Crime
THE Wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari, has called on parents and teachers to monitor the online activities of the children to prevent them from being exposed to criminality like cybercrime.
Mrs Buhari, who was represented by Mrs Pauline Tallen, former Deputy Governor of Plateau State, made the call in Abuja on Monday at the 13th Nigerian International Secondary Schools Model United Nations (NISSMUN) conference.
The conference has its theme: “Preventing Young People From Getting Involved In CyberCrime”.
The president wife also urged the parents to instill the spirit of legitimate enterprise in the youths and to prevent them being associated with cybercrime activities capable of destroying their future.
“This event is relevant in the training of young people in the act of tolerance, articulation and representation.
“Today, many young people have taken advantage of this opportunity and establish very successful businesses and become charming example of enterprise. “There are many others that have abuse this opportunity and turn them into cybercrime. “There is need for this conference to discuss this issue extensively and suggest solution that will result to the reversal of this trend as this impact goes beyond destruction of youths but also to our national image.
“I therefore call on parents and teachers to be watchful of the online activities of young people and behaviour as they seem detrimental to our social well-being,” she said.
Also, the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu in his address, urged students to embrace education, pursue knowledge with zeal and reject every form of criminality, including cyber-crimes.
Adamu was represented by Mr Aisnedion Alhere, Assistant Director, Basic and Secondary Education Department in the ministry. According to him, education is at the core of human development and a veritable tool for transformation and the key to sustainable development of humanity.
“Education is a viable tool for achieving a crime free society. I therefore urge you to embrace education and pursue knowledge with zeal and reject every form of criminality.
“Cybercrime, also known as computer, digital, internet or high tech crime, refers to any crime committed using a computer.
“Today, there is an alarming increase in the number of youths involved in these practices.
“While some engage in it without realising its consequences, many do it for financial gains and peer pressure.”
The minister noted that cybercrime is a serious criminal offence punishable under the law, while calling on the students to desist from such act.
He, however, promised to continue to support education programmes and any other initiative that would improve the society and useful to the youths who are the leaders of tomorrow.
Mr China Nwaozuzu, Chairman, Governing Council of NISSMUN, said the conference was apt as it was aimed at preventing young people from turning into cyber criminals.
Nwaozuzu noted that technology and internet present young people everywhere the opportunity to become legitimate players on the field. He urged the youths to make the world a better place to live, use the internet to create solutions that would make the rural poor no longer poor.
Also, the Secretary General of the organisation, Miss Nkechinyere Emeronye, said the set of young people who commit suicide are usually associated with cyber crimes.
She urged the youths to always take caution when sharing phone numbers, names and information online to prevent being hacked by unscrupulous elements.
She also warned the youths to desist from association with anyone, who could lure them into any form of cybercrime, while calling on them to engage their time and energy into useful discussion and activities.
Mr Eric Mayoraz, Ambassador of Switzerland said cybercrime affects all countries with huge cost implications running into billions of dollars.
He said that a World Bank Survey conducted in 2011 revealed that Nigeria along with Cameroon, Ghana and South Africa were listed among top 10 countries in the world with a high level of cybercrime prevalence.
“We live in a world where the internet permeates every facet of our daily lives, particularly the tech-savvy younger generations, largely due to advances in science and digital technology as well as global telecommunication infrastructure.
“The proliferation of cybercrime has naturally had a negative impact on Nigeria, and further addressing the menace will require both preventive measures to avoid youths’ involvement in cybercrime and to ensure protection from cyber attack.” He noted that efforts had been put in place to tackle the issue of cybercrime at the international level.
The envoy stressed the need to have a cyber policy which would aid the elimination of cybercrime in our society. “Sadly there is no consensus on this at the global level, with countries struggling to agree on an instrument, standards or codes in the cyber area.
“The need for action is massive as protection against cyber attacks is becoming increasingly. – Vanguard
– Oct 23, 2017 @ 17:43 GMT |
Tags: Cybercrime: Aisha Buhari urges parents Malam Adamu Adamu Mr Aisnedion Alhere Mr China Nwaozuzu Mrs Pauline Tallen teachers to monitor online activities of youths
