cautions public institutions

    The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has called for strict compliance to the framework and guidelines on use of social media platforms by public institutions.

    The agency’s Director General, Dr Isa Pantami, made the call on Thursday in a statement issued in Abuja.

    Pantami recalled that the guidelines was signed into law in January and provided rules for the use of social media by public institutions to ensure transparency in government.

    He stated that “NITDA would like to bring to the attention of federal public institutions, the need for strict compliance with framework and guidelines over use of social media platforms.

    “The framework and guidelines were issued with the aim of providing guidance on the use of social media, designed to improve communication, transparency, participation and interaction with the public.

    “This has become necessary as the agency’s compliance monitoring activity revealed that some public officials use personal accounts for official communication.

    “We further note that where official accounts are used, some public officials, upon expiration of their tenure or retirement, fail to release such accounts.

    “These actions are in violation of the provisions of the framework and guidelines which require public officials not to use personal social media accounts for official engagements”.

    He further stated that public officials at the end of their tenure were required to handover official social media accounts and change of passwords effected by incumbent officials for safety of information.

    The director general warned that all official social media accounts under the care of public officials were the property of government and must be handed over appropriately.

    “NITDA, therefore, advises public officials to take appropriate measures at ensuring that they comply with provisions of the regulation within 14 days of this release to avoid being sanctioned,” Pantami said.

    He advised that public institutions and the public should acquaint themselves with NITDA’s regulatory instruments, available on the agency’s website — www.nitda.gov.ng.

    Pantami further warned that “violation of the regulatory instruments of NITDA is a criminal offence, punishable with a fine, imprisonment or both.”

    NITDA is a Federal Government agency established in April 2001 to implement the Nigerian Information Technology Policy and coordinate general IT development and regulation in the country.

  • NITDA partners UNILAG to boost ICT lawyers

    The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Lagos (UNILAG) to increase the number of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) lawyers in the country.

    Speaking during the signing on Thursday in Lagos, the Director-General of NITDA, Dr Ali Pantami said that the partnership was to ensure the implementation and enforcement of ICT policies and laws in Nigeria.

    Pantami said that with the policies on ICT on ground since 2006, there were no enforcement, due to insufficiency of ICT lawyers.

    He said that if the country focused on producing ICT lawyers, policies will be implemented easier.

    “What we are targeting is to get substantial number of ICT lawyers that can understand and regulate the ICT sector.

    “We are looking for people who will enforce our policies and laws.

    “We are agitating for local content, and the patronage of local content cannot be enforced without ICT laws and ICT lawyers.

    “NITDA has the mandate to regulate IT and develop IT; and one of the ways to implement this is by sponsoring students in the area of IT,’’ the director-general said.

    The Vice Chancellor of UNILAG, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, said that the partnership was a landmark step for the country.

    Ogundipe called on other agencies to partner with the institution to ensure the development of the economy.

    He said that the university would do everything possible to ensure that the ICT Law programme was known, not only locally but internationally.