NEWS
ONSA Engages Telecom Stakeholders on Cybersecurity
The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), yesterday, engaged the stakeholders in the Telecommunication sector to discuss the implementation of Nigeria’s National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy (NCPS) 2021.
ONSA has commenced the series of sensitisation for seven sectors that are critical to digital transformation in Nigeria.
The National Security Adviser (NSA), retired Maj.
-Gen. Babagana Monguno, said that cyberspace was fast evolving creating technologies, dismantling barriers to commerce and allowing seamless communications across borders.Monguno, who was represented by the Director, Policy and Strategy, ONSA, Amb. Aminu Lawal, said that the development of Nigeria’s cyberspace was accompanied by significant and inherent threats and challenges.
He added that the increased independence on the cyberspace came with the risk that threatened national security, cyber space operation as well as the negative impacts on critical infrastructure of nation state whose operations were reliance on the cyberspace.
According to him, the telecommunication sector is more scared of the challenges the cyber space presents due to the growing number of interconnected systems as a result of the geometric rise of Internet users in Nigeria.
“Furthermore, the telecom companies have long been a high value target for cybercriminals and nation state actors because of its nature, critical service provided, the type of communications infrastructure used for transmission storage and potential of large amounts of private and sensitive data.
“Therefore, nation state actors are increasingly targeting telecommunication providers their structure and their operations in order to establish combat surveillance over infiltrated networks to allow them operate undetected over long time.
“One of the notable attacks on telecom infrastructure is the Chinese state linked hackers in September who targeted Afghan telecom provider and stole gigabytes of data from their corporate mail server over the past year.
“Another incident involving Iran hackers when they obtained 15TB of data from 8000 organizations working with Israel based company voice center and offered the data online for 1.5 million dollars.
“More recently, a Bucharest based organisation reported that Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya collectively recorded over two million phishing attacks in the first half of 2021.
“Among these attacks, over 393 cases were attributed to Nigeria representing 13 per cent decline compared to the same in 2020,” he said.
Monguno said that the above incidents were a clarion call for more protective measures to protect the exponentially growing internet users in Nigeria.
He commended the effort of the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy and all relevant stakeholders through the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) for the various innovations introduced in the sector.
He said that ONSA had taken proactive measures to address some of the issues surrounding the telecom sector especially the deliberate destruction of telecoms infrastructure across the country.
According to him, the workshop provides opportunity for stakeholders to build the necessary relationships for better collaboration to a cyber security development in the country.
The Director, Communication, ONSA, Brig -Gen. Samad Akisode, said that cyberspace had become a fundamental aspect of humanity globally, adding that economies were constantly striving to exploit the benefits of the digital age.
Akesode said the constantly evolving cyberspace technology that enabled innovation and benefits had also made the users vulnerable to challenges, risks and malicious activities that must be tamed. (NAN)
NEWS
Fire Guts Shop Destroys Goods, Monies in Ilorin
From Samuel James, Ilorin
Goods worth millions of Naira with huge cash from sales have been burnt into ashes during a midnight inferno that occurred at Akerebiata area of Ilorin metropolis in state capital.
It was gathered that an unfortunate incident happened around 12am during the weekend at a shop where engine oil, brake fluid motor and other associated products are sold.
Ahmad Toyib, the owner of the affected shop who shares the same building with his wife who is also into tailoring materials business lost all the tailoring equipment in the severely burnt.
In addition, all the cash sales made a day before the incident and POS machine were also completely razed down.
NEWS
CNS Says Forensic, Investigative Operations Key to National Devt
From Attah Ede, Makurdi
The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, has charged officers and men of the Nigerian Navy to uphold professionalism by continuously improving their skills and aligning with global standards in forensic and investigative practices.
CNS Ogalla assured that the Nigerian Navy is committed towards adopting global best practices in forensic and investigative operations to support national development.
He stated this during the combined graduation ceremony for three courses for the Advanced Provost Officers Course, the Advanced Detective Investigation Course, and the Outriders Course—held at the Nigerian Navy Provost and Regulating School in Makurdi, Benue State,
Ogalla, who spoke through Rear Admiral Noel Madugu, highlighted the importance of the training, explaining that the courses were designed to enhance the competencies of the officers and ratings graduating from the Provost and Regulating Department.
CNS however commended the graduates, particularly those from the newly introduced specialist programs, as pioneers in advanced forensics and investigative fields.
“As pioneers, the Nigerian Navy is proud of the milestone you have achieved as custodians of forensics and specialist investigators within the Service.
“Our hope is that you will build on the knowledge gained here through dedication and professionalism in your assignments, striving for greater excellence” he maintained
Earlier, Navy Captain Henry Ejeh, Commandant of the School, detailed the rigorous 10-week training program, emphasizing its focus on instilling best practices in law enforcement within and beyond the military. He noted that the program employed diverse methods, including classroom lectures, practical demonstrations, and training attachments, to ensure the students were well-prepared for their roles.
The ceremony underscored the Navy’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its role in advancing national security through cutting-edge forensic and investigative training.
NEWS
Kwara NSCDC Organises Medical Outreach, Award Night
From Samuel James, Ilorin
The Kwara state command of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has organized a Medical Outreach, Security Summit and Award Night to mark its end-of-year activities in the state.
The event which was organized by the Tanke Division highlighted the Corp’s commitment to community service, security enhancement and the recognition of excellence.
The event started with a Medical Outreach that aimed at improving health and well-being of elderly residents in the Tanke community, as free medical tests were conducted to demonstrate the Corps’ dedication to social responsibility and care for the welfare of citizens.
The Security Summit, which followed, focused on strategies to enlighten neighborhood safety and foster greater collaboration among stakeholders. It also centered its discussions on proactive measures to tackle security challenges and to enhance collective efforts toward ensuring a safe society.
The event also culminated in an Award Night to celebrate officers and stakeholders who have shown outstanding dedication, professionalism, and contributions to public safety.
While addressing the gathering, the State Commandant, Dr. Umar J.G. Mohammed, who was represented by the Area K Commander, ACC Kehinde Adebayo, extolled the officers for their unwavering commitment to duty, and explained that recognizing hard work and dedication is not only to motivate personnel but also to inspire excellence and strengthen service delivery.
In his remarks, the Tanke Divisional Officer, SC Oyinloye Yinka, explained the importance of the event, describing it as a platform to appreciate officers for their resilience and to encourage stakeholders’ involvement while reinforcing the Corps’ mandate of safeguarding lives and property.
Oyinloye further appreciated the stakeholders for their unwavering support, acknowledging that the division’s achievements were made possible through the collaborative efforts and partnerships.
The State Command however reassured of its readiness to sustain these initiatives and to deepen community engagement, and enhance operational efficiency in the years to come.