The Commissioner in charge of the data protection body in Nigeria, Dr Vincent Olatunji, made the disclosure at a workshop on data protection organized for national body of the Nigerian Information Technology Reporters Association (NITRA) which was held on Tuesday, July 18, 2023 at Bon Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos State.
Olatunji revealed “The President
said he would create one million digital jobs but the NDPC alone would create
500,000 jobs in the digital space.
“With the high rate of
unemployed youths, this is a new job, a new sector contributing to the Gross
Domestic Products (GDP) in the country. In Nigeria, we are talking about the
data of 200 million people in the country which needs over 500,000 data
processors and controllers, whereas those certified in data privacy are about
10,000 leaving a gap of over 400,000, which is really dangerous.
“As agents, we want to
protect their data and their interests and the qualified DPOs are not up to
10,000; we do not have enough skills that would serve as data protection experts.
“Journalist should think
of having a second career in the sector and can work anywhere in the world, go
for further training and get certified, which does not have anything to do with
what one studied in the university. It is a whole new skill that is required,
so what we are doing today is to introduce you to the subject matter,” Olatunji
said.
According to him, data
protection is a sector that engenders enormous wealth.
The national
commissioner added that the target was to build a globally competitive market
in data protection in Nigeria, with journalists as major stakeholders.
Olatunji urged
journalists to take good opportunity to join because it was global, saying that
the same knowledge would be passed in terms of objectives and principles.
He stated that the task
of the commission is massive and the commission cannot do it alone.
“This is where we need
your cooperation, in the area of advocacy. We need you to help us create
awareness of Data Protection.
“We want all of us to
create awareness, advocate, let citizens know that something new is happening
in Nigeria and in Africa because we have the population,” he said.
On his part, the
President of NITRA, Mr Chike Onwuegbuchi, in his vote of thanks appreciated the
commission for the capacity training, and assured of continued support from
journalists.
Onwuegbuchi said that
the workshop was insightful, appropriate and urged journalists to consider a
second career in data protection.
With speakers as Leena Abba dwelling essentially on the Overview of the Nigeria Data protection Act 2023; Olorunisomo Isolo, who spoke on Technical and Organizational Measures for Data Protection and Privacy; Yusuf Akinde showed expertise on Establishment, Objectives and Functions of Nigeria Data Protection Commission, while the last but not the least was the topic on NDP Act 2023: Compliance, Enforcement and Penalties delivered by Barr. Babatunde Bamigboye, the training was indeed help to empower the media on ensure effective reportage on the activities of the commission and indeed the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 itself.
Of course, the commission has functions such as regulation and promotion of measures to protect personal data; encouragement of the development of technologies that enhance data protection; accreditation, licensing, and registration of individuals of individuals who provide data protection services; registration of major data controllers and processors; raising of awareness about data protection obligations and risks, it also receives and addresses complaints related to violations of data protection laws; it also collaborates with relevant organisations and individuals to achieve its objectives, compliance with national and international data protection standards.
The commission also participate in international discussions on cross data transfer; determining if countries or mechanisms provide adequate data protection; collection and publication of information on data protection and breaches, advising the government on data protection and privacy policies; proposes legislative changes to strengthen data protection in Nigeria and performs other legal actions necessary to carry out its functions.
Therefore the capacity building workshop for over 50 journalists reporting ICT was an eye opener making the media to be more formidable with information regarding data protection policy of the federal government.
Dr Olatunji maintained
that apart from covering the activities of the commission, journalists should
also prepare to grab opportunities derivable from the sector. He said while journalists
are creating awareness on the importance of data protection, should also
consider a second career as Data Protection Officers (DPO).
No comments:
Post a Comment