Joseph Bakare
The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has called on youths across the country to shun the allure of internet crimes and resist the get-rich-quick syndrome associated with it to safeguard their future and wellbeing.
He made the call recently in Abuja at an event organized by the “Child Protection Initiative against Cybercrime”.
The EFCC boss who was represented by Assistant Superintendent of the EFCC ASE1 Ogunjobi Olalekan emphasized that there is honour in hard work and uprightness rather than in earning money through fraud and at the risk of going to prison. “You can become whatever you want to be, but don’t yield to peer pressure or quick gains from cybercrime,” he said.
While highlighting the challenges posed by internet fraud, Olukoyede cautioned that concerted efforts should be taken to break the negative hold of the fraud on nations.
He identified cybercrime enablers among Nigerian youths to include: high rate of unemployment, internal and external pressures to acquire material possessions and overly supportive parents and guardians. The latter according to him may be well-intentioned, but “inadvertently foster a lack of self-control and discipline in children,” adding that the toxic mix of societal and familial influences can lead vulnerable youths down a dangerous path of cybercrime, including online scams, identity theft, and other malicious activities.”
He identified research and development, dedicated support systems, promotion of positive online behaviour and parental involvement (controls and monitoring, family workshops) as effective measures against the allure of cybercrime.
Speaking earlier, the organizer of the event, Delmwa Gogwim said the mission of the “Child Protection Initiative against Cybercrimes” was to ensure the safety of children and teenagers in the digital space in their quest for education, entertainment, self-development, and 21st Century skill building and to enable young people to be able to express and promote themselves in the society.
“Cyber security is not just for your safety, but the safety of your loved ones. With over 140 million Nigerians connected to the internet, and more than half of them being young people, our focus is on tomorrow’s leaders. Their exposure to and utilization of the internet can be a transformative force, not only for themselves but for the entire nation,” she stated.
Similarly, the representative of the Speaker, Plateau State House of Assembly, Gabriel Dewan urged youths to be productive and shun cybercrimes and other forms of criminality