Ramadan Blessings: Buhari Hosts Nigerien President Bazoum To ‘Iftar’

President Muhammadu Buhari has hosted his Nigerien counterpart, Mohamed Bazoum, to a Ramadan  Iftar dinner (breaking of fast) at the State House, Abuja, on Monday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Iftar dinner was meant to share blessings of Ramadan while promoting harmony and mutual understanding between Nigeria and the Republic of Niger.

The visiting president and his delegation arrived at 6.45 p.m, and he was received by Buhari at the State House Mosque, where they prayed together before proceeding to the Banquet Hall.

Buhari had earlier in the day in his office met with the Nigerien leader, who was on his first international trip after inauguration April 2.

The two sub-regional leaders had discussed issues of mutual interest, including security and economy.

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Some top officials of the Nigerian government at the dinner included Geoffery Onyeama, Minister of Foreign Affairs; retired. Gen. Bashir Magashi, Minister of Defence; and Timipre Silver, Minister of State, Petroleum Resources.

Others were the National Security Adviser, retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Munguno; Director-General of National Intelligence Agency, Amb. Ahmed Rufa’i; and Chairman/CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

On the entourage of Bazoum were Senior Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hassoumi Massasou; Deputy Chief of Staff, Djibo Daouda; and Nigerien Ambassador to Nigeria, Alat Migaskia. 

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) on Monday said it is building on national security through promoting safe cyberspace.

The Director-General of NITDA, Mr. Kashifu Inuwa, said this on the sidelines at the news conference organized by the agency to commemorate its 20 years’ anniversary in Abuja.

The theme of the anniversary was “Growth and Resilience”, and was aimed at highlighting the achievements of the agency.

Inuwa said the agency, asides from establishing regulations that advanced the country’s IT sector, was contributing to national security by ensuring that cyberspace was safe for users.

He explained that national security was in two perspectives, which were cybersecurity and other forms of security.

“When you talk about cybersecurity, we have achievements, we have achieved a lot in terms of containing cyber threats in the country.

“During the WannaCry Ransomeware attack in 2017 that affected many businesses and countries globally, Nigeria was not affected because of NITDA’s advisory role,’’ he said

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He further said that 95 percent of cyber-attack incidents were as a result of human failure which required awareness and strategies to avert them.

Inuwa said the major strategy would be educating citizens on the protection of their personal data and information.

According to him, that is why we came up with the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) to help citizens protect and secure information.

He said “the regulation will also help our businesses to be secured and ensure trusted online platform because businesses are moving online today.

“For you to use a platform, you need to have the confidence that if you put your information in the public domain, it will be secured’’.

He added that the agency was also enforcing compliance to the NDPR as mandated by the agency’s Act.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that activities to mark NITDA’s 20 years’ anniversary would include the unveiling of its new seven-pillar strategy.

The activities are expected to last till April 30.