Prof. Cleopas Angaye, Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) was possibly in one of his best moments on May 23, 2013 when he addressed a press conference in the conference room of his agency in Abuja. He was not giving his scorecard; no. That is reserved for another day. The smooth-talking DG rather used the occasion to elaborate on what was already common knowledge among personages in the global Information and Communications Technology arena; facts of which were as yet news to the uninitiated.
He had gathered the journalists to tell them of the honour that the United Nations agency in charge of ICT had done Nigeria's First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan.
When on May 10, 2013, a message from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) sailed into my mail box, with Nigeria's first lady's name on the headline I was instantly curious and apprehensive. Of course you recall that our First Lady only recently spoke of how she 'died' a number of times in a German hospital. The rest of the details you are most likely to be familiar with.
But reading through the story, it became clear that this was something good; it was a challenge as well as an adornment that needed and deserved still deserves celebration. The headline of the ITU press release read: ITU appoints First Lady of Nigeria as its Child Online Protection Champion.
And the body of the press release went on to say:
The Secretary-General of International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Dr Hamadoun I. Touré today (May 10) appointed the First Lady of Nigeria and President of the African First Ladies Peace Mission, Her Excellency Dame (Dr) Patience Goodluck Jonathan, as ITU's Child Online Protection (COP) Champion.
The First Lady received her letter of appointment from the Director of ITU's Telecommunication Development Bureau, Brahima Sanou, who met with her today to discuss issues related to cyber threats and cybersecurity in the Africa region.
Mr Sanou was accompanied by Datuk Mohd Noor Amin, Chairman of the International Multilateral Partnership Against Cyber Threats (IMPACT), ITU's executing arm for cybersecurity, and Andrew Rugege, ITU Regional Director for Africa.
“It is a great honour for ITU to have the support of Nigeria's First Lady,” said Dr Touré. “Her commitment is further confirmation of the key role that ITU is playing as a global catalyst and facilitator in international dialogue and cooperation in the area of cybersecurity.”
Mr Sanou added that the “COP framework has become a crucial means of creating a safe environment for our children while they are on the net. Both ITU and IMPACT have faith in Her Excellency's ability to spread this message and push for reforms not only in the Africa region but across the globe.”
Datuk Mohd Noor Amin said Dame Jonathan, who has won numerous accolades for her charitable work involving women and children, will be the perfect advocate for ITU's Child Online Protection initiative. “Her Excellency is both a progressive leader and renowned humanitarian, and is the ideal candidate to help ITU-IMPACT in its mission to push for COP awareness and the need for national online protection frameworks to protect and support the younger generations online.”
In addition to the COP initiative, ITU and IMPACT are looking at the possibility of setting up a Cybersecurity Regional Centre in Nigeria which would play an essential role in supporting the expansion of ITU-IMPACT's network globally, by localizing cybersecurity services to meet the unique needs of the region. Nigeria has indicated its interest in hosting a new Regional Centre under the ITU-IMPACT framework.
The proposed Regional Centre would become a vital hub of expertise and constitute an important component of the multi-stakeholder network that must be built to support government, industry and citizens, so that the full benefits of information and communications technology can be assured for all citizens.
“While acting as a catalyst for greater regional collaboration to address escalating cyber threats, this centre would also help promote Nigeria as an advanced cybersecurity hub for the region,” said Mr Sanou.
That was the entire content of the ITU press release; and, when I read it, what came over me was joy; but at the same time, I was assailed by apprehension: whenever these global agencies begin to offer such appointments, look for the their real reason. My only soothing and comforting zone of hopeful relief was that Dr. Toure is a brother from Mali, whose ascendancy to the ITU position Nigeria must have played a crucial role; and he never misses a chance to offer thanks and recognition to Nigeria.
Still, I was worried. This is not a market women's gathering. Child online protection champion? First Lady must be clutching one of those gadgets by now; no, don't expect that she would be decoding some computer programmes. After all, as a reporter in the ICT sector since 1993, I cannot attempt to goad anyone let alone myself that I have any knowledge of what computer programming is all about. I only report what happens in the sector. But as online child champion; there must be more to it than just raising one's voice in a global or local gathering; whether of women whose online sound is to say 'yes' to whatever the First Lady says, or to political praise singers, who would never correct their leader lest she gets upset.
I was therefore not surprised when one of the journalists asked Prof. Angaye a very poignant question: First Lady is not a computer expert. How would she function as child online protection champion; that was the question. And, if you thought that such a punch below the belt would floor Prof. Angaye, then you are absolutely wrong. In fact, it was while he was answering the question that the import of the responsibility placed on Dame Patience Jonathan, became fully apparent and clear to me.
First, she is a mother, not just of her own children; but of the nation of over 160 million people, a good number of who are children. For those who are mothers and fathers, they would and should worry about what their kids are doing online. Second, all these so-called UN assignments, the political undercurrents are far more potent than the hardcore professional callings, important as the latter may be. Third, at a time when cyber warfare is far more to be worried about, especially while Nigeria fights an internal (Boko Haramic war) as well as external (Malian war) battles (remember that Dr. Toure I informed you, is from Mali), what better person to thrust in the forefront of these two-pronged wars than an Amazon that is as fearless as she is vocal.
My only worry, and this indeed, is genuine fear, is: will Dame Patience Jonathan order a pump action rifle to launch a battle in cyberspace, believing that as child online protection champion (by the way, making someone champion before the person has taken the first shot makes winning the war more difficult), she should be carrying a machine gun to harass cyber criminals? That will be a sight to behold.
Looked at another direction, will the First Lady quickly as it is the norm and character here constitute a Committee under her supervision, peopled by cronies who know next to nothing about the ICT sector, but who are proud indeed eager to wear uniforms decked with the First Lady's picture a politically relevant rendition of the importance of Her Excellency just to be members of such a committee, which of course, would report to Her Excellency directly; whether or not there is an activity going on. After all, the ITU hierarchy will only ask of any report from Her Excellency, and whatever is submitted that bears her stamp of authority needs no scrutiny.
As these thoughts assailed me, I asked myself what would become of this cyber warfare if we go this way, especially with the stamp of authority of the ITU boss himself.
But as those thoughts assailed me, I quickly cautioned myself that these were the thoughts of a rebellious mind, one that dared to think of the First Lady of Africa's big brother (even though the economy says the opposite) as someone who would lose in cyber battle. And, I had to silence that voice; for, I'm no rebel. After all, I am a law abiding citizen of my country and cyberspace!
My greatest consolation was in the fact that Dame Patience Jonathan is a very passionate woman when it comes to matters to do with children. And, this much Prof. Angaye emphasised. She is also a very politically informed first lady given the African environment. No; you cannot put her in second place when it comes to any argument. She will stand her ground.
So, I was happy that if it came to fighting for the lives of the children of Africa in the online war, this dame will fight to the finish with all the resources material and political available at her disposal. And I tell you, the resources are almost limitless, even when she leaves office as First Lady. Remember, she is a permanent secretary. And, permanent shall her championship be.
Credit: IT&TELECOM DIGEST
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