TECH DIGEST- Muhammadu Buhari has assented to the Nigeria Startup Bill, passed by the National Assembly, NASS, in furtherance of Section 58 (4) of the Nigerian Constitution.

This was disclosed in a statement by Sen. Babajide Omoworare, Senior Special Assistant to Mr. President on NASS Matters- Senate.

Recalled that Buhari sent the Startup Act to NASS on March 22, 2022, to establish the National Council for Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

READALSO: Pantami Launches Partnership with Coursera to Offer 24,000 Nigerians Digital Skills

The Act provides a legal, institutional framework and enabling environment for the creation, establishment, growth, development and operation of technology-enabled talents, excellent innovators with cutting-edge skills and exportable capacity in the startup ecosystem in Nigeria, with a view to ultimately consolidating Nigeria as the leading digital technology centre in Africa.

Among other things, the Act provides for the formal labelling of a startup outfit whose objects include innovation and development of digital technology products or processes; provision of startup investment seed fund; training, capacity building and talent development; tax and fiscal incentives; establishment of accelerators and incubators programs; and establishment of clusters, hubs, innovation parks and technology development zones.

The President also gave his assent to five other bills, which include the Federal University of Health Sciences, Utukpo Act; the Orthopaedic Hospital Act; the Federal Medical Centre Act; the Federal College of Complimentary and Alternative Medicines Act; and the Chartered Institute of Professional Secretariat Staff of Nigeria Act.

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TECHDIGEST – Tax on telecommunication services is set to increase to 12.5% as the Federal Government plans to implement a 5% inclusive excise duty on telecommunications services in Nigeria.

This was made known by the Minister of Finance Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, at a stakeholders’ forum on the implementation of excise duty on telecommunications services in Nigeria which was held on Thursday in Abuja.

Ahmed, who was represented by the Assistant Chief Officer of the Ministry, Mr Frank Oshanipin, at the event organized by the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC), said the 5% excise duty had been in the finance Act: 2020 but was not implemented.

Ahmed said the delay in its implementation was as a result of government engagement with stakeholders.

She said, “Payments are to be made on monthly basis, on or before 21st of every month.

“The duty rate was not captured in the Act because it is the responsibility of the President to fix rate on excise duties and he has fixed five per cent for telecommunication services which include GSM.

“It is public knowledge that our revenue cannot run our financial obligations, so we are to shift our attention to non-oil revenue.

“The responsibility of generating revenue to run government lies with us all.’’
Telecoms consumers to bear burden of new tax as operators kick.

The Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecom Owners of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo said the additional 5% tax would be passed on telecommunications consumers who will bear the burden.

He said, “It means that subscribers will now pay 12.5 per cent tax on telecom services, we will not be able to subsidise the five per cent excise duty on telecom services.

“This is as a result of the 39 multiple taxes we already paying coupled with the epileptic power situation as we spend so much on diesel.’’

The Executive Secretary of ALTON, Mr Gbolahan Awonuga, said the 5% excise duty was not healthy for the industry, noting that the telecom service providers were already paying 2% of their annual revenue to the NCC.

He said, “We pay two per cent excise duty to NCC from our revenue, 7.5 per cent VAT and other 39 taxes. We are going to pass it to the subscribers because we cannot subsidise it.’’

Recall that it was reported earlier in May that President Muhammadu Buhari approved the collection of 5% as excise duty on telephone recharge cards and vouchers.

The charge is part of new items on the list of goods liable for excise duty on the Finance Act in the country.

Excise duty is a levy charged at the time of manufacturing. It is also a form of indirect tax on the sale or consumption of certain goods, products, services or activities such as tobacco, alcohol, narcotics, gambling etc., mainly to discourage their use and consumption. Nigeria’s Finance Act has extended the list to include beverages, non-alcoholic drinks etc.

According to reports, the Federal Government is expected to raise at least N150 billion from the duty as the collection was part of new items on the 2020 Finance Act signed by President Buhari.

Source: Nairametric

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TECHDIGEST – The Nigerian government has approved Zettabytes Technologies Limited to supply eye-scanning lie detector valued at over N498 million and R-SET Integrated Solution Limited to supply digital night vision googles worth N570,825 million allowing the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to intensify the war against drug barons.

The Federal Executive Council (FEC), Nigeria’s highest decision-making body, approved about N1.06 billion for the entire project, Minister of Justice and the Attorney General of the Federation, told the media in Abuja on Wednesday after the Council meeting, chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari.

READ ALSO : FG Decries Revenue Loss, Launches Campaign against Illegal Non-commercial Radio Spectrum

An eye-scanning lie detector is a revolutionized truth-telling technology much advanced that the traditional polygraph. The digital technology tells if a person is lying by tracking their eye movements. Eye Detect, one of its latest variants. is an advanced technology that measures bio-cognitive responses in the eye to determine deception or lies. It responds to eye movement, changes in pupil diameter, blinks, and fixations that typically signify stress.

Eye Detect technology, or eye-scanning lie detector, has won its supporters in the field. Law-enforcement agents laud the system as smoother than a traditional polygraph.

Eye Detect has an accuracy rating of up to 90% and according to the American Polygraph Association (APA) polygraphs have an accuracy rating of 83%, when done correctly.

A worrying spike in local illicit drug use and increasing fear of Nigeria becoming a major transit route has forced authorities in Abuja to deploy a more determined approach to taming drug barons.

“Arising from the fact that they have been doing wonderfully well, in terms of dealing with the scourge associated with drugs, the Federal Government has considered the possibility of making added provisions and employing and deploying technological equipment, skills and competencies that will assist them in delivery, said Malami

Adding: “As you rightly know, the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency is an agency of government, saddled with the responsibility of exterminating illicit drugs trafficking, sales and consumption.”

According to him: “Our technology has improved to the extent that we have in place technological equipment that has the capacity to detect whether you are indeed speaking the truth or indeed you are lying in the course of investigation.

Government is determined to eradicate the illicit drug scourge, Malami said. His words:

“So, for the purpose of enhancing the capacity of the NDLEA in exterminating illicit drug trafficking, sales, and consumption, the Federal Government has considered the need and possibility of indeed providing this equipment to NDLEA.

“So, the memo in that respect was presented, it was taken and the contract was approved for Messrs Zettabytes Technologies Limited to procure for the agency this lie detector equipment.

“On that account, the Federal Executive Council approved the award of contract for the supply of eye-scanning lie detector by the NDLEA in favour of Messrs Zettabytes Technologies Limited in the sum of N498,850,000 only, inclusive of 7.5% VAT with a completion period of 90 days.

“The second memo sought the approval of the council for the supply of digital night vision goggles. This is intended to support the night operations of NDLEA.

“The council graciously approved the award of the contract with the supply of digital night vision goggles in favour of Messrs R-SET Integrated Solution Limited in the sum of N570,825,000 only, inclusive of 7.5% value-added tax with a completion period of weeks.”

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TECHDIGEST – President Muhammadu Buhari has launched the National Policy on Fifth Generation (5G) technology for Nigeria’s Digital Economy.

The President also directed all security institutions to immediately leverage the new technology to enhance security in the country.

Speaking at the presentation of the National Policy on 5G technology approved at the Federal Executive Council meeting, Buhari said the Federal Government will take full advantage of the opportunities provided by 5G for the economy, security, and well-being of the nation.

Buhari also allayed fears over the health safety of 5G, affirming that such issues have been “effectively addressed” in developing a Policy that suits the country.

On the benefits of 5G technology, the President noted that it can support virtually every sector of the economy, including enhanced connectivity, improved healthcare, support education while fostering smart cities and boosting agriculture, among other advantages.

He said: “It will also support security institutions with real-time communication. 5G technology is significantly faster than earlier digital technologies and it provides near real-time communication. This can play a key role in boosting our efforts towards enhancing security across the nation.

“It will enable our security institutions to effectively deploy robotics, autonomous vehicles, augmented and virtual reality to address any security challenges that we face.”

He explained that the National 5G Policy includes a deployment plan to ensure that major cities across the country benefit from the technologies.

Buhari added that the policy is in line with the commitment of his administration to supporting the digital economy as an enabler of economic diversification.

He assured investors that the Federal Government would continue to provide an enabling environment for their businesses to succeed as Nigeria begins the roll-out of the technology.

President Buhari directed the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami, to supervise the implementation of the Policy, being done by the Nigerian Communications Commission with the support of other government institutions.

The President also used the occasion to provide a rundown of how his administration has created an enabling environment for investments to thrive in Nigeria’s digital economy.

He recounted that the journey to the launch of the 5G National policy started with the launch of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy in November 2019 as well as the launch of a number of policies to strengthen digital economy, including the Nigerian National Broadband Plan and the National Policy for the Promotion of Indigenous Content in the Nigerian Telecommunications Sector.

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By Kabir Abdulsalam

TECHDIGEST – The Federal Government has said it has no regret on the steps it took on the suspension of Twitter.

The government said that contrary to widespread claims, the country has gained a lot from the negotiations and the agreement it was able to strike with the microblogging site.

The government disclosed this in an elaborate statement which announced the lifting of the ban, issued by the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi.

According to the statement, the gains include:

Ongoing economic and training opportunities as the Company continues to consider expanding its presence in Nigeria;

Getting a better understanding of how to use the Twitter platform effectively to improve businesses;

Revenue generation from the operation of Twitter in Nigeria;

Smooth and coordinated relationship between Nigerian Government and Twitter leading to mutual trust;

Reduction of cybercriminal activities such as terrorism, cyberstalking, hate speech, etc.;

The federal government had on June 4 suspended the operation of Twitter through an announcement made by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alh Lai Mohammed.

President Muhammadu Buhari therefore constituted a seven-man Committee to engage Twitter team on the way forward.

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TECHDIGEST – Twitter seems to be itching to resuming full operations in Nigeria, as report indicates the micro-blogging platform has met the six conditions imposed on it by the Federal Government.

The Technical Committee raised by the government to resolve the impasse between the two parties is fine-tuning the offers by the micro blogger before making a final recommendation to President Muhammadu Buhari.

The President is also awaiting the report of the committee to lift the ban it imposed on Twitter on June 4, last year.

It was learnt that the President has agreed in principle that Twitter’s social networking operation be restored in Nigeria.

There were, however, indications yesterday that the government plans to amend the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) Act to include Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and other social media platforms.

Investigation by The Nation revealed that Twitter has complied with all the terms given by the government to restore its services.

The conditions agreed to by the firm are:

• Open an office in Nigeria
• Have a country representative
  Register with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC)/get National
• Broadcasting Commission’s licence
  Payment of fair taxes
• Sensitive to national security and cohesion. It must not undermine the nation’s security
• Train Nigerian IT personnel and strategic intelligence officers on how to report twitter abuse /infractions noticed by the government.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “From the records, Twitter has finally met six conditions set by the Federal Government for the lifting of the ban on its service in Nigeria as at the close of business in 2021.

“The operation of Twitter will now be fully regulated, including opening of office and deployment of a Country Representative.

We can now hold an officer responsible for any infraction.

“Twitter only requested that the Federal Government should allow it to open the office in 2022 because there was no provision for it in its last year’s budget.

Since we are in a new year, we are expecting that the office will take off soon.

“With payment of taxes, we are hopeful that the government will earn enhanced revenue from Twitter. This ban has helped to correct the lapses of the past. For instance, Twitter has been raking huge cash from Nigeria without legal backing and compliance with our revenue laws.

“Although it was alleged that Nigerians have lost over N6billion to the ban but the Federal Government has lost much more in revenue.

“In spite of recourse to VPN by some users in Nigeria, Twitter revenue slumped considerably because this alternative does not fetch income to it.

“Now, the era of impunity is gone. Twitter must register with CAC and operate in Nigeria as a business concern which it is in other parts of the world.”

Source: Techeconomy.ng

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TECHDIGEST – Happy New Year Everyone!!!! Yes. 2021 was a great year! It was a year we felt we were coming back to life (and in a way liberated from all our chains!). Though it was a shaky year and for some, downright terrible in terms of achievements and finances, the main take away from the year is this – there was enough time to reflect and know exactly where things stood in our lives. Through the latter part of the year, you would notice that personally you were more adamant on things you wanted and what you did not want. You were also more purposeful with your time and movement.

So, 2021 has come and gone and in my perspective, was a defining year for personal development. People got stronger amidst everything else getting weaker. Even though that also goes for people who were weak-minded who grew weaker.

I would like to bring to the fore the fact that while an ocean has been swimming through this country, we have refused to acknowledge it. It’s an ocean of “ambitious financial wealth and gain irrespective of consequences”. Where an ocean (not a river) flows through an area, it will continue to erode its banks. The forces that can stand in its way must be deep rooted. This is to say that for those not strong enough to go against the tide, they simply flow with the Ocean.

This has gone into the very way we think about everything now in Nigeria. Why must I be the one to suffer? Why must I be the one to stand up? Why must I be the one to speak up etc.. it goes on. It has crept into Government, Education, The Financial System, Religion, Health and virtually everything. Everyone is just going with the flow (even sometimes when they think it is their flow).

There have been a few notable strong ones, who have stood their ground. But as they stand, they also ask themselves if it is worth it. But there will always be the ones that change the course of history. And Nigeria is begging for a lot of them. They are currently few in number.

Let us talk politics first.

Politics

Like I said last year, 2021 is the year to lie low. And lie low, a lot of politicians did. Trying not to rock the boat. Some stood out and continued to make bold statements and attempt bold things, but surely not in the numbers. 2022, however, is the year before 2023. This is the year the cement is mixed and poured and shaped. Once set, it might not be possible to change it.

Sadly, and grimly said, this is the year the mistakes will be made. This is the year the alliances will make or break. And this year is centered around our future. And it lies in the decision 3 men make. These three men will determine how history will be written by either their good decisions or bad decisions. They are Joe Bidden, on the foreign scene, and Bola Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar in the local scene. The decisions they make either to run or not to run, to accept or not to accept, to listen or not to listen and to stay alive politically or not to embark on a suicidal journey will shape a lot of things to come.

On the foreign scene, the US will be challenged in so many ways (and consequently, Bidden personally). The supremacy of the US (or quest to remain the superpower) or acceptance to step aside for others to emerge or personally, Bidden’s quest to continue to step away from the shadows of Trump (or accept that there were actually some good policies of the Trump administration and work with them) will determine the direction of world affairs which may affect Nigeria both directly or indirectly. We hardly care much about that locally in Nigeria, but it is important.

Locally, there will not be new names on the political scene as I am convinced now that Nigeria doesn’t take chances on new people. You just must be there long enough. So the decisions still lie within the ‘known’ names. And they will circulate all over again. Many will begin to declare (as it is time to declare) and those that have been nursing ambitions need to put their money where their mouth is. It’s a fact Buhari will leave. It’s a fact he can ensure a free and fair election. It’s also a fact that he doesn’t have to support any particular person from any particular party. That is, he may support someone even from another party. He feels he owes the country that much.

The decisions will be made. They will be made outside of the ballot box. This is not the issue. The issue is the acceptance of those decisions by these two men or should I say the acceptance of the situations they find themselves (which may be unbelievable to them) depending on how the political tides flow in their favour or against them.

Political giants and pillars like Godfathers, Governors, Obas and all other office holders and movers and shakers will simply fall by the side of these considerations. This is because 2023 is new territory for us. In 2015, there was the growing opposition to the sitting government paving way to an emotionally elected new Government. This is not the case in 2023. There will be NO candidate to be emotional about. Not for some time to come. So whoever will be the candidate to be elected (or selected) as I would say, will have to work hard or sell his soul for it. In selling his soul, he would have locked himself with the usual chains of the presidency and its structures of Godfatherism which we are not yet ready to change in the country. (Forgive me for not being gender sensitive in this regard as I feel we are not yet there as a country).

God is alive and well, is watching and loves this country. May His will be done.

Finances

This year, the fight for our finances will move from how we make money to what we spend money on. Our ability to keep and save our income will be the greatest war we will fight. Looking back, even through COVID19 and all its variants, Nigerians continued to spend. Luxury like I predicted will never go down in this country. Parties in whatever shape or form continued to happen. Opportunities to show wealth remain uncontrolled in this country. So what that means is that our ability to make money in this country lies in our hands. Win or lose, we are capable of executing and chasing opportunities. Where we have struggled so far without knowing, is our ability to re-channel our spending to meaningful and beneficial things. We tried through 2021 to question some expenses. It was a good start. But 2022 will bring about the assessment of what I call the necessities. Those things we considered necessary in 2021 will come under attack.

So a lot of people also noted their investment in foreign currencies, please note that money changed to dollars or pounds must not be money required for expenses in Nigeria. You will simply lose money by moving money up and down. Remember that money you change to dollars or pounds must be inaccessible. The fluctuation in the foreign currencies is not a form of investment. It won’t matter once that money is changed. Remain focused on growing your top line whilst reducing your bottom-line expenses.

I will say again and again, having only one source of income e.g. a salary is the most dangerous financial recklessness anyone can engage in living in this country. You must strive to continue to give yourself options which bring peace.

Corporates

It will also go into the corporate world. So, this will also put at risk anyone with a non-essential job position in any organization. Corporates will also see the collapse of many structures into single structures. The meaning of “Management” will mean something more like “the working few who now do everything through multitasking”. This will mean longer hours, less job satisfaction and of course less family and personal time. I would advise you – don’t fight it. Work with it and learn how to optimize to reduce your effective operating hours. Demonstrating your dissatisfaction with the current level of work required in any organization will be suicidal at least in the first half of the year. Many layoffs will happen as companies will lighten up their load towards the uncertainties of 2023.

Business Dealings

This is a new assessment I have as it crosses between personal and corporate. It exists and largely drives what we do in Nigeria. Deals crisscross between individuals and corporates in Nigeria. B-B (Business to Business) is not a standard in Nigeria. So, in a nutshell, business dealings will be in one direction in Nigeria in 2022. It will be called the “clean up” year. This is when the money is mopped up into political hands. And this extends to political corporates and strategy of business deals. Anything that will enhance the chances of success in 2023 will be the thrust of business deals in 2022. So don’t go selling the wrong product. There will be no interest. It’s not about the elections mind you, it’s all about the fact that power will change hands surely in 2023 (even if it is same party). And anything not solidified in 2022 will be out the window till August of 2023.

Family

This is the greatest war we all need to fight specifically in Nigeria in 2022. The trend was emerging prior to COVID19 pandemic but was slightly halted. Now the trend has started again. The fight for the hearts and minds of the teenagers and youth. The fight to protect them and to re-align them. The reality that the older ones are struggling so much, there is no more time for “tales by moonlight”. It also goes to the fact that, due to so many “unimaginable” world happenings, the older and aged ones have nothing to teach the emerging generation popularly called the “GenZ”. We are even struggling to teach them the basics when the basics are not even working for us older ones. And there seems to be an ocean (which I described earlier) between the two generations. So there is just the tendency for everyone to “Go with the flow”. Social media doesn’t even help at all. As it is all part of the elements of the Ocean just flowing through our very existence. “So long as it makes money” forms the basis of either encouragement of the youth or rebuke of them. Even in small communities where proceeds of crime are being displayed, they have started to give acceptance to the crimes e.g., kidnapping and theft of anything belonging to Nigeria. The fight for the soul of the family which extends to the soul of the nation must continue and must not be lost. Right now, it cannot be said we know where we are going or what our values are now.

Religion

Sadly, this fight for the soul of the family and the soul of the country was being fought by the religious institutions. COVID19 came and wiped away those gains. The war was lost on that front as the people could no longer be helped in their conclaves and crevices when the pandemic came. To some though, this was also a liberation. The religious institutions, struggling through 2021 for relevance will continue same in 2022. Some will have to innovate and think of new ways to get people back to the divinity-based position of their leadership which was lost during the pandemic. This may force some to turn to sensationalism to bring back the flock. To some others, the scales have permanently fallen from their eyes and will retain only the relationship between them and their God. In 2022, the wages of sin will become very apparent and quick in daily life. The effects felt even quicker. This is not only limited to the congregation but also the leadership. Even in daily life, mistakes and missteps will be less tolerated in the society going forward. A lot of religious institutions will just fall and disappear as many as rise with a new message. All still existing in this our “ocean”.

Technology

This is the only space I can see light shining now. The emergence of technologies across all our lives is a wonderful one. And we do not realize how far we are catching up with the rest of the world. Years ago, we would have remained in the dark ages in the presence of Zoom. Now we all know how simple ideas (and pandemics) can change our world. Even the concept of the working hours seems to have gone out of the window with Technology and Zoom. We must give kudos to the fact that when the pandemic happened and post pandemic, we stood up to be counted as part of the nations who were very much alive and communicating during the pandemic. There are many negatives of Zoom and virtual communications which chief amongst them was the entry of the workplace into the home. This, I doubt will ever go back to being “normal”. Which brings me to the direction of technology in the coming year – It is heading for your home. Every new innovation and invention will circle around or target Your home. Your lifestyle. Your personal space. This is where technology wants to be. Wants to dominate. And there doesn’t seem to be anything in its path stopping it.

Those that are in the technology business should shift their focus from delivering solutions to the Corporate sector but rather focus on anything that will deliver any kind of service either personally to an individual or to you in your home. This is the simple principle of 5G. May I also say that this is the bedrock of it all. We did not take the InternetofThings (IoT) very seriously, but now, 5G will be the basis of it all. A fully wireless home and lifestyle. Wireless (and internet enabled) fridges, freezers, air conditioners, TVs, Microwaves, Doors, Windows, Cars, Watches, Doorbells, Lights, and all basic and essential appliances. These through 5G, will be able to tell the manufacturers EVERYTHING they need to know. To me, controversially speaking, 5G was a brutal reality that Technology companies that invested heavily in Fiber to home concepts and hard-wired technologies will suddenly be out of business. Curious to me was the fact that 5G came when we all were at home due to the pandemic. What a wonderful way to test the technology.

These all pose wonderful new opportunities for those that can key into it as it will herald the new world order in technology and communication.

Economy

I am eager to see (if it finally happens), what the effect of a currency swap with China will look like and how it will reshape the currency and the economy. There are many pluses and minuses. But it will surely change things. Even the price of goods will be affected hopefully positively. On the negative side, our manufacturing or whatever is left of it might finally die. But have we cared about manufacturing? Somehow the truth of the nation tends towards consumption and imports (not manufacturing), so some may not even notice. It may just be important that there are cheaper prices of goods in the country than where they are made.

Barring that, the economy will experience the same as it has done during the pre-election years. Certain new hires of the president and new directions may show a glimmer of hope. But I am not expecting anything dramatic. Also, the exchange rate which remains a huge worry balances out with its demand. Those that have foreign exchange exposures are simply re-aligning. And like I mentioned earlier, the attack on what is critical and essential is a product of the worries

Personal Health

We grew up attending burials of the old and aged. We always expressed deep shock at the sudden death of the younger ones. I am not sure it’s because we are all older and in the age range, but I suspect that people are actually dropping dead who were otherwise healthy or slightly ill the day before. This is due to our lack of or inability to access health check systems. This year, bite the bullet, go for those health checks. Damn all consequences and hear what the Doctor has to say. At least know the basic in terms of blood pressure and other vitals of your body. This is not a plan to be executed only when you travel abroad. Please use the local systems here and at a minimum, get a feel for the basics. Also stay away from anything that aggravates you.

The greatest health watch today is your screen time. How much time is spent on the smart phone. It has replaced the real world for a lot of people. The life on social media and the satisfaction gained from successes in that world is eroding all elements of physical presence of the real world. Now it’s difficult to explain to the younger ones which one is the real world. Those that make money from social media are more at risk because they seem to be benefiting from that same alternate world. It is okay to approach that Social Media world from a business point of view. But where it begins to replace your happiness, your sanity, or your sense of fulfilment, this is the year to be very careful as there will be a lot in the news this year due to happenings in the country more than normal. So, you will be more sucked in. The addiction to social media as a therapy to while away time or kill that boredom has taken root in a lot of people’s lives today destroying the core elements of human touch, care and love.

General Outlook

As I would encourage all to recall that this piece is a perspective and not a prediction or prophesy, I would encourage us all to be guided and remain open to options in all situations. So as a typical guide, I would then propose the following as a best practice for this year

1. There are no financial booms in sight, stay away from easy short term turn around financial investments. Invest in only things that can be converted back to cash easily.
2. Always speak your mind, damning the consequences. It will give you mental peace. Bottling up issues with anyone or group translates easily to health problems nowadays more than ever.
3. Record all spending. By now, you should have at least 2- or 3-year records of your spending which should now form a pattern for you. Let that summary dictate to you which decision to make on your finances, going forward. If you have not started, start today. Use Excel. Very simple and easy.
4. Don’t make decisions on anything you hear on social media. Especially on health matters. In same fashion, political discussions and arguments don’t bring money. But study political happenings as it can save your life, health and security where it matters.
5. This year, make good sleep a target. The number of early morning frustrated people in the country is seriously increasing.
6. Reduce your screen time if you can. Even the mobile phone companies are calculating screen time now..
7. Changing jobs must not necessarily mean higher salary. Your expenses MUST come down if you are truly going for a better salary. Once you don’t achieve that, then it all comes down to the same thing which brings more frustration.
8. Focus on real knowledge. It will translate to money in the shortest possible time in Nigeria
9. In terms of feeding and personal expenses, try as much as possible to buy in bulk. It’s a measure of peace.
10. Lastly, I would encourage us all to remain strong in your faiths and your God as that would help you in every endeavour and the quest for protection from all evil this year that threatens our existence.

Damilola Bamiro
Bamiro is an international IT expert

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TECHDIGEST – The Nigeria Computer Society has honoured the Director General/CEO of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, with the IT Gold Merit Award at this year’s National Information Technology Merit Awards (NITMA) held at the MUSON Centre, Onikan Lagos.

NITMA is a flagship award of the Nigeria Computer Society aimed at recognising, celebrating, and rewarding outstanding excellence and exceptional contributions of individuals and organisations in the Information Technology field in Nigeria.

The IT Gold Merit Award is in recognition of Kashifu’s exceptional strides in positioning NITDA on the global regulatory and digital economy map and successful implementation of various strategic initiatives that is making positive impacts on Nigerians and the overall digital economy.

The award was received on behalf of the DG by Dr Mohammed Agbali, the Chief Research Officer at NITDA.

Kashifu, a versatile IT professional, strategist and transformation manager with experience spanning the private and public sectors in IT operations has applied himself and excelled in several positions with proven capacity in the past 16 years.

A graduate of Computer Science from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Kashifu is a thoroughbred IT professional and the first Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) in Nigeria’s public sector.

He is also a Massachusetts Institute of Technology – MIT Sloan – trained strategist and has participated in various Leadership and Management courses in Harvard University, Cambridge University and IMD Business School, Switzerland, among others.

Following professional stints at Galaxy Backbone Limited, the Central Bank of Nigeria, and sterling performance as the Technical Assistant to the then DG, President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Kashifu as DG of NITDA in August 2019.

Other categories of awards at NITMA 2021 included IT Personality of the Year; IT Company of the Year; Digital Governor of the Year; Young Innovator Award; and the Youth Innovation Award.

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TECHDIGEST – The Presidential spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina has described as fake, reports that the aircraft on which President Muhammadu Buhari recently travelled to the United States developed fault mid-air and that the president escaped narrow death..

The presidential spokesman, who said he has been a victim of fake news on many occasions, spoke in Abuja at the public presentation of a book, “101 fake news on EndSARS,” a publication of PRNigeria, authored by a journalist, Dahiru Lawal.

Adesina described the reports published in some on-line platforms as an example of fake news that has become a major vice and threat to information dissemination in the country.

“It didn’t happen. I was on that flight. We took off from New York, went straight to Santa Maria in Portugal where we refuelled. We took off again and flew straight to Nigeria.

“Where is the mishap? It is a lie it never happened.. Do you know the number of people that have been misled by this fake news?

“Fake news is a problem not only to Nigeria, but to the whole world. The traditional media should be careful of fake news, because we must first have a country before digital media can be useful to us.

“We must not allow digital media to be used to destroy our country. Digital media is good, but there is evil embedded in it.” Adesina said.

Adesina, who cited instances where his views were misrepresented by purveyors of fake news, expressed disappointment that members of the Yoruba group, Afenifere allowed themselves to be misled by fake news about his recent comparison between Buhari and some past political leaders.

He said the traditional media and professional journalists must be more careful because the digital media appear to be dictating the pace and the traditional media now rely on them.

Adesina, who noted that fake news was instrumental to the EndSARS protest and the massive destruction witnessed, said the problem would be more pronounced as the 2023 general elections draw close.

The presidential spokesman, who urged all to be vigilant, praised the initiative of those behind the book.

Also speaking, Dr. Umar Jibrila Gwandu, the media aide to the Attorney General of the Federation AGF and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, noted that fake news are always intended to cause harm.

Gwandu urged professional journalists not to allow quacks to take the lead and dictate the pace of information dissemination, because doing so will be a disservice to the country.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of PRNigeria, Malam Yushau Shuaib, who reviewed the 207-page book, said it was intended to highlight the threat fake news poses to societal peace and security.

Shuaib appealed to practising journalists to always cross check their facts so that the public confidence in the media would not be erroded.

The post Buhari’s alleged air mishap fake news– Adesina appeared first on Tech Digest News.

TECHDIGEST – Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari will at the State House in Abuja today formally unveil the Nigerian Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), known as the eNaira with the theme “Same Naira, more possibilities”.

In a statement signed by Osita Nwanisobi, Director, Corporate Communications at CBN, after today’s formal launch by the President, the Bank will further engage various stakeholders as Nigeria enters a new age consistent with global financial advancement.

The launch of the eNaira is a culmination of several years of research work by the Central Bank of Nigeria in advancing the boundaries of payments system in order to make financial transactions easier and seamless for every strata of the society.

The launch is coming following series of engagements with relevant stakeholders including the banking community, fintech operators, merchants and indeed, a cross section of Nigerians.

“The eNaira therefore marks a major step forward in the evolution of money and the CBN is committed to ensuring that the eNaira, like the physical Naira, is accessible by everyone. Given that the eNaira is a journey, the unveiling marks the first step in that journey, which will continue with a series of further modifications, capabilities and enhancements to the platforms,” the statement added.

The statement added that CBN will continue to work with relevant partners to ensure a seamless process that will benefit every user, particularly those in the rural areas and the unbanked population. Since the eNaira is a new product, and amongst the first CBDCs in the world, we have put a structure to promptly address any issue that might arise from the pilot implementation of the eNaira.

The post Nigeria to officially launch Digital Currency today appeared first on Tech Digest News.