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Poor ICT Fingered in Dana Plane Crash

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Abayomi Oloko, manager, Information Technology (IT), Nigerite Limited
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The recent Dana plane crash in Lagos has exposed the frightening dearth of modern technologies in the nation’s aviation sector, making the touted achievements in the industry only cosmetics, Nigeria CommunicationsWeek can now report.

The crash came just days after Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah, minister of Aviation, beat her chest at the ministerial press briefing tagged 365 Days of Aviation Sector Transformation and reeled the accomplishment of her ministry including the near accident-free record as well as the attainment of the US Federal Aviation Administration’s category 1 Safety Status oblivious of the landmine ahead.

But in the midst of claims and counter charges following the crash, the spin and sound bites, obvious questions are not being asked: are there adequate technologies; and are they relevant to current market conditions in the country’s aviation sector?

This is coming on the heels of fresh suggestions that the plane crash could be linked to the deplorable state of ICT infrastructure at the airport that probably denied the late pilot Peter Waxton, opportunity to link up with air traffic controllers in the Lagos control tower, even after establishing contact with the radar controller.

Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) claimed it has an advanced aircraft tracking device to ensure that passengers and aircraft in Nigerian airspace are safe and their location easily identified.

Described as the first of its kind in Africa, the tracker allows NCAA, airlines and other operators to pin-point the whereabouts of an aircraft at anytime with precision.

Theories have been conjured as to why the tracker could not locate the ill-fated aircraft with pin-point accuracy.

Sam Adurogboye, head, Public Relations Department, NCAA said: “unlike the Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (TRACON) system and other tracking devices already in use in the Nigerian aviation industry, the current aircraft tracking device would track both airborne and aircraft on ground”.

But a source at the airport who does not want to be named asked “when the pilot of the ill-fated plane alerted the aviation authority via the radar on the emergency situation even at 11 nautical miles to landing, why couldn’t he contact the control tower before crash landing at 4 nautical miles?

According to the source, the derelict ICT infrastructure has shown itself, and it is quite unfortunate that nobody could come out to admit that.

“Between the time Captain Waxton contacted the radar and the crash we have 7 nautical miles, had it been the control tower was on, then the deed may not have been as disastrous as we have it now. We work here and we know what is going on in the industry. Most of the airlines are managing, and is disheartening that the authorities are economical with the truth. And if drastic measures are not taken to avert the impending dooms, the sector may be depleting to the era of air crashes,” our source added

Captain Oscar Wason, the director of Flight Operations, Dana Air, confirmed that “the captain did not have a chance to talk to the Lagos control tower. He was talking to the radar control. He was released from the radar control to control tower, but he never made the call”

As the argument swung left and right, Nigeria CommunicationsWeek investigations showed that the sector is lagging behind in ICT application and in some cases they are entirely absent making it sore-footed and refractory.

For instance as countries are moving away from old technologies, Nigeria is adopting them and hailing them as the next big thing, the result is a monstrous array of outdated and non-functional pieces of equipment.

Aviation experts described the situation as worrisome and urged government to muster the political will to avert a systemic failure that may lead to harvest of plane crashes and save the industry which records 14 million passengers annually.

One made case for the adoption of IPv6, being pushed as a critical enabler for greater speed and precision in the performance of net-centric operations for the global ground and air communications area still elude the nation’s aviation industry.

Dr. Emeka Orji, an aviation expert based in USA said that air crash could be avoided if Nigeria moved with speed as technologies emerge. He is pushing for IPv6 in aviation.

“Airline companies and airports can easily track and monitor airplane information by becoming IP addressable: that is sensors and cameras and IPv6 also facilitates the “reachability” of people and machines and enhances communications that are fundamental for airports to achieve efficient resource management” Orji added.

Nigeria CommunicationsWeek however gathered that the industry has more pressing issues because even if the technologies are available, there may be no qualified hands to apply them.
This is because the aviation manpower is gradually phasing out as qualified Nigerians look elsewhere for greener pastures, leaving a greater number of those left to learn on the job.

Orji agreed that the sensitivity, accuracy and performance of each IT/IS systems and software in aviation field is crucial factor because a simple coding formation error, a lost data packet or unstable system may spell doom.

Dr. Harold Demuren, director-general, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) who was asked to proceed on suspension by the Senate had in an interview earlier in the year said that manpower development in the aviation industry would also help combat brain-drain.

Demuren was quoted as saying that “establishing a manpower development board is the right way to go, unless they do it we won’t get anywhere in the aviation industry. There must be a body that has to take a global look on the manpower requirement in the industry, plan for manpower development, have a data base, carry out research and know which way to go”

Orji said a coordinated national policy on aviation backed by political will address most of the problems in the industry especially information sharing relating to airport security; funding; manpower and safety.


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WHO Says Ebola Outbreak Worse than Reported

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World Health Organisation (WHO) at the weekend declared the Ebola outbreak linked to the rare Bundibugyo virus strain a global public health emergency.

WHO Says Ebola Outbreak Worse than Reported

WHO said there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment for this strain of Ebola.

At home, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) said there is “no confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease in Nigeria” but had  tightened surveillance against the deadly virus.

The outbreak, linked to the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, has already caused dozens of deaths in Congo and spread into Uganda, raising fears of wider transmission across the region.

In response, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention said that the country remains on alert because of growing movement across African borders.

Jide Idris, director-general said the agency was “closely monitoring the situation” and working with the Port Health Services and other health agencies to strengthen preparedness nationwide.

He added that surveillance has been increased at entry points and within Nigeria’s health system.

According to the WHO, the outbreak has recorded more than 240 suspected cases and about 80 suspected deaths in Congo’s Ituri province, while imported cases have also been confirmed in Uganda’s capital, Kampala.

The WHO said the outbreak is “extraordinary” because of uncertainty around the true number of infections and the lack of approved medical countermeasures for the Bundibugyo strain.

Health authorities advised Nigerians to maintain proper hygiene, avoid contact with infected persons and report symptoms such as fever, weakness, vomiting and bleeding to the nearest health facility immediately.

Nigeria was declared Ebola-free in 2014 after successfully containing an outbreak brought into the country by an infected traveler from Liberia.

 

 


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Digital PayExpo 2026 to Convene Africa’s Most Influential Payments Leaders in Lagos

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Africa’s digital payments ecosystem will take center stage as Digital PayExpo 2026 returns to Lagos on June 17–18, 2026, at the Landmark Centre, Victoria Island, under the theme: “Seamless Digital: Fostering Pan-African Market Expansion in the AI Era.”

At a time when artificial intelligence, cross-border commerce, and financial inclusion are redefining Africa’s economic future, the event is set to convene over 3,000 senior executives, policymakers, fintech innovators, and global technology providers.

The speaker lineup reflects a powerful blend of regulatory leadership, private sector innovation, and pan-African expertise.

Among the headline speakers:

  • Dr. Rakiya Yusuf, Director, Payment Systems Supervision, Central Bank of Nigeria — a key architect in Nigeria’s payment system reforms.
  • Dr. Folasade Femi-Lawal, Country Manager & Area Business Head (West Africa), Mastercard — a leading voice in digital payments expansion across Africa.
  • Clara B. Arthur, Managing Director, GhIPSS (Ghana) — driving Ghana’s interoperable payment ecosystem.
  • Wacera Maina, Chief Operations Officer, Kenwitch Kenya — an expert in East Africa’s payment infrastructure evolution.
  • Akeem Lawal, CEO, Interswitch Group — a pioneer in Africa’s fintech growth story.
  • Ngover Ihyembe-Nwankwo, Executive Director, NIBSS — shaping Nigeria’s core payment infrastructure.

The conference will explore:

  • AI-powered financial services
  • Cross-border payment systems and interoperability
  • Cybersecurity and trust frameworks
  • SME financing and financial inclusion
  • Infrastructure for a unified African digital economy

With participation from banks, fintechs, telcos, regulators, and global payment networks, Digital PayExpo 2026 is positioned as a critical marketplace for ideas, partnerships, and investment flows. Register: https://digitalpayexpo.com/register
Sponsorship Enquiries: [email protected]


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Only 1 in 3 Families Fully Secure their Devices, Kaspersky Study Reveals

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On International Day of Families observed on May 15th, a global Kaspersky study* reveals that while 47% of respondents talk about online safety, only 33% secure all their family devices – highlighting the need for proactivity from Family Digital Managers.

As online threats develop and every generation joins the online space, cybersecurity habits have become an essential part of life for every family. Typically, in every family, one or two people become so-called Family Digital Managers, responsible for managing subscriptions, setting up new devices, or thinking about cyber protection. Kaspersky has conducted a survey to find out what measures modern families take to stay safe online.

According to Kaspersky’s data, a significant portion of respondents adopt an educational approach to cybersecurity within their families:

47% regularly coach elderly relatives and children on safe online practices

45% advise family members to adopt password manager solutions

42% encourage the use of multi-factor authentication (MFA)

An equal 42% actively review and adjust privacy settings on both family devices and critical online accounts

Although a growing awareness of the importance of proactive, family-focused digital protection can be observed, when it comes to the implementation of security solutions, the trend is slightly different. 10% of respondents take no measures at all to protect their loved ones online, rising to 21% among those aged 55+.

As for the parental control apps, 67% of families with children under 18 years use this tool to monitor and secure their kids’ online activity. Parental control, such as the Kaspersky Safe Kids solution, can help restrict children’s access to inappropriate content and also gently manage their online habits by limiting access to certain websites and apps, controlling their screen time, and even enhancing their physical security by tracking their geolocation.

The most worrying number is that only 33% of respondents – just 1 in 3 – install security solutions on all family members’ devices. Kaspersky experts highlight that the current threat landscape shows that mobile devices and tablets as well as PCs all require comprehensive cyber protection, as they are often targeted by cybercriminals.

According to the survey, only 30% of respondents set up new devices for their families. Setting up a new device is not often regarded as a step that contributes to cyber safety; however, some actions performed before the device is put into use can significantly enhance its security.

For instance, experts recommend installing a security solution first, to scan the device for hidden threats and make web browsing safe from the first queries. What’s more, reviewing privacy settings on a new device allows you not to share data that you would like to keep private with some applications and services.

The research also shows that the older generation (55+) is generally less included in family security habits. Around 1 in 5 (21%) of this age group globally do not take any measures to protect their family online and only a quarter (24%) install security solutions for family members. The most popular security measure among them turns out to be a password manager, as 40% of this age group recommend their family members to use it.

“We are now using a lot of gadgets and digital services, and with every new device and every additional hour spent online, the potential entry points for cybercriminals continue to grow, exposing us to a wider range of cyber threats. At the same time, not every generation adapts to these rapid changes with the same ease.

“That’s why having someone in the family take on the role of a ‘Family Digital Manager’ can be so valuable, especially when it comes to protecting kids and elder people from digital cyberthreats, give advice and help with the use of trusted security solutions,” comments Brandon Muller, Technical Expert at Kaspersky.

 


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