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
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