Skip to main content

Speaker Sidie challenges MPs to consider technology as viable tools to curb insecurity in the region… Calls for regional electoral reforms through technology

With the increase of violent extremism and terrorism, humanitarian crises and global pandemics across ECOWAS member State, The Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament Right Honourable sidie Tunis challenged Parliamentarians and government of Member State on the need to harness the merits of the latest technological advancements, innovations and intelligence as viable tools to curb insecurity. The ECOWAS Speaker gave the challenge in his remarks, at the opening ceremony of the de-localised meeting of the Joint Committee on Political Affairs, Peace, Security and African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), Legal Affairs and Human Rights and Telecommunications and Information Technology of the ECOWAS Parliament, holding at Winneba, Ghana, from 27 – 30 July, 2021. He argued, evidence shows that societies mired in violent conflict are often characterized by lack of development and shortage of economic opportunities. “So, we must strive for the return of peace in our region as it remains the key component to sustainable development”, he added. Furthermore, Rt. Honourable Mohammed Tunis said: “As the world continues to witness innovations and changes in the ICT architecture, the judicial system and its policy makers now have the opportunity to bring justice, law and order closer to the people. Through the rapid development of Telecommunications and Information Technology, he argued, administration of justice can be improved and made effective for the smooth running of the society. “The digitization of legal systems is a development that has come to stay, and I have no doubt that if improved upon, life will be made easier for the people. This is because it stands to reason that peace can only prevail in a society that has justice and equity”, he said. “Furthermore, it is pertinent to consider the conduct of elections, which is the bedrock of democracy and good governance considering this digital age. Elections in the region continue to attract a lot of discussions. It is true that the Community is yet to attain the stature of most advanced democracies, where citizens express their rights through free and fair elections, thereby making their voices heard and their choices respected”. He continued: “Our systems are still in the infancy stage and one major way to embrace rejuvenation is by ensuring that we roll out electoral reforms that can withstand the test of time. The successes we have garnered in recent years must be consolidated through effective counting and monitoring systems, which have been provided for by technology. To this end, beyond reforms, there must also be a system of accountability and redress that is void of violence and criminality”. On the issue of the internet, the ECOWAS Speaker said: “As the internet and other digital technologies expand the frontiers of businesses and exchange, cyberspace related crimes also increase. There is, therefore, a lot of danger if we do not have a harmonized system that ensures that cybercrimes of all sorts are not allowed to take place and in case they do, we should have the mechanisms in place to thwart calamities”. Concluding his speech, he observed: “Whilst we crave and yearn for more advancement in digital transformation, we must equip IT professionals and stakeholders with necessary policies to improve the functioning and efficiency of administrations, public policies and economies, as well as the well-being of our population”. He admonished that the risk is multi-dimensional and can ground not just organizations, but nations as well, but remained positive that, “with continuous review and implementation of both national and regional resolutions, we will achieve our aim”.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Buhari re-appoints Yakubu as INEC Chairman

  The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has re-appointed Prof Mahmood Yakubu as the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission. The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday titled “President Buhari nominates Prof Yakubu as INEC chairman for second term in office.” The statement read, “President Muhammadu Buhari has presented the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, for a second term in office. “In a letter to President of the Senate, Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, the President said in accordance with the provision of Section 154 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), ‘I am pleased to present for confirmation by the Senate, the nomination of Professor Mahmood Yakubu for appointment as Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for a second and final term.’ “Prof Yakubu was first appointed by P...
Post a Comment
Read more
Benin Republic set to review Constitution on terms of Political Office. In a year when many countries on the continent and in West Africa are changing their constitutions to allow for incumbent presidents to run yet again, the Beninese National Assembly has approved a major constitutional reform to discuss the precision on the two terms of office of the President of the Republic among other issues. Detailing the political situation of Benin at the floor of the ECOWAS Parliament, the country report presented contained that the constitutions review was to address the current political situation of the country marking a new Republic following two unsuccessful attempts. The report stated that “Benin Republic has after the April 2019 Legislative elections experienced a tense atmosphere following the frustrating feelings from political group who were unable to participate in the legislative elections, due to the inability to meet the requirement on the law on the constit...
Post a Comment
Read more

IMPLEMENTATION OF NEW SIM REGISTRATION RULES

Following the earlier directive on the suspension of new SIM registration by network operators, the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami) convened an urgent meeting of key stakeholders in the Communications industry on Monday, December 14, 2020.   The meeting had in attendance the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and Management of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), as well as the CEOs and Management staff of all service providers in the industry.   At the meeting, the need to consolidate the achievements of last year’s  SIM registration audit and improve the performance and sanity of the sector was exhaustively discussed and all stakeholders agreed that urgent drastic measures have now become inevitable to improve the integrity and transparency of the SIM registration process.   To this end, t...
Post a Comment
Read more