By Angela Nkwocha
In a bid to ensure that Nigerian children and youths are protected from Cyber criminals, the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, on Tuesday in Abuja, flagged off nationwide cyber security awareness campaign, set to extend to all the thirty six states of the federation to sensitize students and guide them against cyber-related crimes such as cyberbullying, internet fraud and identity theft amongst others.
Speaking at the event the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta averred that though the internet was an indispensable element of everyday life which provides the opportunity for research and learning for our teeming youths and children, it also exposes them to harmful contents, thus the need for effective protection.
He said that the Commission is collaborating with key cyber security stakeholders to foster a robust cyber security environment for effective protection of the country’s information and communication infrastructure and networks, adding that the Commission is involved in all the collaborative processes that culminated in fashioning out of the National Cyber Security Policy, strategy, and the cybercrimes ACT, 2015 which will soon be undergoing review.
He further said the Commission has commenced the process of establishing a Cyber Security Incidence Response Team (CSIRT) for the communication sector for international coordination of Cyber security incidents in Nigeria. Stressing that the fight against cybercrimes transcends geographical jurisdictions and as such NCC is working to build strategic partnership and collaborative alliances with stakeholders, agencies and organisations.
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami, while lauding NCC for the initiative described the youths as the future of Nigeria. The Minister who was represented by his Special Assistant Information Technology, Dr Femi Adeluyi, said child online protection is very important.
While commending the drop in number of improperly registered SIM cards, he tasked Nigerians to project themselves as ambassadors of a country that does not tolerate cyber-crimes but rather provides cyber security tools. He further beckoned on the students to develop cyber security skills and to be knowledge driven.
