The Federal Ministry of Education has launched a five-day training program for principals of Federal Unity Colleges, focusing on school safety and protection. The initiative, taking place at the National Institute of Security Studies (NISS) in Bwari, Abuja, underscores the government’s commitment to creating a secure learning environment for students nationwide.

Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, represented by the Director of School Safety, Alhaji Abdullahi Hussein, stressed the importance of safeguarding unity colleges to ensure a conducive atmosphere for learning. He highlighted that the initiative not only benefits educational institutions but also plays a crucial role in nurturing future leaders.

Dr. Sani-Gwarzo further noted that the Ministry has developed capacity-building programs aimed at enhancing security measures within schools. He assured that collaboration with relevant security agencies will continue in a bid to strengthen safety protocols. However, he acknowledged ongoing security challenges in educational institutions, emphasizing the need for increased awareness and preparedness among teachers, students, and security personnel.

To institutionalize these safety measures, the Ministry has established a dedicated Safety Unit under the Office of the Permanent Secretary. This unit will work closely with stakeholders to implement and monitor school security initiatives.

In his welcome address, the Commandant of the National Institute of Security Studies (NISS), Joseph O. Odama, reiterated the importance of the training in addressing security threats within educational institutions. He commended the Federal Ministry of Education for prioritizing school safety and urged participants to actively engage in the sessions.

Hajia Halima Iliya, Coordinator for the Safe Schools Initiative at the Federal Ministry of Finance, provided insights into the evolution of school security measures in Nigeria. She highlighted Nigeria’s commitment to the Safe Schools Declaration, which the country signed in 2019 alongside over 100 other nations. Furthermore, she revealed that in 2023, the Federal Government allocated N15 billion to implementing agencies to bolster school security. In addition, a National Safe School Response Coordination Center was established under the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to monitor and manage security threats in schools across the country.

The five-day training program will feature various sessions designed to equip school administrators with practical strategies for improving security in educational institutions. This initiative reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring a safe learning environment for all students across Nigeria.

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) has donated free agricultural inputs, including 10,000 water pumps with all accessories, 10,000 knapsack sprayers, 10,000 liters of herbicides, 10,000 liters of pesticide, and 10,000 liters of organic fertilizers, to the Jigawa State Government. This initiative aims to support agricultural transformation in the state, boost production, and achieve food and nutrition security.

Speaking at the 2025 Wheat Farmers Green Field Celebration, organized by the Jigawa State Government and the Flour Milling Association of Nigeria (FMAN) in Dabi village, Ringim Local Government Area, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, emphasized that these inputs would help reduce food inflation while enabling farmers to transition from subsistence farming to profitable agribusiness ventures.

Sen. Kyari highlighted that agriculture remains the backbone of Jigawa State’s economy, contributing over 60% to the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employing more than 90% of its population. He noted that Jigawa is recognized for its food crop production, livestock farming, and cash crop exports, particularly sesame and hibiscus flower, making it the leading producer of sesame and the largest producer of hibiscus in Nigeria.

The Minister revealed that during the 2023/2024 wheat production season, the Federal Government, through the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro Pocket Programme (NAGS-AP), supported the cultivation of 40,000 hectares of wheat in Jigawa State. With contributions from the state government and other partners, an additional 15,000 hectares were cultivated, totaling over 55,000 hectares.

“In that year, the timely provision of inputs at subsidized prices, coupled with the dedication and resilience of farmers, resulted in a bumper harvest,” Kyari stated.

Building on this success, the Federal Government has increased its intervention for the current season, supporting 60,000 hectares, while the state government and other partners will contribute an additional 20,000 hectares, bringing the total to 80,000 hectares. The Minister celebrated this milestone, noting that over 160,000 farmers have benefited from subsidized agricultural inputs.

Sen. Kyari commended the collaborative efforts of the African Development Bank, led by Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, the World Food Programme, other multinational organizations, and FMAN for fostering a thriving agricultural community in alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for food and nutrition security.May be an image of 6 people and grass

Governor of Jigawa State, Mallam Umar Namadi, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting agriculture as a key driver of food security and economic growth. He expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for spearheading groundbreaking agricultural innovations and pledged to expand wheat production to 500,000 hectares by 2030, calling for partnerships to achieve this ambitious goal.

In his welcome address, the National Program Manager of FMAN, Dr. Aliyu Samaila, announced that FMAN, in collaboration with the Jigawa State Government, is supporting 10,000 farmers with input loans and providing training to over 50,000 farmers across six wheat-producing states. He highlighted FMAN’s establishment of 200 demonstration farms and centers of excellence to equip farmers with essential knowledge and skills for improved yields and productivity.

The event concluded with the distribution of agricultural inputs to smallholder farmers and an inspection of wheat farms in Ringim Local Government Area. Dignitaries in attendance included the Deputy Governor of Jigawa State, the Commissioner of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Directors from FMAFS, members of FMAN, representatives from the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, and other stakeholders.

Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, has announced Nigeria’s readiness to host the inaugural International Submarine Cable Resilience Summit, scheduled for February 26-27, 2025. Speaking at a press briefing, he was joined by Tomas Lamanauskas, Deputy Secretary General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), to highlight the importance of protecting critical subsea cable infrastructure and mitigating potential disruptions.

As part of the summit’s activities, the first in-person meeting of the ITU Submarine Cable Resilience Advisory Body will be held. Dr. Tijani, who co-chairs the body alongside Professor Sandra Maximiano, Head of Portugal’s ANACOM, emphasized the significance of this gathering in advancing global discussions on subsea cable resilience.No alternative text description for this image

The Advisory Body, inaugurated last year, marks Nigeria’s leadership in shaping the global discourse on connectivity infrastructure protection. Dr. Tijani expressed gratitude for ITU’s leadership and welcomed delegates from various member countries who are set to converge in Abuja for the summit. The event is expected to foster meaningful dialogue on safeguarding critical digital infrastructure and enhancing global connectivity resilience.

The National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Dr. Vincent Olatunji, delivered the keynote address at a webinar on data protection and privacy organized by the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS).

In his presentation, titled “The State of Data Protection and Privacy in Nigeria,” Dr. Olatunji provided an insightful overview of the evolution of data protection and privacy regulations in the country. He traced the journey leading to the establishment of the NDPC, which came into existence following the signing of the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDP Act) by President Bola Tinubu on June 12, 2023.

During the session, Dr. Olatunji elaborated on key terminologies within the data protection and privacy ecosystem. He also broke down the fundamental provisions of the NDP Act, detailing the core principles of data processing and the rights of data subjects under the legislation.May be an image of 6 people, people studying, newsroom and text

A key highlight of his address was the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model adopted by the Commission. He noted that the initiative has garnered significant interest from other Data Protection Authorities seeking to replicate its success. Dr. Olatunji further outlined the obligations of data controllers and processors, including mandatory registration with the NDPC, adherence to data processing guidelines, and the appointment of a Data Protection Officer (DPO). He also underscored the consequences of non-compliance with the NDP Act.

Concluding his presentation, Dr. Olatunji urged NCS and its corporate members to ensure full compliance with the NDP Act. He called for increased collaboration between the Commission and industry stakeholders to strengthen data protection and privacy frameworks in Nigeria.

 

 

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About Kecam Technologies Limited
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About Data Resolve Technologies
Data Resolve Technologies is a global cybersecurity company focused on insider threat management, data security, and risk mitigation solutions for enterprises worldwide.

 

 

Between January 20 and 24, the town of Davos-Klosters, Switzerland hosted the annual World Economic Forum (WEF). Among the key highlights drawing media attention were several special addresses by prominent political figures. NETSCOUT’s ASERT team of engineers and researchers specialising in information security observed an increased volume of distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks shortly before and during at least one of these addresses. This piece chronologically follows the events of the WEF while elaborating on events in the Swiss cyberspace.

DDoS Attack Chronology

 

Between the opening and closing of the event, ASERT observed more than 1,400 DDoS attacks of varying sizes and vectors. During, and around the WEF, the observed number of attacks were approximately twice as high as comparable time periods in December. The following graphs will explore the observed DDoS attack events by day. An overview is provided in Figure 1, with the grey-highlighted vertical bars representing the Forum’s schedule.

 

Figure 1: Three DDoS attack metrics as observed by ASERT. The grey regions mark the official schedule of the event.

 

  • January 19: Although the Forum was not set to begin until midday on January 20, ASERT detected high-bandwidth DDoS activity targeting a major Swiss service provider network. The attacks were observed between 10:50 and 12:30, peaking at 426 Gbps. The primary vector was DNS reflection amplification traffic, symptomatic for attacks aiming for bandwidth saturation. It is possible this was a preparation or reconnaissance run, and threat actors were testing the effectiveness of the chosen attack vector. To ASERT’s knowledge, the 426 Gbps attack did not cause any significant harm or outage. We will examine in future attacks that the vectors and methodology employed by attacker changed.
  • January 20: The Forum’s first official session began at 14:00 UTC (15:00 local time). The opening was accompanied by high-bandwidth and throughput anomalies, that spiked at 24 Gbps during the event at 15:20 UTC. Contrary to the previous day’s attacks, the DDoS attacks leveraged various reflection amplification vectors likely in the hope of a more disruptive effect.
  • January 21: As day two progressed, ASERT observed an ever-growing number of DDoS attack activity leading up to one of the speeches. The attacks feature primarily TCP-based vectors, while some smaller avalanches of attack traffic target DNS servers with query floods on UDP/53 and TCP/53. The switch to TCP-based attacks may represent yet another shift in operation from adversaries.
  • January 22: The third day of the event exhibits similar patterns to the previous day, though attacks were less bandwidth saturating. TCP RST or SYN floods, along with TCP SYN/ACK amplification attacks are symptomatic for a flood of small packets, as it was observed for the day.
  • January 23 and 24: Day four was relatively uneventful compared to activity of previous days. However, the closing day of the WEF coincided with notable DDoS attack activity. Even after the Forum concluded, ASERT continued to observe notable DDoS attack anomalies for several hours.

 

WEF in the Crosshairs of Cyber Hacktivism

 

DDoS attacks during high-profile events like the WEF are often indicative of politically motivated adversaries. One such actor, NoName057(16) – an actor aligned with Russian interests – is frequently associated with DDoS campaigns targeting political figures or aiming to disrupt notable events where policy discussions occur.

 

The group operates a notorious DDoS botnet called DDoSia, which is usually the facilitator of HTTP flooding attack traffic. However, in this instance, the adversary primarily deployed TCP-based attack methods, diverging from their usual tactics, and aligning with ASERT’s previously observed attack patterns. We show the percentage of different methods facilitated through the botnet in Figure 2.

 

Figure 2: An overview of the DDoS attack instructions of the DDoSia botnet. Although, their signature is HTTP application layer attacks, this time the botnet primarily instructed clients to facilitate TCP traffic.

Targets of the DDoS Attacks

 

Figure 3 compares the industries of the DDoS attack targets in Switzerland during the WEF. It aligns with observations made during comparable events in the past – stressing again the need for resiliency and preparedness of large service providers. Often, attack traffic is directed towards service provider networks, such as telecommunication providers and cloud infrastructure. Events like these – those of international significance – also create additional stress for upstream providers.

 

Figure 3: ASERT detangled the ~1,400 DDoS attacks and mapped the destination addresses onto their corresponding industries. It becomes clear that international assemblies primarily attract DDoS attacks that target telecommunication providers.

 

Conclusion

 

The analysis of the DDoS landscape in Switzerland highlights the importance of network visibility and sophisticated DDoS defence, such as NETSCOUT’s Adaptive DDoS Protection and curated ATLAS Threat Intelligence Feed (AIF). It underlines that service provider networks must be on alert during events of international significance.

 

About NETSCOUT

 

NETSCOUT SYSTEMS, INC. (NASDAQ: NTCT) protects the connected world from cyberattacks and performance and availability disruptions through its unique visibility platform and solutions powered by its pioneering deep packet inspection at scale technology. NETSCOUT serves the world’s largest enterprises, service providers, and public sector organizations. Learn more at www.netscout.com or follow @NETSCOUT on LinkedIn, X, or Facebook.

 

©2024 NETSCOUT SYSTEMS, INC. All rights reserved. Third-party trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

 

Oben, a major oil and gas producing area in Nigeria, has witnessed a significant infrastructure boost with the completion and commissioning of the reconstructed Abraka-Oben Road. The project, a key initiative of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), aims to improve connectivity and enhance economic activities in the region.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, the Minister for Regional Development, Hon. Engr. Abubakar Momoh, emphasized the importance of government initiatives in ensuring that oil-producing communities benefit from national development efforts.

“I thank the officials—from the Executive to the National Assembly—who have enabled the NDDC to operate efficiently. I urge the National Assembly to continue the prompt release of NDDC budgets, allowing the Commission to fulfill its mandate effectively,” he stated.

The minister also encouraged other Regional Development Commissions preparing to commence operations to take inspiration from the NDDC. He stressed the need for collaboration between their Management Teams and Governing Boards to accelerate regional development.

The event also marked the flag-off of the reconstruction of the Abraka-Agbor Road project, further reinforcing the government’s commitment to infrastructure development in the Niger Delta.

 The Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, participated in a series of high-level engagements aimed at shaping the future of artificial intelligence (AI) and fostering digital innovation. His activities were aligned with the Knowledge and Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Capital pillars of the Ministry’s Strategic Blueprint, which seeks to accelerate Nigeria’s technological advancement.

At the global summit, the minister joined key stakeholders from both the public and private sectors to deliberate on responsible AI development, governance frameworks, and policies that will guide its ethical deployment. The discussions aimed to ensure AI’s growth aligns with global best practices while addressing local economic and social challenges.

A significant highlight of Dr. Tijani’s engagements was a pivotal meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Google CEO Sundar Pichai. The discussions focused on strengthening Nigeria’s collaboration with Google to expand AI education, enhance digital infrastructure, and support Nigeria’s thriving tech ecosystem. Pichai reaffirmed Google’s commitment to working with the Nigerian government to upskill young talents, drive AI research, and support startups leveraging AI-driven solutions.

Beyond AI, the minister also engaged with key industry leaders, policymakers, and investors to attract capital and foster entrepreneurship in Nigeria’s digital sector. His participation at the summit reinforced the country’s ambition to become a hub for technology-driven economic growth, innovation, and job creation.

The engagements, which took place from February 10–14, 2025, highlight Nigeria’s growing influence in global conversations on AI, digital transformation, and innovation-driven development.

In a strategic move to advance digital development in Benue State, Deputy Governor Samuel Ode has met with the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, to discuss potential collaboration on digital initiatives.

The discussions centered on leveraging technology to modernize the state’s infrastructure, equip its youth with essential digital skills, and create sustainable, tech-driven solutions to drive economic growth. Recognizing the role of digital transformation in governance and economic development, Ode emphasized the need for partnerships that would enhance innovation and position Benue as a key player in Nigeria’s digital economy.

In response, the NITDA DG reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting the state’s digital agenda. He highlighted NITDA’s various initiatives aimed at fostering technological growth across Nigeria and assured the Deputy Governor of the agency’s willingness to provide technical assistance, training programs, and infrastructure development.

With this engagement, Benue State aims to establish itself as a hub for technological advancement, empowering its citizens with the skills and resources needed to thrive in an increasingly digital world.

By Anthony Emeka Nwosu

The recent United Nations vote on a resolution condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has sent shockwaves through global diplomatic circles. In an unprecedented move, the United States voted against the resolution, aligning itself with Russia, North Korea, Belarus, and 14 other nations with strong ties to Moscow.

This vote signals a significant departure from the Biden-era stance on Ukraine and has led to widespread speculation about the geopolitical implications. Is this a tactical move toward a U.S.-Russia realignment, or does it indicate the beginning of a broader global power shift?

Breaking the Mold: A New U.S. Foreign Policy Direction?

For years, the U.S. has been one of Ukraine’s strongest backers, providing military aid, sanctions against Russia, and diplomatic support. However, this latest vote suggests a reassessment of America’s global priorities. With former President Donald Trump expected to play a significant role in shaping future U.S. policies, many see this as an indicator of a potential shift toward isolationism or even a strategic pivot away from Europe’s conflict zones.

Some analysts argue that this is a calculated move by Washington to de-escalate tensions and push for an end to the war. Others, however, see it as a stark reversal that could weaken NATO’s influence and strengthen Russia’s geopolitical position.

Public Reaction: Celebration or Concern?

Opinions on this development are deeply divided.

George Bennett, a political commentator, sees this as a positive step toward acknowledging Russia’s grievances, stating:

“Now, that is a positive step forward. The facts are that Russia, in this case, was the victim of NATO interference and the EU and previous U.S. regimes. I have always viewed this as an overreach that gave Russia no choice. Now, can we get Zelensky, the global panhandler, out?”

Meanwhile, Trump supporters are celebrating the vote as a major victory for the “America First” movement, with one pro-Trump advocate, Ted, remarking:

“This is arguably the greatest moment in history for the America First movement. The courage shown by President Trump to go against what Biden and the media forced us to believe is almost unfathomable. I salute you, President Trump. May God bless you, sir.”

This perspective suggests that under a potential second Trump presidency, the U.S. could withdraw from European conflicts, refocus on domestic priorities, and even seek stronger ties with Russia.

A Historic Parallel: U.S. and Russia Together Again?

The last time the United States and Russia found themselves aligned in global affairs was World War II, when both nations joined forces to defeat Nazi Germany. Some analysts suggest that this latest UN vote might be a precursor to a similar alignment—one that could reshape global power structures over the next decade.

One observer speculated:

“For the next four years, we’re going to see some collaborations between the U.S. and Russia. Stepping stones are being laid now, and by 2026, it’ll all make sense. The world will move past this conflict into a new geopolitical era.”

This raises important questions: Could this vote be an early step toward a U.S.-Russia partnership, one that challenges China’s growing influence? Is Washington moving away from NATO’s traditional stance in favor of a more flexible foreign policy approach?

Potential Fallout: What This Means for Europe

While some see this shift as a positive move, others warn of potential blowback, especially for Europe. A commentator under the alias ShiVA raised concerns over possible security threats stemming from the war:

“The U.S. wants to end the war as soon as possible. However, a Nazi-linked issue in Ukraine could spiral into terrorism, driven by Ukrainian vengeance against their sponsors—especially Europeans. This should alarm Europeans, as geographical distance makes the U.S. an unlikely target for retaliation.”

This sentiment reflects a growing fear that Europe could bear the brunt of any retaliatory actions if Ukraine feels abandoned by its Western allies. It also highlights the geopolitical advantage the U.S. enjoys due to its geographical distance from the conflict.

No Permanent Friends or Enemies in Politics

The U.S. voting shift serves as a stark reminder that international alliances are fluid. Rizwan Riaz succinctly put it:

“This is the best example of the reality that there is no permanent ally or enemy in international politics.”

This reality could redefine global alliances in the coming years, with potential diplomatic reconfigurations between the U.S., Russia, China, and the EU.

The Media’s Role: Shaping Narratives or Distorting Reality?

Some believe that mainstream media has been manipulating the narrative around the Ukraine conflict. A commentator named Sapientia Hope argued that this U.S. vote should not be shocking to those who have been following the deeper geopolitical trends:

“If you know the truth, this wouldn’t be so shocking to you. The media have been getting paid handsomely to lie in the former mainstream legacy media. The one where they said Putin (who has been in power for two decades, mind you) randomly invaded Ukraine for his ‘ambitions.’ Times are changing. The world is shifting. Trump knows this and is doing what is good for the U.S. and world peace.”

If this perspective holds any weight, the U.S. vote could be a sign that the mainstream narrative about Ukraine and Russia is beginning to unravel.

What Happens Next?

With this unexpected U.S. stance at the UN, the world is now watching closely. The key questions remain:

  • Will the U.S. push for a diplomatic settlement between Russia and Ukraine?
  • Is this vote an isolated event, or the beginning of a long-term shift in U.S. foreign policy?
  • How will Europe, NATO, and Ukraine respond to what they may see as an American retreat?
  • Could this shift ultimately benefit Russia and weaken Western influence in global affairs?

Regardless of where one stands, this move marks a turning point in international diplomacy. If the U.S. continues on this path, the world could be on the verge of a new era of global power dynamics—one where traditional alliances are redefined, and the old world order is left behind.