TheNewsGuru

Tag: Pantami

  • Reconsider Pantami’s professorship – FUTO alumni tells varsity management

    Reconsider Pantami’s professorship – FUTO alumni tells varsity management

    The Alumni association of Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) said the award of professorship on Isa Patani was inappropriate.

    This is contained in a statement co-signed by Mr Kingsley Azuaru , National Secretary and Mr Ndubuisi Chijioke, National President of the association.

    The association said the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) was right in advising FUTO management to reconsider the appointment.

    “FUTO Alumni Association reaffirms her position that the professorship of Pantami was inappropriate

    “FUTO Alumni Association appreciates the national body of ASUU and the local chapter for jointly condemning the appointment of Pantami as professor in FUTO.

    “NEC also considered the unresolved issue of the appointment of Dr. Isa Pantami as a Professor at our alma mater and has taken note of the National ASUU position.

    “The National Secretary therefore reaffirmed FUTO alumni association’s position that Pantami’s appointment was inexplicable and questionable”, it said.

    The association said it was unfortunate that a group known as Alumni Elders planned host the management of the university to a dinner where it planned to declare support for the award.

    The association said the FUTO Alumni Elders was not a recognised by the association’s constitution.

    “It is deception for FUTO Alumni Elders to deceive the public that the so called Re-Union is being organised in conjunction with FUTO Alumni Association.

    “FUTO Alumni Association is not involved in whatsoever manner with the scheduled dinner by the group called FUTO Alumni Elders.

    “ NEC considers the use of the association’s name in the promotion of this event without its consent a grievous infringement and subversive of the alumni leadership,” it said.

    It said National Executive Council (NEC) of the Alumni had not committed any funds or authorised the university to avail or expend any fund on the event from the alumni funds.

    “In conclusion on the subject issue, NEC wishes to dissociate FUTO Alumni Association and her members from this event

    “And all Chapter executives have been mandated to communicate this position immediately to their members”, it said.

    Many scholars have condemned the award of professorship to Pantami, the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy.

    The national leadership of ASUU has advised FUTO management to reverse the award on the ground that it is inappropriate.

    However, FUTO management insists that the award followed due process.

  • FG working on digital rights law – Pantami

    FG working on digital rights law – Pantami

    The Federal Government says it was working on a draft Digital Rights law to be passed by the National Assembly before the end of 2022.

    The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami made this known on Thursday, in Abuja at a Roundtable Discussion on Data Privacy and Protection in Nigeria.

    The roundtable discussion entitled: “Assessing Data Protection in Nigeria” was organised by the Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC).

    Pantami, who was represented by the National Commissioner, National Data Protection Bureau (NDPB), Dr Vincent Olatunji, explained that the law would ensure that the data privacy of Nigerians on the internet was not violated.

    “It is important for any country operating in the digital space to have agencies that would regulate the space and implement data privacy protection.

    “Since we started with the regulation, we hope to have a law that will make it an act of parliament to adequately protect Nigerians.

    “That is why, President Muhammadu Buhari heeded the advice of the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy by creating the National Data Privacy Bureau.

    “It will ensure that we regulate what people do online in terms of how to protect their data privacy, and that users’ freedom is guaranteed, and also mandate companies to file data privacy compliance reports”, Pantami said.

    Earlier, the President, PPDC, Nkem Ilo, urged the government to collaborate with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and the private sector, to educate Nigerians on data rights and violations.

    Nkem advocated that technology users should be conscious of personal data disclosures while online, in order to avoid data breaches.

    She called on the government to be more proactive in educating children about data privacy and digital rights by introducing it to schools’ curriculum.

    “Now is the time to focus on educating citizens. We have the National Orientation Agency whose purpose is to educate and orientate.

    “We need those kinds of agencies to begin to speak to us about what we should be aware of when signing documents.

    “What will even constitute a violation of my right to protection, of my right to privacy. What will constitute that and when that has been violated where do I go?

    “We need more of government ensuring that school curricula teach our children just the way our children know offhand that they are going to study maths,” she said.

    Recalled that the National Data Protection Regulation was created in 2019 by President Buhari, and was recently inaugurated. (NAN)

  • Nigeria to have widest 5G coverage in Africa by 2022 – Pantami

    Nigeria to have widest 5G coverage in Africa by 2022 – Pantami

    The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami, has assured that by 2022, Nigeria would have the largest Fifth Generation (5G) coverage in Africa.

    Pantami gave the assurance at the auction of the 3.5 gigahertz (Ghz) spectrum organised by Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Monday in Abuja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that two telecommunication companies are expected to emerge as winners after the auction of the 3.5 gigahertz (Ghz) spectrum

    The minister noted that 5G would solve some of the security challenges in the country, since the technology provides real time services and platforms.

    “We have already made a number of giant strides in the development of our digital economy and the development of 5G networks will further support our efforts.

    “This will harness the social and economic benefits that come along with it.

    “It will serve as a catalyst for the successful implementation of our National Digital Economy Development and Strategy (NDEPS) for a digital Nigeria,” he said.

    He noted that the National Frequency Management Council (NFMC) would ensure that the required spectrum for 5G standard was made available in the most timely manner.

    He said that this would enable investment, innovation and competition in the development of 5G services for the benefit of consumers and businesses.

    He said that the 5G trial was critically reviewed by stakeholders with a view to understanding its health and security implications.

    “The review showed that that 5G is safe for deployment in Nigeria and will not compromise our security as a country.

    “The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), organs of the United Nations, have confirmed that the deployment will not cause any adverse health effects and are safe,” Pantami said.

    NAN reports that the NCC had announced that three telecoms companies were qualified as approved bidders for 5G permit after meeting all requirements for participating in the licensing process.

    The three qualified bidders for the 3.5 GHz spectrum are namely: MTN Nigeria, Mafab Communications Ltd and Airtel Networks Ltd, participated in the software-based simulated auction.

    They used the Ascending Clock Auction System for the mock session.

    Each bidder is expected to go through a bidder room, which will begin with an opening round where all bidders are expected to participate.

    The Department of Security Service (DSS) would monitor the officials in each room and nobody will be allowed to leave the room until the process is over.

    The Commission in November, fixed the price for the bid at N75 billion ($197.4 million).

    The telecommunications giants, however, asked for a slash on the licensing fee.

  • Buhari delegates Pantami as President Ouattara arrives Nigeria for ECOWAS Heads’ session

    Buhari delegates Pantami as President Ouattara arrives Nigeria for ECOWAS Heads’ session

    Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami has welcomed Ivory Coast President, Alassane Ouattara to Nigeria.

    Ouattara is attending the 60th extraordinary session of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Authority Heads of State in Abuja.

    A statement by Pantami’s spokesman, Uwa Suleiman, said Nigeria stands tall and proud to play host to regional leaders.

    “It is with a sense of duty that the Minister chaperones His Excellency, on behalf of the Federal Government, as assigned by President Muhammadu Buhari”, it reads.

    Pantami also congratulated Ouattara and the people of Ivory Coast on the historic building of its new Chancellery in Nigeria’s capital.

    The Professor of Cybersecurity expressed confidence that this will strengthen diplomatic relations between the two countries and West Africa.

    In discharging the national assignment as Ouattara’s official chaperone, Pantami will be supported by Minister of Power, Abubakar Aliyu.

    Others are Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Communications, Bitrus Nabasu, and Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa.

  • Again, FG extends NIN-SIM verification deadline

    Again, FG extends NIN-SIM verification deadline

    The Federal Government has again extended the deadline for the National Identity Number (NIN)-Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) data verification.

    Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, who announced this, urged Nigerians and legal residents to complete the process before the end of the year 2021.

    This was disclosed in a statement on Saturday jointly signed by the spokespersons for the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and Nigerian Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Ikechukwu Adinde and Kayode Adegoke, respectively.

    Both men had in a statement in June announced October 31 as the deadline for the linkage of SIM and NIN. But the government has extended the deadline by additional two months.

    “The decision to extend the deadline was made further to appeals by the mobile network operators and other industry stakeholders, soliciting for a further extension to ensure better compliance with government’s directive and to avoid widening the digital divide,” the statement released on Saturday said.

    “The extension would also provide the enabling environment for the registration of Nigerians in remote areas, diaspora, schools, hospitals, worship centres, as well as foreigners, diplomatic missions, those in other areas that were hitherto unreachable, and increase enrolments in countries with a significant number of Nigerians.”

    According to the statement, the review of the progress of the exercise shows that over 66 million unique NINs have been issued – an indication of progress achieved in the ongoing NIN-SIM linkage.

    But a significant part of the populace has yet to be registered into the National Identity Database (NIDB) – a situation which the government said might be due to some challenges which it has looked into and has made efforts to alleviate, hence the need to extend the deadline.

    “As of October 30, 2021, there were over 9,500 enrolment systems and over 8,000 NIN enrolment centres within and outside the country – this has significantly eased the NIN enrolment process and subsequent linkage of NIN to SIM,” the statement added. “The NIN-SIM verification process is supporting the government’s drive to develop Nigeria’s digital economy, strengthen our ability to protect our cyberspace, and support the security agencies.

    “The administration of His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, has graciously approved the extension to accommodate the yearnings of the populace and make it easier for its citizens within and outside the country, and legal residents to obtain the NIN and link it with their SIM.”

    The government promised to ensure that all innocent and law-abiding citizens and residents do not lose access to their phone lines as long as they obtain and link their NIN, saying it would continue to provide an enabling environment for investors in the telecommunications sector.

  • TRENDING VIDEO: Aisha Buhari returns, stings Comm Minister Pantami

    TRENDING VIDEO: Aisha Buhari returns, stings Comm Minister Pantami

    The First Lady, Mrs Aisha Buhari, on Sunday, made a veiled attack on the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Ibrahim Isah Pantami, challenging the Minister to summon the courage to do the right things as he had preached as a cleric.

    The wife of the president shared an old video on her verified Instagram page, showing Pantami, crying during one of his sermons at a mosque.

    The video has an accompanying post in Hausa language: “A chire tsoro a yi abinda ya dace”, meaning ‘Be courageous and do the right thing’.

    In the short video, Pantami and his reciter sitting behind him burst into tears when the minister asked the reciter to read a verse on fear of Allah.

    Watch video shared by Aisha

    The First Lady is known for openly criticising her husband administration and appointees.

    Pantami is currently embroiled in an alleged academic fraud over his promotion to the rank of ‘Professor’ by the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), Imo State, where he never worked.

    The Minister was yet to respond to both the First Lady’s challenge or the academic fraud allegation against him by a US based Nigerian scholar, Prof. Farooq Kperogi, at the weekend.

  • Only security agencies can access people’s phone data –Pantami

    Only security agencies can access people’s phone data –Pantami

    The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami, has averred that only security institutions in the country can gain access to people’s personal phone information.

    The minister made this revelation on Tuesday while unveiling the Nigerian Communications Commission’s Strategic Vision Plan (2021-2025), NCC Global Connect Podcast and a Compendium of speeches by the Executive Vice Chairman of the commission, Prof. Umar Danbatta, in Abuja.

    “It is only the security institutions that have power and access to people’s lines; we do not have such power, if not, it will be abused. It will be wrong for anybody to contact NCC or ministry to provide data of any subscriber,” he said,

    Stressing the role of the ministry in this regard, Pantami said, “Ours is when we are contacted that we will provide to the security agencies the data they need.

    “Even when we are contacted, there are requirements constitutionally to do that because telephone conversations are meant to be confidential as stipulated by section 37 sub section 39 of the constitution.

    “The Cybercrime Act 2015 and the subsidiary legislations of the commission allow government to give such approval when a crime is committed after the security agencies established a prima-facie case, then it can be conveyed to the relevant institution.”

    He further said that there were some successes in this aspect, while emphasizing the need to ensure the security of the country.

    The minister said, “I can tell you that many successes have been recorded but not meant for public consumption. Today, criminals usually block highways and use phone of victims to contact their families. There are a lot of things the sector has been doing to support the stability and security of the nation.

    “I am clarifying this because I am being confronted with so many questions and citizens need to understand that we have procedures and it is only when the procedures are respected that we are mandated to provide data.

    “Sometimes, security institutions can gain access without confronting us because Mr. President has approved that for security institutions to gain access to people information without confronting us make their work much easier than they would have access to many things than when they contact NCC or operators.

    “At any point in time, in telecom sector, our position is security takes precedence over economic gains, but if two things must be pursued, this is our priority.”

     

  • Nigerians demand prosecution of Malami for bypassing FG’s #Twitterban with VPN to deactivate account

    Nigerians demand prosecution of Malami for bypassing FG’s #Twitterban with VPN to deactivate account

    Nigerians are calling for the prosecution of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, who had earlier threatened to prosecute Twitter users after FG laced a ban on the micro-blogging site in the country.

    However, to the dismay of many Nigerians, Malami also breached Buhari’s Twitter ban, by side-tracking all the tech walls to log on to his Twitter account to deactivate it.

    Recall Twitter ban became effective from Saturday, a day after Information Minister, Lai Mohammed announced the dramatic ban.

    It followed Twitter’s removal of two tweets by President Buhari, in which he threatened violence against insurrectionists, in the eastern part of Nigeria.

    Twitter said the tweets violated its rules.

    The Nigerian government said Twitter must treat President Buhari under a different rule and accused Twitter of double standard.

    Malami, who had said the suspension, that was not backed by any known law, must be respected announced on Tuesday that he had deactivated his Twitter account.

    He announced this on his Facebook page this evening with a screenshot of his activity.

    How did he do it without violating the ban?

    The disclosure attracted over 10,000 comments by Tuesday night, as many wondered how he deactivated the account, except via the VPN backdoor.

    Here are some:

    “So you’re among those accessing Twitter through the back door? Oya prosecute yasef(Sic), wrote Prudens Tia.

    “Almighty Malami, well done on”, Kehinde Adegbite said.

    Omobolanle Adeyemo said: Are we supposed to clap for you?

    Alambo Datonye Fred: “You have broken the law for secretly using Twitter when FG banned it. You have to submit yourself for prosecution.

    And Tunde Akogun summed it all: How did you deactivate your account? Moron!

  • More attacks on Pantami as he bags Most Outstanding Minister in Buhari’s cabinet [+ Photos]

    More attacks on Pantami as he bags Most Outstanding Minister in Buhari’s cabinet [+ Photos]

    There is no respite for the embattled Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami as his critics have remained resolute in condemnation of his stay in office over his past pro-Taliban comments supporting the activities of terrorist groups.

    Though he has since renounced the comments, blaming immaturity, many Nigerians continue to demand his sacking or resignation.

    As seen on his official Twitter page, Pantami was on Thursday conferred with the Award as MOST OUTSTANDING MINISTER OF THE YEAR by People and Power Magazine, but rather than get praised, the feat has reawakened his critics on the popular social network.

    The accolade according to the magazine is in recognition of the laudable policies developed by the Ministry under the supervision of the Minister such as the revolutionary NIN–SIM Data linkage, the National Digital Economy Policy & Strategy for a #DigitalNigeria, among others.

    Reactions on Twitter:

  • I’m having sleepless night over Nigeria’s problems – Pantami

    I’m having sleepless night over Nigeria’s problems – Pantami

    Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has said he is having sleepless nights over the country’s situations.

    The minister disclosed this yesterday while delivering his Ramadan Tafsir at Al-noor mosque Wuse II in Abuja.

    He said the country is currently facing different problems in areas of insecurity, economic, and social problems.

    Pantami explained that the problems the country is facing is because of the nature of the wrongdoing by some individuals among the citizens.

    He said for the country to have peace and stability, everyone must correct his wrongdoing from top to the bottom.

    “We don’t have better home than Nigeria and if it is better, it is for our collective good and if is not, we are the one to suffer,” he noted.

    Pantami, therefore advised Nigerians to continue praying for the peace and stability of the country.

    The minister was recently accused of supporting the activities of al-Qaeda and the Taliban, but has since apologized.