As the internet continues to grow and more people especially youths move online, the importance of safer internet education can’t be overlooked. The Safer Internet Day is one of the most important day globally for safer Internet education. Safer Internet day is a day when organizations from over 140 countries across the world celebrated and teach the need to have a safer internet for everyone. Annually, Nigeria is not left out of this celebration as International Center for Leadership Development (ICLDNG) the local organizing committee partners with other organisations across Nigeria to celebrate the Day.
This year, ICLDNG celebrated the event in three states, Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt respectively. The Lagos event which brought together over 200 students from 82 public schools and 56 teachers were in attendance. This year’s theme, “Create, connect and share respect: A better internet starts with you”, is a call to action for every stakeholder to play their part in creating a better internet for everyone and, in particular, the youngest users out there. More than that, it is an invitation for everyone to join in and engage with others in a respectful way in order to ensure a better digital experience.
Special thanks to our resource persons the Public Affairs department of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) Ikoyi Lagos, Mr. Murtala Ariyo for the wonderful presentation on the role of EFCC in combating cyber criminals in Nigeria, Mr. Remmy Nweke from Digital Sense Africa who spoke on Nigerian students, Technology Education and Cyber Crime, he also gave out several copies of his book titled: A DECADE, ICT REPORTAGE IN NIGERIA, to the school that was punctual, the students that answered questions, students that recite the National Anthem, Treasures Uchegbu who presented on Effective Parenting in this Digital Age, Uchechi Chukwuma shared with the students Digital Addiction among Nigeria Youth, Taiwo Fashola Owolabi – how can Nigerian Youth use the Internet more productively. The Principal Itolo Girl’s Senior High School, Mrs Olawepo welcome everyone with her opening remarks, followed by the representative from the Education district IV staff who represented the Director Special Duties.
In Abuja, the event took place in two locations – NAOWA Institute of Management and Technology, Abuja (NIMTA) and Nigerian Ghana International College (NGIC). Over 120 participants, including Secondary school students, Teachers, youths, Invited guests and media house. Topic Presented: “Internet Safety” by Nana-Aisha Ibrahim, MD/CEO Naisha Smart Technologies (NST).
SaferInternetDay2018 Port Harcourt, Nigeria organised by TamunoTonye Nyekwere a Port Harcourt-based Cyber Security Expert and the South-South coordinating officer of Safer Internet Day held at Government Girls Secondary School, Oromineke, D-Line Port Harcourt. The event had over 180 participants, including Secondary school students, Teachers, Invited guests and Facilitators. Facilitators include : Ross Alabo-George, the representative of RivEthics, the representative of the Director of Senior Secondary School, Ministry of Education Rivers State, the representative of the Head, Public Affairs Unit of the EFCC, Rivers State office.
In the coming months, we look forward to more collaboration with corporate organizations to promote internet Safety across schools in the country.