THE NIGERIAN SPYING PROJECT
The Webster dictionary summarily defines privacy thus "freedom from unauthorized intrusion"
We begin by asking Do Nigerians have privacy from the prying eyes of the current administration?
Over the course of several months we have heard accusations by high profile opposition leaders accusing the current administration of shutting down their Facebook pages and snooping on their phone conversations. Such weighty accusations have been waved away in a nonchalant manner, and labelled as ramblings from frustrated opposition figures. and the average Nigerian remains too preoccupied with the hardship in the country to be distracted by such issues like privacy.
Asari Dokubo, the self acclaimed ijaw freedom fighter was one such high profile opposition to raise alarm over the government's clandestine activities. As far back as September of 2015 he boldly accused the Buhari led government of shutting down his Facebook page but his outburst was promptly waved aside.
Recent evidence has prompted us to revist Dokubo's claims and let the public know what these government is capable of and the extent which they will go to repress any form of opposition.
In an article posted on the British Broadcasting Corporation website in October 2015, several documents obtained and viewed by the corporation listed names of African countries said to have acquired sophisticated spying software. The list included countries such as Nigeria,Rwanda, Uganda and Senegal, these said countries acquired the technology generally referred to as "finisher" from a certain Gamma Group International.

The implications of such technology in the hands of African government is a reason for serious concern because of the potentially oppressive way it will be used. Such concerns are not far fetched being that in the last decade no other continent has produced more dictators as Africa. For Nigerians,The oppressive days of the Abacha regime remains fresh in our minds and our country's current president Gen Buhari has one of the worst Human rights records in our history, one can only imagine what the government will do to dissenting voices. Uganda is An example of how this software can be used to crush the opposition. President Museveni effectively used the software in its surveillance programmed codenamed "fungua macho" to target and opposition figures [read full article here http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-34529237]
Nigerians are well aware of the whole budget padding fiasco and it's disappearance from the National assembly.it probably makes a good storyline for a nollywood movie. Some aspects of the budget irked my interest,one such aspect is the amount budgeted to the office of the National Security Adviser,Babagana Monguno. It is Estimated that Nigeria will spend 17.7 billion on security infrastructure, of which 8.7billion will be spent on a vague surveillance programmed code named operation "All Eye " and 9billion on a Russian sounding programme called "Starvinsky"
I think it is more than just coincidence that this two programs are being considered at a time when the country plans to launch its fourth satellite into space. Also in the budget a whopping 6.7billion was earmarked for the purchase of computers,this being further prove of a sophisticated surveillance infrastructure.

Nigeria is currently grappling with serious security challenges and there is an obvious need to upgrade existing security infrastructure But the big question remains can we trust this present government or any other government with such a powerful tool? Especially in a country where the military and security agencies are actively participating in human rights violation. It is not far fetched to imagine the government planting incriminating materials on phones, laptops and other such devices.

The government's desire to crush
Free speech especially on Nigeria's active social media platform was revealed with Anti Social media bill that was proposed on the floor of the Senate.
The government should as a matter of necessity upgrade the existing infrastructure but it remains imperative that an existing legal framework be developed guarding and streamlining the use of this software to prevent it's wrong usage.

Super story

Very True !!

Our Main Target Is Keep Power As Much As we Can

If Nigeria wants to make use of this advance technology,then it is a welcomed development.As for the opposition,it has nothing to affect unless they are afraid their evil machinations will be check-mated easily

SweetJoystick:
Super story

Anyone who sees your name won't expect a meaningful contribution from you.