BUSINESS
Digital Economy: Bureau Canvasses Privacy, Data Protection to Shield Nigerians
The Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) has reemphasised the need for privacy and data protection to shield Nigerians as the country moves towards a thriving digital economy.
The Director-General of BPSR, Mr Dasuki Arabi, made the observation at the March edition of the BPSR lunch time reform seminar, organised for public servants across agencies of government in Abuja.
Arabi said that Nigerians were a highly innovative people and a thriving digital economy will create employment opportunities for Nigeria’s teeming population and lift millions out of poverty.
The seminar is titled. “National Digital Transformation and Data Protection Awareness Campaign.
”According to Arabi, digitalisation is playing fundamental roles in our daily lives and there is a need to protect the data we produce on a regular basis.
“The data that is generated every day needs to be protected.
“Data protection thus is the process of defending sensitive information against loss, tampering, or corruption. As data is created and stored at previously unheard-of rates, the significance of data protection grows.
“Additionally, there is little tolerance for downtime that might prevent access to crucial information. Other crucial aspects of data protection include guaranteeing data privacy and safeguarding data against compromise.
“Millions of workers had to work from home due to the coronavirus pandemic, necessitating the need for remote data protection. Organisations must change to protect employee data whether it is on laptops at home or in a central data center at work,” he said.
Arabi said that the lunch time seminar was a part of the BPSR’ continuous effort of conducting research on Government programmes and policies and presenting ‘’best practice’’ models for implementation in the Nigerian public service.
He said that the seminar provided a forum for active exchange of ideas on reform issues and share experiences with a view to transfer knowledge and broadening public servants’ awareness on the implementation of current policy issues.
“Lessons learnt from this seminar will help to enrich the debate about the future of the public service and its roles in the delivery of quality service to Nigerians.
“In order to digitize non-digital products, services, or operations, every organisation must adopt digital technology. Increased value through innovation, invention, improved customer service, or increased productivity is the aim of its implementation.
“In Nigeria, digital technologies are transforming every aspect of our modern life, necessitating the development of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS)
“This is to enable Nigeria take advantage of digitisation to become a leading player in the global digital economy and provide a catalyst to facilitate the diversification of the economy and the attainment of the key national objectives of improving security, reducing corruption and expanding the economy,” he said.
The director-general said that the bureau would continue its campaign and will partner with stakeholders to ensure awareness across the country and the buy-in of States and local Governments. (NAN)
Economy
Investors Gain N183bn on NGX
The Nigerian Exchange Ltd. (NGX) continued its bullish trend on Wednesday, gaining N183 billion.
Accordingly, the market capitalisation, which opened at N59.532 trillion, gained N184 billion or 0.31 per cent to close at N59.715 trillion.
The All-Share Index also added 0.31 per cent or 303 points, to settle at 98,509.
68, against 98,206. 97 recorded on Tuesday.Consequently, the Year-To-Date (YTD) return increased to 31.
74 per cent.Gains in Aradel Holdings, Zenith Bank, United Bank For Africa(UBA), Oando Plc, Nigerian Breweries among other advanced equities drove the market performance up.
Market breadth closed positive with 34 gainers and 17 losers.
On the gainers’ chart, Africa Prudential, Conoil and RT Briscoe led by 10 per cent each to close at N14.30, N352 and N2.42 per share, respectively.
Golden Guinea Breweries followed by 9.95 per cent to close at N7.18, while NEM Insurance rose by 9.74 per cent to close at N10.70 per share.
On the other hand, Julius Berger led the losers’ chart by 10 per cent to close at N155.25, Secure Electronic Technology Plc trailed by 9.52 per cent to close at 57k per share.
Multiverse lost 7.63 per cent to close at N5.45, Haldane McCall dropped 6.07 per cent to close at N4.95 and Honeywell Flour shed 5.62 per cent to close at N4.70 per share.
Analysis of the market activities showed trade turnover settled lower relative to the previous session, with the value of transactions down by 49.44 per cent.
A total of 320.10 million shares valued at N6.48 billion were exchanged in 7,943 deals, compared with 939.41 million shares valued at N12.81billion traded in 9,098 deals posted in the previous session.
Meanwhile, ETranzact led the activity chart in volume with 70.27 million shares, while Aradel led in value of deals worth N1.22 billion.(NAN)
Economy
Yuan Weakens to 7.1870 Against Dollar
The central parity rate of the Chinese currency renminbi, or the Yuan, weakened 22 pips to 7.1870 against the dollar on Monday.This is according to the China Foreign Exchange Trade System.In China’s spot foreign exchange market, the Yuan is allowed to rise or fall by two per cent from the central parity rate each trading day.
The central parity rate of the Yuan against the dollar is based on a weighted average of prices offered by market makers before the opening of the interbank market each business day. (Xinhua/NAN)Economy
Bring Kaduna Refinery Back into Operation, Youth Group Urges NNPCL
Arewa Youths Initiative for Energy Reforms (AYIFER), has urged Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) to do everything possible to bring Kaduna Refinery back into operation.
National Coordinator of the group, Mr Bashir Al’Amin, stated this in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja.
Al’Amin specifically called on the Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Mallam Mele Kyari, to do all within his powers to rejuvenate the refinery and bring it up to global standard.
He said that having delivered the Port Harcourt refinery, coupled with the establishment of Dangote Refinery in Lagos, attention should be shifted to Kaduna refinery for easy spread of petroleum products.
“We are calling on Malam Mele Kyari to expedite action on Kaduna refinery so we can be at par with other regions in the country.
“We equally beg the NNPCL to do professional work in rehabilitating the old refinery and deliver a standard and functional petrochemical refinery and not a blending plant.
“Kyari should resist any temptation that could make him do something that can jeopardise his good image,” he said.
Al’Amin said that since the extinction of groundnut pyramid and textiles in Kano State as well as PAN in Kaduna State and with the Kaduna refinery getting moribund, a lot of youths had lost their jobs.
According to him, all their hopes in the north are tied to the legacy refinery, expressing the hope that God would use Kyari to deliver it well and on time.
He said that the group was solidly behind NNPCL in prayer and would be ready to celebrate the company if its expectations were met. (NAN)