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
