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IBM Helps Ekiti State Improve Governance, Education Capabilities

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(l-)  Taiwo Otiti, IBM’s Country General Manager for West Africa and Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Ekiti State Governor, during a visist by a team of 15 IBM specialists from 10 countries on a month long tour of duty to Ekiti state, doing pro-bono consulting work with the Ekiti state government.
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A team of IBM specialists completing a month-long pro bono consulting assignment yesterday  presented recommendations to Ekiti State Government (EKSG) for strategies that will improve its efficiency and engagement with citizens. 

The team also completed projects and plans that will make students and administrators at some of the state’s universities more productive and successful.

The 15-person IBM team, hailing from 10 countries, was the sixth group since 2009 to provide assistance to Nigeria as part of IBM’s Corporate Service Corps,  which provides problem-solving assistance to educational institutions, small businesses, non governmental organizations, and governmental agencies in emerging markets.

Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Ekiti State Governor, personally thanked IBM team members at a ceremony marking the project’s completion.

He said, “Our partnership with IBM will be a crucial performance enabler and game changer for Ekiti State, as effective application of information and communication technology will certainly help our state build a more accountable system.  The collective vision of my administration for Ekiti State is to create a society that everyone will be proud of. We must eradicate poverty and develop the human capital we are known for.”

Working with the state’s Bureau of Infrastructure and Public Utilities, the IBM team suggested the establishment of an inter-governmental paperless system for official documents, making it easier to share information and collaborate internally. 

Externally, the team developed a blueprint for a system to make it easier for citizens to obtain information.  Transparency and accountability were the themes underpinning these projects.

IBM also reviewed the Internet and computing technology assets of the Ekiti State Ministry of Education and and state-owned University of Ado-Ekiti, where the IBM team worked on databases and Web sites that will make promotional, student and administrative information more readily available and shareable.

IBM’s work will make it easier for the state to work with non governmental organizations such as the New Initiative for Sustainable Development, which promotes the effective use of technology in the academic, commercial and public sectors.

“Technology combined with sound management strategies have the power to unlock underdevelopment and boost economic activities in many ways,” said Taiwo Otiti, IBM’s Country General Manager for West Africa.

“IBM’s intention is to assist the people and government of Ekiti State to lay a solid foundation for future growth and the enhancement of its human development programs and initiatives.”

Ekiti is one of Nigeria’s 36 states. About two-thirds of its population of 2.5 million is involved in agriculture, producing a variety of cash and food crops, including, timber, cocoa, coffee, citrus fruits, and vegetables. 

“Putting People First” is the theme of the EKSG’s 2010 – 2014 fiscal blueprint, which aims to to ensure that efficient management of the state’s natural and human resources yields social and economic dividends.

Previous IBM Corporate Service Corps teams in Calabar, Cross River State and Abuja have worked on government projects for education, healthcare, finance, poverty eradication, forestry research and electric power policy.

IBM’s Corporate Service Corps provides access to sophisticated expertise to help improve local conditions, enhance government services, and foster job creation.

Team members, who are among IBM’s top talent, offer skills in areas that include information technology, research, marketing, finance, consulting, human resources and law.

Africa is a significant focus for the initiative. Since 2008, IBM’s Corporate Service Corps has deployed more than 500 IBM employees on 50 teams to South Africa, Tanzania, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Senegal, and Egypt.  Worldwide, more than 2,000 IBMers from 50 countries have participated in Corporate Service Corps, deploying completing more than 700 assignments in 30 countries.


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E-Business

NDPC Commits to Balancing Data Privacy, Protection Information

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Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC), has expressed its commitment to balance information around data privacy and protection.

NDPC Commits to Balancing Data Privacy, Protection Information

Dr. Vincent Olatunji, national commissioner, NDPC, stated this in Abuja, at the National Data Privacy Summit with the theme, “Privacy in the Era of Emerging Technologies,” organised by the commission.

Olatunji said the NDPC, at the moment, was looking at balancing information around data privacy and protection.

“What we are doing is just to look at how to balance information around privacy and protection, which is really important, because as we are innovating, at the same time, we have to consider issues around privacy and protection,” he stated.

He added that the commission has been very bold in taking risks that would bring about growth.

“Our starting point is growing at a very alarming rate, and we are not afraid of anything. We can take risks. And that is why a lot is happening in Nigeria, and this is the level of clarity,” he explained.

In his address, Dr. Aminu Maida, executive vice chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC),  stated that Internet of Things holds promise for Nigeria’s economy.

The EVC, who was represented by Abraham Oshadami, executive commissioner, Technical Services (ECTS), noted that, “in an era in which digital assets, Internet of Things, future digital computing and other transformative technologies are key, and both a cornerstone of building trust for the adoption and a prerequisite for sustainable progress.

“Emerging technologies hold immense promise for Nigeria’s grand economy, but they also introduce complex risks to personal and individual rights.

“So, balancing innovation through post-ethical safeguards and public trust is the first step to ensuring that global digital advancement benefits all Nigerians without compromising their privacy or their security,” he added.

“As we just heard from the Nigeria Police, telecom operators have a vast amount of sensitive historical information daily, including connectivity apps and collaboration on privacy, security, and number protection, both to their and their inheritors,” he said.

Dr. Bako Shurkuk, commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, Plateau State, who represented Caleb Mutfwang, Governor of Plateau State, said, emerging technologies can be harnessed to attain sustainable growth.

 


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OADC Lagos Reinforces Commitment to Local Data Hosting and Digital Transformation @ NDPC’s National Privacy Week Summit

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Open Access Data Centres (OADC) Lagos has reaffirmed its commitment to Nigeria’s data protection and digital transformation agenda through its sponsorship and active participation in the Nigeria Data Protection Commission’s (NDPC) National Privacy Week Summit.

The National Privacy Week Summit, organised by the NDPC, convened policymakers, regulators, technology providers, and industry stakeholders to promote data privacy awareness, strengthen compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA), and advance conversations around data security, sovereignty, and responsible data governance.

As a sponsor of the event, OADC Lagos demonstrated its continued support for the Federal Government’s drive toward local data hosting and data domiciliation, which are increasingly critical to safeguarding sensitive information, enhancing regulatory compliance, and building trust in Nigeria’s digital economy.

Through its carrier-neutral, Tier III Design certified data centre in Lekki, Lagos, OADC provides secure, resilient, and compliant infrastructure that enables government institutions and private sector organisations to host and manage data locally while meeting international best practices.

Commenting on the engagement, Adesola Adesugba, Country Marketing Manager, Open Access Data Centres Nigeria, said: “We are proud to have supported the Nigeria Data Protection Commission through the National Privacy Week Summit and to stand alongside the government in advancing Nigeria’s digital transformation objectives.

“Strengthening local data hosting and domiciliation is fundamental to national data sovereignty, improved security, and sustainable digital growth, and OADC Lagos remains committed to enabling this future.”

OADC’s participation at National Privacy Week Summit underscores its role as a trusted digital infrastructure partner to government and enterprise, supporting secure cloud connectivity, regulatory compliance, and the long-term development of Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.

Open Access Data Centres is part of the WIOCC Group and operates open-access, world-class data centres across Africa, serving cloud providers, network operators, enterprises, and public sector institutions.


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Kaspersky Launches OT Calculator to Align Cybersecurity Investments with Business Goals

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Kaspersky’s new online tool has been specially developed for industrial organisations to assess the potential costs associated with insufficient operational technology (OT) security.

By offering detailed financial forecasts, the calculator empowers senior management to make well-informed decisions regarding security investments.

Industrial organisations increasingly depend on interconnected systems, elevating cybersecurity to a critical factor in business resilience and profitability.

According to VDC Research, over 60% of industrial companies last year reported that cybersecurity breaches had led to significant costs. Despite this, a persistent disconnect remains between security teams and executive leadership as security professionals focus on minimising risk, while executives must balance cybersecurity concerns with broader business objectives. This misalignment often results in competing priorities and underfunded security initiatives.

To bridge this gap, Kaspersky has launched the OT Cybersecurity Savings Calculator, an innovative online tool designed specifically for industrial organisations to assess the potential costs of inadequate operational technology (OT) security¹.

The primary aim of this tool is to translate cyber risks into tangible financial metrics and support strategic discussions around priorities and budget allocation. By entering details such as their sector, sub-sector, region, company size, breach history, and existing cybersecurity measures, organisations can estimate their potential cost savings and receive customised, actionable recommendations.

The calculator benchmarks performance against industry peers and highlights the company’s position within the current threat landscape.

“We believe this calculator is a powerful resource for transforming complex cyber risk data into straightforward financial insights. It enables OT leaders, security professionals, and executive teams to develop clear, data-driven business cases and recognise the value of cybersecurity investments. With actionable guidance, it promotes a comprehensive approach to resource management and strengthens overall organisational resilience,” comments Andrey Strelkov, Head of Industrial Cybersecurity Product line at Kaspersky.


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