The Minister of Communications, Dr. Adebayo Shittu has said that the federal government is working on strategic security measures to ensure secured cyberspace in Nigeria devoid of probable attacks.
He stated this recently while addressing participants at the 2018 Legislative Stakeholders Conference on cyber security in Abuja.
According to him, the ICT Roadmap 2017-2020 and Cybercrime Act 2015, commits Nigeria to an ambitious, proactive, strategic and diplomatic agenda to ensure the deployment, utilization of ICTs safe and secure cyberspace.
In a statement signed by Daniel Enoch for deputy director of press the minister reiterated that keeping Nigerians safe, secure and free is the government’s most fundamental responsibility.
He added that that is the reason government is leveraging on ICT to build strong defense mechanisms to check the activities of cyber criminals and keep the nation cyber space safe from vulnerability.
In addition to that the Ministry of Communications is in collaboration with the office of the national security to bolster Nigerian’s defenses against foreign interferences.
He further stated that the Ministry of Communications in conjunction with relevant stakeholders is coming up with an essential and effective cyber security management strategy based on existing legislative frameworks as well as building on the work being done by bodies like the cyber-crime advisory council.
The minister stressed that the cyber ecosystem has been manipulated to undermine democratic processes and whip up tension amongst societal groups as well as carry out fraudulent acts for financial gains.
He however assured that the ministry will continually partner with office of the national security adviser to benefit from the internet, secure it, as well as engage the international rule making bodies to make the nation’s cyber security space safe.
…Charges youth to embrace ICT to boost economy
However, the minister charged youths to avail themselves opportunities abound in the Information and Communications Technology to become a better citizens.
The minister made this appeal during the Southwest zone stakeholders’ engagement workshop on ICT utilization and sustainability, in Ogun state with the theme: ‘ICT for Community Engagement through Knowledge Based Development’.
The minister stressed that the experience with oil in the country have shown that ICT have better opportunities that can transform the country’s economy and better the lot of the citizenry.
He added that some countries of the world which relied on ICT are better developed.
“ICT is helpful in creating jobs, developing Nigeria and it will lead to eventual transformation of the country,” he said.
In his remarks Chairman Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), Senator Biyi Durojaiye explained that the essence of the workshop is to create avenue to identify, train and equip hidden talents among the nation’s youth that would blossom to help grow the economy, create jobs and enhance national competitiveness.
The programme which was facilitated by the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) and Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is to engender “sustainable and equitable ICT access for all,” Secretary of USPF, Mr. Ayuba Shuaibu represented by USPF head of strategy, Mr. Kelechi Nwankwo said.
He added that the workshop enabled stakeholders to interact with USPF in identifying solutions for two key projects (Community Resource Centre (CRC) and school Knowledge Centre (SKC).
150 youth in the locality are targeted for training.
