Ict/Telecom
NCC To Fight Crime With ICT
The Nigerian Communi
cations Commission (NCC) said that it would collaborate with any organisation that wished to use Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to combat crime.
The Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Dr Eugene Juwah, said this in Lagos, during the Securex West Africa Conference and Exhibition, organised by Montgomery West Africa, last Tuesday.
Juwah, who was represented by the Public Affairs Director, NCC, Mr Tony Ojobo, said that the commission was involved in several collaborations that had yielded results in that direction.
He said that as cybercrime and security of information on the cyberspace became a challenge, NCC had established a department of ‘New Media and Information Security’.
According to him, through the department, the commission had been exploring ways to protect corporate and individual citizens from the challenges of cybercrime.
“Through the department, we have been providing awareness and information to help those who are vulnerable to these crimes.
“This department has been involved in several collaborations that have yielded fruitful results in this direction.
“You may be aware that the efforts of the commission had led to the approval of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) to establish a regional cyber-security centre in Nigeria,” he said.
Juwah said that the establishment of the regional cyber-security centre had many benefits in the NCC’s efforts to secure the country from high tech crimes.
He said that one of the worrisome aspects of high tech criminology was its dynamism and sophistication.
“While those in pursuit of high tech solutions are busy working hard to crack new dimensions, the perpetrators keep increasing their pace and sophistication to escape justice.
“This is the reason why it has become impossible to wipe away crimes or such activities and actions that pose threats to the security of our lives and property,” Juwah said.
He said that the commission was looking at several ways it could contribute to the solutions, especially those which could be resolved using ICT.
Juwah said that the implementation of the SIM card registration was a solution to the level of crimes associated with the use of phones.
He said that the phone was designed for communications but criminals had capitalised on it to dislocate the society.
Mr Tori Abiola, the convener of Securex West Africa, said that the conference and exhibition was the principal platform to source the latest in security safety, cyber security, fire innovations and solutions.
Abiola said that it was an event to network thousands of like-minded industry peers from the entire security supply chain to engage, educate and showcase the latest trends and advancements.
Deputy Administrator, Bloombreed High School, Port Harcourt, Mr. Animasahurl Olorunfeme (middle), presenting a printing machine and computer printer to the Princeipal of Community Boys Secondary School, Elelenwo, Mr Oko-Jaja (left), Alasomuka Violet, Director of Studies, Bloombreed High School (3rd right) in Port Harcourt, recently. Photo: Chris Monyanaga.
The Managing Director, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Company Limited (SNEPCo), Elohor Aiboni, said Bonga, Nigeria’s first deep-water asset, has recorded major milestones, due to effective leadership, cutting-edge technology, continuous improvement and collaboration with stakeholders.
She noted that since coming on stream in November 2005, Bonga has maintained a track record of production that saw it achieve one-billion-barrel export on February 13, last year.
In her presentation, titled “The Bonga Journey to a Billion Barrels”, at the ongoing 2024 Offshore Technology Conference in Houston, Texas, United States, Aiboni, said: “SNEPCo is grateful for the contributions of all the parties to the Bonga story and we can all be proud of the milestones.
“Bonga has been consistent. In 2014, nine years after coming onstream, it achieved half a billion barrels of crude and doubled it in 2023. We have worked relentlessly to ensure excellent asset management, project and wells delivery and deployment of technology and innovations in our operations”.
According to her, these factors, “coupled with the supportive partnership of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and our co-venturers – TotalEnergies, EP Nigeria Limited; Nigerian Agip Exploration; and Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited, make Bonga stand out as a world-class investment case”.
She continued that, “SNEPCo also enjoyed the support of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) in the success of Bonga operations”.
Aiboni also listed the challenges of keeping the Bonga Floating Production, Storage and Offloading vessel full as the asset ages and dealing with unexpected developments with subsea wells and equipment.
She said: “SNEPCo responded with a campaign of operational excellence, which among other initiatives, led to the creation of a programme known as the Bonga Business Improvement Plan that continually reviews and identifies improvement initiatives and drives sustainability in operations and upskilling of staff.
“The Bonga success story has been led by Nigerians who have been managing directors of SNEPCo since it was established in 1993, in a deliberate policy by Shell to develop indigenous manpower for deep-water operations in Nigeria.
“Today, some 97percent of the SNEPCo workforce is Nigerian and overall, Bonga has helped to create a new generation of Nigerian deep-water professionals.
“Our vision at SNEPCo remains to be the best deep-water business, powering growth and achieving net zero emissions in line with Shell’s Powering Progress strategy”.
Banks’ borrowings from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) fell month-on-month, (MoM) by 44 percent to N12.16 trillion in April from N21.7 trillion in March.
Analysis of latest data from the CBN shows that the 44percent drop represents the first MoM decline in banks borrowing from since January when it increased by 268.7 percent to N3.6 trillion from N976.29 billion in December 2023.
However, further analysis showed that banks’ deposits in the CBN SDF grew MoM by 118.4 percent to N428.97 billion in April from N196.37 billion in March 2024.
Banks make use of the SLF to access liquidity to run their day-to-day business operations while the Standing Deposit Facility window (SDF) on the other hand, is an overnight deposit facility that allows banks to lodge excess liquidity (money) with the CBN and earn interest.
The decline in banks’ borrowing from SLF may reflect an increase in banking system liquidity and also the decision of the apex bank last year to remove the limit on the remunerable daily placements by banks at the SDF.
According to the CBN Governor, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, the CBN removed the cap on the remunerable SDF to increase activity in the SDF window and manage liquidity.
A Financial technology expert, Olatunji Akinrinola, has highlighted the exponential growth of the FinTech industry, which according to him, was driven by technological advancements.
Akinrinola made this assertion in a press release recently, where he stressed that the role of technology in driving this exponential growth in the FinTech sector was very outstanding.
According to him, Technology has revolutionised the way financial services are delivered, making them more accessible, efficient, and inclusive.
“Through innovations such as mobile banking, digital payments, and blockchain technology, FinTech companies have been able to reach a larger population and provided them with access to financial services”, he stated.
Akinrinola emphasised the role of technology in enabling financial inclusion, adding: “Technology has democratised access to financial services, particularly in regions with limited banking infrastructure.
“Mobile money platforms and digital wallets have empowered individuals to conduct financial transactions conveniently and securely, without the need for traditional banking services”.
He also underscored the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data analytics in driving innovation within the FinTech industry, noting: “AI-powered algorithms and predictive analytics have revolutionised risk assessment, fraud detection, and customer personalisation in financial services.
“These technologies enable FinTech companies to provide tailored solutions and mitigate risks more effectively, ultimately enhancing the overall customer experience”.
Akinrinola stressed the importance of regulatory frameworks in fostering the growth of the FinTech industry.
“While technology has accelerated the growth of FinTech, it is essential to establish robust regulatory frameworks to ensure consumer protection and maintain market stability. Regulators play a crucial role in balancing innovation with risk management, thereby creating a conducive environment for the sustainable growth of the FinTech sector”, he stated.
Akinrinola underscored the role of technology in driving the exponential growth of the FinTech industry, saying, “Technology has been a game-changer for the FinTech sector, enabling innovation, expanding access to financial services, and driving economic growth.
“As technology continues to evolve, the FinTech industry will undoubtedly play a significant role in shaping the future of financial services ecosystem”.
Corlins Walter
