Tag: Communication - Page 2 - African News Today

NIN’ll Make Identity of Internet Users Known to FG, Says Pantami

11Nov

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Communication, News, Nigeria

NIN’ll Make Identity of Internet Users Known to FG, Says Pantami

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, has said the National Identification Number will enable the Federal Government and security agencies to know the identity of Internet users in the country. This is as he stated that NIN will be the foundation of the economy and the security of the country. Pantami said this during the Nigeria International Partnership Forum in Paris, France. He said, “Some of these initiatives that happen to be the foundation of even our economy is the introduction of the national identification number. Nigeria has joined the global community by making the use of national identification numbers for both citizens and legal residents mandatory.”× “This is going to be the foundation of our economy and also the foundation of our secur...

NCC Disqualifies Nigerians Below 18 From Owning SIM

6Oct

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Communication, Information Technology, News, Nigeria

NCC Disqualifies Nigerians Below 18 From Owning SIM

The Nigerian Communications Commission has disqualified anyone below the age of 18 from registering and owning a Subscriber Identity Module in Nigeria. This is according to the draft copy of the modified Registration of Telephone Subscribers Regulations published on the commission’s website. In the modified regulations, NCC limited telecoms subscribers to only include anyone above the age of 18. “‘Subscriber’ means a person not below the age of 18 years who subscribes to communications services by purchasing a subscription medium or entering into a subscription contract with a licensee.” The Licensee refers to ‘a provider of communications services that utilises a subscription medium in the Federal Republic of Nigeria’. Read Also: JUST IN: FG Extends NIN-SIM Verification Dea...

Withdraw Conditions Imposed On Twitter Now, Wait For ECOWAS Court Decision—SERAP Tells Buhari

3Oct

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Communication, Information Technology, News, Nigeria

Withdraw Conditions Imposed On Twitter Now, Wait For ECOWAS Court Decision—SERAP Tells Buhari

The Socio-Economic Rights Accountability Project (SERAP) has criticised a declaration made by President Muhammadu Buhari that the ban on the operations of Twitter in the country would be lifted if certain conditions were met by the American company. SERAP urged Buhari to withdraw the conditions imposed on the microblogging site pending the final ruling of ECOWAS Court on the case. It further stated that such a pronouncement by the Nigerian government might affect the expected judgement. SERAP had sued the Buhari-led government at the ECOWAS Court in Abuja, challenging the legality of the suspension of Twitter in Nigeria. Buhari had during Nigeria's 61st Independence Day anniversary on October 1, 2021, said the ban on Twitter would only be lifted if certain conditions including ...

Insecurity: Sokoto Govt Seeks Shut Down of Telco Services

21Sep

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Communication, News, Nigeria, Security

Insecurity: Sokoto Govt Seeks Shut Down of Telco Services

The government of Sokoto State has the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) to direct all telecommunications companies to shut down their services in 14 LGAs in the state. This is coming less than a week after the house of representatives asked the NCC to shut down telecommunication services in three LGAs of Sokoto. In a circular seen by TheCable, the state government had asked Isa Pantami, minister of communications and digital economy, to issue a temporary shutdown of telecommunication networks in some LGAs as a measure to bring an end to banditry and other criminal activities in the state. On Monday, Muhammad Bello, spokesperson to Aminu Tambuwal, the governor, said the disruption in the telecommunication network will enable security agencies to deal with the increasing rate...

Nigeria Incurs N247.61bn Loss in 100 Days of Twitter Ban

13Sep

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Communication, Information Technology, News, Nigeria

Nigeria Incurs N247.61bn Loss in 100 Days of Twitter Ban

The ban of Twitter by the federal government in Nigeria has resulted in the loss of N247.61bn after 100 days of the ban. Recall that the Federal Government had on June 4 suspended Twitter after the social media platform deleted a tweet by President Muhammadu Buhari. Consequently, telcos on June 5 blocked access to Twitter after receiving a directive by the Nigerian Communications Commission. On this, the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria had said, “We, The Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria wish to confirm that our members have received formal instructions from the Nigerian Communications Commission, the industry regulator, to suspend access to Twitter. “ALTON has conducted a robust assessment of the directive in accorda...

NAS Kicks AS INEC Insists on Electronic Result Transmission

8Sep

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Communication, Elections, News, Nigeria

NAS Kicks AS INEC Insists on Electronic Result Transmission

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has insisted it did not require the approval of the Nigerian Communication Commission to transmit election results electronically. This was as the National Assembly told the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mahmood Yakubu, to seek proper legal advice instead of misinforming Nigerians on the independence of INEC to conduct elections. INEC also said that the decision of the National Assembly to subject its constitutional power to conduct elections to the NCC was absolutely unconstitutional. The PUNCH reported that during the debate on section 52 (3) of the Electoral Amendment Act Bill, dealing with electronic transmission by lawmakers, they had asked INEC to seek the approval of the NCC before going on wi...

Insecurity: GSM Operators Comply With FG’s Order, Shut Over 240 Zamfara Base Stations

5Sep

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Communication, News, Nigeria, Security

Insecurity: GSM Operators Comply With FG’s Order, Shut Over 240 Zamfara Base Stations

GSM operators in Zamfara State have shut down their base stations in state in compliance with the order of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, that all telecom sites in Zamfara State be shut down due to the “pervading security situation” in the state. A source in the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria told Sunday Punch that all the telcos had complied with the directive. Recall that a leaked memo signed by the Executive Vice-Chairman of the NCC, Prof Umar Danbatta, which was addressed to one of the telecom operators on Friday, stated that the immediate shutdown of all telecommunications services had become necessary due to the insecurity in the state. In the letter titled, ‘Re: Shutdown of all telecom sites in Zamfara State’, the NCC boss stated that th...

Drive With Earphone, Face Six Months Jail Term, FRSC Warns

4Sep

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Communication, News, Nigeria, Transportation

Drive With Earphone, Face Six Months Jail Term, FRSC Warns

The Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, has warned that any driver who receives or makes telephone calls while driving, regardless of any wireless gadgets used risk prosecution. The FRSC also said drivers who make or receive calls behind the wheels with AirPods, EarPods or any form wired or wireless earphones and handsfree mode risk six months in jail. FRSC Corps Public Education Officer, Bisi Kazeem, in an interview with Saturday PUNCH, said driving requires total concentration and road users should not take any risk on their lives. He said it is illegal to make calls or receive the same while driving, according to the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2012. Kazeem said, “It is illegal. Driving entails 100 per cent concentration so you cannot be distracted. It is there in th...

JUST IN: FG Extends NIN-SIM Verification Deadline Again

25Jul

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Communication, Information Technology, News, Nigeria

JUST IN: FG Extends NIN-SIM Verification Deadline Again

The Federal Government has once more postponed the deadline for NIN-SIM data verification to October 31, 2021. This was contained in a joint statement by the Director, Public Affairs Nigerian Communications Commission, Ikechukwu Adinde; and the Head, Corporate Communications, Nigeria Identity Management Commission, Kayode Adegoke, titled ‘FG Extends NIN-SIM verification deadline to 31st October, 2021′. Before now, FG had approved the extension of the deadline for NIN-SIM data verification to July 26, 2021. The statement noted that the registration focus is now expected to shift to remote and hard-to-reach areas, schools and health centres. The Director, Public Affairs Nigerian Communications Commission, Ikechukwu Adinde; and the Head, Corporate Communications, Nigeria Identity ...

Twitter Still Being Used to Criticise Us – FG

23Jul

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Communication, Human Rights, Judiciary, Justice, News, Nigeria

Twitter Still Being Used to Criticise Us – FG

The Federal Government of Nigeria has told a Federal High Court in Lagos that Nigerians are still making use of Twitter to criticise government policies despite its ban. This was disclosed in a counter-affidavit deposed by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and the Federal Government in response to an originating motion filed by human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, according to PUNCH. Recall that the President Muhammadu Buhari administration had in June 2021 suspended Twitter, saying it threatened its corporate existence. The platform was suspended after Twitter deleted a statement tweeted by President Muhammadu Buhari, which many Nigerians found distasteful. But since the ban, many Nigerians have bypassed the Twitter suspension by using Virtual Private N...