By Matthew Denis, Abuja

The National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Dr. Vincent  Olatunji has disclosed that the level of compliance for the registration by data controllers and processors given by the commission is still low.

He revealed that they have only registered below 3000 Data controllers, processors despite identifying 500,000 in the country.

The Commissioner made the disclosure during an exclusive interview with Nigerian NewsDirect at his office in Abuja on Thursday.

Recall that the agency has notified all entities, including businesses, educational institutions, healthcare providers, and other organisations that collect personal data of individuals, that registration is mandatory in accordance with Section 5(d) of the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023.

The Commission had commenced registration on January 30th, 2024 to conclude on June 30th, 2024 and added that entities that fail to register within this time frame will be subject to penalties.

Dr. Olatunji while speaking to NewsDirect said, “the ecosystem  is just revolving and a lot of people don’t really understand what we’re talking about regarding Data controllers, Data processors. That’s why we’re going loud to create awareness.”

 The Commissioner stressed that they’re done with the first phase and very soon they will commence with the second phase the need for them to register which speaks on the reputation  of their organization, compliance and credibility and one thing that this will create is trust and confidence in your data processing activities  as an organization.

“We have up to the end of June, 2024 for all of them to register and we’re starting another massive campaign for them to register in the next two weeks.”

According to him in terms of compliance for registration with the commission the situation is still low.

He said, “When we started in 2022 we had about 1,777 data controllers and processors and last year it rose to over 2,000 but it’s very low when compared to the number of data controllers and processors we have identified in the country.

“We have identified about 500,000 and today we’re doing less than 3000 that means we have not even started at all, that is why we’re speaking to stakeholders and bringing everybody onboard.

“We have released the guidelines strategy telling you who qualifies as a Data controllers and processors and their categories in the country.”

The Commissioner emphasised that it’s their expectation that Nigerians will embrace the programme and key into it for the safety of the country with accurate data collection and protection.

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar has recently embarked on a working visit to Kano State to deepen collaboration with stakeholders in the state for unstained peace.

The CAS made his first port of call to the Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf.

Speaking, the Governor said the relative peace and tranquility being experienced across Kano State is majorly due to the joint efforts of all the security agencies in the State.

“The troops of 455 Base Services Group (BSG), Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Kano have been part of this success story, having been serving as part of the security Joint Task Force operating in the State,” he said.

Speaking further, Governor Kabir commended the NAF for its efforts, alongside other security agencies, at containing the security challenges of insurgency, terrorism, kidnapping and banditry that have particularly bedeviled the northern part of Nigeria.

He then assured the CAS that, in view of the constraints of fundings being experienced by the various security agencies, he would continue to support the NAF units in Kano as they synergise with other security agencies to checkmate the activities of criminals in the State.

Air Marshal Abubakar also paid a courtesy call to the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, paid Emir of Kano, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, who traced the history of the long and cordial relationship that has existed between the NAF and Kano State.

He also revealed that he has maintained keen interest on the monumental strides of the NAF in curtailing the activities of criminal elements in the entire country through the effective utilisation of air power. He then praised the CAS for the discipline and professionalism he has brought to bear in the execution of his responsibility while assuring him of the support of the Emirate in the discharge of his duty.

Responding to the Governor, Air Marshal Abubakar praised him for his unwavering commitment to security, economic growth, and social development as well as his commitment towards a Kano State that exemplify a shining example of peace, progress and tranquility.

He also went on to appreciate the Governor for his immense support to the NAF which has contributed significantly to ongoing operations and the attainment of its mandate as it strives to ensure the State and the entire country is peaceful, safe, and secured for economic activities to thrive.

While at the Emir of Kano’s Palace, Air Marshal Abubakar informed the Emir that he would continue to value the strong bond the NAF shares with traditional institutions in the country, as they serve as the bridge between their subjects and the military.

He also assured him of the Airforce continued collaboration with the Emirate Council in the socio-economic and cultural development of the State.

By Matthew Denis

The President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s Administration has geared towards focusing on boosting the Natural Gas (CNG) in the ecosystem which is a gradual shift away from the petrol dominated economy.

This development has offered a veritable opportunity for the federal government to encourage the use of gas, particularly Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), which is cheaper and more friendly to the environment.

Though both natural gas and petrol are fossil fuels, gas is less carbon-intensive than other fossil fuels, which emit much carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases (GHGs) that cause indoor and outdoor pollution.

Apart from making the environment more acidic, the combustion of petrol and other high carbon-intensive fossil fuels also causes respiratory problems such as asthma.

Nigeria targets the deepening of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) usage in the country, eying as much as five million metric tonnes consumption per annum by 2023.

In its bid to actualise the target, the government has promised to continue to support the LPG industry with fiscal policies and incentives.

But with the desire to deepen usage in the country is another challenge that many say must be confronted with greater vigour.

The spate of gas explosions across the country is a cause of concern for many, which regulatory bodies, however, are also not unmindful of.

Just four days into the new year, tragedy struck at Sabon Tasha in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State where a gas explosion occurred.

The afternoon gas explosion left six people dead, including the Director General of the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission, Prof. Simon Mallam, and destroyed property valued at millions of naira.

On Feb. 2, at least seven persons were injured and property worth millions of naira were destroyed after a cooking gas cylinder exploded and kindled a fire in Onitsha.

A nationwide survey conducted revealed concerns across the country, by consumers, retailers and even regulatory bodies.

Opinions are diverse on all sides as to what has been left undone and what needs to be done better to reverse the tide and curb avoidable losses.

Users of domestic Liquefied Petroleum Gas (also called cooking gas) in the South East called on regulatory agencies to beef up awareness campaigns on its proper use.

Just recently, the Ogun State Government has sealed off Gasco Marine Ltd, the company whose truck was involved in an accident that caused an explosion in the Ita-Oshin area of Abeokuta North Local Government Area on Saturday.

Addressing journalists after sealing off the premises of the company located at Onijoganjogan, Abeokuta, the Senior Special Assistant to the Ogun State Governor on Environment and chairperson, Special Task Force on Environmental Matters, Farouq Akintunde, said the accident occurred due to the negligence of the company.

“Two days ago, Ogun State was in a tumult with the news of a fire incident that occurred around Ita-Oshin. We can authoritatively confirm that the truck that was involved in that fire is from this company.

“It was a sorry case because it involved loss of life and destruction of properties. Our preliminary investigation shows that it was due to an act of negligence from the company as they did not do the needful as regards the truck.

“As a regulatory body which is in control of all these matters, we believe there is a need for us to conduct safety and audit tests on all their trucks to prevent future occurrence. In doing so, we have to shut down the premises. After that, all other procedures will follow.”

In a proactive step towards ending the menace of gas expulsion, The Federal Government says it will stop granting licences to gas companies with no capacity to build pipelines for gas distribution.

This, the government said, became necessary to discourage the transportation of compressed natural gas through the roads. The Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, made this disclosure when he was in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital on Wednesday.Ekpo had visited Abeokuta for an on-the-spot assessment of Saturday’s CNG explosion at Ita Oshin.