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Stakeholders task govt. on need of formulating central database for improving on security
NIGERIA as the most populous black nation, privacy is believed to be a fundamental human right as enshrined by the constitution. But, it is disheartening that comprehensive data protection legislation has yet to be enacted as one of the fundamental human rights, even as several government and private organizations routinely collect and process personal data.
According to the broadly phrased Section 37 of the constitution which applies to personal data protection, states ‘ the privacy of citizens, their homes, correspondence, telephone conversations and telegraphic communications is hereby guaranteed and protected’.
However, the existing regulatory frameworks fall short of providing Nigerians with an adequate level of personal data protection as these frameworks fail to clearly define the level of protection afforded to the personal data collected , nor do they clearly state the obligations relating to how personal data should be handled.
Interestingly, checks revealed that Ghana has a data protection law, however, regrettably, so many organizations are collecting data and storing data, hence weakened the whole essence of the law.
Very recently, African internet stakeholders under the aegis of African Academic Network on Internet Policy, who converged at the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture, IITA, Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State to attend the maiden edition of Data Privacy and Protection conference, have jointly tasked the government on the urgent need to have a single authority that would be responsible for collecting, sharing and management of personal data so as to ensure its security, avoid multiplicity of data as well as waste of resources.
The stakeholders who averred that privacy is a fundamental human right guaranteed by the constitution, also called for the enactment of a data protection act that contains data protection principles consistent with those contained in the African Union Convention on Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection and the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
The conference which was supported by Google had in attendance data protection and internet experts, students, professional bodies, government, civil society, private business representatives and other stakeholders who encouraged the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to engage in public interest litigation to protect privacy, raise consumer awareness about protecting their personal information and advocate for the use of privacy enhancing technologies.
Speaking at the two day conference (Monday December 4, 2017/ Tuesday December 5, 2017), the Executive Vice Chairman, Ibadan School of Government and Public Policy, ISGPP, Dr. Tunji Olaopa explained, ’we are informed from the recognition that the contributions of Africa to the growth of internet policy has been very weak and we narrow down to the unfortunate dimension of even the African researchers not really contributing to the global conversation and if you know the extent to which internet is impacting presently and to impact in the future. Our fear was that African must avoid going into another recolonization.
‘So, to that end, a roundtable was organized in May and the challenges were highlighted. It then became very imperative to assemble the leading African experts both in Africa and diaspora to organize a network which gave birth to African Academic Network. In trying to address the gaps (Policy and Research) militating against African’s contribution, we then highlight a whole lot of symmetric areas. We have started with data privacy and security’, he continued.
Dr. Godfred Frempong of CSIR Science and Technology and Research Institute, in his submission, emphasized on the importance of data, just as he described it as a prominent weapon.
He further observed that the way data is collected, managed in Africa must be looked at critically. Worried about poor harmonization of data by various governments’ authorities, Frempong added, ‘So many organizations are collecting the same personal data. For example if you are privileged to travel, the immigration authority will collect data on you, National Insurance Authority is collecting data on us, National Identification Authority is collecting data, Electoral Commission is collecting data, Driving and Vehicle Registration Authority is collecting data, the banks are collecting data, National Identity Management Commission, Integrated Payroll and Personnel for Public Servant, Sim card registration by NCC and anywhere you go, they ask you about your personal data’, he lamented.
Concerned about data security, Mr. John Walubengo from Multimedia Centre, University of Kenya expressed displeasure over the activities of private business players who collect information such as the telecom operators, mobile banking in which they computerize or save data in digital format without prioritizing its protection. ‘How do you protect this information to ensure that it doesn’t fall into wrong hands?’, he queried.
Similarly, he stressed on the need to have a framework forcing the data collectors or controllers to adapt to minimum standard of protection. ‘We need to look at data security as protecting citizens’ right and privacy, so that all citizens in Africa are able to enjoy that security of the data collector which the businesses may not prioritize’ said Walubengo.
Also contributing, the Senior Policy Manager, World Wide Web Foundation, Mrs. Nnenna Nwakanma, who highlighted various opportunities available on the internet, described data as the biggest economy with its ability to tailor marketing to individuals. ‘Who ever have data has wealth. If you talk about the biggest companies online today they are no longer software or hardware companies, but data companies’, said Nwakanma.
She however cautioned that while data has becomes a goldmine for the digital economy, it could also hurt if not well handled, both by the data providers and handlers.
Another contentious issue at the conference was privacy protection which Mrs. Tope Ogundipe, Director of Programs, Paradigm Initiative noted that should be seen first as human rights issue rather than been posited as an economic one. She charged Nigerians to ask questions on how the barrage of data they provide to agencies are kept and used. She therefore recommended that the use of data must be in accordance with the purpose for which it was collected, stressing that consent of the individual must be obtained prior to collecting his or her personal data.
Ogundipe finally added, ‘rights of the individual to seek legal remedies for misuse or unauthorized access to personal data must be guaranteed’.
With the huge success recorded at the just concluded conference, the network planned to involve more critical stakeholders to further discussion and create platforms for engagement and training of people.
The core objective, according to the stakeholders is to see a continental approach to the desired policies.
By Idowu Ayodele.
The lawmaker representing Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency of Oyo State, Olafisoye Akinmoyede, has denied allegations of violence at the All Progressives Congress (APC) state secretariat, describing claims that he assaulted a party member as false and politically motivated.
An online platform, IMPARTNEWSNETWORK, had alleged that Akinmoyede assaulted one Gafar Oyebade during a meeting convened by the state chairman of the party, Alake Adeyemo, to resolve issues surrounding the executive list of the APC in Lagelu Local Government Area.
However, Akinmoyede, in a statement on Tuesday, said the meeting was peaceful and attended by key members of the state executive, including the chairman, deputy chairman, and secretary, who witnessed the proceedings.
He clarified that contrary to Oyebade’s claim of being the party secretary, the official list presented by the state leadership recognised him as the Public Relations Officer.
According to the lawmaker, following the clarification, the state executive directed the Lagelu Local Government chairman, Fatai Awoyoola, to proceed with the swearing-in of other party officials.
Akinmoyede also faulted attempts to link the incident with the 2019 killing of a former federal lawmaker, noting that a court of competent jurisdiction had already ruled on the matter.
He said, “In Suit No. I/70c/2019, delivered by Justice Mufutau Adegbola on January 23, 2020, all those accused were discharged and acquitted.”
The lawmaker expressed concern over what he described as a deliberate attempt to mislead the public, alleging that Oyebade, a public school teacher under the Oyo State Government, should not be involved in partisan politics.
He described the allegation as a “recycled script” aimed at tarnishing his image ahead of political activities, urging constituents to remain calm.
Akinmoyede also called on journalists to verify information before publication and urged security agencies to take action against individuals who file false reports.
“These tactics surface every election cycle. Those behind them should learn to accept the outcomes of political processes. They failed before and will fail again. Power comes from God,” he added.
The lawmaker representing Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Olafisoye Akinmoyede, has denied allegations of assault levelled against him by a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagelu Local Government Area, Mr. Gafar Oyebade.
Akinmoyede described the allegation as “false” and “a lie taken too far,” insisting that no physical altercation occurred.
The denial was contained in a statement issued on Monday by his Legislative Aide, Dr. Isiaq Akintunde.
Oyebade had alleged that he was hospitalised following a confrontation during a meeting held at the office of the state party chairman in Oke-Ado, Ibadan, convened to resolve a leadership dispute in the local government.
But the federal lawmaker maintained that the meeting was peaceful and attended by top party officials.
“The meeting was convened to clarify Mr. Oyebade’s position within the local executive, and it was attended by the State Party Chairman, his deputy, the secretary, the publicity secretary, and other key state executives, all of whom witnessed the peaceful proceedings,” the statement read.
He added that contrary to Oyebade’s claim of being the party secretary, the official list presented by the Lagelu Local Government Party Chairman, Hon. Fatai Awoyoola, identified him as the Public Relations Officer.
According to Akinmoyede, the state executive thereafter directed Awoyoola to proceed with the swearing-in of the remaining members of the local government executive.
The lawmaker accused Oyebade of fabricating the allegation to advance political interests.
“I wonder why Mr. Gafar Oyebade, a secondary school teacher, would claim he was assaulted in the presence of the State Executive. This is an attempt to justify money allegedly collected from an aspirant to tarnish my image,” he said.
Akinmoyede further claimed that Oyebade was seen walking freely after the meeting and was not hospitalised as alleged.
He also raised concerns over Oyebade’s involvement in partisan politics, noting that civil servants are restricted from active participation in political activities.
The lawmaker called on security agencies and the media to investigate the incident at the party’s Oke-Ado office to ascertain the veracity of the claims.
Efforts to reach Oyebade for comments were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
The lawmaker representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency and Chairman, House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, Aderemi Oseni, has declared his intention to contest the Oyo South Senatorial seat in the 2027 general elections.
Oseni made his aspiration known during a high-level meeting with the Ibarapa APC Elders’ and Leaders’ Forum, comprising the G9 and the expanded G64 caucus, held at the party secretariat in Eruwa, Ibarapa East Local Government Area, over the weekend.
The G9 and G64 groups consist of influential stakeholders drawn from Ibarapa East, Ibarapa Central, and Ibarapa North local government areas.
In a statement issued on Monday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, and made available to journalists in Ibadan, the lawmaker expressed appreciation to the forum for their support and confidence in his leadership and vision.
He said his ambition to represent Oyo South Senatorial District was anchored on a determination to consolidate and expand his record of performance.
Oseni said, “This aspiration is not built on mere rhetoric, but on the continuity and expansion of a proven track record of quality representation and grassroots-oriented governance.”
While soliciting the support of party leaders, he described his ambition as a divine call to serve the people with renewed dedication.
According to him, “This is not a time for self-glory but a sacred responsibility to intensify efforts towards real development, bring more relief to our people and ensure inclusive governance.”
He pledged not to betray the trust reposed in him by party elders and faithful, stressing that his aspiration is rooted in progressive ideals and a genuine commitment to the development of the district.
Oseni also urged leaders in the zone to mobilise support towards delivering one million votes for President Bola Tinubu in the forthcoming election.
Speaking at the meeting, a leader from Ibarapa East, Chief Michael Morawo, lauded the lawmaker for delivering democratic dividends and strengthening the party structure. He added that Oseni has demonstrated commendable leadership through his performance, noting that his impact in stabilising the party within the constituency is evident.
Similarly, a former council chairman in Ibarapa Central, Chief Theophilus Adenrele, commended the lawmaker for not betraying the trust reposed in him. Also, a chieftain from Ibarapa North, Chief Francis Babalola, described Oseni as a humble leader committed to progressive ideals, dismissing speculations about his possible defection if he does not secure the governorship ticket.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the forum, Chief Timothy Jolaoso, said the lawmaker enjoys widespread grassroots acceptance that cuts across political divides.
Jolaoso said, “All indicators consistently point to Oseni as a candidate with acceptance that transcends party lines. He is not only capable but a man of deep faith with proven empathy for the downtrodden.”
He added, “He possesses the goodwill, financial strength, and public trust required for leadership.”
The elder statesman further noted that Oseni’s performance in the House of Representatives, alongside his role as Chairman of the FERMA Committee, underscores his competence and commitment to development.
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