The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Professor Isa Pantami has restated the need for the formulation of security policies with a technology mindset to tackle insecurity challenges in the country.
The Minister made that call at the maiden annual conference of the Nigeria Information Technology Reporters’ Association (NITRA) Abuja Chapter, in Abuja, Nigeria.
The conference had its theme as ” Digitisation as an Enabler in Tackling Insecurity in Nigeria”.
Represented by the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mr Kashifu Inuwa, Pantami said there was a need to explore new ways to address insecurity through the use of data and digital technologies.
He said “Digitisation is foundational, as it connects the physical world and digital world. Autonomous drones that cut back on human involvement in these often-dangerous situations also help cut costs while bolstering safety at the same time.
“Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to interpret satellite images, experts have long been able to tap into satellite images to help their preventative and response efforts.
“Now, with the availability and quality of these images increasing, they offer an even more valuable resource for security.
“The AI video surveillance of today eliminates the need for humans to spend hours staring at screens. Instead, connected sensors, network storage, and AI-enabled systems can keep an autonomous, high-definition eye on things 24-7,” Pantami noted
He further said that integrating digital technology and emergency management presents significant opportunities for innovation to tackle insecurity.
The Minister added that by utilising data through social networking platforms, security agencies could check for information, share news and strategies for community security.
The Minister said, “modern intelligence gathering devices should be acquired and deployed to relevant law enforcement agencies to address insecurity challenges adequately.”
He recalled that the government formulated the Nigerian Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) in 2019 with digital economy prosperity and security in mind.
According to him, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) is also embarking on National Identity Number, as well as digital identification which would encompass both online and offline identification.
He added that digital identification would enable security agencies to track the activities of criminals anytime.
“In NITDA also, we have the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics to foster the development of emerging technologies.
“This will prepare Nigeria for the Fourth Industrial Revolution with Research and Development in technologies like Drones, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), among others, as a veritable tool in combating national insecurity,” he said.
Pantami added that the government was building cyber security centres to monitor activities on the dark web. According to him, the ministry is building security capacity as well as digital literacy.
He said, “we are looking at building the digital literacy capacity of citizens up to 95 per cent by 2030.”
The President of NITRA, Abuja Chapter, Mr Blessing Olaifa, said tackling insecurity needed the input of all.
He commended the activities of the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, adding that the association was committed to propagating its activities on digitisation.
The Director-General of NITDA, Mr Kashifu Inuwa, represented by, Acting Director of the NCAIR, Mr Ahmed Yahuza noted that the use of digital communication channels had increased lately especially with the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Inuwa said that increased digital communications also increased cybercrime which could be detrimental to personal security.
“While digital platforms are a great way to stay connected, we should also be cautious about the level of safety it offers. It is up to individuals and organisations to ensure secure usage of these communication channels,” he stressed.
On his part, the Managing Director, Galaxy Backbone, Professor Muhammad Bello said, the theme of the Conference: “Digitisation As An Enabler In Tackling Insecurity In Nigeria” could not have come a better than now especially with the prevalence of Insecurity in Nigeria and across the world.
Represented by the Executive Director, Finance and Accounts, Galaxy Backbone, Adamu Umar, the MD said, the application of the traditional formulas have not yielding the required results, therefore, there was need to use ICT or digitisation tools to tackle the menance of insecurity in the country.
In his Welcome Address, the President, NITRA, Abuja Chapter, Mr Blessing Olaifa said, the conference’s theme was chosen as a way of drawing the attention of state actors to digital platforms that can be leveraged to nip in the bud incidences of banditry, armed robbery, kidnapping, terrorism, castle rustling and other criminal acts pervading the country.
Mr Olaifa commended the leadership rule of the Minister in initiating policies and programmes that are gradually changing the narrative.
“The NCC, NITDA, NIMC, NIPOST, Galaxy backbone and NICOMSAT have in no small measures changed the narratives in solving our security problems by opening up different platforms to restore peace to the country.
“Should the current efforts be sustained, Nigeria would certainly reap the results of peace and tranquility in the nearest future”, he added.
He gave the assurance that NITRA, Abuja chapter would continue to identify
with the initiatives and support the digitalization agenda of the Federal
Government for the benefits of our country.
Nnenna.O
