The Nigeria Data Protection Bill, 2023 has been signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The admission was made at the Nigeria Data Protection Bureau Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP) validation session in Abuja by Vincent Olatunji, National Commissioner, NDPC.

The Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, according to Information Nigeria, establishes a legislative framework for the preservation of personal data and the practice of data protection in Nigeria.

On Tuesday, April 4, 2023, former president Muhammadu Buhari wrote a letter to the Senate and House of Representatives introducing the bill for review and approval.

The new law, now an Act, establishes the Nigeria Data Protection Commission and replaces the Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (NDPB) established by former President Buhari in February 2022.

The Commission will be led by a National Commissioner with the responsibility of regulating the processing of personal information.

Another mandate of the Commission is to foster the development of personal data protection technologies, in accordance with recognised international good practices and to ensure compliance with data protection obligations.

Olatunji who expressed delight over the growth of Nigeria’s data protection ecosystem said that “the Nigeria Data Protection Bureau is now a commission by law. Nigeria now has its Data Protection Act signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on 12th of June 2023.”

While appreciating the efforts of the former administration led by President Muhammadu Buhari who started the journey under the former Minister Isa Pantami, the National Commissioner stressed the need for effective partnership and stakeholder engagement especially in the areas of awareness and sensitization.

“We agree that Nigeria is well positioned to move data protection ahead in Africa. We agree that Nigeria is well positioned to move. The whole of Africa is waiting for us.

“In Nigeria, we have identified over 500,000 job opportunities in the Data Protection and Privacy ecosystem which is in line with one of the campaign mantra of the current administration to create million jobs in the digital economy sector in 12 months,” he stated.

On his part, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, Williams Alo, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fostering a culture of trust and accountability in the digital sphere.

“We can create an ecosystem that protects the rights of individuals while fostering a vibrant and innovative digital economy.

“Together, let us embark on this validation workshop with a shared vision—a vision of a Nigeria where personal data is treated with the utmost respect, where individuals have control over their own information and where innovation thrives in an environment of trust,” he admonished.

The Director General, National Information Technology Development, Kashifu Inuwa, in his remarks, stressed the importance of data as the currency of the digital economy, and urged the committee to look at the key principles for data protection.

“Firstly, we need to prioritize freedoms and rights of our citizens. Secondly, we need to promote transparency and accountability. And thirdly, we need to foster an enabling environment for innovation and economic growth.

“We can only create jobs when we are innovative and look at how we can create prosperity in our country,” he said.

The Committee Chairman, Nigeria Data Protection Bureau Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan, Abdul-Hakeem Ajijola, said the roadmap “is intended to help identify some of those things we need to do to build the ecosystem so that we empower people to be able to have some kind of say and management over their own private data.”

Ajijola also emphasised the need for more awareness and sensitization to build a robust data protection and privacy ecosystem which is inclusive and viable.

Femi Gbajabiamila, the former House Speaker who now serves as President Bola Tinubu’s chief of staff, has formally resigned from the 10th House of Representatives as a representative of the Surulere 1 Federal Constituency in Lagos State.

He submitted his letter of resignation to Tajudeen Abass, the new Speaker, on Wednesday while the House was in session.

Before Gbajabiamila bowed in front of the new Speaker and the other MPs, Abass read the members the resignation letter from the previous Speaker.

Speaker Tajudeen Abbas vacated the position after he resigned, and the Independent National Electoral Commission was ordered to hold a bye-election to fill it.

The former speaker of the 9th House officially presented his letter of resignation to the new Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives Hon. Abbas at the plenary session.

In the letter read by the Speaker, Gbajabiamila informed the House of his appointment as Chief of Staff to the President and the need to exit the House to serve.

He thanked members of the House for their support throughout his stay in the House, especially in the last four years when he served as Speaker.

Gbajabiamila said: “It is with mixed feelings that I want to, at this time, at this moment and at this hour and this minute present to this House, my letter of resignation from this House”.

The Senate recessed on Wednesday until July 4 so that its Committee on Welfare could finalize the distribution of funds, offices, and interests to senators.

The interests will encompass, among other things, office space, transportation, and lodging.

In a press conference at the National Assembly, Senator Ahmed Ningi (APC Bauchi Central) stated that the Red Chamber likewise commended the House of Representatives on its rancor-free election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, respectively.

Senator Ningi also said that the Upper Chamber sent “communications to international bodies like the EU, AU, and the other legislative National bodies” during the occasion of the private meeting.

He said that the lawmakers had planned an early resumption after a two week break but for the pending Sallah holiday.

The Lawmaker further revealed the resolve of the 10th Assembly to safe the country from implosion, adding “This nation was crashing some few months back but with what is happening right now especially with the inauguration of the National Assembly, I am very positive that we are going to save this country, this country will benefit from our experiences and with the faces I have seen in the Senate in particular no doubt in my mind that the Senate will be an entirely different Senate this time around.”

“I have been out of the National Assembly for eight years. I was also here for 16 years.

“We have come a long way and I believe without you this democracy which I personified by the National Assembly would not have been here for the last 24 years.

“That it has attained 24 years. It is as a result of your work. You have been there and you have also been accused just like each and every member of the parliament.

You have been accused of corruption, indolence, you have been accused of so many things, that members of the National Assembly have been accused and this work has to be done.”

This is as he dismissed concerns of a rancorous executive and legislative relations, as he maintained “We are not going to be confrontational as we have never been, but we are not going to be laid back legislators to make sure we understand some things, we make sure they understand our powers to make sure that we understand our limitations.

“We will outrightly inform the executive of our powers under the constitution, under the House rules and under the legislative matters privileges.

We are not going to be caged. I am very happy this afternoon that the first thing that the Senate President did was to call for an executive session with very exhaustive deliberations and I am happy he has started on a very clean slate.”

On the resolve of the 10th Assembly to be different from its predecessor, the Bauchi lawmaker pointed out, “I can see that he is ready for this job and we have assured him that once he gives us our respect, we are going to accord him our full loyalty.

“And we also cautioned him that inspite of whatever happened, the Senate is the institution that made him Senate President and the Chairman of the National Assembly.

“Because he is a ranking Senator he understands that on behalf of the people of this country over the years things have not been done so well.

That time will give us another opportunity to redo what we have not been able to do in the last couple of years.”

The experienced legislature urged for media to place the country on the path of development, as he underscored that “want to call on the media in particular to remain steadfast in what they are doing, we don’t have any other country other than Nigeria.

“I know we have challenges of tribal sentiments, religious sentiments, regional sentiments; they all interplay within the Nigerian body politics but at the end of the day we bear the consequences.

“We have tested insecurity and it is not a respecter of anybody from the executive to the legislature and to the common man and even the Nigerian security forces have been confronted by this insecurity and there is the issue of poverty and anger in the polity.

“Therefore if we don’t put Nigeria first which is easier said than done. We must make sure that this country is pushed forward, we must make sure that we add value.

As you write your report, encourage members of the National Assembly when they need encouragement and also call the attention of the National Assembly members when you have noticed their limitations.

“You must also read the constitution yourself, read the House rules, understand our powers, what we can do and what we cannot do and then help us call the executive to order when the need arises.

Try to encourage us to do what is right all the time.”

On the outcome of the minority caucus meeting, he explained, “the election has come and gone. I adjudged it free and fair inspite of any insinuation whether somebody is coerced or not.

“I don’t believe in that. I don’t believe a Senator will be made to do what he does not want to do.

“It was a free election. It was open and it was keenly contested. Having said that, initially we had our own terms of agreement with the various Senate presidential aspirants.

“We wrote to all of them unfortunately time was not on our side to have gotten a reply from them but for me it doest matter who gets what it all depends on the leadership, the presiding officers, you can decide not to have not to give me any committee but there will be a time when you will need me and that has been the tradition of the National Assembly.

“It is always give and take. We are 50 members of the opposition, the ruling party has 59, we are watching. It is also important to understand that the principal officers are also members of the Senate Committee.

“The intention then was for them to take care of the minority interest, you know they are limited because while they are having six and seven with the Senate president we are having four, so if there is any vote you know where it will go.

“But that is not the issue, the issue is the presiding officer, listening to what he said to carry people along with honesty and transparency.

If you don’t carry me along now that means you don’t need me and if tomorrow you need me you will be reminded when did you change your mind?”

While fielding questions on the minority position, he stressed that it “usually is not subjected to an election, and I am not here to speak for the minority because there is a minority caucus leader, Senator Aliero.

“When you come to speak about the minority they have two positions which will be slashed between the minority rank and consequently when these positions are spliced then each party will now go and do the needful in providing these names.

“I am free. If I am called upon to do it I will gladly accept that, If not the senate chair is enough for me.

Whatever rate I don’t need to hold any position. I will function in this Senate one way or the other,” he emphasized.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the indefinite suspension of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), AbdulRasheed Bawa

The suspension was to allow for proper investigation into his conduct while in office.

The President directs Bawa to immediately hand over the affairs of his office to the Director, Operations in the Commission, who will oversee the affairs of the Office of the Chairman of the Commission pending the conclusion of the investigation

Anger As Over 300 Fishermen Are Sacked By Oil Spill In Rivers Community

The business climate is tense as a result of the oil leak in the Aleto community of the Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, which left over 300 fishermen stranded and destroyed farmlands.

According to the victims, the river is a significant source of income for the 300 registered fishermen in the area.

They stated that the spill was discovered on Sunday and that no efforts have been made to stop it from spilling into the River ever since. They also stated that several residents had left their settlements due to the foul smell the spill had generated.

The fishermen were upset that their source of income had been lost because they can no longer provide for their families.

One of the victims simply identified as Wuwu said he has been fishing in the River for over ten years, saying, “On Monday I came to check my net, but I saw that the River was black and spoiled. I couldn’t even find my net.

His words: “There were no fish because the water is very bad (polluted). I don’t know where to start from because this is the only thing I have been doing to take care of my family.

“If there is anything the company (Shell) can do to help us let them do. But they should clean this place first.”

Another fisherman said, “Me and some of my brothers around 11am on Monday, when we came to check, we saw that the River was covered with crude oil.  Our net and the boat we used in fishing have been damaged by the crude oil.”

Speaking to newsmen, a Surveillance Officer representing the Pipeline Infrastructure, Osaro Prosperous said the ordour from the spill poses a potential health hazard.

 “As you are here now you are perceiving the smell of the petroleum products which is very hazardous to human health.  We want this oil spill to stop immediately because this has been happening.

“A similar thing occurred here last year. Shell or the NNPC must take proper measure to stop this thing once and for all.”

The Chairman of Eleme Local Government Area, Obari-Ollormate Ollor who visited the site of the spill said preliminary observation showed that the incident was caused by equipment failure.

While accusing Shell of insensitivity since the incident occurred, Ollor said the people will await the oil giant to visit the facility so that the Eleme people are not accused of sabotage, even as he called for calm from the youths.

“We have discussed on the telephone with the people who are managers of their pipeline in Shell. They are not here yet. However when they come for this visit it is ascertained by them. We will look at it together and agree on a document that this is what has happened here. Our people are aggrieved as I speak to you.

“The youths are angry. Those who would have cones for fishing today are all stranded. They don’t have anything to do, you can see they are all hanging around because fishing is what they do to survive.”

Continuing, the LG chairman said “All the activities that go on around this River have been halted because of this pollution. It is a great loss and a bad day for the Eleme people.

“But as a government representative I will calm frayed nerves to make sure that everybody cooperates with the company because it was not a planned incident.”

When contacted, a spokesman of SPDC, Michael Adande said the cause of the spill had not been ascertained, saying, “AS we speak a Joint Investigation Visit to the area led by the government is on.

“Once that is ready, we will know what caused it and how to go from there.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Director-General and other Federal Government of Nigeria Agencies were invited to brief the House of Representatives on Tuesday regarding the procedures in place to manage the socioeconomic effects of flood disasters on the residents of flood-prone areas.

urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to communicate with the appropriate Federal Government of Nigeria agencies to ensure that Nigerians are relocated from the areas that are most susceptible to flooding.

The House passed the resolutions in response to a motion of urgent public significance introduced by Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, a former speaker of the House.

The motion which is titled: “Need to Commence Active Measures to Mitigate the Probable Devastation of a Severe Flood Season
and prepare Palliative Intervention to Prevent the worst Socio-Economic Consequences for Nigerians in the Affected Areas”.

In moving the motion, Mr Gbajabiamila
noted that a large portion of the country from North to South, East to West is prone to annual destructive flooding incidents which recurring events have, in recent years, increased significantly in severity and the extent of the devastation of lives and property.

He also noted that the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) in January this year released the seasonal
climate prediction with a forecast of early onset of rain across the country and heavy rains throughout the
season, the prediction of an early rainy season has already come to pass, there is every reason to expect the forecast of a heavy rainy season will also come to fruition.

“Concerned that the 2023 Annual Flood Outlook prepared by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency shows that 178 (One Hundred and Seventy-Eight) Local Government Areas in 32 (thirty-two) States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory fall within the highly probable flood risk areas

According to Gbajabiamila, “Nigeria is yet to recover from the 2022 flood, which affected more than 4 million Nigerians,
displaced over two million people, caused the death of six hundred and sixty-five (665) people, damaged about three hundred and fifty-five thousand nine hundred and eighty-six (355,986) houses and homesteads and destroyed an estimated total of nine hundred and forty-four thousand, nine hundred and eighty-nine
thousand (944,989) hectares of farmland

He said that the experience of the 2022 flood caused the Federal Government of Nigeria to constitute a Presidential Committee to develop a comprehensive Plan of Action for Preventing Flood Disasters in Nigeria, the Action Plan proposes structural and non-structural measures, land and water management systems and better coordination amongst stakeholders across the Federal and State Governments to ensure effective flood management in Nigeria.

“Convinced that with sufficient preparation and collaboration between the Federal and State Governments, we can mitigate the loss of life and the socio-economic hardships caused by these recurring flooding events.

“Also cognizant of the need for the Federal Government and the State Governments to commence active
measures to mitigate the probable devastation of a Severe Flood Season and prepare palliative and intervention measures to prevent the worst Socio-economic consequences for Nigerians in the affected.

Also adopting amendment to the motion, the House called for the implementation of the Presidential Committee on Management of Floods and Disasters in Nigeria.

“The House urged NEMA to ensure the Federal Government of Nigeria stockpiles sufficient quantities of temporary shelter materials, food and nutrition items and medicine to support people in flood-prone areas.

“The House also resolved to encourage communication between the Federal Government of Nigeria and the state governments to ensure effective collaboration to prevent the worst outcomes in flood-prone areas.

Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, has urged Nigerians from all walks of life to work as a team with the government to advance the nation.

The SGF gave the task at a reception hosted by Prince Yahaya Audu, Group President, CEO of Zayo Sigma on Tuesday in Abuja in honor of him and his wife, Mrs. Regina Akume, who was sworn in as a member of the House of Representatives, representing Gboko / Tarkaa federal Constituency of Benue state.

Akume noted that with one voice , one determination and one sense of purpose, the ugly narrative of the nation would be surmounted for greater productivity which will translate to the dividend of Democracy to the people.

Represented by his son, Dr.Micheal Aondohemba Akume, he said, his father possessed needed experience and capacity and with the president, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the nation is on a better position to social and economic recovery.

He added that his father, who is humility personified, is reputed to have penchant for teamwork and dedication to service delivery, adding that he has been an advocate of the unity of the country.

Akume, who commended president Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for considering him worthy for the appointment as Secretary to the federation , pledged not to let the nation down .

He disclosed that the appointment which is the first to the people of the Middle Belt Geo political zone of the country, would be jealousy protected by offering the best service to the citizenry that will transform the country.

Akume a former Governor, three terms senator and a minister, could use team work to wrestle power from the PDP, was optimistic of offering his best to the country.

He congratulated the entire people of Benue state, APC officials and Stakeholders who worked tirelessly to bring about the desired result of overwhelming votes for the APC in Benue state.

Akume thanked the Organiser of the inauguration Dinner in his honour and all elected National Assembly members from the state, saying Prince Yahaya Audu, although not from Benue state , but have been a long time reliable and dependable family friend.

In an open remark, the chairman of the occasion, Former Deputy Governor of the state , chief Steven Lawani, applauded president Ahmed Tinubu for the appointment, described it as a huge opportunity for service, which , he said , Akume possess the wherewithal to make a difference in his government.

He charged the two Senators and nine House of representatives members elected on the platform of the APC to remain a collective voice for issues that concerns the people of Benue state.

He advise them to consider their election as an opportunity to serve rather than personal advantage and to work in synergy to deliver the perks of democracy to the state.

The wife of the SGF, Hon Regina Akume , explained that the feat achieved by the Benue APC Who won two senate seats out of three and nine House of Representatives Members out of ten could only achieve the result through team work and the collective APC performance in the state.

She assured the people that the legislators are poised to make laws that will bring development to the state and the country.

Also, the organiser, Prince Yahaya Audu disclosed that the wife of the SGF has been a mother to him , a reason why he decided to package the event as his contribution to the success story of the family.

He commended the president for the appointment, described it as a triumph for hard work and commitment to ideals.